Science

All science units in Key Stage 3 are linked by the big ideas in science. In Year 7, the science journey begins with an understanding of particles, cells and energy transfers. This is built on when studying variation and reproduction, chemical reactions and forces later in the year.  

In Year 8, students enhance their biological knowledge through studying digestion, nutrition and ecology. Chemistry units such as the periodic table, materials and the Earth are taught. This builds on knowledge of particles and chemical reactions taught in Year 7. Light, space and electricity are taught in Year 8, which builds on energy taught in Year 7. 

In Year 9, topics such as biological processes and plants are taught. This builds on knowledge of cells and digestion from Year 7 and Year 8. Reactivity is taught, which requires prior knowledge on chemical reactions from Year 7 and the Periodic Table from Year 8. Motion, forces, sound waves and matter are also taught - these build on topics delivered in Year 7 (forces and particles) and Year 8 (light and space).

In Year 10, biology content include cells, transport of substances, organisation of organisms, communicable and non-communicable disease, and bioenergetics. Chemistry knowledge is further developed in Year 10 with material such as atomic structure, bonding and quantitative chemistry. In physics, energy builds on energy stores taught in Year 7. Student also learn about electricity, matter, specific heat capacity of materials and radioactivity. 

In Year 11, homeostasis, inheritance and ecology is taught. In chemistry, rates of reaction and chemical analysis builds on students’ knowledge of particles from Year 7. Organic chemistry is taught as a new unit, but requires knowledge from Year 10 bonding. Students also learn about resources and the chemistry of the atmosphere, as well as forces, waves and magnetism.

In Year 12, students start with the foundations in biology which includes the study of biological molecules and cell structures, along with learning about how improvements in microscopy and the development of different type of microscopes have led to increased understanding of different types of cells and their organelles.  They build on their Key Stage 4 knowledge to learn about the movement of molecules across membranes, and the transportation of nutrients and substances around the body via the circulatory system.  They also cover the physiology behind breathing. Communicable diseases, the immune response and vaccination are covered.​

In Year 13, students learn how the kidney is involved in excretion and the regulation of the water potential of the blood. They learn about cell-to-cell communication via the nervous system and endocrine system, and they also cover how we are able to manipulate genomes to genetically engineer organisms and create DNA profiles.​

In Year 12 students, learn in greater depth about the electron configuration in elements and understand the trends in ionisation energies in the periodic table. They review and enhance their understanding of how bonding links to physical properties, referring to both intra-molecular bonds and intermolecular forces. Students predict the shapes of molecules and also determine the polarity of molecules, based on their understanding of electronegativity. They also explore group chemistry, specifically the reactions and uses of group 2 and group 6 elements. ​In Year 13, students learn about transition metals and their unique bonding and applications, particularly in medical sciences. ​

In Year 12 students build on a basic understanding of kinematics equations to learn to use SUVAT to solve complex problems. Students also learn through the materials unit about the idea of stress, strain and the Young's modulus building on their earlier understanding of the relationship between forces and materials. ​

In Year 13 students continue to develop their use of mechanics to solve complex motion problems. Students also return to the idea of gravitational fields having studied fields in other areas of the course.

The Level 3 BTEC course covers a range of topics from genetics to organic chemistry. Students build their scientific knowledge and skills in a range of formats, and experience a more hands-on approach with many units being practically based. This gives students an awareness of how science is applied in research settings.