Science
Welcome to Science
Curriculum Intent
The science curriculum has been designed to enable students to explore and deepen their understanding of the world around them. Students are taught a broad range of biology, chemistry and physics topics that cover the national curriculum and link to everyday phenomena. As students progress through their learning journey they revisit previous topics and begin to understand them in greater depth. This allows them to build upon previous knowledge and forge the necessary skills to interact with the developing world.
Our hope as a department is to inspire our students to not only enjoy their lessons and pass their exams, but to become enthusiastic members of a society where science influences almost every aspect of our lives.
Year 7 Curriculum
In year 7 students cover topics which contain the fundamental concepts which will allow them to build a sound understanding within the three scientific domains. Students build on some of their understanding from KS2 however, most of the content introduced in year 7 is new to them. In year 7 there is an emphasis on skills development and this is achieved by exposure to practical investigations. In year 7 students will cover fundamental topics from chemistry, physics and biology and these are interleaved to support their knowledge retention and skills development.
Chemistry topics
- Matter
- Atomic structure
- Chemical reactions
Physics topics
- Energy
- Forces
- Electricity
Biology topics
- Cells and organelles
- Reproduction
- Ecology
- Inheritance and variation
Year 8 Curriculum
In year 8 students cover topic which build on their knowledge from year 7 allowing topics to be revisited and covered in greater depth. In year 8 students as exposed to many practical investigations as there is an emphasis on skills development to ensure students have the time to develop scientific skills. Students will cover topics from physics, chemistry and biology and these are interleaved to support their knowledge retention and skills development.
Physics topics
- Waves
- Solar system
- Magnets and electromagnets
Chemistry topics
- Mixtures
- Energy
- Periodic table
- Materials
- Earth and atmosphere
Biology topics
- Respiration
- Digestive system
- Bioenergetics (photosynthesis and respiration)
At the end of year 8 students are given the opportunity to work in teams to investigate a question of their own choice. They will develop investigative as well as presentation skills.
Year 9 Curriculum
In year 9 students cover topics that allow them to bridge their knowledge from year 7 and 8 with the GCSE content they will cover in years 10 and 11. They revisit previous topics in greater depth and with a focus on familiarising themselves with new scientific vocabulary and deepening their understanding of key scientific processes.
There is an emphasis on skills development based around practical procedures.
Students will cover two units of biology, chemistry and physics based around the following themes:
- The human body
- Atoms, elements and compounds,
- Energy, energy transfers and energy resources
- Environment, evolution and inheritance
- Chemistry in our world
- Electricity, magnetism and waves
Year 10 Curriculum
In year 10 students start their study of the GCSE combined science AQA Trilogy course. Students will cover topics from the combined science GCSE across the 3 sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Biology Topics
- Cell Biology
- Organisation
- Bioenergetics
- Infection and disease
Chemistry Topics
- Chemical changes
- Energy changes
- Atomic structure and the periodic table
- Bonding, structure and properties of matter
- Quantitative chemistry
Physics Topics
- Energy
- Particle model of matter
- Electricity
Throughout the teaching of these topics there will be a focus on science investigation skills of key experiments within each topic.
Year 11 Curriculum
In year 11 students start their study of the GCSE combined science AQA Trilogy course. Students will cover topics from the combined science GCSE across the 3 sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Biology Topics
- Ecology
- Homeostasis
- Variation and inheritance
Chemistry Topics
- Organic Chemistry
- Chemical analysis
- Chemistry of the Earth’s atmosphere
- Earth’s resources
Physics Topics
- Magnetism and electromagnetism
- Space
- Forces
- Waves
Throughout the teaching of these topics there will be a focus on science investigation skills of key experiments within each topic. Towards the end of the year, there will also be time to revisit and revise previous topics done from paper 1 combined science. This will allow for thorough preparation for the GCSE exams in June.
Please contact main reception on 0116 282 4326 or via office@fullhurst.leicester.sch.uk if you require any further information about the curriculum.