KS3 Science

Course Introduction

Science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Through building up a body of key foundation knowledge and concepts, pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They are encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

Course Content

Year 7

Biology

Cells

Animal reproduction

Muscles and skeletons

Ecosystems

Chemistry

States of matter and mixtures

Acids and alkalis

The particle model

Atoms, elements and compounds.

Physics

Energy

Sound

Current electricity

Forces

 

Year 8

Biology

Food and digestion

Breathing and respiration

Plant reproduction

Unicellular organisms

Chemistry

Combustion and oxidation

The periodic table

Metals and their uses

Rocks

Physics

Energy transfer

Fluids

Light

Earth and space

 

 

Year 9

Biology

Genetics and evolution

Plant growth

Chemistry

Making materials

Reactivity

Physics

Forces and motion

Force fields and electromagnets

Assessment

Teacher assessment will take place during all lessons and will take a variety of forms enabling teachers to check student understanding and practical skills. Students will be given the opportunity in each unit of work to complete an extended piece of writing that will allow teachers to further assess understanding. An independently completed application assessment will take place after each unit which will allow students the opportunity to practice recalling key information and applying it to familiar and unfamiliar situations. This will be used to assess the extent to which students have mastered the unit. Feedback will be given in line with the feedback policy enabling students to improve understanding before moving on.

Students will also complete an end of year assessment at the end of years 7 and 8 and will complete a GCSE transition test at the end of KS3. This will be used to determine if students are ready to move to GCSE or if they need to start the Entry Level Certificate first.

What it Leads to in KS4

KS3 science leads onto GCSE Edexcel Combined Science. This results in students attaining two GCSE qualifications. The qualification is assessed terminally in Year 11 through 6 written examinations, two biology, two physics and two chemistry. They are all 1 hour and 10 minutes in length.

Students who are not yet ready to move to GCSE will first complete the Entry Level Certificate as a bridge to GCSE.