KS3 science is delivered during years 7 and 8. Students follow a scheme of work based on the new national science curriculum, which prepares them for GCSE. In total, they have six lessons of science a fortnight, which are taught by two teachers where possible. At the end of year 7 and 8 all students sit an end of year test to give them the experience of organising some effective revision for all topics covered in the year. Students are encouraged to experiment with revision techniques throughout the course – a vital skill that will help in the next step at KS4.

CWLC Year 7 and 8 Science Curriculum

Students develop their practical and team working skills with a variety of experimental work throughout their journey in science. These topics include a range of experimental work designed to further their practical skills and enhance their data analysis skills in order to prepare for GCSE and beyond. Also available to our KS3 students is Science Club. This club runs weekly and gives students the opportunity to take part in fantastic and exciting practical work that leaves them enthused for the rest of week.

At GCSE, the students follow the OCR A Gateway syllabus with all studying combined science until the end of year 10. Moving into year 11 some will continue with combined science while for others it will be more appropriate to follow the separate sciences route. Those continuing with combined science into year 11 will be afforded more in class preparation time for the final exams due to there being slightly less content to cover. GCSE science is a three-year course starting in year 9 and is geared towards the new method of GCSE grading 9-1.

The biology course is divided into 6 modules, which cover an array of biological concepts such as cells, microscopy, cell division, growth, organ systems, and ecosystems and health and disease. Students will study essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science that are vital for scientific understanding and ensuring the world’s future development. Learning about the nature, processes and methods of biology through various scientific enquiries and how this helps to answer scientific questions about the world around them. They will also apply observational, practical, modelling, enquiry and problem-solving skills in the laboratory, field and other learning environments.

The chemistry course is also split into 6 modules and will cover particles, elements, compounds and mixtures, chemical reactions including predicting, identifying, monitoring and controlling chemical reactions and global challenges.

The physics course is divided into 6 modules for combined science and 8 modules for separate science, with considerable overlap in content between the two. These help the students to understand how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be understood in terms of a small number of key ideas which are of universal application. These are illustrated through topics on matter, forces, electricity, magnetism, waves, radioactivity and energy.

At the beginning of each module the students are given learning outcome booklets so that they can track their progress through the course. Students are exposed to several teaching methods that incorporate both theory and practical work. There is no coursework involved in the new specification, but students are expected to complete a range of practical work throughout the course which can be assessed in the final exams. Students are routinely tested per term, and this allows us to track progress and report this through the PMR.

Students have full access to the Kerboodle.com website; providing them with plenty of support from the online textbook and other interactive resources. Teachers often use Kerboodle to set the students assignments to enhance their progression in science.

Any intervention that is required may take place as either part of lesson, homework, or on some occasion’s students are asked to attend an intervention session after school. Students are always welcome to science club after school for extra help or support with lessons and homework.