Science

The aim in Science is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to engage with new ideas and explore what interests them. Science has something to offer every student.

Our core approach is the idea that all students will be inspired and able to engage through practical experiences and investigations in the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

The department has a large range of equipment to enrich learning from Year 7 to Year 11. Every student in Year 11 is provided with:

A pocket Revision Guide
An exam practice work book

The department has issued these to ensure students have all the tools necessary to enable students to achieve their full potential.

The KS3 schemes of learning ensure that students are adequately equipped with the skills needed to enable a smooth transition into KS4.

Courses in Science

Key Stage 4

Year 9 - 11

GCSE Combined Science (Edexcel)
GCSE Biology (Edexcel)
GCSE Chemistry (Edexcel)
GCSE Physics (Edexcel)

Key Stage 3 - Year 7 Curriculum Breakdown

Term 1 - Year 7

Topic	Learning Outcomes	Assessment
Wonder In Science	This unit is based on the book ‘Wonder’ and pupils will learn about: Lab Safety and equipment How to use a Bunsen Burner safely Bunsen Burner Licence Methods and measurements Graph skills	Marking episodes
Cells, Tissues, Organs and Organ Systems	In this unit you will learn about: Life processes Microscopes Cells Microscopes practical Organs Tissues Organ systems	Marking episodes End of topic test
The Particle Model	In this unit you will learn about: Solids, Liquids and Gases Density Changes of state graphs Hypotheses and theories Brownian Motion Diffusion Air pressure	Marking episodes End of topic test
DC1 TEST
Forces	In this unit you will learn about: Different forces Springs practical Friction investigation Resultant force SI units and speed Pressure calculations	Marking episodes End of topic test

Term 2 - Year 7

Topic

Learning Outcomes

Assessment

Reproduction

In this unit you will learn about:

Animal sexual reproduction
Male reproductive system
Female reproductive system
Adolescence
Menstrual cycle
Becoming pregnant
Gestation and birth

Marking episodes

End of topic test

Current and Electricity

In this unit you will learn about:

Circuits and current
Models for circuits
Voltage and current in parallel circuits
Resistance practical
Using electricity

Marking episodes

End of topic test

DC2 TEST

Elements, Mixtures, Compounds and

Separation Techniques

In this unit you will learn about:

Elements, mixtures and compounds
Metals and non-metals
Chemical reactions and making compounds
Filtering
Crystallisation and evaporation
Distillation
Chromatography investigation

Marking episodes

End of topic test

Energy

In this unit you will learn about:

Energy from food
Burning foods investigation
Energy transfers and stores
Fuels
Renewable energy resources
Comparing energy resources

Marking episodes

End of topic test

Term 3 - Year 7

Topic	Learning Outcomes	Assessment
Muscles and Bones	In this unit you will learn about: Muscles and breathing Muscles and blood Heart rate practical The skeletal system Muscles and movement Drugs	Marking episodes End of topic test
DC3 TEST
Sound	In this unit you will learn about: Making sound Moving sound Detecting sound Insulating sound investigation Using sound Comparing waves	Marking episodes End of topic test
Acids and Alkalis	In this unit you will learn about: Hazards Indicators Acidity and Alkalinity Neutralisation Neutralisation investigation	Marking episodes End of topic test
Ecosystems	In this unit you will learn about: Variation Adaptations Effects of the environment Effects on the environment Transfers in food chains Additional sampling ecosystems lesson	Marking episodes End of topic test

Key Stage 3 - Year 8 Curriculum Breakdown

Term 1 - Year 8

Topic

Learning Outcomes

Assessment

Body Systems Recap

This is a review unit due to being missed in Year 7, it will contain:

Levels of organisation
The skeletal system
Joints and movement
Circulatory system
Respiratory system practical

Marking episodes

End of topic test

Acids and Alkalis

In this unit you will learn about:

Hazards
Indicators
Acidity and Alkalinity
Neutralisation
Neutralisation Investigation

Marking episodes

End of topic test

Sound

In this unit you will learn about:

Makings sound
Moving sound
Detecting sound
Insulating sound investigation
Using sound
Comparing waves

Marking episodes

End of topic test

Energy

In this unit you will learn about:

Energy from food
Burning foods investigation
Energy transfers and stores
Fuels
Renewable energy resources
Comparing energy resources

Marking episodes

End of topic test

Food and Nutrition

In this unit you will learn about:

Digestion
Absorption
Nutrients and uses
Starch test
Benedicts test
Fats and proteins
Balanced diets

Marking episodes

End of topic test

Term 2 - Year 8

Topic	Learning Outcomes	Assessment
The Periodic Table	In this unit you will learn about: Dalton’s atomic model Chemical properties Mendeleev’s table Physical and Chemical changes	Marking episodes End of topic test
Breathing and Respiration	In this unit you will learn about: Aerobic respiration Gas exchange system Getting oxygen Comparing gas exchange Anaerobic respiration	Marking episodes End of topic test
MID YEAR EXAM
Metals and Their Uses	In this unit you will learn about: Metals and their properties Corrosion Metals and water Metals and acids Collecting gas Pure metals and alloys	Marking episodes End of topic test
Energy Transfer 2	In this unit you will learn about: Temperature change Transferring energy: Conduction Transferring energy: Convection Transferring energy: Radiation Controlling transfers Power and efficiency Paying for energy	Marking episodes End of topic test

Term 3 - Year 8

Topic	Learning Outcomes	Assessment
Light	In this unit you will learn about: Properties of light Reflection Refraction Refraction in lenses Cameras and eyes Colours	Marking episodes End of topic test
END 0F YEAR EXAM
Combustion	In this unit you will learn about: Combustion Oxidation Fire safety Air pollution Global warming Reducing pollution	Marking episodes End of topic test
Fluids	In this unit you will learn about: The particle model Calculating density Changing state Pressure in fluids Floating and sinking Drag practical	Marking episodes End of topic test
Earth and Space	In this unit you will learn about: Gathering evidence Phases of the moon Seasons Magnetic Earth Gravity in space Making comparisons Beyond the solar system Moon landing conspiracy	Marking episodes End of topic test

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Breakdown

Year 9 Combined Science (Edexcel)

Half Term	Topic	Learning Outcomes	Assessment
Term 1	Foundation Units - Key Ideas in Biology	In this unit you will learn about: The circulatory system Health and disease Enzymes Cells Photosynthesis Environmental field work	Extended writing Marking purple zones Check point assessments
	Foundation Units – Key Ideas in chemistry	In this unit you will learn about: The periodic table of elements The Earth and its atmosphere Separating techniques Acids and alkalis Rates of reactions.	Extended writing Marking purple zones Check point assessments
	Foundation Units – Key Ideas in Physics	In this unit you will learn about: How an electrical circuit works Circuit symbols Magnets Electromagnets Renewable and non-renewable energy resources	Extended writing Marking purple zones Check point assessments

Half Term	Topic	Learning Outcomes	Assessment
Term 2	Key Concepts in Biology	In this unit you will learn about: How microscopy has allowed us to find out more about the sub-cellular structures found in plants and animals. The importance of enzymes in nutrition, growth and development. How enzymes are affected by temperature and why each enzyme only works on a certain type of molecule. How substances are carried by diffusion, osmosis and active transport.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Cells and Control	In this unit you will learn about: Mitosis and its importance in growth, repair and asexual reproduction. How cells become specialised, and the importance of stem cells. How to identify different specialised cells in the nervous system and explain how the system works.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Genetics	In this unit you will learn about: How gametes are produced by meiosis. The structure of DNA. Mutations and how genes cause variation. Why certain characteristics are passed down through families.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Natural Selection and Genetic Modification	In this unit you will learn about: Darwin’s theory of evolution. How different methods are used to investigate evolution. How organisms are classified. How selective breeding is carried out. How genetic modification is carried out.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Health, Disease and the Development of Medicine	In this unit you will learn about: How to define health. How some pathogens that cause diseases. How the spread of pathogens can be reduced or prevented. How the body is protected against infection. How the immune system works. How antibiotic work. How new medicines are developed.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones

Half Term	Topic	Learning Outcomes	Assessment
Term 3	States of Matter: Methods of Separating and Purifying Substances	In this unit you will learn about: How the arrangement and movement and energy of particles change during state changes. How to use melting points to tell the difference between mixtures and pure substances. How to identify substance using melting points and chromatography. How different methods of separation work.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table	In this unit you will learn about: How our ideas about atoms have changed over time. What is relative atomic mass How to calculate relative atomic mass for an element	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Covalent and Ionic Bonding and Types of Substances	In this unit you will learn about: How covalent and ionic bonds are formed. The properties of covalent and ionic compounds.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Acids and Alkalis	In this unit you will learn about: The ions in acids and alkalis, and how their concentrations are linked to pH. What happens in the reactions between acids and different types of bases. How different indicators can be used in acid-alkali titrations. How different soluble and insoluble salts can be prepared.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones

Year 10 Combined Science (Edexcel)

Half Term	Topic	Learning Outcomes	Assessment
Term 1	Health Disease and Medicine	In this unit you will learn about: How to define health. How some pathogens that cause diseases. How the spread of pathogens can be reduced or prevented. How the body is protected against infection. How the immune system works. How antibiotics work. How new medicines are developed.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Separating and Purifying Substances	In this unit you will learn about: How the arrangement, movement and energy of particles change during state changes. How to use melting points to tell the difference between mixtures and pure substances. How to identify substances using melting points and chromatography. How different methods of separation work.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	The Periodic Table and Atomic Structure	In this unit you will learn about: How our ideas about atoms have changed over time. What is relative atomic mass How to calculate relative atomic mass for an element	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Ionic and Covalent Bonding	In this unit you will learn about: How covalent and ionic bonds are formed. The properties of covalent and ionic compounds.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Acids and Alkalis	In this unit you will learn about: The ions in acids and alkalis, and how their concentrations are linked to pH. What happens in the reactions between acids and different types of bases. How different indicators can be used in acid-alkali titrations. How different soluble and insoluble salts can be prepared.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Calculations Involving Masses	In this unit you will learn about: How to represent elements and compounds as symbols. How mass is conserved during changes of state and chemical reactions. How to show chemical reactions using equations.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones

Half Term	Topic	Learning Outcomes	Assessment
Term 2	Electrolysis and Extracting Metals	In this unit you will learn about: Oxidation and reduction reactions. The reactivity series. The advantage of recycling materials. How to explain what happens during electrolysis.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Motion	In this unit you will learn about: The difference between a vector and scalar quantity. How to calculate the speed and acceleration of an object. How to represent a journey as a DT and VT graph.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Forces and Motion	In this unit you will learn about: Newton’s Laws of Motion. How to calculate weight from an object’s mass. The factors that affect the stopping distance of a vehicle. The dangers of large decelerations.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Conservation of Energy	In this unit you will learn about: How energy is transferred and stored. How to represent energy using diagrams. How to calculate efficiency. How to reduce transfers of wasted energy.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Waves	In this unit you will learn about: Waves and how they transfer energy and information. How to describe the characteristics of a wave. How the speed of a wave is related to its frequency and wavelength. How the speed of a wave is related to the time it takes to travel a certain distance. How waves are refracted at boundaries between different materials.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum	In this unit you will learn about: The electromagnetic spectrum, including the uses of the different parts. The harmful effects of the waves in different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones
	Radioactivity	In this unit you will learn about: How particles are arranged inside an atom. How to represent atoms as symbols. The different types of radiation, their dangers and how to protect ourselves.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones

Half Term

Topic

Learning Outcomes

Assessment

Term 3

Plant Structures and their Functions

In this unit you will learn about:

Photosynthesis and the factors that affect its rate.
How water uptake is affected by different factors.
How the reactants and products of photosynthesis are transported around a plant.

Extended writing

Retrieval grids

Extended purple zones

Animal Coordination and Homeostasis

In this unit you will learn about:

The endocrine glands.
How hormones are transported to their target organs.
How the menstrual cycle is controlled.
How hormones are used in contraception.
Diabetes and how blood glucose concentration is controlled.

Extended writing

Retrieval grids

Extended purple zones

Exchange and Transport in Animals

In this unit you will learn about:

The different types of respiration.
How the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and the blood are adapted to thier functions.
How to calculate cardiac output.

Extended writing

Retrieval grids

Extended purple zones

Ecosystems and Material Cycles

In this unit you will learn about:

How ecosystems are organised.
How communities are affected by biotic and abiotic factors.
How the abundance and distribution of organisms are measured.
Parasitism and mutualism
How humans can affect ecosystems and the importance of maintaining biodiversity.
How materials are cycled through ecosystems

Extended writing

Retrieval grids

Extended purple zones

Year 11 Combined Science (AQA)

Half Term	Topic	Learning Outcomes	Assessment
Term 1	Acids and Alkalis	In this unit you will learn about: The ions in acids and alkalis, and how their concentrations are linked to pH. What happens in the reactions between acids and different types of bases. How different indicators can be used in acid-alkali titrations. How different soluble and insoluble salts can be prepared.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones Past exam papers
	Calculations Involving Masses	In this unit you will learn about: How to represent elements and compounds as symbols. How mass is conserved during changes of state and chemical reactions. How to show chemical reactions using equations.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones Past exam papers
	Electrolysis and Extracting Metals	In this unit you will learn about: Oxidation and reduction reactions. The reactivity series. The advantage of recycling materials. How to explain what happens during electrolysis.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones Past exam papers
	Groups in the Periodic Table	In this unit you will learn about: How to write balanced chemical equations, including the state symbols. The properties and reactions of the elements in groups 1, 7 and 0. How changes in conditions can affect the rate of a reaction.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones Past exam papers
	Fuels and the Atmosphere	In this unit you will learn about: How hydrocarbons are found in crude oil and natural gas. How crude oil is separated into useful fractions. The alkanes as a homologous series. The problems caused by atmospheric pollutants. The Earth’s changing atmosphere and climate change.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones Past exam papers

Half Term	Topic	Learning Outcomes	Assessment
Term 2	Electricity and Circuits	In this unit you will learn about: Current, charge and potential difference. How to calculate resistance, power and energy transferred. The UK domestic electricity supply and electrical safety in homes.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones Past exam papers
	Magnetism, the Motor Effect and Electromagnetic Induction	In this unit you will learn about: Permanent and induced magnets, and how to represent a magnetic field. The magnetic field and current around a wire and the factors that affect it. How to use the power equation for transformers. How transformers are used in the national grid.	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones Past exam papers
	The Particle Model, Forces and Matter	In this unit you will learn about: The different densities of substances and how to calculate density. Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat and how to calculate them both. How changing the temperature of a gas effects its pressure. The Kelvin and Celsius temperature scales. Elastic and inelastic distortion. The relationship between force, extension, and how to calculate the extension and spring constant	Extended writing Retrieval grids Extended purple zones Past exam papers

Half Term

Topic

Learning Outcomes

Assessment

Term 3

Year 11 Revision

During this time you will:

Develop your exam technique and learn different methods to support you in answering GCSE exam questions.
Develop a range of revision strategies to help prepare for the terminal exams at the end of year 11
Re-visit key concepts across the syllabus and carry out targeted revision.
Re-visit the GCSE required practicals and using simulations learn how to interpret and analyse data.

Extended writing

Retrieval grids

Extended purple zones

Past exam papers

For further information on the curriculum offered please contact the Academy F.A.O:

Mrs S Lindsay: Curriculum Leader for Science - Lindsay.s@whiteroseacademies.org