Science is a captivating subject which at the same time allows people to understand the world they live in and wonder at it.
Our aim is to methodically develop and sustain learners’ curiosity about the world, enjoyment of scientific activity and understanding of how natural phenomena can be explained through linking each topic. The Science education that they receive should equip every pupil equally with opportunities that enable them to take an informed part in decisions and to take appropriate actions that affect their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others and the environment.
Year 7
Curriculum Intention:
The topics are placed in order of difficulty, placing the more difficult topics towards the end of the curriculum so students can use and apply the skills they have acquired at the beginning of the course.
There is an equal split of biology chemistry and physics to equally prepare students for those subjects at GCSE, The variety offered by the relatively short topics will keep them engaged with the subject and give them the opportunity to reflect as to which subject areas are their strengths and which subject areas need improvement.
Curriculum Implementation:
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
Sept - Oct Diet and Health |
Jan – Feb Living Systems |
April – May Genetics and variation |
Half term |
Half term |
Half term |
Nov – Dec This half term will have chemistry topic (states of matter and separating) |
Feb – March This half term will have chemistry topic (atoms and elements) |
June – July This half term will have chemistry and physics topics (energy and chemical reactions) Working Scientifically linked to all the 3 science disciplines (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) will be taught throughout the year |
Christmas Holidays |
Easter Holidays |
Summer Holidays |
Outcomes: Students will be able : 1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).
2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:
3 To build and master practical skills such as:
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Employability skills:
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Year 8
Curriculum Intention:
Year 8 places an emphasis on the process of scientific enquiry as well as accumulation of knowledge to help bridge the gap between year 8 and GCSE
The course helps the students to:
- Develop understanding of scientific ideas
- Work out scientific ideas for themselves by using results from investigations
- See how science is used in everyday life
- Think about how science can be used for benefit of mankind.
Curriculum Implementation:
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
Sept - Oct Reproduction |
Jan – Feb Photosynthesis |
April – May Ecosystems Working Scientifically consolidation year 7 and 8 work and to ensure easy access to year 9 content. |
Half term |
Half term |
Half term |
Nov – Dec This half term teaches a chemistry topic (acids and alkalis) |
Feb – March This half term teaches a chemistry topic (materials) |
June – July Completion of science fair Projects. Physics topic (space) |
Christmas Holidays |
Easter Holidays |
Summer Holidays |
Outcomes: Students will be able : 1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).
2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:
3 To build and master practical skills such as:
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Employability skills:
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Year 9
Curriculum Intention:
In Year 9 all students follow a course which is specifically designed to:
- Form a foundation for GCSE and other courses
- Encourage interest in all aspects of scientific study
- Develop understanding of scientific ideas
- See how science is used in everyday life
Students spend one term studying the most important aspects of biology, chemistry and physics to a higher level than that taught in years 7 and 8, in order to bridge the gap between key stage 3 and 4,
Topics build on familiar themes from KS3, introducing more detail and complexity. The topics covered in Yr9 ensure students are ready for the remaining GCSE topics as they move into Yr10&11. Many of the skills covered in Yr9 are essential to the understanding of future topics.
Curriculum Implementation:
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
Sept - Oct B1-Cell Biology linked to Living systems in year 7 but increase /progression in detail, depth, complexity, independence, pace and deep analytical and evaluation process |
Jan – Feb This term will have Chemistry topic (Atomic Structure and structure and bonding) |
April – May Continues with the physics topic atomic structure. Revision Exams |
Half term |
Half term |
Half term |
Oct – Dec B2-Photosynthesis linked to photosynthesis in year8 but increase /progression in detail, depth, complexity, independence, pace and deep analytical and evaluation process. |
Feb – March Physics topics Particle Model of matter and Atomic structure which links with Atomic structure in chemistry. |
June – July Atmosphere-which is a cross discipline topic |
Christmas Holidays |
Easter Holidays |
Summer Holidays |
Outcomes: Students will be able : 1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).
2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:
3 To build and master practical skills such as:
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Employability skills:
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Year 10
Curriculum Intention:
All topics for Biology Paper 1 will be completed before the end of Yr10 Mocks allowing a holistic paper to be sat during the mock week and providing a strong, standardised set of data.
This consequently allows targeted intervention to begin in the early part of Yr11.
B8 is then started after the mock exams as the required practical in this section requires students to conduct an investigation outside counting plants so needs to be done during spring/summer.
Curriculum Implementation:
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
Sept - Oct B3-Movement and changing material which links with diffusion in year 8.It is also a progression B1 and B2 taught in year 9 |
Jan – Feb B4-heath Matters |
April – May Revision-using learning scientist Strategies Mocks B8- Energy in Action inter links physics and chemistry |
Half term |
Half term |
Half term |
Nov – Dec Continuation of B3. B4-Health Matters progression from KS3 and Yr9 content |
Feb – March B8-Ecology inter links physics and chemistry |
June – July B8- Ecology inter links physics and chemistry |
Christmas Holidays |
Easter Holidays |
Summer Holidays |
Outcomes: Students will be able : 1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).
2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:
3 To build and master practical skills such as:
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Employability skills:
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Year 11
Curriculum Intention:
Topics covered in year 11 will be examine GCSE Biology Paper 2 which is building on the knowledge acquired during Yr9&10/Paper 1 lessons.
A topic with required practical’s completed earlier in the year to allow careful revision of these ahead of the exams.
The intention is :
1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).
- This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
- Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
- Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.
2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:
- Devising and investigating testable questions
- Identifying and controlling variables
- Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.
3 To build and master practical skills such as:
- Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
- Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
- Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.
Curriculum Implementation:
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
Sept - Oct B8-Ecology |
Jan– Feb B6-Genetics |
April – May Revision |
Half term |
Half term |
Half term |
Oct – Dec B5-Coordination and control |
Feb –March B7-Variation |
June – July n/a |
Christmas Holidays |
Easter Holidays |
Summer Holidays |
Outcomes: Students will be able :
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Employability skills:
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Year 12
Curriculum Intention:
Topics follow the structure of the exam papers and allow topics to build on repeating themes whilst reviewing prior knowledge from GCSE.
Curriculum Implementation:
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
Sept - Oct 3.1 Biological molecules 3.2 Cells |
Jan – Feb 3.1 Biological molecules 3.2 Cells |
April – May 3.3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment 3.4 Genetic information variation and relationships between organisms |
Half term |
Half term |
Half term |
Oct – Dec 3.1 Biological molecules 3.2 Cells |
Feb – March 3.3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment 3.4 Genetic information variation and relationships between organisms |
June – July 3.3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment 3.4 Genetic information variation and relationships between organisms |
Christmas Holidays |
Easter Holidays |
Summer Holidays |
Outcomes: Students will be able : 1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).
2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:
3 To build and master practical skills such as:
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Employability skills:
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Year 13
Curriculum Intention:
Topics follow the structure of the exam papers and allow topics to build on repeating themes whilst reviewing prior knowledge from AS.
Curriculum Implementation:
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
Sept - Oct 3.5 Energy transfers in and between organisms |
Jan – Feb 3.6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments |
April – May 3.7 Genetics, populations evolution and ecosystems 3.8 The Control of Gene Expression |
Half term |
Half term |
Half term |
Oct – Dec 3.5 Energy transfers in and between organisms 3.6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments |
Feb – March 3.7 Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems |
June – July 3.8 The Control of Gene Expression |
Christmas Holidays |
Easter Holidays |
Summer Holidays |
Outcomes: Students should be able to:
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Employability skills:
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