KS3 Science

Year 7

Class Teachers

*7R1*	YD
*7R2*	PP
*7R3*	ART
*7L1*	MD
*7L2*	CF	RW
*7L3*	FB
*7L4*	PS

Curriculum

In Year 7 the science curriculum is taught in tutor groups and revolves around a different theme being present each term. These themes are cross curricular and link to the IB learner profile that the school has adopted for this year group. Although aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics are present they are not taught as discrete subjects but in a combined way.

The themes for the terms are ‘Identity’, ‘The Globe’ and ‘Festivals’. Within each theme the topics to be taught are posed as questions to allow students to directly link what they are learning to them as individuals.

In the autumn term it is the theme ‘Identity’. This covers;

Where do I come from?	Reproduction in animals to investigate how they change both physically and emotionally.
Who am I?	Life processes and development from cells to organ systems.
How can I survive?	The nutrients required to have a balanced diet and the process of digestion of this food including the chemical reactions.
What am I made from?	What makes up food we eat and how this leads to growth. What are atoms, elements and compounds
How do I see & hear?	Structures of eye and ears and how they allow sight and hearing.

In the spring term it is the theme ‘The Globe’. This covers;

What do I have around me?

The use of energy to produce a comfortable environment. Energy transfers including heat transfer. Sources of renewable energy with their pros and cons all linked to sustainability.

What is my place in space?

The solar system, investigating relative sizes and distances of the planets. Understanding why we have day/night, changing seasons and moon phases.

What happens if it all goes wrong?

The effects and prevention of infectious diseases and the development of drugs to combat them.

In the summer term is the final theme ‘Festivals’. This covers;

Why are athletes different from me?

The differences between people due to genetics and also the effect of exercise on the body.

How do we move?

The calculation of speed and acceleration linked to the balance of forces and streamlining.

How can we celebrate?

The science of light & sound communication, chemical reactions, flame tests, structures and how buildings are constructed

Assessment is done throughout the year with levelled activities taking place within lessons and there being three end of term tests covering what has been taught that term.

Year 8

Class Teachers

*8R1*	FB	CF
*8R2*	MD	YD
*8R3*	YD	FB
*8L1*	PS	MD
*8L2*	CF	KL
*8L3*	CM	YD
*8L4*	FB	RW

Curriculum

In Year 8 the science curriculum is taught in tutor groups and similar to Year 7 revolves around a different theme being present each term. These themes are cross curricular and link to the IB learner profile that the school has adopted for this year group. Although aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics are present they are not taught as discrete subjects but in a combined way.

The themes for the terms are ‘Fear, ‘Choices’ and ‘Ritual’. Within each theme the topics to be taught are posed as questions to allow students to directly link what they are learning to them as individuals.

In the autumn term the theme is Fear. This covers;

Thrills and Spills	Shape and motion including effect of pressure, linear motion and turning moments.
Classification	Describe living things by their appearance & describe the major taxonomic groups they belong within. Show organisms are independent but they can interact within their environment
Acid Reactions	Elements consist of atoms that combine together in chemical reactions to form compounds
Rocks & Weathering	Geological activity caused by physical chemical and biological activity (weathering) and the formation and properties of sedimentary igneous and metamorphic rocks within the rock cycle

In the spring term the theme is Choices. This covers;

Shaping Life	Describe simple learned and innate behaviour in response to stimuli. Understand that variation can be artificially induced and can benefit or limit survival in certain habitats.
Chemical Reactions	Describe, record and group observations from chemical reactions. Use the particle model to describe a range of separating techniques.
Life Support	Growth and development can be effected by diet, drugs and diseases. Looking especially at circulatory & respiratory systems.
Electricity and magnetism	Describe the various forms of energy and how it can be stored and transferred. Show that electrical devices are designed to make use of effects caused by electrical currents, including heating, chemical changes and magnetic effects.

In the summer term the theme is Ritual. This covers;

How people effect the environment they live in.	Human activity and natural processes can lead to changes in the environment. Recognise sustainable development. Look at food chains and food webs and explain the effects of fluctuations in populations
Periodic table	Describe the different elements by their chemical properties and behaviour. Use the particle model to describe the range of physical observations and organisation in the periodic table.
Earth, space and beyond	Recognise that astronomy and space science provide evidence about the solar system.

Assessment is done throughout the year with levelled activities taking place within lessons and there being two end of term tests covering what has been taught that term. Additionally in the week after half term in the summer term there will be an end of Key Stage exam that will cover work from the entirety of Years 7 and 8.