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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
Big IdeaYear 7 Year 8Year 9
Forces predict motionForces on materials
Balanced & unbalanced forces
Friction
Density
Movement
Speed
Motion graphs
See Key Stage 4
Fields produce forcesGravity
Weight
Gravitational force
Solar system
Energy is conservedEnergy transfers
Heat & Temperature
Energy Wasted Energy
Electricity transfers energyElectric circuits
Electric Current
Resistance
Electrical energy
Electric charge
Voltage
Radiation transfers energyLight
Reflection
Refraction
Big IdeaYear 7 Year 8 Year 9 
Structure determines propertiesSubstances & particles
Particle Model
Mixtures
Solutions
Pure substances
Elements & Compounds
8KC-Simple & Giant
See Key Stage 4
Reactions rearrange matterChanging substances
Chemical & Physical
pH Scale
Neutralisation
Reactants & products
Acid reactions
Oxidation & reduction
Earth systems interactEarth systems
Earth Processes
Potable Water
Big IdeaYear 7 Year 8 Year 9 
Cells are aliveCells
Cell Structure
Specialised Cells
Respiration
Cellular Energy
Aerobic & Anaerobic
See Key Stage 4
Bodies are systemsTissues & organs
Cell Organisation
Digestive System
Gas Exchange
Organisms are interdependentInterdependence
Feeding Relationships
Competition
Abiotic & Biotic
Characteristics are InheritedReproduction
Sexual & Asexual
Menstrual Cycle
Embryo Development
Species show variationLife diversity
Variation
Selective Breeding
Natural Selection

Topics at KS4 continue to cover five key areas:

  • Forces
  • Energy
  • Matter
  • Organisms
  • Genes
Big IdeaYear 9Year 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 conservedEnergy conservation
Kinetic & potential
Work
Energy resources 
Heating
Thermal transfer
Specific & latent
Pressure
 
 Electricity transfers energy Home electricity
Power
Ohm’s law
 
 Radiation transfers energySound & waves
Wave model
Longitudinal & transverse
Electromagnetic spectrum
E.M. Radiation
Wave behaviour
Radioactivity
Radioactive decay
Half – life
 
Big IdeaYear 9Year 10 Year 11 
Structure determines propertiesPeriodic table
Subatomic particles
Periodic patterns
Structure & bonding
Ionic, covalent, metallic 
Carbon chemistry
Hydrocarbons
Refining
Reactions rearrange matterMatter & 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
 
Big IdeaYear 9Year 10 Year 11 
Cells are aliveGrowth & differentiation
Cell transport
Cell division
Plants
Photosynthesis
Plant transport 
 
Bodies are systemsOrgan 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 variationEvolution
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%)

Mr P Hignett | Subject Leader – Science | hignettp@prentonhighschool.co.uk