Science - Key Stage 3

Half Term 1

Science Skills

All students start Science at Glyn School by completing a short introduction to Science, with a focus on practical and investigative skills. This also covers lab safety and exposes students to the majority of lab equipment they will use in Science. It enables teachers to instil safe practical routines alongside teaching practical skills.

Cells

This is one of the easier KS3 year 1 topics. It introduces cells as the basic biological unit. Animal and plant cells are looked at in detail in terms of the structures and functions of the different cell organelles and comparative skills are developed when looking at different types of specialised cells. This topic underpins Biology for the rest of their KS3 learning journey.

Particles

This topic introduces the fundamentals of Chemistry. It enables teachers to demonstrate and instil safe practical routines that were introduced during the Science Skills topic, alongside teaching practical skills that link to theory of all matter being made up of particles in different states. This topic investigates how particles move through diffusion. It brings in the idea of pressure and density which will be expanded on in a later Physics topic.

Half Term 2

Forces

Forces builds on KS2 concepts so this provides some spaced practice interlinked with new content. The topic covers the push and pull forces exerted on objects and links this  to how balanced and unbalanced forces affect the speed of objects. It develops these ideas further by investigating springs, drag and friction in more detail.  Further opportunities for mathematical skills are developed through data analysis and graphing skills.

Reproduction

Human reproduction is taught in this topic and builds upon KS2 learning. The topic covers the male and female reproductive systems, fertilisation and the development of the foetus including, the menstrual cycle and contraception. It also links this to reproduction in plants and seed dispersal. This can be a sensitive topic for students so teaching it after being in school for half a term enables teachers to have developed a good working relationship and understanding of their students to be aware of the sensitivities they may have as well as handle misconceptions and questions that come up when this topic is taught. 

Half Term 3

Atoms, Elements and Compounds

This topic looks at elements, atoms, compounds, formulae; and the periodic table. This builds on some of the theory covered in the first Chemistry topic of particles. It underpins the rest of the chemistry topics in KS3 so has to be taught relatively early, as it is a topic upon which the other topics springboard from. It also forms the basis for the GCSE Chemistry course. The theory of this is revisited in Year 9, so introducing concepts and addressing misconceptions in KS3 lays the foundation for later GCSE learning. It includes the basics of identifying meals and non-metals, using the periodic table, naming compounds and writing formulae. 

Space

Space is a review of content learnt at KS2 and revisits skills introduced during the Science Skills topic, including data analysis and calculations with a familiar topic such as weight vs mass and how weight changes in relation to gravity. It also expands the students understanding of the world around them, by explaining phenomena such as the seasons and eclipses. 

Half Term 4

Interdependence

This topic reviews and builds on key concepts learnt at KS2 and introduces more complex concepts linked to the interactions of organisms with their environment and each other that are the basics of theory taught at GCSE. It provides opportunities for students to explain ‘real life’ examples of food chains and food webs and how interdependence operates. They will learn to measure species distribution and explain the competition facing organisms.

Mixtures

The different methods of separating substances are covered in this topic which are the basics of theory taught at GCSE. This topic further embeds the practical skills students have developed across the Science curriculum and allows them to put those skills into practice by separating different types of mixtures using different techniques. 

Half Term 5

Energy

This topic covers the idea of energy stores and the transfer of energy between stores, as well as the efficiency of these transfers, a key concept at the beginning of the GCSE Physics course. The content also links to particles and matter which was taught in the Chemistry matter and so again provides consolidation of some prior learning. This topic covers the idea of thermal energy and further expands the KS2 knowledge of conductors and insulators. The topic enables practice of mathematical skills including calculating energy efficiency.

Electricity

This topic reviews concepts taught at KS2. Whilst students should already be familiar with the basics of circuit drawing and construction, more detail is taught with regards to current and voltage. This is left until the end of the year, as this can often be a challenging topic for students. There are many opportunities for investigations and to further embed “working scientifically” skills e.g. variables, graph drawing, analysis of results. Students will have developed some good basic lab skills during the year that they can now apply during investigation work carried out in this very practical topic. This helps to reinforce and consolidate skills.

Half Term 6 

Revision

Students will get to consolidate their learning by bringing all of their topics together and identifying explicit links between subjects and concepts. They will practice answering questions on these prior to their end of year exams. 

Tissues and Organs

This topic expands the module covered at the beginning of the year on cells. It introduces students to the tissues and organ systems focusing on the muscular and skeletal systems. It also covers the key human biology topics relating to the lungs and breathing. It covers the basic theory of respiration and breathing laying a foundation for these concepts which are covered in the GCSE course. These concepts and associated keywords will already be familiar to students from their KS2 learning. By teaching this topic at the end of Year 7, it allows teachers to address misconceptions around respiration and breathing and provides a grounding for the following Biology topics in Year 8. 

Acids and Alkalis

This topic requires an understanding of all Chemistry concepts covered so far, particles, writing formulae and practical skills so is left until the end. Topics covered include types of reactions, energy profile diagrams of exothermic and endothermic reactions, masses in reactions and balancing chemical equations. It is also a heavily practical based topic that requires students to have already developed a good understanding of laboratory safety and effective investigative skills due to the nature of the practicals. The topic covers the pH scale, acids and alkalis and the making of salts. This topic is an introduction to and the foundation of many of the higher order  topics that students will study in Years 9 and 10

Half Term 1

Science Skills

As the majority of students will have not been in a lab for their Science lessons since starting at Glyn School, they start Year 8 by completing a short introduction to Science. This focuses on practical and investigative skills, such as planning, graphing and analysing. This also covers lab safety and exposes students to the majority of lab equipment they will use in Science. It enables teachers to instil safe practical routines alongside teaching practical skills.

Electromagnets

This topic builds a lot on prior KS2 knowledge about magnets and magnetism. This is further developed at KS3 to provide the foundations for these topics at GCSE. Students learn about magnetic fields, electromagnets, their uses, and have the opportunity to make a loudspeaker. There are many opportunities for practical work and to embed good practical and analytical skills.

Ecosystems

Although the Biology topic of Ecosystems is one of the harder year 8 topics, it covers the basic theory of Photosynthesis and Respiration laying a Foundation for these topics covered in the GCSE course. The topics include adaptations and limiting factors for photosynthesis, as well as aerobic and anaerobic respiration. The topic also addresses the chemistry behind both processes building on prior learning in Chemistry topics previously studied. By teaching this topic early on in Year 8, it avoids introducing misconceptions around respiration and breathing and provides a grounding for the following Biology topics.

Half Term 2

Matter

Matter covers elements, atoms, compounds, formulae; and the periodic table. This builds on some of the theory covered in most of the first year chemistry topics and some of the physics topics. It underpins the rest of the chemistry topics in KS3 so has to be taught as the first Chemistry topic upon which the other topics springboard from. It also forms the basis for the GCSE Chemistry course. The theory of this is revisited in Year 9, so introducing concepts and addressing misconceptions in KS3 lays the foundation for later GCSE learning.

Energy

Energy builds on theory and skills learnt in the Energy and Forces topics in Year 7. It underpins later learning in the other KS3 topics so needs to be taught early on. The topic covers work done, levers and pulleys, changes of state and how heat energy is transferred via conduction, convection and radiation. These methods of heat transfer provide underpinning theory for the concepts in the Chemistry Earth topic particularly about Global warming later in the year.

Half Term 3

Waves

The topic of Waves builds upon learning at KS3 and provides the foundation for the concepts of the topic that are taught at GCSE. Students learn about the Electromagnetic spectrum, how to measure sound and the application of sound in everyday life. Students also learn in more detail about the properties of waves, the basics of which they learnt in Year 7.

Organisms

Organisms covers the key human biology topics relating to the lungs and breathing; and food groups and digestion. These topics and associated keywords will already be familiar to students from their KS2 learning. This topic also links back to respiration which was covered in the first half term, providing an opportunity for consolidation. The content covered also consolidates key concepts and processes in Biology e.g. the movement of different molecules by diffusion in two very different processes in the human body. The theory covered in this topic is further developed in the first two topics of the Biology GCSE course so introducing these concepts in KS3 clears up misconceptions and lays the foundation for GCSE learning. 

Half Term 4

Reactions

The Reactions topic is the hardest of the Chemistry topics in year 8 and so is left until the end. It builds on previous learning from year 7 & 8 topics in both Chemistry and Physics. Topics covered include types of reactions, energy profile diagrams of exothermic and endothermic reactions, masses in reactions and balancing chemical equations. This topic is an introduction to and the foundation of many of the GCSE paper 1 topics that students will study in years 9 & 10. 

Forces

The topic of Forces also covers a lot of content and builds on prior KS3 learning. Forces includes: deformation, levers and moments and pressure, all of which are introductions to topics learnt at GCSE. The topic necessitates a range of mathematical skills and the ability to carry out numerous calculations often requiring students to rearrange and link formulae to determine answers. 

Half Term 6

Genes

The topic of Genes builds on year 7 learning which introduced the concepts of variation, inheritance of genes and adaptations. The year 8 topic delves further into these concepts and also includes Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution via natural selection, genes and inheritance, genetic crosses, and genetic engineering. This topic can be quite challenging so is left to the end of KS3 so students have more maturity when approaching this topic. The topic introduces GCSE theory and covers a lot of detailed content that develops and utilises analysis and evaluative skills.

Earth

Earth builds on KS2 learning and covers theory and keywords students are already familiar with i.e. the earth’s atmosphere, the carbon cycle, global warming and recycling. Further use of key mathematical skills for science are developed within this topic linked to data collection, analysis and evaluation. The content covered and data that students are exposed to in relation to this topic requires a more developed skill set to link the theoretical ideas together with scientific evidence to formulate conclusions and detailed explanations. This topic also links to methods of heat transfer covered in the Energy topic, providing an opportunity for further learning consolidation and also provides easier linking for students across science disciplines.

Half Term 1 and 2

This term at the start of Year 9 is a great opportunity to ensure that the basics of cell structure and studying cells using microscopes is embedded before moving on to more complex cell functions. Students are taught the differences between light and electron microscopes and can compare the magnification and resolving power of different microscopes. Students are also introduced to Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells and are able to give features that are common between these cells and explain the differences that exist. Students are then introduced to chromosomes and how they behave when a cell is dividing for growth, repair and replacement. We look at cell differentiation and how stem cells can be used for the treatment of disorders. After looking closely and cell structure, we move on to how the transport of substances occurs across the plasma membrane and the processes of diffusion, osmosis and active transport.

Half Term 3 and 4

In the second term, we move on the look at how large multicellular living organisms are organised and structured with a particular focus on the digestive and circulatory system of humans. We look closely at how lifestyle choices can have an impact on Coronary heart disease and the relationship between diet, exercise and stress and health. Students are taught about Cancer and how tumours form and the factors that can influence the uncontrollable cell growth that leads to these malignant or benign tumours. After looking at animals, we move on to study the organisation of large multicellular plants and apply the levels of organisation to a plant system and study how the systems link together to make the organism successful at carrying out all life processes.

Half Term 5 and 6

We use this time to finish studying the levels of organisation within living organisms to ensure that students have a sound understanding of the links between organs and organ systems in both plants and animals. Students will have a good grasp of the key concepts of transporting substances around living organisms as well as looking at issues that arise when these systems do not work effectively.

We also use this time to ensure that there is an opportunity for revisiting some of the key concepts to ensure that all students have a good grounding before moving on to Year 10 GCSE content.

Half Term 1 - Atomic Structure

The fundamental building block of Chemistry is the structure of the atom We start by ensuring students know the difference between elements and compounds and spend time building the practical skills required to separate mixtures in different ways. We then build on students’ knowledge of particles by exploring the development of the atomic model, the electronic configuration of the first twenty elements, and encounter isotopes and ions. Once students are familiar with the atom, we start to explore the creation of the periodic table, how the elements fit into the periodic table, and we begin to explain how and why they are ordered in the way that they are. We examine the scientific method in action and look at how ideas that scientists have developed over time.

Half Term 2 - Atomic Structure and Bonding and Structure

The fundamental building block of Chemistry is the structure of the atom We start by ensuring students know the difference between elements and compounds and spend time building the practical skills required to separate mixtures in different ways. We then build on students’ knowledge of particles by exploring the development of the atomic model, the electronic configuration of the first twenty elements and encounter isotopes and ions. Once students are familiar with the atom, we start to explore the creation of the periodic table and how the elements fit into the periodic table, and we begin to explain how and why they are ordered in the way that they are. We examine the scientific method in action and look at the ideas that scientists have developed over time.

Half Term 3 and 4 - Bonding and Structure

Once students are comfortable with the structure of the atom and electron configuration, they are able to look at the interactions that occur between atoms. We start to investigate what holds different atoms together in compounds, molecules, and crystals. We investigate how these bonds affect the properties of materials and why certain types of structures have certain properties. Students begin to understand the materials around them and why they behave in the way that they do.

Half Term 5 – Energy Changes in Chemistry       

This half term we build on students' understanding of bonding by focusing on the energy changes that happen during reactions. We will build new practical skills that will allow students to successfully conduct investigations, obtain and analyse their results and form conclusions. They will learn how to calculate the change in energy through reactions and how to show this in an energy profile diagram.

Half Term 6

This half term we continue to build on students' understanding of bonding by focusing on the energy changes that happen during reactions. We will build new practical skills that will allow students to successfully conduct investigations, obtain and analyse their results and form conclusions. They will learn how to calculate the change in energy through reactions and how to show this in an energy profile diagram.

Half Term 1 - Working Scientifically

Working scientifically is fundamental to understanding and applying the knowledge learnt throughout their science GCSEs. The Physics course starts with this topic to develop students' appreciation for why we plan practical work, write reports and peer assess our work and how this is conducted in the real world with cutting-edge scientific research. It is embedded throughout the curriculum and is revisited during each required practical.

Half Term 1&2 - Energy

The concept of energy emerged in the 19th century and was used to explain the work output of steam engines and then generalised to understand other heat engines.

Energy is a fundamental topic of physics and is revisited time and time again as it is a key element across all areas of physics. This is why it is placed at the start of the GCSE course. Students will learn the concepts that provide the building blocks for further application such as energy stores, transfer of energy between stores, efficiency, power and specific examples including Hooke’s Law. Real-world applications are then brought in with how we generate electrical energy and insulate our homes.

Half Term 3&4 - Particle Model of Matter

A further fundamental topic is now introduced to students in the form of kinetic theory. This topic provides the building blocks for the more conceptually challenging topic of nuclear radiation. This topic builds on the study of particles in Key Stage 3 but now with an increased emphasis on the accurate use of scientific language. Students use this language to describe and explain the state of matter. The concept of density is also studied here including a required practical to determine the density of regular and irregular shaped objects. This provides an opportunity for students to apply the ‘working scientifically’ curriculum which is common to all sciences.

Half Term 5&6 - Nuclear Radiation

In 1896, the French physicist Antoine Henri Becquerel accidentally discovered nuclear radiation. This discovery and the underlying physics of nuclear radiation is a fascinating addition to the subject. It provides an exciting culmination of the physics language and concepts studied to date in Year 9.

Nuclear radiation is conceptually very difficult and requires key concepts such as particles, energy and charge for students to thoroughly understand and explain these abstract ideas. Students begin with describing the nucleus and isotopes which leads into the cause and fabric of nuclear radiation. The concept of half-life is explored as well as nuclear power stations and radioactive waste. This topic provides an excellent SMSC opportunity as students use their understanding of ionisation, half-life and background radiation to discuss and debate nuclear weapons and the widespread use of nuclear power.