Science
Mission statement
To promote a culture of educational excellence and challenge in science by instilling high aspirations, a desire to learn and ambition to achieve
The link below allows you to see when topics may be covered; this is a guide for information only and has the potential to change as the year progresses.
Curriculum Update - Science is the world around you
Key Stage 3
Year 7: Oxford KS3 Science Activate 1
Pupils will cover 11 modules of content:
B1 Biology
Chapter 1 Cells
Chapter 2 Structure and function of body systems
Chapter 3 Reproduction
C1 Chemistry
Chapter 1 Particles and their behaviour
Chapter 2 Elements, atoms and compounds
Chapter 3 Reactions
Chapter 4 Acids and alkalis
P1 Physics
Chapter 1 Forces
Chapter 2 Sound
Chapter 3 Light
Chapter 4 Space
Each module will have ‘Working Scientifically’ and ‘Literacy and Communication’ skills taught in them.
Assessment is made up of end of topic tests and end of term tests.
Useful resources
Textbook: Oxford KS3 Science Activate 1
Pupils will have access to the Activate text book and resources through their Kerboodle login set up by their science teacher.
Alternatively text books/revision guide and workbooks can be purchased from the following website: https://global.oup.com/education/product/9780198392620/?region=uk
Year 8: Exploring Science
NOTE: from September 2024 pupils will use the Oxford KS3 Science Activate text books and resources
Pupils cover 12 modules of content:
Biology
- Ecosystems
- Food and nutrition
- Plants and their reproduction
- Breathing and respiration
- Unicellular organisms
Chemistry
- Combustion
- The periodic table
- Metals and their uses
Physics
- Fluids
- Light
- Energy transfers
- Earth and space
Each module will have ‘Working Scientifically’ and ‘Literacy and Communication’ skills taught in them.
Assessment is made up of end of topic tests and end of term tests.
Useful resources
Textbook: Exploring Science: Working Scientifically Student Book Year 8
Website: https://www.pearsonactivelearn.com/app/Home
Revision guide: KS3 Science Complete Study & Practice (CGP)
Key Stage 4
All pupils will be working on AQA GCSEs. The GCSEs have terminal exams in year eleven and whilst there is no formal coursework, there are required practicals which can be assessed within the exams.
Within each year, pupils will conduct formative end of unit assessments after each module and end of year exams.
Pupils will either follow one of two routes:
1. Combined Science: Trilogy (Double award).
This is assessed through six exam papers of one hour fifteen minutes duration (seven and half hours of assessment) at the end of Y11.
2. Separate Sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics (Triple award).
This is assessed through six exam papers of one hour forty-five minutes duration (ten and a half hours of assessment) at the end of Y11.
Irrespective of the strand undertaken by a pupil, both courses allow entry into the Sixth Form to study pure Science A levels. The exact criteria for entry to study A level sciences will be published during the course of the year in which your son/daughter begins year eleven.
Pupils will cover the following modules:
Biology
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1. Cells and Transport |
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2. Cell Division |
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3. Organisation and the digestive system |
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4. Organising animals and plants |
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5. Communicable diseases |
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6. Preventing and treating disease |
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7. Non-communable diseases |
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8. Photosynthesis |
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9.Respiration |
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10. The human nervous system |
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11. Hormonal coordination |
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12. Homeostasis in action |
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13. Reproduction |
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14. Variation and evolution |
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15. Genetics and evolution |
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16. Adaptations, interdependence and competition |
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17- Organising an ecosystem |
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18- Biodiversity and ecosystems |
- Biology paper 1 is chapters 1-9 (some content from chapter 13 is also needed).
- Biology paper 2 is chapters 10-18 (content from chapters 1, 2 and 9 will also be examined).
- Chapters 5, 6,10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 18 all have extra content for Separate Sciences (therefore Trilogy students will not cover all the content for these modules).
- Chapter 12 is for Separate Science students only.
Chemistry
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1. Atomic Structure |
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2. The periodic table |
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3. Structure and bonding |
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4. Chemical calculations |
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5. Chemical changes |
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6. Electrolysis |
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7. Energy changes |
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8. Rates and equilibrium |
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9. Crude oil and fuels |
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10. Organic reactions |
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11. Polymers |
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12. Chemical analysis |
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13. The Earth’s atmosphere |
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14. The Earth’s resources |
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15. Using our resources |
- Paper 1 is chapters 1-7. Paper 2 is chapters 8-15 (and also some content from chapters 1-4).
- Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 12 all have extra content for Separate Science students (Trilogy students will not be taught all content for these modules).
- Chapters 10, 11 and 15 are for Separate Science students only.
Physics
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1. Conservation and Dissipation of Energy |
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2. Energy Transfer by Heating |
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3. Energy resources |
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4. Electric Circuits |
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5. Electricity in the home |
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6. Molecules and Matter |
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7. Radioactivity |
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8. Forces in balance |
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9. Motion |
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10. Force and motion |
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11. Force and pressure |
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12. Wave properties |
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13. Electromagnetic waves |
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14. Light |
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15. Electromagnetism |
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16. Space |
- Paper 1 Chapters 1-7
- Paper 2 Chapters 8-16 (the concepts of energy changes and transfers along with the conservation of energy from paper 1 will also be examined).
- Modules 4, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 15 have additional content for Separate Science students (Trilogy students will not be taught all of the content of these modules).
- Modules 11, 14 and 16 are Separate Science students only.
Please see the curriculum map for years in which each module is taught.
The progression map shows how learning is built upon previous topics concepts.
Useful resources for GCSE Science
Textbooks:
- AQA GCSE Biology (Third edition), OUP
- AQA GCSE Chemistry (Third edition), OUP
- AQA GCSE Physics (Third edition), OUP.
Revision guides for Trilogy students:
- Oxford Revise: AQA GCSE Combined Science Higher Revision and Exam Practice;
- Oxford Revise: AQA GCSE Combined Science Foundation Revision and Exam Practice.
Revision guides for Separate Science students:
- Oxford Revise: AQA GCSE Biology Revision and Exam Practice
- Oxford Revise: AQA GCSE Chemistry Revision and Exam Practice
- Oxford Revise: AQA GCSE Physics Revision and Exam Practice
Websites: