KS3 Science

Year 7

In the first two weeks of year 7 students follow an Introduction to Practical Skills course, safety in the lab as well as completing a baseline assessment.

Autumn Term Spring Term Summer Term

Biology:  Cells part 1

  • Animal and plant cells
  • Organelles and functions
  • Comparison between cells
  • Specialised cells

Chemistry: Separation techniques part 1

  • Dissolving
  • Solvent / solute / solution
  • Saturation
  • Filtration

Physics: States of matter and changes of state part 1

  • Changes of state
  • Particle theory

Biology: Micro-organisms

  • Bacteria
  • Yeast
  • Respiration

Chemistry: Acids and alkalis

  • Acids and alkalis
  • Indicators
  • pH scale
  • Neutralisation

Physics: Electricity part 1

  • Static electricity
  • Electrical safety

Biology: Digestion and deficiency

  • Diet
  • Deficiency diseases
  • Digestion

Chemistry: Elements and compounds part 1

  • Atoms and molecules
  • Elements and compounds
  • Mixtures

Physics:  Electromagnetism part 1

  • Magnets
  • Magnetic fields
  • Electromagnets

Biology: Cells part 2

  • Animal and plant cells
  • Organelles and functions
  • Comparison between cells
  • Specialised cells

Chemistry: Separation techniques part 2

  • Distillation
  • Chromatography

Physics: States of matter and changes of state part 2

  • Properties of materials
  • Diffusion
  • Heat transfer

Biology: Organs and digestion

  • Organ systems
  • Digestion

Chemistry: Simple chemical reactions

  • Chemical and physical changes
  • Exothermic and endothermic reactions
  • Combustion

Physics:  Electricity part 2

  • Series and parallel circuits
  • Current and voltage

Biology: Classification & food chains

  • Food chains
  • Food pyramids

Chemistry: Elements and compounds part 2

  • Chemical symbols
  • Symbol equations

Physics:  Electromagnetism part 2

  • Electromagnetism (induction and generators) 

Year 8

Autumn Term Spring Term Summer Term

Biology: Reproduction part 1

  • Puberty and hormones
  • Menstrual cycle
  • Role of placenta / umbilical cord in pregnancy

Chemistry: Periodic table and the Dalton model

  • Model of the atom
  • Periodic table

Physics: Waves part 1

  • Light waves (reflection, refraction, dispersion and diffraction)
  • Sound waves (audible range and reflection)
  • Comparing waves

Biology: Variation and genetic diseases

  • Variation
  • Natural selection
  • Inherited diseases

Chemistry: Rocks part 1.Rock cycle

  • Sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks.
  • Rock cycle

Physics: Forces and pressure

  • Forces
  • Pressure

Biology: Plants and photosynthesis part 1

  • Photosynthesis
  • Leaf structure

Chemistry: Rocks part 3

  • Recap of rocks
  • Fossil fuels

Physics: Energy

  • Types of energy
  • Transfer and transformation of energy

Biology: Reproduction part 2

  • Puberty and hormones
  • Menstrual cycle
  • Role of placenta / umbilical cord in pregnancy

Chemistry: Periodic table

  • Metals
  • Non-metals
  • Chemical reactions from a particle point of view

Physics: Waves part 2

  • Light waves (reflection, refraction, dispersion and diffraction)
  • Sound waves (audible range and reflection)
  • Comparing waves

Biology: Breathing, types of respiration and drugs

  • Breathing and lungs
  • Respiration
  • Drugs (focus on smoking and alcohol)

Chemistry: Rocks part 2. Extraction of metals

  • Extraction
  • Reactivity series

Physics: Newton’s Laws of motion

  • Newtons laws of motion
  • Speed, time and distance calculations and graphs

Biology: Plants and photosynthesis part 2

  • Photosynthesis
  • Carbon cycle
  • Respiration

Chemistry: Environmental Chemistry

  • Environmental chemistry (acid rain and greenhouse effects)

Physics: Space physics

  • Solar system
  • Gravity
  • Weight

Year 9 – Starting GCSE

Autumn Term Spring Term Summer Term

Biology B1

  • Classification of organisms and why it is necessary
  • Variation
  • Inheritance

Chemistry C1

  • Earth’s changing atmosphere during the last 4.5 billion years

Physics P1

  • Electromagnetic spectrum
  • History of models of the solar system
  • Theories for the creation of the universe

Biology B1

  • Drugs and their effects on the body
  • Nitrogen cycle

Chemistry C1

  • Hydrocarbons
  • Hydrocarbon properties
  • Hydrocarbon uses

Physics P1

  • National grid
  • Generation of electricity
  • Energy sources and types

Biology B2

  • Recap of cells
  • DNA, Chromosomes, genes

Chemistry C2

  • Groups in the periodic table
  • Atomic structure
  • Isotopes

Physics P2

  • Static electricity
  • Current, voltage and resistance

Biology B1

  • Homeostasis
  • Blood sugar levels and diabetes

Chemistry C1

  • Recap of acids
  • Reactions with acids
  • Electrolysis of acids

Physics P1

  • Waves
  • Electromagnetic spectrum
  • Earthquakes and different pressure waves

Biology B1 Revision and mock exam

  • Revision
  • Mock exam
  • Review and evaluation of exam

Chemistry C1 Revision and mock exam

  • Revision
  • Mock exam
  • Review and evaluation of exam

Physics P1 revision and mock exam

  • Revision
  • Mock exam
  • Review and evaluation of exam

(Note: Identical to previous half term as this subject will span both half terms).

Biology B2

  • Recap of cells
  • DNA, Chromosomes, genes

Chemistry C2

  • Groups in the periodic table
  • Atomic structure
  • Isotopes

Physics P2

  • Static electricity
  • Current, voltage and resistance