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
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Solids
- Liquids and Gases
- Density
- Changes of State
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Contact and non-contact forces
- Gravity
- Force diagrams
- Drag forces
- Hooke's Law
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Celestial objects
- Mass and weight
- Light
- Days, seasons and years
- The Moon
- Space exploration
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- The particle model
- Properties of materials
- Melting and boiling points
- Symbollic representation
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Microscopes
- Cell Structure
- Magnification
- Unicellular and multicellular organisms
- Diffusion
- Specialised Cells
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Energy stores
- Energy transfers
- Kinetic energy
- Gravitational energy
- Thermal energy
- Power
- Energy resources
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Conductors and insulators
- Circuits
- Current and potential difference
- Resistance
- Series and parallel circults
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
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Human life cycle
- Human reproduction
- Healthy diet
- Digestion
- Acids and Alkalis
- Health and well being
- Respiration
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- The Respiratory System
- Respiratory Organs
- Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration
- Impact of Exercise
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Communicable Disease
- Immunity
- Genetic disease
- Autoimmune disease
- Forensic investigation
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Plant structure
- Plant reproduction
- Forest fires
- Carbon and Nitrogen cycle
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.
Learning Journey
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Water
- Metals
- Crude oil
- Polymers, Ceramics and Composites
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Renewable and non- renewable fuels
- Generating electricity
- Electrical circuits
- Biotechnology and Medicines
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Fundamental particles
- Development of periodic table
- Development of the atomic model
- Isotopes
- Reactivity trends
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Energy stores and transfers
- Numerical representation of energy
- Kinetic energy
- Gravitational energy
- Elastic energy
- Power
- Work done
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
- Specialised cells
- Differentiation
- Stem cells
- Transport
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- States of matter
- Covalent bonding
- Ionic bonding
- Metallic bonding
- Properties of substances
- Giant covalent structures
- Polymers
Themes, Concepts and Questions
- Scalars and vectors
- Resultant forces
- Centre of mass
- Work done
- Elasticity
- Hooke's Law
Skill Development
Writing a method to test a hypothesis, Analysing data, Evaluating a practical method, report writing, communicate ideas including debate.