Why learn Science?

What are the world’s problems? Who is going to solve them? Science is important because it give us an understanding of the world around us and allows us to think logically to solve a problem. It aims to stimulate our natural curiosity in finding out why things happen in the way they do. It equips us with not only knowledge, but essential skills such as critical thinking, analysing, decision making, problem solving and evaluating. Studying science opens a whole world of possibilities where the skills you learn are transferable to many different career pathways. It can open the door to many STEM related careers such as engineering, architecture, medicine, agriculture, cosmetics, building and construction.

Science Curriculum Overview

Please click the year group and half-term to view additional information.

Half Term 1
Knowledge
Introduction to Science
Skills
Chemistry: Particle Model
How does the arrangement of the particles affect the properties of the substance?
Biology: Cells
What are we made of? 
Skills / application of knowledge
Science Skills:
Safety Equipment,
Bunsen Burners,
Rounding,
Averages,
Percentages,
Identifying Variables,
Plotting Graphics,
Extrapolating Data.
Particle Model:
Investigating Solids,
Liquids and Gases,
Changing state,
Density.
Cells:
Microscopes,
Animal Cells,
Plant Cells,
Specialised Cells,
Diffusion,
Bacterial Cells.
Links to prior learning
KS2 Living Things
Habitats
KS2 Animals, Including Humans
Assessment
Particle Model CAP
Cells CAP
Half Term 2
Knowledge
Physics: Energy Transfers
If energy cannot be destroyed where does it go?
Biology: Movement
How does our body move?
Chemistry: Elements and Compounds
Everything in the world is made from tiny particles called atoms. But how can these atoms combine to form different substances?
Skills / application of knowledge
Energy Transfers:
Different Types of Energy,
Energy Transfers,
Energy Stores,
Wasted Energy,
Efficiency.
Movement:
The Skeleton,
Muscles,
Joints,
Dissection.
Elements and Compounds:
Atoms,
Elements and Compounds,
Investigating Elements and Compounds,
Relative Formula Mass.
Links to prior learning
KS2 Animals, Including Humans
Assessment
Energy CAP
Movement CAP
Elements Compounds CAP
Cumulative Science Exam
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Physics: Forces
Q How can you make an object change speed, change shape or change direction?
Physics: Pressure
Q Why don’t camels sink into the sand in the desert?
Biology: Breathing
Q How does our body keep us alive?
Skills / application of knowledge
Contact Forces:
Forces,
Balanced and Unbalanced Forces,
Resultant Forces.
Floating and Sinking,
Friction,
Streamlining,
Stretching.
Pressure:
Pressure,
Pressure Calculations,
Pressure in Fluids.
Breathing:
Breathing System,
How we Breath,
Investigating Height and Lung Volume,
Breathing Measurements.
Links to prior learning
KS2 Forces
KS2 Forces and Magnets
KS2 Animals, Including Humans
Assessment
Forces CAP
Pressure CAP
Breathing CAP
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Chemistry Chemical Reactions:
Everything in the world is made from tiny particles called atoms.
What happens to these atoms when substances react together?
Physics: The Universe and Gravity
How can the movement of objects in space explain life experiences for us on Earth?
Biology: Digestion
What happens to the food that we eat?
Skills / application of knowledge
Chemical Reactions:
Chemical and Physical Changes,
Combustion,
Thermal Decomposition,
Displacement,
Conservation of Mass,
Balancing Equations,
Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions, Catalysts.
The Universe:
Mass vs Weight,
Gravity,
Stars and Galaxies,
The Solar System, Eclipses,
Days and Nights, Seasons,
Space Exploration.
Digestion:
Food Groups and Balanced Diets,
The Digestive System,
Enzymes,
Energy in Food.
Links to prior learning
KS2 Properties and Changes of Materials
KS2 Earth and Space
KS2 Forces
KS2 Animals, Including Humans
Year 7 Cells
Assessment
Chemical Reactions CAP
Universe CAP
Digestion Cap
Half Term 5
Knowledge
Physics: Waves and Sound
How are we able to hear so many different notes being played on a musical instrument?
Chemistry: Atomic Structure and The Periodic Table

Everything in the world is made from tiny particles called atoms, but what are atoms made from?
Skills / application of knowledge
Waves and Sound:
Types of Waves,
Wave Calculations,
The Electromagnetic Spectrum,
Investigating Sounds,
Sound Waves,
Hearing Sounds,
The Ear,
Hearing Problems.
Ultrasound.
Atomic Structure:
Atomic Structure,
Electron Configuration,
History of the Atom.
Structure of the Periodic Table,
History of the Periodic Table,
Group 1,
Group 7,
Group 0.
Links to prior learning
KS2 Sound
Year 7 Particle Model
Year 7 Eelements and Compounds
Assessment
Waves and Sound CAP
Atomic Structure CAP
Half Term 6
Knowledge
Biology: Human Reproduction
Where does life begin?
Skills / application of knowledge
Human Reproduction:
Reproductive Organs,
Menstrual Cycle,
Fertilisation,
Foetal Development.
Links to prior learning
KS2 Living Things and Habitats
KS2 Animals, Including Humans 
Assessment
Reproduction CAP
End of Year Exam

Half Term 1
Knowledge
Biology: Movement
How does our body move?
Biology: Digestion
What happens to the food that we eat?
Physics: Energy Transfers
If energy cannot be destroyed where does it go?
Skills / application of knowledge
Movement: The Skeleton,
 Muscles,
 Joints,
 Dissection,
 Arthritis.
Digestion:
Food Groups and Balanced Diets,
The Digestive System,
Enzymes,
Energy in Food,
Orange Juice Titration.
Energy Transfers:
Different Types of Energy,
Energy Transfers,
Energy Stores,
Wasted Energy,
Efficiency.
Links to prior learning
Year 7 Cells
Year 7 Respiration
KS2 Animals, Including Humans
Assessment
Movement CAP
Digestion CAP
Energy CAP
Half Term 2
Knowledge
Physics: Energy Costs
How much does it cost to run a home?
Chemistry: Atomic Structure
Everything in the world is made from tiny particles called atoms, but what are atoms made from?
Chemistry: Periodic Table
What does the position of an element on the periodic table tell you about the element?
Skills / application of knowledge
Energy Costs:
Energy Resources,
Alternative Energy Resources,
Joule Island,
Energy Usage,
Electricity Bills,
Energy in Food.
Atomic Structure:
Atomic Structure,
Electron Configuration,
History of the Atom.
Periodic Table:
Structure of the Periodic Table,
History of the Periodic Table,
Group 1,
Group 7,
Group 0.
Links to prior learning
Year 7 Particle Model
Year 7 Elements and Compounds
Assessment
Energy Costs CAP
Atomic Structure CAP
Periodic Table CAP
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Physics: The Universe
How can the movement of objects in space explain life experiences for us on Earth?
Biology: Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Where do our differences come from?
Where does a new species come from?
Skills / application of knowledge
The Universe: Stars and Galaxies,
The Solar System,
Eclipses,
Days and Nights,
Seasons, Space Exploration.
Inheritance, Variation and Evolution:
Causes of Variation,
Continuous and Discontinuous Variation,
Natural Selection,
Darwin’s Finches,
Extinction,
Biodiversity. 
Links to prior learning
KS2 Evolution and Inheritance
KS2 Living Things and Habitats
KS2 Earth and Space
KS2 Forces
 
Assessment
Universe CAP
Inheritance CAP
Cumulative Science Exam
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Physics: Forces
How can you make an object change speed, change shape or change direction?
Physics: Speed
How do you know how fast you are travelling on a journey?
Physics: Pressure
Why don’t camels sink into the sand in the desert?
Skills / application of knowledge
Contact Forces: Forces,
Balanced and Unbalanced Forces,
Resultant Forces.
Floating and Sinking,
Friction,
Streamlining,
Stretching.
Speed: Resultant Forces,
Calculating Speed,
Investigating Speed,
Distance Speed Graphs.
Pressure: Pressure,
Pressure Calculations,
Pressure in Fluids,
Hydraulics.
Links to prior learning
KS2 Forces
KS2 Forces and Magnets
Assessment
Forces CAP
Speed CAP
Pressure CAP
Half Term 5
Knowledge
Chemistry: Chemical Reactions and Energy
Everything in the world is made from tiny particles called atoms. What happens to these atoms when substances react together?
Chemistry: Acids and Alkalis
A bee sting is acidic and a wasp sting is alkaline – or is it the other way round? How can we find out?
Skills / application of knowledge
Chemical Reactions and Energy:
Chemical and Physical Changes,
Combustion,
Thermal Decomposition,
Displacement,
Conservation of Mass,
Balancing Equations.
Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions,
Catalysts,
Energy Levels.
Acids and Alkalis: Identifying Acids and Alkalis,
The pH scale,
Making an Indicator,
Neutralisation,
Applications of Neutralisation.
Links to prior learning
KS2 Properties and changes of materials
Year 7 Metals
Assessment
Chemical Reactions CAP
Acids and Akali CAP
Half Term 6
Knowledge
Biology: Photosynthesis
Could humans survive without plants?
Biology: Interdependence
Why is biodiversity important?
Physics: Wave Properties and Wave Effects
What is the Electromagnetic Spectrum and why are the parts of it both useful and dangerous?
Physics: Heating and Cooling
How can heat be transferred?
Skills / application of knowledge
Photosynthesis:
Photosynthesis,
Structure of the Leaf,
Testing a Leaf for Starch,
Rate of Photosynthesis.
Interdependence: Food Chains,
Food Webs,
Factors Affecting Populations,
Bioaccumulation.
Heating and Cooling:
Heat and Temperature,
Conduction,
Convection,
Radiation,
Insulation,
Specific Heat Capacity.
Wave Properties and Wave Effects:
Types of Waves,
Wave Calculations,
The Electromagnetic Spectrum,
Ultrasound.
Links to prior learning
KS2 Plants
KS2 Living things and habitats
KS2 Animals, Including Humans
Assessment
Photosynthesis CAP
End of Year Exam

Half Term 1
Knowledge
Biology
Cells and Microscopes
Chemistry
Atoms, Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
Physics
Waves
Particle Model
Skills / application of knowledge
Cells and Microscopes:
Animal Cells,
Plant Cells,
 Bacterial Cells,
 Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells,
 Organisation,
 Microscope Calculations,
 Using microscopes
Atom Elements, Compounds and Mixtures:
Atoms,
Elements, Compounds,
Mixtures,
Pure Substances,
Chemical Formula,
Naming Compounds,
Balancing Equations.
Particle Model:
States of Matter,
Internal Energy,
Changing States,
Chemical and Physical Changes.
Links to prior learning
Year 7 Cells
Year 7 Respiration
KS2 Animals, Including Humans
Assessment
Cells and Microscopes CAP
Atoms Elements and Compounds CAP
Particle Model CAP
Half Term 2
Knowledge
Biology
Cells and Transport
Digestion and Enzymes
Chemistry
Separation Techniques
Physics
Density
Gas Pressure
Skills / application of knowledge
Cells and Transport:
Organisation,
Microscope Calculations,
Using microscopes, Plant Structure.
Separation Techniques:
Filtration,
Crystallisation,
Distillation,
Chromatography.
Density:
Density Calculations,
Finding the Density of Regular Objects and Liquids,
Finding the Density of Irregular Objects
Gas Pressure:  
Pressure in Gases,
Changing Pressure in Gases,
Boyles Law.
Links to prior learning
Year 7 Particle Model
Year 7 Elements and Compounds
Assessment
Cells and Transport CAP
Separating Techniques CAP
Density and Gas Pressure CAP
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Biology
Digestion and Enzymes
Chemistry
The Periodic Table and Atomic Structure
Skills / application of knowledge
Digestion and Enzymes:
Food Tests.
The Periodic Table and Atomic Structure:
History of the Periodic Table,
Atomic Structure,
Electron Configuration,
Isotopes,
History of the Atom.
Links to prior learning
KS2 Evolution and Inheritance
KS2 Living Things and Habitats
KS2 Earth and Space
KS2 Forces
Assessment
Digestion and Enzymes CAP
Periodic Table and Atomic Structure CAP
Circuits CAP
Cumulative Science Exam
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Chemistry
Ions and Ionic Bonding
Physics
Electricity
Skills / application of knowledge
Ions and Ionic Bonding:
Forming Ions,
Ionic Bonding,
Ionic Formula.
Electricity: Circuit Components,
Series Circuits,
Parallel Circuits,
 V=IR,
 Resistance of a Wire; Q=It, E=QV.
Links to prior learning
Year 7 Voltage, Current and Resistance
Year 8 Digestion
Year 8 Atomic Structure
Assessment
Food Tests CAP
Ionic Bonding CAP
Resistance CAP
Half Term 5
Knowledge
Biology
Health and Disease
Chemistry
Covalent Bonding
Conservation of mass
Physics
Atomic Structure
Radioactivity
Skills / application of knowledge
Chemical Reactions and Energy:
Chemical and Physical Changes,
Combustion,
Thermal Decomposition,
Displacement,
Conservation of Mass,
Balancing Equations.
Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions,
Catalysts,
Energy Levels.
Acids and Alkalis: Identifying Acids and Alkalis,
The pH scale,
Making an Indicator,
Neutralisation,
Applications of Neutralisation.
Links to prior learning
Year 9 Cell Structure
Year 7 Metals
Year 7 Earth's Resources
Year 8 Atomic Structure
Year 8 Chemical Reactions
Assessment
Health and Disease CAP 1
Covalent Bonding CAP
Radioactivity CAP
Half Term 6
Knowledge
Biology
Health and Disease
Chemistry
Metal Extraction
Physics
Uses and Dangers of Radioactivity
Skills / application of knowledge
Photosynthesis:
Photosynthesis,
Structure of the Leaf,
Testing a Leaf for Starch,
Rate of Photosynthesis.
Interdependence: Food Chains,
Food Webs,
Factors Affecting Populations,
Bioaccumulation.
Heating and Cooling:
Heat and Temperature,
Conduction,
Convection,
Radiation,
Insulation,
Specific Heat Capacity.
Wave Properties and Wave Effects:
Types of Waves,
Wave Calculations,
The Electromagnetic Spectrum,
Ultrasound.
Links to prior learning
Year 7 Energy Transfers
Year 8 Periodic Table
Year 9 Cell Structure
Assessment
Health and Disease CAP 2
End of Year Exams

Half Term 1
Knowledge
Biology
Organisation in the Body
Chemistry
The Three States of matter
Groups in the Periodic Table
Physics
Energy
Skills / application of knowledge
Organisation in the Body:
Heart, Blood,
Blood Vessels,
Treating Heart Disease,
Lungs,
Alveoli.
The Three States of Matter:
The Three States of Matter,
Changing State,
Heating Curve Graphs,
Cooling Curve Graphs.
Groups in the Periodic Table:
 Structure of the Periodic Table,
Group 1 Metals,
Group 7 Elements,
Group 0 Elements.
Energy:
Energy Resources,
Conservation of Energy,
 Ep=Ek,
 Elastic Potential Energy,
 Efficiency,
 Work done,
 Specific Heat Capacity,
 Power,
 Energy Resources.
Links to prior learning
Year 7 Breathing
Year 7 Particle Model
Year 8  Periodic Table
Year 8 Energy Transfers
Year 9 Health and Disease
Assessment
Organisation Topic Test
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table Topic Test
Energy Topic Test
Half Term 2
Knowledge
Biology
Respiration
Chemistry
Reactions of Acids and Making Salts
Physics
Electricity
Skills / application of knowledge
Respiration:
Respiration,
Respiration and Exercise,
Anaerobic Respiration,
Metabolism.
Reactions of Acids and Making Salts:
Neutralisation,
Acid Reactions,
Making a Salt,
Titration,
Concentration Calculations,
The pH scale,
Strong and Weak Acids,
Redox Reactions.
Links to prior learning
Year 7 Breathing
Year 7 Respiration
Year 7 Particle Model
Year 7 Energy Costs
Year 8 Periodic Table
Year 9 Health and Disease
Assessment
Cumulative Science Exams
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Biology
Bioenergetics
Chemistry
Ionic Compounds Metals
Physics
Electricity
Skills / application of knowledge
Bioenergetics:
Structure of a Leaf,
Limiting Factors,
Rate of Photosynthesis,
Uses of Glucose,
Osmosis, Transpiration,
Plant Disease and Defences,
Plant Hormones. 
Ionic Compounds:
 Ionic Bonding,
 Properties of Ionic Compounds.
Metals: Metallic Bonding,
Alloys,
Corrosion and its Prevention,
Oxidation and Reduction.
Electricity:
IV Characteristics,
Sensing Circuits,
Resistors in Series;
Mains Electricity,
Power of Appliances,
The National Grid.
Links to prior learning
Year 8 Photosynthesis
Year 8 Interdependence
Year 8 Acids and Alkalis
Year 9 Cells and Microscopes (Plant Structure)
Year 9 Electricity
Assessment
Chemical Changes Topic Test
Electricity Topic Test
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Biology
Bioenergetics
Chemistry
Covalent Molecules
Physics
Forces
Skills / application of knowledge
Bioenergetics:
Structure of a Leaf,
Limiting Factors,
Rate of Photosynthesis,
Uses of Glucose,
Osmosis, Transpiration,
Plant Disease and Defences,
Plant Hormones. 
Covalent Molecules: Covalent Bonding,
Properties of Covalent Molecules,
Diamond and Graphite,
Fullerenes,
Nanoparticles.
Forces:
Scalars and Vectors,
Interacting Forces,
Gravity,
Resultant Forces;
Centre of Mass,
Moments,
Forces and Elasticity.
Links to prior learning
Year 8 Photosynthesis
Year 8 Interdependence
Year  9 Cells and Microscopes (Plant Structure)
Year 9 Ionic Bonding 
Year 9 Metal Extraction
Year 9 Electricity
Assessment
Bioenergetics Topic Test
Structures and Bonding Topic Test
Half Term 5
Knowledge
Biology
Nervous and Endocrine System
Chemistry
Rates of Reaction
Physics
Forces and Motion
Skills / application of knowledge
Nervous and Endocrine System:
Reflexes,
Reflex Arcs,
Reaction Time Practical,
Endocrine System.
Rates of Reaction:
Collision Theory,
Factors Affecting the Rate of Reaction,
Catalysts,
Measuring the Rate of a Reaction,
Rate of Reaction Graphs.
Forces and motion:
Newton’s laws, speed,
distance, acceleration,
velocity,
d-t graphs,
v-t graphs;
momentum;
stopping distances
Links to prior learning
Year 8 Photosynthesis
Year 8 Interdependence
Year 8 Contact Forces
Year 9 Cells and Microscopes (Plant Structure)
Year 9 Covalent Bonding
Assessment
Nervous and Endocrine System Topic Test
Rates of Reaction Topic Test
Half Term 6
Knowledge
Biology
Homeostasis and Response
Chemistry
Chemical Energy
Reversible Reactions and Dynamic Equilibrium
Physics
Forces and Motion
Skills / application of knowledge
Homeostasis and response
Chemical energy
Reversible Reactions and Dynamic Equilibrium: Reversible Reactions,
Dynamic Equilibrium,
The Haber Process,
Lab Preparation of Fertilisers,
Industrial Preparation of Fertilisers,
NPK Fertilisers.
Forces and motion:
Newton’s laws,
speed,
distance,
acceleration,
velocity,
d-t graphs,
v-t graphs;
momentum;
stopping distances
Links to prior learning
Year 8 Contact Forces
Year 10 Organisation in the Body
Year 10 The Three States of Matter
Assessment
Paper 1 End of Year Exams

Half Term 1
Knowledge
Biology
Inheritance and Variation
Chemistry
Chemical Cells and Fuel Cells (Triple only)
Moles and Calculations
Reversible Reactions and Dynamic Equilibrium
Physics
Waves
Skills / application of knowledge
Inheritance and Variation:
DNA Structure,
Variation,
Protein Synthesis,
Mendel’s Work,
Inherited disorders,
Embryo screening,
Stem Cells.
Chemical Cells and Fuel Cells:
 Chemical Cells,
 Hydrogen Fuel Cells.
Moles and Calculations:
Relative Formula Mass,
Moles,
Calculating Missing Masses,
Limiting Reactants, Percentage Yield,
Atom Economy,
Molar Gas Volumes.
Reversible Reactions and Dynamic Equilibrium: Reversible Reactions,
Dynamic Equilibrium,
The Haber Process,
Lab Preparation of Fertilisers,
Industrial Preparation of Fertilisers,
NPK Fertilisers.
Waves:
Features of Waves,
Properties of Waves,
Waves Required Practical,
Waves in a Solid,
Reflection,
Refraction,
Lenses,
Sound,
Wave Imaging,
 The Electromagnetic Spectrum,
Infra-Red,
Blackbody Radiation.
 
Links to prior learning
Year 7 Breathing
Year 7 Particle Model
Year 8  Periodic Table
Year 8 Energy Transfers
Year 9 Health and Disease
Assessment
Inheritance and variation Topic Test
Rate and extent of Chemical Change Topic Test
Waves Topic Test
Half Term 2
Knowledge
Biology
Evolution and Speciation
Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Pollutants
Early Earth
Physics
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Skills / application of knowledge
Evolution and Speciation:
Evolution,
Mutations,
Speciation,
Antibiotic Resistance,
Fossils,
Extinction,
Selective Breeding,
Animal Cloning,
Plant Cloning,
Classification.
Organic Chemistry:
Crude Oil,
Fractional Distillation,
Cracking, Combustion,
Polymers,
Alcohols,
Carboxylic Acids,
Esters,
Condensation Polymers.
Pollutants:
Problems with Combustion,
Global Warming,
Acid Rain,
Global Dimming,
Human Activities,
The Carbon Footprint.
Early Earth:
Evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere. 
Magnetism and Electromagnetism:
Magnetic Fields,
Electromagnets,
Motor Effect,
Electric Motors.
Links to prior learning
Year 7 Breathing
Year 7 Respiration
Year 7 Particle Model
Year 7 Energy Costs
Year 8 Periodic Table
Year 9 Health and Disease
Assessment
Evolution Topic Test
Organic Chemistry Topic Test
Magnetism and Electromagnetism Topic Test
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Biology
Ecology
Chemistry
Chemical Analysis
Earth's Resources
Physics
Space (Triple Only)
Skills / application of knowledge
Ecology:
Ecosystems,
Biotic and Abiotic Factors,
Global Warming, Pollution,
Bioaccumulation,
Adaptations,
Trophic Levels,
Cycling of Materials,
Sampling,
Food Security,
Decomposition.
Chemical Analysis:
Precipitate Tests,
Ionic Equations,
Flame Tests,
Testing for Negative Ions,
Testing Unknown Compounds,
Instrumental Methods.
Earth’s Resources:
Sustainable Development,
Reduce,
Reuse,
Recycle,
Life Cycle Assessment,
Ceramics,
Polymers and Composites. 
Space:
Lifecycle of Stars,
Satellites,
Redshift,
Big Bang Theory.
Links to prior learning
Year 8 Photosynthesis
Year 8 Interdependence
Year 8 Acids and Alkalis
Year 9 Cells and Microscopes (Plant Structure)
Year 9 Electricity
Assessment
Paper 1 and Paper 2 MOCK Exams
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Biology
Paper 1 and Paper 2 Revision and Exam Preparation
Chemistry
Portable Water
Physics
Paper 1 and Paper 2 Revision and Exam Preparation
Skills / application of knowledge
Potable Water:
Ground Water Treatment,
Salt-Water Treatment,
Distillation,
Reverse Osmosis,
Analysing Water Samples,
Waste Water Treatment.
Links to prior learning
Year 8 Photosynthesis
Year 8 Interdependence
Year  9 Cells and Microscopes (Plant Structure)
Year 9 Ionic Bonding 
Year 9 Metal Extraction
Year 9 Electricity
Assessment
GSCE's
Half Term 5
Knowledge
Biology
Paper 1 and Paper 2 Revision and Exam Preparation
Chemistry
Paper 1 and Paper 2 Revision and Exam Preparation
Physics
Paper 1 and Paper 2 Revision and Exam Preparation
Skills / application of knowledge
Bespoke revision and exam preparation
Informed by QLA and regular teacher assessment.
Assessment
GSCE's

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