Student & ParentPortal

21Nov

Key Stage 3

Year 7

Intent

Building on the Key Stage 2 science curriculum, students will develop their understanding of fundamental scientific concepts in science through an exploration of the world around them. We start ‘big’ with the universe, moving through to the ‘small’ through an investigation of the individual cell and atom. Students will be supported and encouraged to apply investigative skills to test, question and challenge current scientific ideas and core knowledge.

Learning Journey

Unit 1: Forces

Themes, Concepts and Questions

Students will learn about the fundamental forces that govern our universe. They will learn the names of these, the difference between mass and weight and the result of forces being balanced and unbalanced.

Key Knowledge

Unit 2: Energy

Themes, Concepts and Questions

Students will learn how to talk and write about energy and energy transfers in a scientific way and understand how we speak about energy in everyday life is scientifically inaccurate. Students will also learn about the concept of power and how perform calculations.

Key Knowledge

Unit 3: Particles and Density

Themes, Concepts and Questions

Students will learn about how the particles in solids, liquids and gases are arranged and how this arrangement leads to their various properties. They will also learn about the science of state changes and what is meant by the term ‘density’

Key Knowledge

Unit 4: Ecosystems, Organisms and Cells

Themes, Concepts and Questions

Students will learn about the different environments where life exists, how life is adapted to survive and then will zoom in to what all life is built from and the microscopic structures on which life depends.

Key Knowledge

Unit 5: Earth Structure, Elements, Compounds and Mixtures

Themes, Concepts and Questions

Students will learn about the layers of the Earth and the different types of substance that can be found in the Earth’s crust. They will learn how to use their knowledge from the particle model to distinguish between elements, compounds and mixtures and how scientists arrange their knowledge of elements in the Periodic Table.

Key Knowledge

Unit 6: Space

Themes, Concepts and Questions

Students will learn about the vastness of space and what can be found within it. They will learn about what holds objects in space in orbit around each other and why this force is vital for orbit. They will also learn about our moon and its phases and how it impacts life on Earth as well as how the movement of the Earth affects the conditions on Earth.

Key Knowledge

Skill Development

Observational skills, making scientific predictions, Identifying Variables in an investigation, taking accurate measurements. Communicating scientific ideas. Use of models.

Year 8

Intent

Students extend their core knowledge and now begin to make strong links and connections across the units taught when exploring key scientific themes and issues. This results in a deeper understanding of the natural world as students becoming increasingly confident and accurate in their explanations and questions. They forward and discuss actions that could be taken to make a positive impact on peoples’ lives.

Learning Journey

Unit 1 and Unit 2: Life Cycles - Growth and reproduction

Themes, Concepts and Questions

Unit 3: Respiration

Themes, Concepts and Questions

The Respiratory System
Respiratory Organs
Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration
Impact of Exercise

Unit 4: Life Cycles - Disease and forensics

Themes, Concepts and Questions

Communicable Disease
Immunity
Genetic disease
Autoimmune disease
Forensic investigation

Unit 5: Life Cycles - Plant Cycles

Themes, Concepts and Questions

Plant structure
Plant reproduction
Forest fires
Carbon and Nitrogen cycle

Unit 6 and Unit 7: Changes

Themes, Concepts and Questions

Chemical reactions
Reactivity of metals
Displacement
Enzyme activity
Forces

Skill Development

Consider models in science, draw conclusions based upon evidence, ask curious questions to deepen understanding, present data appropriately, communicate and present scientific ideas to an audience.

Year 9

Intent

Building on the knowledge and skills developed at Year 7 and 9, students examine critical challenges facing our planet and today’s scientists. They connect scientific ideas and concepts from all aspects of science and are empowered to suggest changes that will best support future generations. Students consider how ethical and socio-economic factors impact scientific development and, having learned how to challenge established ideas, reach independent conclusions and recommendations.