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Why do we study Science?

If ancient civilisations hadn’t observed the natural world, predicted real-world phenomena and aimed to explain the events around them then civilisation as we know it today probably wouldn’t exist. The world does not stand still and as our Earth continues to change we need to produce the scientists of tomorrow to confront the challenges ahead. A knowledge of Science provides the opportunity to help make a positive impact.

To help our students to meet this challenge our curriculum aims to provide students with the breadth and depth of knowledge to successfully complete higher education within Science related subjects and gain employment in Science related fields. Within our curriculum the students will develop an understanding of scientific investigation, from the equipment to be used, to the analysis and evaluation of results. They will develop their knowledge of the foundation scientific theories and link these theories to real world scenarios. Students will also gain an understanding of how Science filters into many of the other subjects they learn about and the world in which they live.

Ultimately, we strive to provide students with the opportunity to love science.

Science Read and watch list

Year 7-11

Year 7

Learning Outcomes

The Year 7 Science scheme of learning aims to build on knowledge developed at KS2, identify misconceptions held and allow students to reconstruct their understanding, whilst introducing new and interesting areas of Science.

Students learn about safety in the laboratory environment and gain a greater level of confidence when using Science equipment. Within each topic students are provided with the opportunity to develop their investigative skills through practical tasks and learn about the process involved in a practical investigation.

Students begin to identify how the knowledge they gain in Mathematics underpins the Science concepts they study from day to day in Science lessons.

Students also develop their cognitive ability and logical thinking through the ‘Concur Science Skills’ problem solving series of lessons which are completed throughout the academic year.

Topics Taught

Autumn Term

Introduction to Science
Cells, tissue, organs and systems
Mixtures and Separation
Energy

Spring Term

Sexual Reproduction in Animals
Acids and Alkalis
Forces

Summer Term

Ecosystems
The Particle Model
Sound

Year 8

Learning Outcomes

The Year 8 Science scheme of learning aims to further build on the knowledge developed at KS2 and in Year 7, again identifying misconceptions and developing students understanding of the world around them.

Students continue to develop their confidence when using Science equipment and understanding of scientific investigations. Students continue to identify how the concepts learnt in Mathematics lessons underpin the Science concepts they study from day to day.

Topics Taught

Autumn Term

Food and Nutrition
Combustion
Light
Plants and their Reproduction

Spring Term

The Periodic Table
Energy Transfers

Summer Term

Breathing and Respiration
Earth and Space
Metals and their Uses

Year 9

Learning Outcomes

The Year 9 Science scheme of learning provides a transition from Year 7 and Year 8 to provide students with the core Science knowledge needed to explore and succeed at GCSE.

Students begin to use more technical practical equipment and a wider variety of methods to complete scientific investigations in the form of core practicals.

Students begin to explore complex levels of Mathematics in Science and apply these skills to the Science topics being covered.

Students increase their knowledge of Science vocabulary and how to apply the language of Science to exam questions.

Topics Taught

Autumn Term

Microscopes and cells
States of matter
Methods of Separation and Purifying Substances
Motion
Enzymes and Nutrition

Spring Term

Forces and Motion
Transporting substances
Atomic Structure
The Periodic Table

Summer Term

Breathing and Respiration
Earth and Space
Metals and their Uses

Year 10

Exam Specification

GCSE Science
Edexcel Specification
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

Learning Outcomes

The Year 10 Separate Science scheme of learning builds on topics covered at KS3 to prepare students for the breadth and depth of knowledge required for the Year 11 GCSE exams in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as related courses and careers post-16.

Students complete Core Practical investigations which aim to develop a deeper understanding of how to carry out a Scientific investigation and how to use technical equipment with precision.

Students build on the Mathematics previously applied to Science in Year 9 with more challenging content.

Science knowledge gained across Year 9 and Year 10 is interleaved to allow students to remember more key content that has been previously covered in lessons.

Students further increase their Science vocabulary to cover the breadth and depth of the Separate Science GCSE course and develop their confidence to apply this language when answering exam style questions.

Topics Taught

	Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Biology	The Eye The Brain Genetics Natural Selection and Genetic Modification	Health Disease and the Development of Medicine	Plant Structures and their Functions Ecosystems and Material Cycles
Chemistry	Ionic Bonding Covalent Bonding Types of Substance Acids and Alkalis Calculations Involving Masses	Electrolytic Processes Obtaining and Using Metals Reversible Reactions and Equilibria Transition Metals, Alloys and Corrosion	Quantitative Analysis Dynamic Equilibria, Calculations Involving Volumes of Gases Chemical Cells and Fuel Cells Groups in the Periodic table Rates of Reaction Heat Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions
Physics	Waves Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum Radioactivity	Astronomy Energy Forces Doing Work Forces and their Effects	Electricity and Circuits Static Electricity

Year 11

Exam Specification

GCSE Science
Edexcel Specification
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

Learning Outcomes

The Year 11 Separate scheme of learning allows the students to develop their knowledge of the final topics to be covered before the GCSE examinations, revise the content covered throughout Year 9 and Year 10 and deepen their understanding of these topics further.

Students complete the final Core Practical investigations and develop a deep understanding of the core principles of carrying out Scientific investigations. Students aim to have a good understanding of the technical equipment which they have used and how to use this equipment with precision.

Students build on the Mathematics previously applied to Science in Year 9 and 10 with the most challenging content. The Separate Science scheme of learning progresses the students’ knowledge of the most complex Mathematics required.

Science knowledge gained across Year 9, 10 & 11 is interleaved to allow students to remember more key content that has been previously covered in lessons.

Students finalise their understanding of the required Science vocabulary to cover the breadth and depth of the Separate Science GCSE course and hone their confidence to apply this language when answering exam style questions.

Topics Taught

	Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Biology	Animal Coordination, Control and Homeostasis Testing food Year 11 Mock Revision Year 11 Mock Exams	Exchange and Transport in Animals Year 11 Mock Revision Year 11 Mock Exams	GCSE EXAMS
Chemistry	Magnetism and the Motor Effect Electromagnetic Induction Year 11 Mock Revision Year 11 Mock Exams	Qualitative Analysis: Test for ions Bulk and Surface Properties of Matter Including Nanoparticles Year 11 Mock Revision Year 11 Mock Exams	GCSE EXAMS
Physics	Magnetism and the Motor Effect Electromagnetic Induction Year 11 Mock Revision Year 11 Mock Exams	Particle Model Forces and Matter Year 11 Mock Revision Year 11 Mock Exams	GCSE EXAMS

Combined Science

Year 10

Exam Specification

GCSE Science Edexcel Specification

Learning Outcomes

The Year 10 Combined Science scheme of learning builds on topics covered at KS3 to prepare students for the Year 11 GCSE exams in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as related courses and careers at post-16.

Students complete Core Practical investigations which aim to develop a deeper understanding of how to carry out a Scientific investigation and how to use technical equipment with precision.

Students build on the Mathematics previously applied to Science with more challenging content.

Science knowledge gained across Year 9 and Year 10 is interleaved to allow students to remember more key content that has been previously covered in lessons.

Students further increase their Science vocabulary and develop their confidence to apply this language when answering exam style questions.

Topics Taught

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Biology

• Genetics
• Natural Selection and Genetic Modification

• Health Disease and the Development of Medicine

Plant Structures and their Functions
• Ecosystems and Material Cycles

Chemistry

• Ionic Bonding
• Covalent Bonding
• Types of Substance
• Acids and Alkalis
• Calculations Involving Masses

• Electrolytic Processes
• Obtaining and Using Metals
• Reversible Reactions and Equilibria

• Groups in the Periodic table
• Rates of Reaction
• Heat Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions

Physics

• Waves
• Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Radioactivity

• Energy Forces Doing Work
• Forces and their Effects

• Electricity and Circuits

Year 11

Exam Specification

GCSE Science Edexcel Specification

Learning Outcomes

The Year 11 Combined Science scheme of learning allows the students to develop their knowledge of the final topics to be covered before the GCSE examinations, revise the content covered throughout Year 9 and Year 10 and deepen their understanding of these topics further.

Students build on the Mathematics previously applied to Science in Year 9 and 10 with the most challenging content.

Science knowledge gained across Year 9, 10 & 11 is interleaved to allow students to remember more key content that has been previously covered in lessons.

Students finalise their understanding of the Science vocabulary and hone their confidence to apply this language when answering exam style questions.

Topics Taught

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Biology

• Animal Coordination, Control and Homeostasis