KS3 Science

Our Curriculum Aims

Developing scientific curiosity and highlighting the societal importance of science.
Development of core scientific and analytical skills as well as scientific literacy.
Ensuring a firm knowledge and skills base for the transition to Key Stage Four (GCSE).

For each topic studied in Year 7-8, Topic Descriptor Sheets detail the knowledge and skills needed to progress in that particular topic.

Topic Descriptor Sheets can be found in pupils’ books at the beginning of each new topic, and they are also available electronically in the students' shared area; Science.

Key Stage Three Curriculum Overview

Year 7

	NAME OF TOPIC	KEY CONTENT OF THE TOPIC	ASSESSMENT POINTS
HT1	Unit 1: Science Skills	Working safely in the laboratory Making observations and recording measurements Scientific diagram drawing Designing valid scientific investigations (a fair test) Presenting data and drawing conclusions Considering errors in an investigation	End of Topic Test Y7 Science Exam
HT2	Unit 2: Cells & Living things	Living or not? You decide! What defines a living thing? Classification & using keys Vertebrates and Invertebrates Fungi, plants, bacteria and protoctista Introduction to microscopy, using a microscope to view cells Plant and animal cells, specialised cells and their functions How cells become tissues, organs, organ systems and organisms	End of Topic Test Y7 Science Exam
HT3	Unit 3: Energy & Electricity	Different energy forms & energy transfers Energy from foods Sources of energy, renewable & non-renewable The laws of charge Electrical circuits, conductors and insulators What is current? What is voltage? Electrical safety Electroplating objects	End of Topic Test Y7 Science Exam
HT4	Unit 4: Particles	Properties of materials The Particle Model – a Scientific Theory Changes of state Air pressure & expansion of gases Expansion of solids Calculating density of regular and irregular solids	End of Topic Test Y7 Science Exam
HT5	Unit 5: Solutions	Soluble or insoluble substances, and factors affecting solubility Coloured solutions What is meant by a pure substance? Measuring melting and boiling points Do all substances follow the solid-liquid-gas pattern on heading? Separating mixtures using different practical techniques	End of Topic Test Y7 Science Exam
HT6	Unit 6: Reproduction & Adaptations	Sexual & asexual reproductions Maturation (puberty) in humans Male and female reproductive systems Fertilisation, development of the embryo, birth and parental care Flowering plants – pollination & fertilisaton Methods of seed dispersal Investigating germination Considering habitats, and seasonal variations, including fieldwork How organisms are adapted to their environment Estimating populations Food chains & food webs	End of Topic Test Due to timing, this topic is not assessed as part of the Y7 Science Exam
All HTs	Investigative Work	Throughout Year 7, your son will carry out multiple investigations to help him apply his scientific knowledge and gain confidence with interpreting and analysing data. These are important skills needed at GCSE.	Feedback following investigation tasks.

Each unit varies slightly in length depending on the content covered and skills being developed. Units are typically taught in the order shown above. However, there may be some variation if a class has more than one teacher. The Y7 Science Exam will take place during an assessment window in May / June.

Year 8

	NAME OF TOPIC	KEY CONTENT OF THE TOPIC	ASSESSMENT POINTS
HT 1 & HT 2	Forces & Motion	Examples of forces, and how force is measured Measuring and calculating Speed Friction: friend or foe? Investigating friction Balanced and unbalanced forces Terminal velocity Moments	End of Topic Test Y8 Science Exam
	Elements & Compounds	Elements & the Development of the Periodic Table How elements combine to form compounds Naming compounds, formulae and notation Metals vs. non-metals Revisiting Particle Theory & changes of state (from Y7)	End of Topic Test Y8 Science Exam
	Food & Digestion	Why do we need to eat, exploring food labels and a balanced diet and understanding the effects of an unbalanced diet Testing food samples for carbohydrates, protein and fat Teeth The role of the Digestive System Digestive enzymes and absorption	End of Topic Test Y8 Science Exam
HT 3 & HT 4	Light & Sound	Properties of light Investigating reflection, scattering, refraction and dispersal of white light into a range of colours Effect of colored filters on white light, how do objects appear in different coloured light Properties of sound Sound and hearing, the human ear	End of Topic Test Y8 Science Exam
	Minerals & Rocks	Earth’s Structure & Composition Rock Cycle Rock types & their classification Minerals and their composition, The importance of economic ore minerals and the uses of the metals that they yield Investigation to identify mineral using tests	End of Topic Test Y8 Science Exam
	Muscles & Bones	The skeleton, structure & functions Bones, strength, length and structure Types of joints Muscles Investigating muscle endurance	End of Topic Test Y8 Science Exam
HT5 & HT6	Heat Transfer	Heat & Temperature Conduction in solids, good and poor conductors Convection Radiation Investigating heat loss Energy efficient homes Revisiting evaporation (from Y7)	End of Topic Test Due to timing, this topic is not assessed as part of the Y8 Science Exam
	Metals & Extraction	Historical context of using & extracting metals from ores Extracting iron and copper from their oxides Deriving the Reactivity Series of Metals by looking at the reactions of metals with oxygen from the air, water and acids Displacement Reactions	End of Topic Test Due to timing, this topic is not assessed as part of the Y8 Science Exam
	Environment	Throughout Year 8, your son will carry out multiple investigations to help him apply his scientific knowledge and gain confidence with interpreting and analysing data. These are important skills needed at GCSE.	Feedback following investigation tasks.
ALL HTs	Investigative Work	Throughout Year 8, your son will carry out multiple investigations to help him apply his scientific knowledge and gain confidence with interpreting and analysing data. These are important skills needed at GCSE.	Feedback following investigation tasks.

Each unit varies slightly in length depending on the content covered and skills being developed. Units are typically taught in the order shown above. However, there may be some variation if a class has more than one teacher. The Y8 Science Exam will take place during an assessment window in May / June.

What can parents do to support their sons?

Look at your son’s Science exercise book(s) on a regular basis, talk to him about his work, confidence and progress in each topic. Encourage him to be pro-active and act on feedback from his teacher(s). The Topic Descriptor Sheets are useful quick-check guides to the teaching content being covered, and skills your son is developing.
Encourage him to be organised with independent study tasks or revision for assessments, and please encourage him to take pride in his presentation. If he is asked to research a topic, then he must list the sources of information that he has used at the end of the piece of work.
Take opportunities to relate what your son has learnt in his Science lessons to the world around him. For example, you could discuss topical aspects of Science which are in the news, watch relevant documentaries together and visit museums.
If you have any questions or concerns about your son’s work or overall progress, please do not hesitate to contact his Science teacher(s) or Ms Blaize (Head of KS3 Science).

Recommended Revision Guide

The CGP KS3 Science Higher Level Complete Revision & Practice book is available, through ParentPay. This book is highly recommended and excellent value for money. It is a revision guide with an excellent set of notes, and practice questions with answers in the back. N.B. There is some content in this book that AGSB pupils do not cover in Years 7 and 8, but your son can still broaden his knowledge by looking at those sections which will be covered in detail at KS4 as part of his GCSE Science subjects.

Additional Support Available for KS3 Students

All pupils can access practice exam questions and additional revision materials are also available in topic folders in on O-365 STU Science. Pupils also have access to KS3 textbooks via Kerboodle. In addition, there is a weekly “drop-in” session to support pupils on a one-to-one basis. Pupils can receive help with a current topic, on-going revision or help to catch-up following absence.

From Year 9 Onwards

Pupils are taught separate Science subjects; Biology, Chemistry and Physics, by a subject specialist and also have the option to take Geology at GCSE. Please see these departments’ individual Curriculum Guides for further details.