Science
KS3 Curriculum
Key topics in year 7
Atoms, energy, forces, particles and organisation.
Key topics in year 8
Chemical changes, bioenergetics, forces, inheritance and ecology.
Key topics in year 9
Infection & response, earth science, energy and inheritance.
Students have the option to pick Triple Science in Year 9.
Assessment
Students are assessed at the end of each topic and at the end of the year. Students are encouraged to begin revising early and apply revision techniques they are taught in lessons. They will also complete extended writing tasks.
KS4 Curriculum
Exam board and Qualifications
- AQA Combined Science: Trilogy
- AQA Biology
- AQA Chemistry
- AQA Physics
Assessment
Both pathways in Science have six exams at the end of Year 11: biology paper 1, biology paper 2, chemistry paper 1, chemistry paper 2, physics paper 1 and physics paper 2.
- Combined Science Trilogy – 6 x 1hr 15min (16.7% each) in Year 11
- Combined Science is worth two GCSEs.
- Biology – 2 x 1hr 45min (50% each) in Year 11
- Chemistry – 2 x 1hr 45min (50% each) in Year 11
- Physics – 2 x 1hr 45min (50% each) in Year 11
Students on Triple Science will achieve one GCSE in each Science.
Choosing tiers
Both pathways in Science have the option of higher tier and foundation tier. The tier students are entered for is carefully considered and chosen based on previous attainment in end of topic assessments and mock examinations.
Key topics in Year 10
- Biology: B1 cell biology, B2 organisation, B3 infection and response and B4 bioenergetics.
- Chemistry: C1 atoms and the periodic table, C2 structure and bonding, C3 quantitative chemistry, C4 chemical changes and C5 energy changes.
- Physics: P1 energy, P2 electricity, P3 particle model of matter and P5 atomic structure and radiation.
Key topics in Year 11
- Biology: B5 homeostasis and response, B6 inheritance and variation and B7 ecology.
- Chemistry: C6 rate of reaction, C7 organic chemistry, C8 chemical analysis, C9 the atmosphere and C10 using resources.
- Physics: P5 forces, P6 waves and P7 electricity and magnetism.
- Students who are studying triple science will also complete P8 space.