Subject Intent
KS3
In Years 7 and 8 the lessons taught will cover all of the KS3 National curriculum with Year 9 consolidating, developing and expanding upon this content whilst also introducing some of the fundamental content needed at GCSE. Students follow our “Big Ideas” curriculum, where topics fall within the;
5 Big Ideas in Biology:
1. The Cellular Basis of Life
2. Heredity and Life Cycles
3. Organisms and their environments
4. Variation, Adaptation and Evolution
5. Health and Disease
5 Big Ideas in Chemistry:
1. Substances and Properties
2. Particles and Structure
3. Chemical Reactions
4. Earth Chemistry
5. Dynamic Earth,
5 Big Ideas in Physics:
1. Matter
2. Forces and Motion
3. Sound, Light and Waves
4. Electricity and Magnetism
5. Earth in Space
KS4
In KS4 students study Edexcel GCSE Combined Science (a double award GCSE) which sees students continue studying all three Sciences; Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Although material for GCSE is largely dependent on Exam Board specification, content will also fall within the 15 “Big Ideas” of Science seen at KS3.
With three different subjects to study, students will cover a lot of Scientific knowledge content. During lessons, we will attempt to balance this content with the necessary practical skills that students will need to obtain data, as well as promoting real-world Science to make what students are learning relevant and topical. In years 10 and 11 we will build upon the basics taught at KS3, as well as building on knowledge from previous topics in the Key Stage to ensure knowledge is revisited and embedded, ensuring students have the relevant knowledge and skills needed for their GCSE exams.
