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. The sequencing of topics in science has been carefully considered to ensure that all pupils develop an understanding of the fundamental threshold concepts of science, before progressing further and deepening their understanding. Additionally, pupils begin by learning concrete and familiar concepts that provide a frame of reference, before gradually progressing onto more abstract concepts.
The science curriculum is structured around big concepts – these are broad ideas that allow pupils to make connections between different units of work, deepening their understanding over time. Each scientific discipline has been divided into four big concepts of science which will be revisited and built upon throughout their study. This approach provides opportunity for pupils to connect new learning to their pre-existing understanding, increasing the likelihood that pupils will retain and be able to transfer their learning to new contexts. This also allows gaps in understanding and misconceptions to be tackled before delivery of new content, ensuring that all pupils make progress. In addition, an understanding of how scientific ideas are established is important and thus pupils will also explore the themes of scientists answer questions, scientists use apparatus and techniques to collect data, scientists analyse data to draw conclusions and scientists used evidence to evaluate explanations over time. These ideas are interwoven throughout the curriculum to ensure that pupils develop an understanding of scientific method in context.
Exam Board: AQA
Amber Barnard
Curriculum Overview
Year 7
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| How does the particle model explain the properties of different states of matter? | What is the difference between an element and a compound? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| How do oxidation and combustion reactions rearrange atoms? | How are the different types of rock on Earth formed? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
Year 8
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| How can we separate different types of mixture? | What do indicators tell us about different types of chemicals? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| How do displacement and thermal decomposition reactions rearrange atoms? | What effect does the water and the carbon cycle have on the Earth and its atmosphere? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
Year 9
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| What are atoms made from, and how have our ideas changed over time? | What are the trends in different groups of the periodic table? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| How can we make salts in chemical reactions? | How do we use the Earth’s natural resources? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| How can we tell if a substance is pure? | How has the Earth’s atmosphere changed over time? |
Year 10
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| How do ionic bonds form between atoms? | What trends of reactivity can be seen in metals? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| How can electrolysis be used to split up compounds? | How is drinking water produced? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
What trends of reactivity can be seen in non-metals? What do energy changes tell us about reactions? |
What are moles and how can they be used? What factors affect the rate of a chemical reaction? |
All Year 10 subjects Next Year 10 Subject - Computer Science
Year 11
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| How do covalent bonds form between atoms? | How does Le Châtelier’s principle allow us to make predictions about reactions? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| How do neutralisation reactions happen? | What is the impact of fractional distillation and cracking? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Exams |
All Year 11 subjects Next Year 11 Subject - Computer Science
Year 12
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Atomic Structure Amount of Substance Bonding |
Energetics Oxidation, Reduction & Redox Periodicity Group 2, the alkaline earth metals Group 7, the halogens |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Kinetics Chemical Equilibria, Le Chatelier & Kc Introduction to organic chemistry Alkanes |
Halogenoalkanes Alkenes Alcohols Organic analysis |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Reteach and revision of Y12 content |
Thermodynamics Rate Equations |
All Year 12 subjects Next Year 12 Subject - Computer Science
Year 13
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Equilibrium constant Kp for Homogeneous Systems Electrode potentials & Electrochemical cells Acids & bases |
Properties of Period 3 elements & their oxides Optical isomerism Aldehydes & ketones Carboxylic acids & derivatives Aromatic chemistry |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Transition metals Reactions of ions in aqueous solution Amines Polymers |
Amino acids, proteins & DNA Organic synthesis Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy Chromatography |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Revision for upcoming exams | Exams |
All Year 13 subjects Next Year 13 Subject - Computer Science