The aim of KS3 Science at Prenton is to provide the foundations for understanding the world through the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Our lessons are designed to build up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse causes.

Our new Year 7 curriculum has been developed in response to the increasing demand of GCSE. Instead of the GCSE exam being largely a knowledge recall test, 60% of the marks are now for transferable understanding (called AO2) and higher level thinking (AO3).

We believe our KS3 curriculum provides a preparation for GCSE assessment objectives AO2 and AO3. It links KS3 to GCSE, helping our students to practice thinking processes, enquiry and maths skills though the application of science. It also supports them to develop a deep understanding of key concepts and the ability to apply them.

From the beginning of secondary science, the KS3 programme covers all of the key concepts and enquiry skills needed to give our students the best possible start and set them up for success in the new, more demanding GCSEs.

Table of Topics

Topics cover five key areas:

• Forces
• Energy
• Matter
• Organisms
• Genes

PHYSICS

Big Idea	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Forces predict motion	Forces on materials Balanced & unbalanced forces Friction Density	Movement Speed Motion graphs	See Key Stage 4
Fields produce forces		Gravity Weight Gravitational force Solar system
Energy is conserved	Energy transfers Heat & Temperature Energy Wasted Energy
Electricity transfers energy	Electric circuits Electric Current Resistance	Electrical energy Electric charge Voltage
Radiation transfers energy		Light Reflection Refraction

CHEMISTRY

Big Idea	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Structure determines properties	Substances & particles Particle Model Mixtures Solutions	Pure substances Elements & Compounds 8KC-Simple & Giant	See Key Stage 4
Reactions rearrange matter	Changing substances Chemical & Physical pH Scale Neutralisation	Reactants & products Acid reactions Oxidation & reduction
Earth systems interact		Earth systems Earth Processes Potable Water

BIOLOGY

Big Idea	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Cells are alive	Cells Cell Structure Specialised Cells	Respiration Cellular Energy Aerobic & Anaerobic	See Key Stage 4
Bodies are systems		Tissues & organs Cell Organisation Digestive System Gas Exchange
Organisms are interdependent	Interdependence Feeding Relationships Competition Abiotic & Biotic
Characteristics are Inherited	Reproduction Sexual & Asexual Menstrual Cycle Embryo Development
Species show variation		Life diversity Variation Selective Breeding Natural Selection

Topics at KS4 continue to cover five key areas:

• Forces
• Energy
• Matter
• Organisms
• Genes

PHYSICS

Big Idea	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11
Forces predict motion		Force & direction Force vectors Equilibrium & interactions	Newton’s laws Acceleration Newton’s laws Momentum  11U – Space
Fields produce forces			Magnetism Magnetic field Motor effect
Energy is conserved	Energy conservation Kinetic & potential Work Energy resources	Heating Thermal transfer Specific & latent Pressure
Electricity transfers energy		Home electricity Power Ohm’s law
Radiation transfers energy	Sound & waves Wave model Longitudinal & transverse Electromagnetic spectrum	E.M. Radiation Wave behaviour Radioactivity Radioactive decay Half – life

CHEMISTRY

Big Idea	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11
Structure determines properties	Periodic table Subatomic particles Periodic patterns	Structure & bonding Ionic, covalent, metallic	Carbon chemistry Hydrocarbons Refining
Reactions rearrange matter	Matter & energy Atom conservation Reaction energy	Making substances Making salts Amount of substance Electrolysis	Controlling reactions Reaction rate Equilibrium
Earth systems interact		Atmosphere Earth’s atmosphere Global warming Product lifecycle

BIOLOGY

Big Idea	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11
Cells are alive	Growth & differentiation Cell transport Cell division	Plants Photosynthesis Plant transport
Bodies are systems	Organ systems Circulatory system Digestive system Enzymes	Feedback & control Nervous system Endocrine system
Organisms are interdependent		Human interaction Biodiversity Communicable disease System damage Immune system
Characteristics are inherited		Genetics Genes Monohybrid inheritance	Controlling reproduction Reproductive hormones Genetic engineering
Species show variation			Evolution Evolutionary theory Classification

GCSE Triple Award (Separate sciences)

Examination board: AQA Biology (8461); Chemistry (8462); Physics (8463)

This qualification is linear meaning that students will sit all examinations at the end of the course. For each GCSE, there are two papers (two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics). Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas.

Each of the papers is a written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes (100 marks) worth 50% of each GCSE. Each paper consists of multiple-choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions. Foundation and Higher Tier. Graded 9-1.

GCSE Science Combined (Trilogy)

Examination board: AQA Trilogy (8464)

This qualification is assessed through examinations at the end of the course. There are six papers; two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas.

Each of the 6 papers is a written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes (70 marks) worth 16.7% of GCSE. Each paper consists of multiple-choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions. Foundation and Higher Tier. Graded 9-1.

Entry Level Science

Examination board: AQA Entry Level Certificate Science (5960)

Like the GCSE course, this qualification is linear. Linear means that students submit all components that form the assessment at the end of the course. The assessments set are ‘on demand’. This means our students can complete set assignments when they are ready, helping to keep them motivated. The language used in the tests allow students to focus on the science and achieve the results they deserve.

There are two different types of assessment.

1. Externally set assignments (ESAs) consist of a short written test. (57%)
2. Teacher devised assignments (TDAs) consist of a short piece of practical work. (43%)