Curriculum Science

Curriculum Intent:

Through engaging and relevant lessons, we find out what students know already about a topic through questioning, practical work and problem solving.  We then aim to challenge and extend their learning, as well as to develop their scientific vocabulary.  We identify gaps or misconceptions in our students’ knowledge or skill base, that can be addressed through carefully sequenced learning. We aim for deep learning of key ideas and skills, rather than superficial knowledge of a large number of topics.  Hence, we revisit key ideas to build a better understanding. Where appropriate, we baseline year 7 with the AQA transition test. 

KS3 follow a thematic curriculum, which covers working scientifically, biology, chemistry and physics.  Our thematic approach enhances the National Curriculum content which is covered and adds relevance.  At the end of KS3 students should be able to solve relevant problems by being able to plan and carry out fair tests, analyse data to give a conclusion from results or data, and have a secure understanding of matter, forces and energy, as well as living things, at the level appropriate to them.  This means they should be ready to move onto KS4.  At KS4 we offer a variety of routes to cater for all needs and abilities.  This enables all to celebrate their learning at an appropriate level: CREST Superstar awards, Entry Level or GCSE. 

We develop enthusiasm and engagement with trips to see the relevance of science, such as work-related environments, visiting speakers running workshops and use of our outdoor areas.  Science provides an opportunity to develop many key skills – problem solving via practical work which applies maths skills; reading of targets and secondary sources, which applies reading skills.  To further develop their love of reading, relevant fiction and non-fiction texts are highlighted in KS3 medium term plans.  Through discussing their ideas and investigations, students develop a range of communication and presentation skills.  There are many opportunities to work as part of a team, developing the ability to work with a diverse range of people to solve problems together.  This ensures that all progress and achieve the qualifications they are capable of, as well as develop the ability to make informed decisions throughout life and be confident working with other people.   

We offer a variety of pathways for each type of learning – CREST superstar award, AQA Entry Level Science (Double award for most, Single where appropriate), GCSE AQA trilogy (9-1), and students are able to move between pathways where appropriate.  Year 10 high achievers are entered for GCSE in year 10 to develop confidence and challenge, as well as informing their post-16 choices.  

KS3 Science Curriculum Implementation and Overview:

In KS3, pupils access weekly lessons in science. The curriculum takes the form of a 2-year rolling programme following the themes below:

Year 1

TermTheme
Autumn term 1Magnificent Me: Teeth and digestion
Autumn term 2Brilliant Britain: Material, Rocks and Fossils
Spring term 1Save Our Planet: Animals and Life Cycles
Spring term 2Magic and Monsters: Materials and States of Matter
Summer term 1World of Work: Plants, sound and light
Summer term 2Amazing adventures: Earth and Space

Year 2

TermTheme
Autumn term 1My Home Town: Seasonal Change and Evolution
Autumn term 2Let’s Celebrate: Materials – Reversible and Irreversible Changes
Spring term 1Transport: Forces
Spring term 2Superhero Superhuman: Health, Organs and the Skeletal System
Summer term 1Fantastic Food: Plants, Classification and Reproduction
Summer term 2Journeys Through Time: Sound and Electricity

KS4 Science Curriculum Implementation and Overview:

In KS4, the curriculum takes the form of a 3-year rolling programme following the themes below which vary depending on the pathway the taugh:

Year 1

TermRoute 1 – ThemesRoute 2 – ThemesRoute 3 – GCSE Themes
Autumn term 1Chemical safetyChemistry in our WorldGCSE Organisation
Autumn term 2Wonderful WaterChemistry in our World/ElectricityGCSE Atomic Structure
Spring term 1Electrical Safety and UsesElectricity, magnetism and waves/Human BodyGCSE Magnetism
Spring term 2Healthy LifestyleHuman BodyGCSE Cell Biology
Summer term 1Changes of state and mixturesHuman Body/Elements, mixtures and compoundsGCSE Energy
Summer term 2Metals and PlasticsElements, mixtures and compoundsGCSE Chemical Analysis & Chemistry of the Atmosphere

Year 2

TermRoute 1 – ThemesRoute 2 – ThemesRoute 3 – GCSE Themes
Autumn term 1InsulationEnergy, forces and matterGCSE Inheritance, Evolution & Variation
Autumn term 2Road SafetyEnergy, forces and matter/EnvironmentGCSE Electricity
Spring term 1Food WebsEnvironment, evolution and inheritanceGCSE Using resources/Chemical Changes
Spring term 2Speeding up dissolvingChemistry in our worldGCSE Infection and Response & Bioenergetics
Summer term 1Electrical Safety and UsesChemistry in our world/ElectricityGCSE Forces
Summer term 2Magnets and their usesElectricity, Magnetism and WavesGCSE Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter

Year 3

TermRoute 1 – ThemesRoute 2 – ThemesRoute 3 – GCSE Themes
Autumn term 1Healthy lifestyleHuman bodyGCSE Homeostasis and Response/Organic Chemistry
Autumn term 2Vaccination – Medicines and their storageHuman body/Elements, mixtures and compoundsGCSE Particle Model of Matter and Atomic Structure 
Spring term 1Changes of state, separating mixtures Elements, mixtures and compoundsGCSE the rate and extent of chemical change
Spring term 2Uses of metals and plasticsEnergy, forces and the structure of matterGCSE Ecology
Summer term 1InsulationEnergy, forces and the structure of matter/EnvironmentGCSE Waves and Energy Changes 
Summer term 2Animal populationsEnvironment, evolution and inheritanceGCSE Quantitative Chemistry