Science

A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.

Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

Curriculum aims:

The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:

develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

Science curriculum information for Years 7-11

Year	Term	Units of Work	Assessments
7	Autumn	Working scientifically Introducing processes which are interleaved throughout the subject content. Matter Particle model Separating mixtures Organisms Movement Forces Speed Gravity Energy Energy costs Energy transfer	End of unit tests and a progress check assessment at the end of the term.
	Spring	Reactions Metals and non-metals Acids and alkalis Organisms Cells Electromagnets Voltage and resistance Current	End of unit tests and a progress check assessment at the end of the term.
	Summer	Genes Variation Waves Sound waves, wave effects and properties Earth Earth structure Universe	End of unit tests and a progress check assessment at the end of the term.
8	Autumn	Forces Contact forces Pressure Matter Periodic table Elements Organisms Breathing Digestion Ecosystems Respiration Energy Work Heating and cooling Reactions Chemical energy Types of reaction	End of unit tests and a progress check assessment at the end of the term.
	Spring	Waves Light waves, wave effects and properties Genes Human reproduction Evolution Inheritance Ecosystems Interdependence Plant reproduction	End of unit tests and a progress check assessment at the end of the term.
	Summer	Electromagnets Electromagnets Magnetism Ecosystems Photosynthesis Earth Climate Earth resources	End of unit tests and a progress check assessment at the end of the term.
9	Autumn	Cells biology Atomic structure and the periodic table Energy Structure, bonding and properties	End of unit tests and a progress check assessment at the end of the term.
	Spring	Organisation Quantitative chemistry Electricity Chemical change	End of unit tests and a progress check assessment at the end of the term.
	Summer	Infection and response Chemical change Energy change Particle model of matter	End of unit tests and a progress check assessment at the end of the term.
10	Autumn	Bioenergetics Atomic structure The rate and extent of chemical change Homeostasis and response Organic chemistry	End of unit tests and a progress check assessment at the end of the term.
	Spring	Homeostasis and response Chemical analysis Forces	End of unit tests and a progress check assessment at the end of the term.
	Summer	Forces Waves Inheritance, variation and evolution	End of unit tests, mock exam in June.
11	Autumn	Chemistry of the atmosphere Ecology Magnetism and electromagnetism Using resources Space physics (separates only)	End of unit tests, mock exam - paper 1 in B, C and P.
	Spring	Reflection on mock 1 and action plan. Revision of targeted topics and concepts. Preparation and revision for mock 2.	End of unit tests, mock exam - paper 2 in B, C and P.

Qualification & Board	AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464)
Course Content	The course places a strong emphasis on exploring the science that underpins day to day life and encourages students to think about what science can tell them about themselves; the environment; materials and their properties; and the universe. It provides the opportunity to acquire the scientific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for life. There is a strong emphasis on explanations, theories and modelling in science along with the implications of science in society. Biology subject content: Cell biology Organisation Infection and response Bioenergetics Homeostasis and response Inheritance, variation and evolution Ecology Chemistry subject content: Atomic structure and the periodic table Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter Quantitative chemistry Chemical changes Energy changes The rate and extent of chemical change Organic chemistry Chemical analysis Chemistry of atmosphere Using resources Physics subject content: Energy Electricity Particle model of matter Atomic structure Forces Waves Magnetism and electromagnetism
Potential Career paths	In Sixth Form students can take A level biology, A level chemistry, A level physics, BTEC level 3 science. Good GCSEs in combined science can lead to a wide variety of careers and further study. In many areas from engineering and mechanics to medicine and healthcare. All employers, colleges and Universities will expect students to have good grades in science and there are many careers which require specific science qualifications from astronomy to zoology.
Assessments (inc. field work / assessed practicals)	Students are entered for examination at one of two overlapping tiers of entry. Foundation: Grades 1-5 and Higher: Grades 4-9. The course is assessed 100% by written examination. There are six written examination papers. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas: Biology paper 1: Topics 1-4 Biology paper 2: Topics 5-8 Chemistry paper 1: Topics 1-5 Chemistry paper 2: Topics 6-10 Physics paper 1: Topics 1-4 Physics paper 2: Topics 5-7 Students complete a number of ‘required practical activities’, which are an essential component of the GCSE and that build essential investigative skills. Written exam format: 1 hour 15 minutes 70 marks 16.7% of GCSE Question format: Multiple choice Structured Closed short answer Open response Required practical questions
Core or Option	Core
No Option Choices (GCSE only)
No. GCSE / A Level equivalent	Two GCSEs

Qualification & Board	AQA GCSE Biology (8461)
Course Content (for A level, how this follows on from GCSE)	Students who have shown an aptitude for Science in Key Stage 3 will be selected to take this course. It allows students to experience a broader, more in-depth coverage of topics. Biology subject content: Cell biology Organisation Infection and response Bioenergetics Homeostasis and response Inheritance Variation and evolution Ecology
Potential Career paths	A good GCSE in biology can lead to a wide variety of careers and further study. In many areas from engineering to medicine. In Sixth Form students can take A level biology or BTEC level 3 science. All employers, colleges and Universities will expect students to have good grades in science subjects and there are many careers which require specific science qualifications from astronomy to zoology.
Assessments (inc. field work / assessed practicals)	Students are entered for examination at one of two overlapping tiers of entry. Foundation: Grades 1-5 and Higher: Grades 4-9. The course is assessed 100% by written examination. There are two written examination papers. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas: Biology paper 1: Topics 1-4 Biology paper 2: Topics 5-8 Students complete a number of ‘required practical activities’, which are an essential component of the GCSE and that build essential investigative skills. Written exam format: 1 hour 45 minutes 100 marks 50% of GCSE Question format: Multiple choice Structured Closed short answer Open response Required practical questions
Core or Option	Core (selected based on prior performance)
No Option Choices (GCSE only)
No. GCSE / A Level equivalent	One GCSE

Qualification & Board	AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)
Course Content (for A level, how this follows on from GCSE)	Students who have shown an aptitude for Science in Key Stage 3 will be selected to take this course. It allows students to experience a broader, more in-depth coverage of topics. Chemistry subject content: Atomic structure and the periodic table Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter Quantitative chemistry Chemical changes Energy changes. The rate and extent of chemical change Organic chemistry Chemical analysis Chemistry of the atmosphere Using resources
Potential Career paths	A good GCSE in chemistry can lead to a wide variety of careers and further study. In many areas from engineering to medicine. In Sixth Form students can take A level chemistry or BTEC level 3 science. All employers, colleges and Universities will expect students to have good grades in science subjects and there are many careers which require specific science qualifications from astronomy to zoology.
Assessments (inc. field work / assessed practicals)	Students are entered for examination at one of two overlapping tiers of entry. Foundation: Grades 1-5 and Higher: Grades 4-9. The course is assessed 100% by written examination. There are two written examination papers. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas: Chemistry paper 1: Topics 1-4 Chemistry paper 2: Topics 5-9 Students complete a number of ‘required practical activities’, which are an essential component of the GCSE and that build essential investigative skills. Written exam format: 1 hour 45 minutes 100 marks 50% of GCSE Question format: Multiple choice Structured Closed short answer Open response Required practical questions
Core or Option	Core (selected based on prior performance)
No Option Choices (GCSE only)
No. GCSE / A Level equivalent	One GCSE

Qualification & Board	AQA GCSE Physics (8463)
Course Content (for A level, how this follows on from GCSE)	Students who have shown an aptitude for Science in Key Stage 3 will be selected to take this course. It allows students to experience a broader, more in-depth coverage of topics. Physics subject content: Physics subject content Energy Electricity Particle model of matter Atomic structure. Forces Waves Magnetism and electromagnetism Space physics
Potential Career paths	A good GCSE in physics can lead to a wide variety of careers and further study. In many areas from engineering to medicine. In Sixth Form students can take A level physics or BTEC level 3 science. All employers, colleges and Universities will expect students to have good grades in science subjects and there are many careers which require specific science qualifications from astronomy to zoology.
Assessments (inc. field work / assessed practicals)	Students are entered for examination at one of two overlapping tiers of entry. Foundation: Grades 1-5 and Higher: Grades 4-9. The course is assessed 100% by written examination. There are two written examination papers. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas: Physics paper 1: Topics 1-5 Physics paper 2: Topics 6-9 Students complete a number of ‘required practical activities’, which are an essential component of the GCSE and that build essential investigative skills. Written exam format: 1 hour 45 minutes 100 marks 50% of GCSE Question format: Multiple choice Structured Closed short answer Open response Required practical questions
Core or Option	Core (selected based on prior performance)
No Option Choices (GCSE only)
No. GCSE / A Level equivalent	One GCSE