Science
Curriculum Intent
Our aim is to provide students with the knowledge of interactions between biological, chemical and physical systems that enables them to explain everyday experiences. We endeavour to empower students with the knowledge required to continue questioning the world around them beyond their Grace journey.
Students will gain key skills which will facilitate their investigation of scientific ideas both theoretically and practically, as well as through extra-curricular events, encouraging a healthy curiosity about the nature of the universe. This allows our students to "think like a scientist", from both a knowledge and skills-based perspective.
Science at Grace Academy will foster an approach that allows our students to recognise the diversity of scientists and promote and ignite aspirations for a career in a scientific field.
This term, we will be studying...
|
Year |
Topic |
Why this? Why Now? |
|
7 |
Digestion Acids & Alkalis Space |
These topics allow us to link to work previously covered on organisation and cells, as well as key practical skills learned from work on separating mixtures. The digestion topic also develops ideas taught in KS2, while acids and alkalis sets a foundation for chemical reactions taught in Year 8. |
|
8 |
Ecosystems Variation and Inheritance |
These topics build on students understanding of photosynthesis and respiration. They also relate to each other as students learn about the idea of interdependence. Studying these in the summer term, also allow us to take advantage of the schools outdoor space to carry out field work. |
|
9 |
Health Particles Atomic Structure |
These units are our transition units, allowing us to front load some key concepts ahead of GCSE. They build directly on ideas learned in Year 7 and 8, such as digestion and build a foundation with which to teach GCSE ideas such as enzymes at the start of Year 10. |
|
10 |
Health and Disease Reactions of Metals |
Students will use ideas learned in their work on organ systems to develop their understanding of the immune system specifically and how humans control the spread of disease. A solid understanding of the types of Bonding from term 2, also allows us to explore specific reactions with metals and acids in this term. This knowledge will also be essential for when students study electrolysis. |
|
11 |
Revision |
Year 11 will be using their time this term to complete revision ahead of their exams. The focus will be on effective exam technique and revision of key content from across the course. |
|
Course |
Topic |
WTWN |
|
A Level Biology |
Gas Exchange Energy Transfers between organisms |
Year 12 have already learned about the transport of substances in Term 2 and will look at the adaptations of organisms for exchange of substances in both plants and animals. Year 12 will also begin their work on ecosystems and nutrient cycles, making use of the milder weather to carry out field work and sampling. |
|
A Level Chemistry (Year 12 only) |
Period 3 oxides Spectroscopy |
Year 12 have already learned about trends across period 3 and this will continue with reactions of the oxides of period 3 elements. They will also complete the Year 12 element of Organic Chemistry looking at spectroscopy. They will then complete some review and revision in preparation for AP3 |
|
A Level Physics |
|
Student continue their work on Electricity from Term 1, finishing with the electromotive force. They move on to learning about particles and the standard model as another fundamental principle of Physics. |
Qualification information:
Trilogy (Combined Science): https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464
Biology: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461
Chemistry: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462
Physics: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463
A-Level Biology: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/biology-7401-7402
A-Level Chemistry: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/chemistry-7404-7405
A-Level Physics: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408
BTEC Applied Science: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-nationals/applied-science-2016.html
Curriculum content:
Attached are the curriculum maps which outline the sequence we use in order to structure our learning. Our science department have gone even further and provided a detailed breakdown and justification of our curriculum approach (both attached). If you would like to support your child's learning, we have attached links to Oak National Academy who provide lessons, activities and resources for commonly taught topics. Please use the curriculum map for this subject before visiting:
https://teachers.thenational.academy/subjects/science/key-stages/key-stage-3
https://teachers.thenational.academy/subjects/combined-science/key-stages/key-stage-4
https://teachers.thenational.academy/subjects/biology/key-stages/key-stage-4
https://teachers.thenational.academy/subjects/chemistry/key-stages/key-stage-4
https://teachers.thenational.academy/subjects/physics/key-stages/key-stage-4