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Science

Key Stage 3 Summary

The United Learning science curriculum has been drafted by a working group of over a dozen secondary science teachers and subject leaders, representative of the diversity of United Learning schools. The working group have planned it on the following basis:

  • Before KS3, students have been taught the latest KS2 NC (2014). After KS3, the majority of students will go on to study combined science at GCSE level or equivalent (even though some may also study GCSE single sciences - biology, chemistry and physics).
  • KS3 science teaching takes up c.3-4 hours per week for three years across years 7, 8 and 9. It could be taught by specialist science teachers, but not restricted to teachers being within biology/chemistry/physics specialisms, although schools may choose to do this.

As a result of this work, the United Learning science curriculum has the following features:

  • It takes a year-by-year approach to teaching the curriculum in years 7, 8 and 9.
  • Each year is divided into topics across biology, chemistry and physics, but equally weighted across these three disciplines. Biology, chemistry and physics should therefore be broadly equal in weighting in terms of curriculum time for each of the three disciplines.
  • Across all of biology, chemistry and physics, there are 6 topics in year 7, 6 topics in year 8, and 7 topics in year 9.
  • Working Scientifically skills is heavily dependent on the context and should not be taught separately. It is expected that Working Scientifically is integrated into all of the topics and chosen to be appropriate to the context of the science. As a result, the United Learning curriculum does not attempt to specify the degree of skill expected for each year e.g. at what age to use: different the methods of scientific investigation; different formats for tables of data; bar or line graphs; and so on.

The suggested topics for years 7, 8 and 9 is laid out in the table below. (The codes in italics are to help reference the topics e.g. 7PF (Y7 Physics Forces)).

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/335174/SECONDARY_national_curriculum_-_Science_220714.pdf

 

 

Y7 topics

Y8 topics

Y9 topics

 

 

Biology

  • Cells, tissues and organs

7BC

  • Reproduction and variation 7BR
  • Ecological relationships and classification 8BE
  • Digestion and nutrition

8BD

  • Biological systems and processes 9BB
  • Plants and photosynthesis 9BP

 

Chemistry

  • Particles 7CP
  • Chemical reactions 7CC
  • Materials and the Earth

8CM

  • The periodic table 8CP
  • Reactivity 9CR
  • Energetics and rates 9CE

 

Physics

  • Forces and motion 7PF
  • Energy 7PE
  • Light and space 8PL
  • Electricity and magnetism

8PE

  • Sound waves 9PS
  • Forces in action 9PF
  • Matter 9PM

Working Scientifically - developed as appropriate through all topics

  • Scientific attitudes WSAT
  • Experimental skills and investigations WSSK
  • Analysis and evaluation WSAN
  • Measurement WSME

A Mastery Curriculum

The ambition of the United Learning computing curriculum (and all curricula at key stages 1, 2 and 3) is for all pupils to achieve the year by year expectations outlined in the curriculum. That is, that all pupils are taught the full content of the curriculum and that with reference to the key performance indicators outlined for each year group, all pupils are taught to achieve these. Mastery means that pupils should be able to recall and apply what they have learnt at another point in the future rather than just at the time they first meet an idea or technique. Achievements through the year contribute to evidence of mastery by the end of the year. Re-visiting a key performance indicator can provide opportunities to:

  • demonstrate mastery
  • address any gaps in learning
  • widen and deepen learning as pupils apply their knowledge in a different context or tackle more complex science.

Key Stage 4

Information on the Key Stage 4 course is available on Page 26 of the Options Booklet, please click here to download >>>

Key Stage 5

Sixth Form courses  available from the Sixth Form page, click here >>>

 

 

 

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