Science is a core curriculum subject, studied by all pupils at Orchard Mead Academy. Our aim is to prepare young people to tackle problems with a scientific approach, using the skills and knowledge they have learnt within their lessons. Our lessons sequence is planned in a way that allows students have an opportunity to revisit key ideas and principles. Each unit builds upon prior knowledge. We developed the progression model to ensure that students have a sound underpinning before moving on. As students move from Years 7 to 11 they will build upon the knowledge that has been gained from the previous years and extend it further into new ideas. At KS3 the pupils follow the national curriculum, whereas at GCSE pupils will either follow the AQA Trilogy specification which is a duel award course resulting in two GCSE Science grades at the end of Year 11 or AQA Separate Science (triple) specifications which will result in a GCSE in Biology, Chemistry and Physics at the end of Year 11.
KS3 Curriculum Map
| Year Group: 7 | Half Term 1 | Half Term 2 | Half Term 3 | Half Term 4 | Half Term 5 | Half Term 6 |
| Topics taught | Introduction to Science
Cells Atoms |
Energy
Photosynthesis Metals and Non – Metals Acids and Alkalis (PT1) |
Acids and Alkali (PT2)
Particle Model Breathing |
Breathing
Forces Science Week* |
Circulatory System
Electricity Human Reproduction |
Space |
| Key Knowledge
and content |
1. Basic Structure of cells, their size and roles of each organelle
2. Animal and Plant cells, and their differences 3. Cell Specialisation 4. The Microscope 5. Structure of the atom 6. Elements react to form compounds. 7. Mixtures |
1. Energy Stores and transfers
2. Calculating Energy and Power 3. Law of conservation of Energy 4. Photosynthesis and what affects its rate. 5. Plant Growth 6. Properties and reactions of Metals |
1. Acids/Alkali and neutralisation reactions
2. Indicators 3. States of Matter 4. Changing states 5. Density 6. Respiration 7. Function of Lungs |
1. Mechanism of breathing
2. Smoking/Exercise and asthma 3. Types of Forces 4. Resultant Forces 5. Moments 6. Gravity, KE and terminal velocity *Various practical activities based around the theme of the year and external visits. |
1. Blood and blood vessels.
2. Structure of the heart 3. Circuit Diagrams 4. Current, voltage and resistance 5. Series and Parallel circuits 6. Electricity in the home 7. Sexual reproduction and reproductive organs 8. Pregnancy 9. Growing up and puberty 10. Menstruation |
1. Day, night and seasons
2. The Solar System 3. The Universe – star and galaxies. |
| Disciplinary Skills Covered | The following skills are taught throughout the Year 7 Science curriculum and are applied in various contexts:
Correct of a range practical equipment – including microscopes and dissections, scientific models and use of diagram representations, calculations in science, conversion of units, planning, collecting Results, making conclusions, evaluation, data analysis and scientific literacy. |
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| Assessment | Throughout Year 7 pupils’ knowledge is assessed in the following ways:
In Lesson – Drill/ recap questions to revisit gateway knowledge, Quality Questioning including cold calling, use of mini whiteboards, Exit tickets. Weekly – Weekly low stake test (multiple choice) assessing current or historically learning depending on homework set. During each topic – End of topic assessment with follow up feedback lesson. Half Yearly – Two summative assessment points (January and June) covering the topics taught. |
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| Year Group: 8 | Half Term 1 | Half Term 2 | Half Term 3 | Half Term 4 | Half Term 5 | Half Term 6 |
| Topics taught | Separating mixtures and types of reaction
Speed Respiration |
Magnetism
Digestion Periodic Table |
Variation
Generating Electricity Waves |
Inheritance
Science Week* |
Ecology
Muscles and Bones Environmental Chemistry |
Environmental Chemistry
Plant Reproduction |
| Key Knowledge
and content |
1. Physical and chemical properties
2. Separation techniques 3. Oxidation and combustion 4. Conservation of mass 5. Speed 6. Distance/time graphs 7. Acceleration 8. Aerobic and anaerobic respiration 9. Uses of anaerobic respiration |
1. Magnets
2. Magnetic Fields 3. Electromagnets 4. Food groups and balanced diets 5. Digestive system 6. The early periodic table 7. Periodic Table and groups within it. |
1. Types of variation
2. Predators and prey 3. Adaptations 4. Renewable and non – renewable energy 5. Power generation 6. Efficiency 7. National Grid 8. Waves 9. Examples of types of waves 10. Light and colour 11. The Eye 12. Uses of waves |
1. DNA, Chromosomes and genes
2. Sex determination 3. Selective breeding and genetic modification *Various practical activities based around the theme of the year and external visits. |
1. Habitat and ecosystem
2. Food chains and webs 3. Interdependence 4. Nutrient cycles 5. The skeleton 6. Muscles, joints and movement 7. Lifestyle choices 8. Greenhouse effect and climate change 9. Pollution |
1. The rock cycle
2. Plant dissection 3. Pollination and fertilisation 4. Germination |
| Disciplinary Skills Covered | The following skills are taught throughout the Year 8 Science curriculum and are applied in various contexts:
Correct of a range practical equipment – including microscopes and dissections, scientific models and use of diagram representations, calculations in science, conversion of units, planning, collecting Results, making conclusions, evaluation, data analysis and scientific literacy. |
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| Assessment | Throughout Year 8 pupils’ knowledge is assessed in the following ways:
In Lesson – Drill/ recap questions to revisit gateway knowledge, Quality Questioning including cold calling, use of mini whiteboards, Exit tickets. Weekly – Weekly low stake test (multiple choice) assessing current or historically learning depending on homework set. During each topic – End of topic assessment with follow up feedback lesson. Half Yearly – Two summative assessment points (January and June) covering the topics taught. |
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Following AQA GCSE: AQA 8464 Combined Science, AQA 8461 Biology, AQA 8462 Chemistry, AQA 8463 Physics
| Year Group: 9 | Half Term 1 | Half Term 2 | Half Term 3 | Half Term 4 | Half Term 5 | Half Term 6 |
| Topics taught | B1 Cells Part 1
C1 Atomic Structure Part 1 |
P1 Energy Part 1
B1 Cells Part 2 C1 Atomic Structure Part 2 |
P1 Energy Part 2
B2 Organisation Part 1 |
B2 organisation P1
P3 Particle Model *Science week |
B2 Organisation Part 2
C5 Chemical Changes |
Preparation for End of Year exams
Close the gap following assessments |
| Key Knowledge
and content |
1. Cells and specialised cells
2. Microscopes 3. Microscopes RP 4. Chromosomes and mitosis 5. Stem cells and ethics of using stem cells. 6. Atomic Structure 7. The Periodic Table 8. Elements and Compounds 9. Isotopes 10. Balancing Equations 11. History of the atom |
1. Energy Transfer
2. Conservation of energy 3. Calculating energy 4. Specific Heat Capacity 5. Specific Heat Capacity RP 6. Methods of transport – diffusion, osmosis, and active transport 7. Osmosis RP 8. Modern periodic table 9. History of the periodic table 10. Groups of the periodic table 11. Transition Metals |
1. Work done and power
2. Calculating efficiency 3. Energy resources 4. Energy Transfer 5. Food tests 6. Food tests RP 7. Digestive system |
1. Enzymes
2. Enzymes RP 3. Plant tissue, organs and systems 4. Density 5. Density RP 6. Particle Model 7. Chemical and physical changes 8. Internal energy 9. Specific latent heat 10. Gas motion 11. Pressure in gases *Various practical activities based around the theme of the year and external visits. |
1. Breathing system
2. Blood and vessels 3. The heart 4. Heart disease 5. Non communicable disease 6. Endothermic and exothermic 7. Energy profiles 8. Bond energy calculations 9. Endothermic and exothermic RP 10. Chemical and fuel cells |
Structure revision programme to ensure key concepts are taught.
Thorough feedback post assessments ensuring gaps in knowledge are closed ready for Year 10. |
| Disciplinary Skills Covered | The following skills are taught throughout the Year 9 Science curriculum and are applied in various contexts:
The Development of Scientific Thinking, Experimental Skills and Strategies, Analysis and Evaluation, Scientific Vocabulary, Quantities, Units, Symbols and Nomenclature |
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| Assessment | Throughout Year 9 pupils’ knowledge is assessed in the following ways:
In Lesson – Drill/ recap questions to revisit gateway knowledge, Quality Questioning including cold calling, use of mini whiteboards, Exit tickets. Weekly – Weekly low stake test (multiple choice) assessing current or historically learning depending on homework set. During each topic – Each topic will now have two in topic mini – assessments consisting of a concept task – theory/knowledge based and a HSW task – required practical/skills (graphs, calculations etc) based. Each assessment is split into Higher/Foundation tier. Feedback given the following lesson with whole class & close the gap feedback sheet. Half Yearly – Two summative assessment points (January and June) covering the topics taught. |
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KS4 Curriculum Map
Following AQA GCSE: AQA 8464 Combined Science, AQA 8461 Biology, AQA 8462 Chemistry, AQA 8463 Physics
| Year Group: 10 | Half Term 1 | Half Term 2 | Half Term 3 | Half Term 4 | Half Term 5 | Half Term 6 |
| Topics taught | B3 infection and Response
C2 Bonding and Structure P4 Atomic Structure |
B4 Bioenergetics
P2 Electricity C3 Quantitative Chemistry |
C5 Energy Changes
C4 Chemical Changes |
B5 Homeostasis and response | C6 Rates of Reaction
C10 Using resources B7 Ecology |
B7 Ecology
Preparation for End of Year exams Close the gap following assessments |
| Key Knowledge
and content |
1. Communicable disease
2. Types of pathogens 3. Specific and non – specific human defence system 4. Immunisation 5. Drug development 6. Monoclonal Antibodies 7. Plant diseases 8. States of matter 9. Ionic Bonding 10. Covalent Bonding 11. Giant covalent and ionic bonding 12. Metallic Bonding 13. Nanoscience 14. Allotropes of carbon 15. Types of Radiation 16. Nuclear Equations |
1. Half Life
2. Radiation Risks 3. Fission and Fusion 4. Photosynthesis 5. Leaf Adaptations 6. Limiting Factors and rate of photosynthesis 7. Use of glucose 8. Aerobic and anaerobic respiration 9. Exercise and metabolism 10. Circuit symbols 11. Current, PD and resistance 12. Types of circuits 13. Resistance RP 14. Electricity in the home 15. IV Graphs 16. Static Electricity 17. RAM and RFM 18. % by mass and Moles 19. Predicting Products |
1. Endothermic and exothermic
2. Energy profiles 3. Bond energy calculations 4. Endothermic and exothermic RP 5. Chemical and fuel cells 6. Reactivity series 7. Reactions of Metals 8. Making salts RP 9. Neutrlisation 10. Strong and weak acids 11. Titrations 12. Electrolysis and electrolysis RP |
1. Homeostasis
2. Nervous system 3. Reaction times RP 4. Endocrine system 5. Blood sugar levels 6. Menstrual cycle 7. Contraception and infertility 8. The brain 9. The eye 10. Water levels and kidneys 11. Plant Hormones |
1. Factors affecting rates.
2. Collision theory 3. Rate of reaction RP 4. Reversible reactions 5. Equilibrium 6. Finite resources 7. Potable Water 8. Purifying Water RP 9. Life cycle assessments 10. Population and competition 11. Biotic and abiotic factors |
1. Distribution RP
2. Nutrient cycles 3. Global warning 4. Deforestation 5. Decay RP 6. Biomass Structure revision programme to ensure key concepts are taught. Thorough feedback post assessments ensuring gaps in knowledge are closed ready for Year 10. |
| Disciplinary Skills Covered | The following skills are taught throughout the Year 9 Science curriculum and are applied in various contexts:
The Development of Scientific Thinking, Experimental Skills and Strategies, Analysis and Evaluation, Scientific Vocabulary, Quantities, Units, Symbols and Nomenclature |
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| Assessment | Throughout Year 10 pupils’ knowledge is assessed in the following ways:
In Lesson – Drill/ recap questions to revisit gateway knowledge, Quality Questioning including cold calling, use of mini whiteboards, Exit tickets. |
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Following AQA GCSE: AQA 8464 Combined Science, AQA 8461 Biology, AQA 8462 Chemistry, AQA 8463 Physics
| Year Group: 11 | Half Term 1 | Half Term 2 | Half Term 3 | Half Term 4 | Half Term 5 | Half Term 6 |
| Topics taught | B5 Homeostasis and response
C7 Organic Chemistry C8 Chemical Analysis C9 Chemistry of the atmosphere |
C9 Chemistry of the Atmosphere
B6 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution B7 Ecology |
C10 Using Resources
P7 Magnetism |
P5 Forces | P6 Waves | Structured exam preparation |
| Key Knowledge
and content |
1. Homeostasis
2. Nervous system 3. Reaction times RP 4. Endocrine system 5. Blood sugar levels 6. Menstrual cycle 7. Contraception and infertility 8. The brain 9. The eye 10. Water levels and kidneys 11. Plant Hormones 12. Hydrocarbons and Crude Oil 13. Cracking 14. Fractional Distillation 15. Alcohols, Carboxylic acids, and Esters 16. Formulations 17. Gas tests and ion identification 18. Chromatography RP 19. Changing atmosphere |
1. Atmospheric pollutants
2. Climate Change 3. DNA 4. Reproduction 5. Genetic diagrams and disorders 6. Variation 7. Selective breeding and GM organisms 8. Evolution 9. Fossils 10. Classification 11. Population and competition 12. Biotic and abiotic factors 13. Distribution RP 14. Nutrient cycles 15. Global warning 16. Deforestation 17. Decay RP 18. Biomass |
1. Finite resources
2. Potable Water 3. Purifying Water RP 4. Life cycle assessments 5. Ceramics, composites, and polymers 6. Alloys 7. The Haber process 8. Magnets and magnetic fields 9. Electromagnetism 10. Electric Motors 11. The motor effect. |
1. Types of forces
2. Scalar and vector quantities 3. Resultant Force 4. Word Done 5. Hooke’s law RP 6. Fluid pressure 7. Speed 8. Acceleration RP 9. Velocity 10. Newtons 2nd and 3rd Law 11. Stopping distances 12. Momentum |
1. Types of waves
2. The wave equation 3. Measuring wave speed RP 4. Sound 5. Light – reflection and refraction 6. Reflection RP 7. Lenses 8. EM spectrum 9. Uses of EM Waves and dangers 10. Infrared Radiation RP 11. Black body radiation |
Structured revision programme including:
1. Emphasis on required practicals throughout specification 2. Areas which are historically popular throughout all exam papers 3. Predicted papers used as walking/talking mocks. |
| Disciplinary Skills Covered | The following skills are taught throughout the Year 9 Science curriculum and are applied in various contexts:
The Development of Scientific Thinking, Experimental Skills and Strategies, Analysis and Evaluation, Scientific Vocabulary, Quantities, Units, Symbols and Nomenclature |
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| Assessment | Throughout Year 11 pupils’ knowledge is assessed in the following ways:
In Lesson – Drill/ recap questions to revisit gateway knowledge, Quality Questioning including cold calling, use of mini whiteboards, Exit tickets. |
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For information about enrichment clubs and revision clubs please visit our clubs page here.
Recommended Websites:
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464
Primrose Kitten – FREE collection of GCSE and A-Level videos on YouTube
Subject Leader/s
Mrs B Finn
