Science
2024/2025 Teaching staff: Miss C Mansfield, Mrs H Kitajewski, Mrs J Jennings, Mr A Macleod, Mr A Welch, Mrs K Bird, Mr B Mattram, Mr M Ward, Ms V Fifield, Mr B Nwachukwu and Mrs O Martin.
Follow us on twitter @OakwoodScience
Please find below the KS4 Science Revision resources One Drive folder:
https://oakwoodsurrey.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/Shared/Evd4VuhvBPlGskZ6_7urXhgBYKALC-zn_IuKWK7ZnJT7MA
Oakwood School – Curriculum Overview
| Faculty | Science |
|---|---|
| Head of Faculty | Miss C Mansfield |
| KS3 Coordinator | Mr S Harris |
Download the Pathway Doctument below:
Oakwood School – Curriculum Overview
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| Autumn | Spring | Summer | Rationale |
| Year 7 | Topic Area/Key Question
| Autumn topics | Spring topics | Summer topics |
In KS3, the curriculum is in line with the National Curriculum, supported by the Exploring Science scheme of work. All topics and themes covered at KS3 tie in with those which form part of the AQA GCSE curriculum. In Y7/8/9 biology/chemistry/physics topics are rotated to promote long term recall between the different science disciplines. Progress tests at the end of the Autumn and Spring terms after four topics aim to get students into practice of recalling large amounts of content for the end of year assessment.
In Y7, students cover 12 topics which explore many of the ‘big ideas of science education’, such as the idea that all organisms are comprised of one or more cells.
Embedded in the topics are many opportunities to develop practical, mathematical and literacy skills. Students start by learning the basic practical skills in the Autumn term, this includes separating techniques - where they will be introduced to a wide range of scientific equipment and learn how to use a Bunsen burner safely.
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| Content covered
| · Mixtures & separation · Sexual reproduction · Current electricity · Muscles & bones | · Energy · Cells, tissues & organs · The particle model · Acids & alkalis | · Forces · Ecosystems · Sound · Atoms, elements & molecules | ||
| Assessment
| Baseline assessment
Autumn progress test covering the four topics taught in the Autumn term | Spring progress test covering the four topics taught in the Spring term | End of year assessment covering all topics taught in the Autumn and Spring terms | ||
| Literacy focus
| - Science specific key vocabulary (2 spellings and definition tests per half-term) - Writing a scientific method | - Science specific key vocabulary (2 spellings and definition tests per half-term) - Reading articles on climate change | - Science specific key vocabulary (2 spellings and definition tests per half-term) - Facts and opinions | ||
| Opportunities (links to careers/EDI/PSHCE)
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Sexual reproduction and puberty, discussion of different drugs and their effects on the body
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In the cells topic, the ethics behind organ donation is discussed | Road traffic accident investigator
Environmental awareness/conservation | ||
| National Curriculum links / GCSE connections | GCSE links to ‘homeostasis’ (biology), ‘chemical calculations’ (chemistry), ‘electric circuits’ (physics) | GCSE links to ‘cell structure’ and ‘organisation’ (biology), ‘chemical changes’ (chemistry), ‘energy resources’ (physics) | GCSE links to ‘ecology’ (biology), ‘atomic structure’ (chemistry, ‘motion’, ‘wave properties’ (physics) |
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| Autumn | Spring | Summer | Rationale |
| Year 8 | Topic Area/Key Question
| Autumn topics | Spring topics | Summer topics |
In KS3, the curriculum is in line with the National Curriculum, supported by the Exploring Science scheme of work. All topics and themes covered at KS3 tie in with those which form part of the AQA GCSE curriculum.
In Y8, students cover 12 topics which explore many of the ‘big ideas of science education’. Embedded in the topics are many opportunities to further develop practical, mathematical and literacy skills. Students start to carry out more complex practical activities such as food tests in the Summer term, which is a GCSE required practical.
Many topics taught in Y8 link to those that are taught in Y7 as well are those covered at GCSE. Such as the periodic table topic which links to atoms, elements and molecules in Y7 and Y10.
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| Content covered
| · Plant reproduction · Fluids · Breathing & respiration · Rocks | · Unicellular organisms · Combustion · Light · Earth & space | · The periodic table · Energy transfer · Food & nutrition · Metals & their uses | ||
| Assessment
| Autumn progress test covering the four topics taught in the Autumn term | Spring progress test covering the four topics taught in the Spring term | End of year assessment covering all topics taught in the Autumn and Spring terms | ||
| Literacy focus
| - Science specific key vocabulary (2 spellings and definition tests per half-term) - Difference between fact and opinion, identifying use of emotive language in media reports | - Science specific key vocabulary (2 spellings and definition tests per half-term) - Comparing different modals of the solar system, writing scientific arguments | - Science specific key vocabulary (2 spellings and definition tests per half-term) - Weighting and bias (how verbs and adjectives add weight to scientific reports) | ||
| Opportunities (links to careers/EDI/PSHCE)
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The smoking/vaping are discussed in relation to the function of the lungs. |
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Deficiency diseases in different countries are discussed as well as obesity, malnutrition. | ||
| National Curriculum links / GCSE connections | GCSE links to ‘bioenergetics’ (biology), ‘organic chemistry’ (chemistry), ‘molecules and matter’ (physics) | GCSE links to ‘cell structure’ ‘ecology’ (biology), ‘energy changes’ (chemistry), ‘electromagnetic waves’ (physics) | GCSE links to ‘organisation’ (biology), ‘periodic table’ (chemistry, ‘energy transfers’ (physics) |
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| Autumn | Spring | Summer | Rationale |
| Year 9 | Topic Area/Key Question
| Autumn topics | Spring topics | Summer topics |
In KS3, the curriculum is in line with the National Curriculum, supported by the Exploring Science scheme of work. All topics and themes covered at KS3 tie in with those which form part of the AQA GCSE curriculum.
In Y9, 6 topics are covered as well as GCSE transition units in each of the sciences. In the Summer term, the first topics of the Biology and Physics GCSE are included to better prepare students as they move into KS4.
Embedded in the topics are many opportunities to further develop practical, mathematical and literacy skills that are required for GCSE. This includes preparing slides to view under a microscope and calculating rates of reaction.
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| Content covered
| · Genetics & evolution · Making materials · Plant growth · Forces & motion | · Physics GCSE Transition 1 · Force fields/electromagnets · Biology Transition 1 · Reactivity | · Physics GCSE First topic (energy) · Biology GCSE First topic (cell structure) · Chemistry GCSE Transition 1 | ||
| Assessment
| Autumn progress test covering the four topics taught in the Autumn term | Spring progress test covering the four topics taught in the Spring term | Three assessments – one on each of the physics, biology and chemistry topics taught | ||
| Literacy focus
| - Science specific key vocabulary (2 spellings and definition tests per half-term) - Biased language | - Science specific key vocabulary (2 spellings and definition tests per half-term) - Use of command words | - Science specific key vocabulary (2 spellings and definition tests per half-term) - Use of GCSE terminology | ||
| Opportunities (links to careers/EDI/PSHCE)
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During the genetics and evolution topic we discus historical sexism with regards to Rosalind Franklin and the discovery of the structure of DNA. |
| Molecular and cellular biologist
During the biology first GCSE topic we discuss the pros/cons against STEM cell treatment. | ||
| National Curriculum links / GCSE connections | GCSE links to ‘genetics, inheritance and evolution’, ‘bioenergetics’ (biology), ‘chemical changes’ (chemistry), ‘forces and motion’ (physics) | GCSE links to ‘infection and response’, ‘ecology’ (biology), ‘chemical changes’ (chemistry), ‘electromagnetism’ (physics) | The first topics of the physics and biology GCSE course are taught in this term which link to Y7 ‘energy’ and Y7 ‘cells, tissues and organs’ |
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| Autumn | Spring | Summer | Rationale |
| Year 10 | Topic Area/Key Question
| Biology: Cell biology and organisation Chemistry: Atomic structure Physics: Energy; Electricity | Biology: Infection & response Chemistry: Structure & bonding Physics: Electricity in the home; Particle Model of matter | Biology: Bioenergetics and homeostasis Chemistry: Chemical reactions and energy changes Physics: Atomic Structure (inc. Radioactivity |
KS4 sequences provide a journey through the key scientific principles highlighted within the curriculum. The implementation and delivery have been specifically designed to ensure all pupils engage with each of the key scientific strands throughout Y10 and Y11; building upon their previous knowledge and working scientifically skills gained during previous key stages.
There are many required practicals that students undertake throughout their studies, which enhance their understanding of the course content in addition to improving their practical skills.
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| Content covered
| Biology: · Cell structure and transport · Organisation of animal and plant tissues · Non-communicable diseases (heart disease, cancer) Chemistry · Atomic structure · The periodic table · Structure & bonding · Triple: Nanoparticles · Chemical calculations #1 Physics · Energy · Triple: Infrared radiation · Electricity | Biology: · Communicable diseases · Triple: Culturing bacteria · Human defence systems and vaccination · Antibiotics, pain killers and drug discovery Chemistry · Chemical calculations #2 · Triple: Titrations · Chemical changes Physics · Electricity in the home · Particle Model of Matter · Triple: Gas pressure and volume | Biology: · Photosynthesis · Aerobic & anaerobic respiration · Metabolism & exercise · Homeostasis (nervous system and endocrine system) · Triple: Homeostasis in action Chemistry · Electrolysis · Energy changes · Triple: Chemical cells and fuel cells Physics · Atomic Structure including radioactivity · Triple: Nuclear fission and fusion | ||
| Assessment
| Progress test in each of the sciences | Progress test in each of the sciences | Paper 1 mock in each of the sciences | ||
| Literacy focus
| Across the Y10/Y11 course, students develop the following literacy skills: - Plan experiments and describe practical procedures - Construct logical and coherent arguments - Evaluate information given - Use a wide range of science specific vocabulary correctly | Across the Y10/Y11 course, students develop the following literacy skills: - Plan experiments and describe practical procedures - Construct logical and coherent arguments - Evaluate information given - Use a wide range of science specific vocabulary correctly | Across the Y10/Y11 course, students develop the following literacy skills: - Plan experiments and describe practical procedures - Construct logical and coherent arguments - Evaluate information given - Use a wide range of science specific vocabulary correctly | ||
| Opportunities (links to careers/EDI/PSHCE
| Electrician History of the atom
| Extracting metals chemically
Triple: Microbiologist | Extracting metals by electrolysis Triple: Nuclear physicist, endocrinologist | ||
| Links to GCSE syllabus /AO | Follows AQA GCSE combined science: Trilogy (paper 1) | Follows AQA GCSE combined science: Trilogy (paper 1) | Follows AQA GCSE combined science: Trilogy (paper 1 and paper 2) | ||
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| Autumn | Spring | Summer | Rationale |
| Year 11 | Topic Area/Key Question
| Biology: Inheritance, genetics and evolution Chemistry: Organic chemistry Physics: Forces | Biology: Ecology Chemistry: Analysis and Earth’s resources Physics: Waves and Electromagnetism | Revision for GCSEs |
KS4 sequences provide a journey through the key scientific principles highlighted within the curriculum. The implementation and delivery have been specifically designed to ensure all pupils engage with each of the key scientific strands throughout Y10 and Y11; building upon their previous knowledge and working scientifically skills gained during previous key stages.
There are many required practicals that students undertake throughout their studies, which enhance their understanding of the course content in addition to improving their practical skills.
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| Content covered
| Biology: · DNA & genome · Genetic disorders & inheritance · Selective breeding and genetic engineering · Evidence for evolution by natural selection · Triple: Cloning Chemistry: · Rates & equilibrium · Crude oil & fuels · Chemical analysis · Triple: Organic reactions and polymers Physics: · Forces in balance · Motion · Forces and motion · Triple: Force and pressure | Biology: · Classification of organisms · Competition and adaptations · Cycling of materials · Pollution · Biodiversity · Triple: Food production Chemistry: · The Earth’s atmosphere · The Earth’s resources · Triple: Using the Earth’s trolley Physics: · Waves · Electromagnetism · Triple: Space | Revision for GCSEs. | ||
| Assessment
| Paper 1 mock in each of the sciences | Paper 2 mock in each of the sciences | GCSE exams | ||
| Literacy focus
| Across the Y10/Y11 course, students develop the following literacy skills: - Plan experiments and describe practical procedures - Construct logical and coherent arguments - Evaluate information given - Use a wide range of science specific vocabulary correctly | Across the Y10/Y11 course, students develop the following literacy skills: - Plan experiments and describe practical procedures - Construct logical and coherent arguments - Evaluate information given - Use a wide range of science specific vocabulary correctly | Across the Y10/Y11 course, students develop the following literacy skills: - Plan experiments and describe practical procedures - Construct logical and coherent arguments - Evaluate information given - Use a wide range of science specific vocabulary correctly | ||
| Opportunities (links to careers/EDI/PSHCE)
| Mechanical Engineering Aircraft loader / loadmaster The use of catalysts The use of non-renewable fuels
| Optician Electrical Fitter Global climate change Life cycle assessments Recycling & reusing Triple: Astrophysicists |
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| Links to GCSE syllabus /AO | Follows AQA GCSE combined science: Trilogy (paper 2) or Biology, Chemistry, Physics separate sciences (triple) | Follows AQA GCSE combined science: Trilogy (paper 2) or Biology, Chemistry, Physics separate sciences (triple | Follows AQA GCSE combined science: Trilogy (paper 1 and paper 2) or Biology, Chemistry, Physics separate sciences (triple
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KS4 Coordinator Mr K Houlston
KS4 Specification
Science is about investigating how the natural world works. Our Science courses are designed to engage students' interests at every level by providing relevant and inspiring academic content and practical opportunities to undertake scientific enquiry and learn about the scientific process. Our wide range of Science qualifications provide choice and flexibility to suit students of different abilities and aptitudes, supporting them from understanding the basics to going on to pursue a career in science.
Exam Board AQA
