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.
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Year 7 |
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Half term 1 |
Half term 2 |
Half term 3 |
Half term 4 |
Half term 5 |
Half term 6 |
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Knowledge |
Introduction to Science Skills Biology: Cells Chemistry: Particle Model
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Biology: Movement Chemistry: Elements, Compounds and Mixtures Physics: Forces |
Physics: Pressure Energy |
Biology: Breathing Chemistry: Chemical Reactions |
Biology: Digestion Physics: Universe |
Chemistry: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table Physics: Waves and Sound |
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Skills/ application of knowledge |
Science Skills: Safety, Equipment, Using Bunsen Burners, Rounding, Averages, Percentages, Identifying Variables. Plotting Graphs, Extrapolating Data. Cells: Microscopes, Animal Cells, Plant Cells, Specialised Cells, Diffusion, Bacterial Cells. Particle Model: Investigating Solids, Liquids and Gases, Changing State, Density.
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Movement: The Skeleton, Muscles, Joints, Dissection. Elements and Compounds: Atoms, Elements and Compounds, Investigating Elements and Compounds, Relative Formula Mass. Forces: Forces, Balanced and Unbalanced Forces, Resultant Forces. Floating and Sinking, Friction, Stretching.
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Energy Transfers: Different Types of Energy, Energy Transfers, Energy Stores, Wasted Energy, Efficiency. Pressure: Pressure, Pressure Calculations, Pressure in Fluids.
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Breathing: Breathing System, How we Breath, Investigating Height and Lung Volume, Breathing Measurements. Chemical Reactions: Chemical and Physical Changes, Combustion, Thermal Decomposition, Displacement, Conservation of Mass, Balancing Equations, Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions, Catalysts.
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Digestion: Food Groups and Balanced Diets, The Digestive System, Enzymes, Energy in Food. The Universe: Mass vs Weight, Gravity. Stars and Galaxies, The Solar System, Eclipses, Days and Nights, Seasons, Space Exploration.
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Atomic Structure: Atomic Structure, Electron Configuration, History of the Atom. Structure of the Periodic Table, History of the Periodic Table. Waves and Sound: Types of Waves, Wave Calculations, The Electromagnetic Spectrum, Investigating Sounds, Sound Waves, Hearing Sounds, The Ear, Hearing Problems. Ultrasound.
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Links to prior learning |
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Assessment |
Cells CAP Particle Model CAP
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Movement CAP Elements Compounds CAP Forces CAP
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Pressure CAP Energy CAP DC1 science exam |
Breathing CAP Chemical Reactions CAP
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Digestion CAP Universe CAP
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Atomic Structure CAP Waves and Sound CAP DC2 End of Year exam |
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Year 8 |
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Half term 1 |
Half term 2 |
Half term 3 |
Half term 4 |
Half term 5 |
Half term 6 |
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Knowledge |
Biology: Reproduction Physics: Waves and Sound Electricity |
Biology: Inheritance Chemistry: Separation Techniques Physics: Magnets |
Biology: Respiration Chemistry: Acids and Alkalis Physics: Speed |
Biology: Photosynthesis Chemistry: Metals |
Biology: Interdependence Evolution Physics: Light |
Chemistry: Climate Physics: Heating and Cooling Energy Costs |
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Skills/ application of knowledge |
Reproduction: Reproductive Organs, Menstrual Cycle, Fertilisation, Foetal Development, Structure of a Flower, Methods of Pollination, Plant Fertilisation, Seed Dispersal. Waves and Sound: Types of Waves, Wave Calculations, Investigating Sounds, Sound Waves, Hearing Sounds, The Ear, Hearing Problems. Ultrasound. Electricity: Simple Circuits, Modelling Circuits, Current, Voltage, Series and Parallel, Investigating Potential Difference, Resistance, Investigating Resistance.
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Inheritance: Causes of Variation, Continuous and Discontinuous Variation. Separation Techniques: Investigating Solubility, Filtration, Crystallisation, Distillation, Chromatography. Magnets: Magnetism, Magnetic Fields, Earth’s Magnetic Fields, Electromagnets Investigation, Uses of Electromagnets.
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Respiration: Respiration, Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration. Acids and Alkalis: Identifying Acids and Alkalis, The pH scale, Making an Indicator, Neutralisation, Applications of Neutralisation. Speed: Resultant Forces, Calculating Speed, Investigating Speed, Distance Speed Graphs.
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Photosynthesis: Photosynthesis, Structure of the Leaf, Testing a Leaf for Starch, Rate of Photosynthesis. Metals: Properties of Metals and Non-Metals, Reactions of Metals with Oxygen, Reactions of Metals with Acids, Displacement Reactions, Making Metal Salts.
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Interdependence: Food Chains, Food Webs, Factors Affecting Populations, Bioaccumulation. Evolution: Natural Selection, Darwin’s Finches, Extinction, Biodiversity. Light: How Light Travels, Reflection, Refraction, Using Refraction, Sight Problems, Dispersion, Seeing Colours/ |
Climate: Fuels, Combustion, Pollutants, Global Warming, Acid Rain, Global Dimming, Reducing Pollutants. Heating and Cooling: Heat and Temperature, Conduction, Convection, Radiation, Insulation, Specific Heat Capacity. Energy Costs: Energy Resources, Alternative Energy Resources, Joule Island, Energy Usage, Electricity Bills,
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Links to prior learning |
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Assessment |
Reproduction CAP Waves and Sound CAP Electricity CAP
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Inheritance CAP Separation Techniques CAP Magnets CAP |
Respiration CAP Acids and Alkalis CAP Speed CAP
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Photosynthesis CAP Metals CAP DC1 Science Exam |
Interdependence CAP Evolution CAP Light CAP |
Climate CAP Heating and Cooling CAP Energy Costs CAP DC2 End of Year Exam |
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Year 9 |
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Half term 1 |
Half term 2 |
Half term 3 |
Half term 4 |
Half term 5 |
Half term 6 |
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Knowledge |
Biology Cells biology Chemistry Atoms, Elements, Compounds and Mixtures Separation Techniques Physics Particle Model |
Biology Organisation Chemistry The Periodic Table and Atomic Structure
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Biology Bioenergetics Chemistry Ions and Ionic Bonding Covalent Bonding Physics Energy stores and transfers
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Chemistry Metals Physics Electricity |
Biology Health Chemistry Groups in the periodic table Physics Energy resources |
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Skills/ application of knowledge |
Cells:: Animal Cells, Plant Cells, Bacterial Cells, Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells, Organisation, Microscope Calculations, Using microscopes, stem cells, the cell cycle Atom Elements, Compounds and Mixtures: Atoms, Elements, Compounds, Mixtures, Pure Substances, Chemical Formula, Naming Compounds, Balancing Equations. Separation Techniques: Filtration, Crystallisation, Distillation, Chromatography. Particle Model: States of Matter, Internal Energy, Changing States, Chemical and Physical Changes. Density Calculations, Finding the Density of Regular Objects and Liquids, Finding the Density of Irregular Objects. Pressure in Gases, Changing Pressure in Gases, Boyles Law. |
Organisation: the digestive system, enzymes, food tests The Periodic Table and Atomic Structure: History of the Periodic Table, Atomic Structure, Electron Configuration, Isotopes, History of the Atom.
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Bioenergetics: photosynthesis, rate of photosynthesis, factors that affect photosynthesis, aerobic and anaerobic respiration, response to exercise, metabolism Ions and Ionic Bonding: Forming Ions, Ionic Bonding, Ionic Formula. Covalent Bonding: Covalent Bonding, Identifying Gases. Energy stores and transfers: name the stores of energy, energy transfers, efficiency, power, energy calculations
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Metals: Properties of Metals and Non-metals, Reactions with Acids, Displacement Reaction, Heating with Carbon, Electrolysis, Aluminium Oxide Extraction, Alternative Extraction Methods, Oxidation and Reduction. Electricity: Circuit Components, Series Circuits, Parallel Circuits, V=IR, Resistance of a Wire; Q=It, E=QV.
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Health: Communicable and Non-communicable disease, Vaccinations, Treating Disease, Types of Pathogens, Bacterial, Viral, Fungal, Protist Illnesses. Groups in the periodic table: Group 1 metals and reactions, Group 7 elements and reactions, Group 0 elements Energy resources: renewable and non-renewable, energy futures
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Links to prior learning |
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Assessment |
Cell Biology CAP Atoms, elements, compounds, mixtures CAP Particle model CAP |
Organisation CAP Periodic table and atomic structure CAP DC1 Exam |
Bioenergetics CAP Ions and ionic bonding, and covalent bonding CAP Energy stores and transfers CAP |
Metals CAP Electricity CAP |
DC2 Exam |
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Year 10 |
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Half term 1 |
Half term 2 |
Half term 3 |
Half term 4 |
Half term 5 |
Half term 6 |
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Knowledge |
Biology Organisation in the Body Chemistry The Three States of Matter Groups in the Periodic Table Physics Energy |
Biology Respiration Chemistry Reactions of Acids and Making Salts Physics Electricity |
Biology Bioenergetics Chemistry Ionic Compounds Metals Physics Electricity |
Biology Bioenergetics Chemistry Covalent Molecules Physics Forces |
Biology Nervous and Endocrine System Chemistry Rates of Reaction Physics Forces and motion |
Biology Homeostasis and Response Chemistry Chemical Energy Reversible Reactions and Dynamic Equilibrium Physics Forces and motion |
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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. |
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.
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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. |
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. |
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 |
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 |
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Links to prior learning |
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Assessment |
Organisation topic test Atomic structure and the periodic table topic test Energy topic test |
Respiration topic test Reactions of acids and salts topic test
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Chemical changes topic test Electricity topic test DC1 science exams |
Bioenergetics topic test Structures and bonding topic test Forces topic test |
Nervous and endocrine system topic test Rates of reaction topic test |
DC2 End of Year Exams
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Year 11 |
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Half term 1 |
Half term 2 |
Half term 3 |
Half term 4 |
Half term 5 |
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Knowledge |
Biology Inheritance and Variation Chemistry Organic chemistry Pollutants and the early Earth Physics Waves
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Biology Inheritance and Variation Evolution Chemistry Potable water Pollutants and the early Earth Physics Magnetism and Electromagnetism Forces (trilogy) |
Biology Ecology Chemistry Reversible reactions Rates of reaction
Physics Magnetism and Electromagnetism (trilogy)
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Biology Paper 1 and Paper 2 Revision and Exam Preparation Chemistry Chemical analysis Earth’s resources Physics Paper 1 and Paper 2 Revision and Exam Preparation |
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 |
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Skills/ application of knowledge |
Inheritance and Variation: DNA Structure, Variation, Protein Synthesis, Mendel’s Work, Inherited disorders, Embryo screening, Stem Cells. 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. 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. |
Evolution: Evolution, Mutations, Speciation, Antibiotic Resistance, Fossils, Extinction, Selective Breeding, Animal Cloning, Plant Cloning, Classification. Potable Water: Ground Water Treatment, Salt-Water Treatment, Distillation, Reverse Osmosis, Analysing Water Samples, Waste Water Treatment. 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. Forces: speed, velocity, Newton’s laws of motion |
Ecology: Ecosystems, Biotic and Abiotic Factors, Global Warming, Pollution, Bioaccumulation, Adaptations, Trophic Levels, Cycling of Materials, Sampling, Food Security, Decomposition. Reversible reactions: reversible reactions, energy changes, equilibrium, effect of temperature, concentration and pressure on equilibrium Rates of reaction: factors that affect rate, investigating rates of reaction, collision theory, activation energy, catalysts, Magnetism and Electromagnetism: Magnetic Fields, Electromagnets, Motor Effect, Electric Motors.
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Earth’s Resources: Sustainable Development, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Life Cycle Assessment, Ceramics, Polymers and Composites.
Bespoke revision and exam preparation informed by QLA and regular teacher assessment.
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Bespoke revision and exam preparation informed by QLA and regular teacher assessment. |
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Links to prior learning |
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Assessment |
Organic chemistry topic test Waves topic test DC1 Exam |
Inheritance and variation topic test Potable water topic test Magnetism and electromagnetism topic test |
Paper 1 and Paper 2 MOCK Exams
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GCSEs |
GCSEs |