Our approach
Subject Leader
Curriculum Overview
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Year 13

Our approach

Science is the knowledge of the known universe and our relationship to it. Science consists of three distinct academic disciplines – biology is the study of life, chemistry the study of the properties of matter, and physics the study of energy, forces and matter. Pupils have the opportunity to study science for 7 years at Ark St Alban’s academy, progressing from key-stage three to studying A-level biology, chemistry, physics or BTEC applied science.   

Each scientific discipline has been divided into four big concepts of science that allow pupils to make connections between different units of work, deepening their understanding over time.  In addition, pupils will also explore different concepts of working scientifically. These ideas are interwoven throughout the curriculum to ensure that pupils develop an understanding of scientific method in context.   

We use AQA as our exam board for our GCSEs and A-level courses.  Pupils at GCSE will either study combined science trilogy, or separate sciences. The specification giving a detailed breakdown of the content required is available on the AQA website. 

Pupils use Century for their homework, and can also use this as an independent study tool. By clicking the icon that looks like a book on their home page, they can search for the topics listed below to study at any time. GCSE and A-level pupils can also access study booklets, lesson PowerPoints and exam practice from our pupil SharePoint sites.  

Phase/key stage introduction(s): AQA

Subject Leader

Amber Barnard

amber.barnard@arkstalbans.org

Curriculum Overview

Year 7

Autumn Term

What parts of a cell work together to keep an organism alive? 

How do plants get the food they need to grow? 
Spring Term

How do plants reproduce? 

How do animals and plants depend on each other to survive? 
Summer Term

How do minerals affect plant growth? 

How do humans reproduce? 

All Year 7 subjects

Year 8

Autumn Term

B8.1 - How do cells, tissues and organs work together during exercise? 

B8.2 - How do organisms get the energy they need to survive? 
Spring Term

B8.3 - Why do offspring share similarities and have differences to their parents?

B8.4 -W hy do Earth’s species change over time? 
Summer Term

B8.5 - How do animals get the carbohydrates, proteins and lipids they need to survive? 

All Year 8 subjects

Year 9

Autumn Term

  • B9.1 - How have different types of microscopes furthered our understanding of cells? 

  • B9.2  - How does exchange occur across different surfaces in the body? 
Spring Term

  • B9.3 - How do cells produce copies of themselves? 

  • B9.4 - How do different biotic and abiotic factors affect the distribution of species in an ecosystem? 
Summer Term

B9.5 - What is the impact of human activity on biodiversity? 

All Year 9 subjects

Year 10

Autumn Term

  • B10.1 - How do microorganisms cause disease? (Paper 1) 

  • B10.2 - How do enzymes catalyse digestion to produce basic materials needed by cells? (Paper 1) 
Spring Term

  • B10.3 - How is sexual reproduction controlled in humans? (Paper 2) 

  • B10.4 -How does competition lead to evolution? (Paper 2) 
Summer Term

  • B10.5 - How does water movement affect cells? (paper 1) 

  • B10.6 - How do different factors affect water movement and photosynthesis in plants? (paper 1) 

  • B10.7 - How can we treat disease? (paper 1) 

All Year 10 subjects

Year 11

Autumn Term

B11.1 - How do the cells of the nervous and endocrine systems work together to respond to stimuli? (paper 2) 
Spring Term

  • B11.2 - How do the cardiovascular and respiratory systems work together to provide cells with energy? (paper 1) 

  • B11.3 - What is the relationship between DNA, proteins and our phenotype? (paper 2) 

  • B11.4 - How does technology influence evolution? (paper 2) 

  • B11.5 - How does energy, carbon and water cycle through an ecosystem? (paper 2) 
Summer Term

Revision & exams  

All Year 11 subjects

Year 12

Autumn Term

  • 3.1 Biological molecules 

  • 3.2 Cells 
Spring Term

  • Statistical tests in biology 

  • 3.3 Exchange 
Summer Term

  • 3.4 Genetic Variation 

  • Essay writing in biology 

  • 3.5.1 Energy transfers - photosynthesis 

All Year 12 subjects

Year 13

Autumn Term

  • 3.5 Energy transfers 

  • 3.6 Organisms respond 
Spring Term

  • 3.7 Inheritance 

  • Essay writing in biology 

  • 3.8 Regulation of protein synthesis 
Summer Term

Revision & Exams 

All Year 13 subjects