Our approach
The curriculum is hierarchical, meaning that future learning builds on prior learning. As a result, the curriculum is planned to deepen pupil understanding of both substantiative and disciplinary knowledge within Science over time.
In KS3, pupils are introduced to the key threshold concepts that transform their perception of Science from concrete observations of the world that are explored in KS2 to more abstract theories underpinning these ideas. These ideas deepen further in KS4. For example, pupils learn in KS2 the properties of solids, liquids and gases. At KS3, we build on this by introducing the particle theory – pupils learn how the arrangement and motion of particles in matter may explain these properties. At KS4, this is expanded on further whereby pupils learn about potential energy and intermolecular forces, and how these ideas explain the motion and arrangement of particles. At KS5, pupils who take physics will learn about smaller subatomic particles such as quarks and leptons, and how these explain the properties of matter.
Exam Board: Edexcel
Amber Barnard
Curriculum Overview
Year 12
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| What do scientists and technicians working in the chemical industry need to understand about atoms and electronic structure? | What do medical professionals need to understand about the structure and function of working cells? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| What are the common laboratory techniques that are used across professions? | What are the common data storage and retrieval procedures used in science? How do we manufacture and synthesise common organic compounds? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| What are the advances in science and technology that benefit society? How can we collect, analyse and store fire investigation data? | What are the advances in science and technology that benefit society? How can we collect, analyse and store fire investigation data? |
Year 13
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| How are the uses of chemical substances related to their physical and chemical properties? | What is the information that technicians and scientists, in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, have about human body systems and disease prevention? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| How can we plan and propose scientific research? | How do we carry out scientific research and present the findings? |
| Summer | |
|---|---|
| What are the common inorganic compounds and how do we synthesis them? |