Sciences

Our Curriculum Intent 

Science Curriculum Intent 

The Science Department is a passionate and talented team of well qualified Science teachers who are dedicated to ensuring that students at Clayton Hall Academy have a solid grounding in science.  

The intent of the curriculum is to: 

  • Foster curiosity for life and the natural world 
  • To provide students with the scientific skills and knowledge required to function as a well-rounded member of British society 
  • Provide a challenging curriculum that encourages future scientists and prepares them for their next stages. 

 

Gold Standard Teaching and Learning in Science 

We expect that in Science this includes:- 

  • clear learning aims each lesson and a clear route to achieving success 
  • high demands of pupil involvement and engagement with their learning 
  • an appropriate use of a range of pedagogies and learning strategies 
  • Students talking and writing like a scientist using key vocabulary  
  • regular practical lessons focused on developing students understand of working scientifically 
  • regular use of encouragement and rewards to engage and motivate pupils  
  • full coverage of the National Curriculum KS3 Programme of Study 
  • the opportunity to make connections between Science study and the wider world including applications and STEM careers 

 

 

Key Stage 3 Science Overview 

We follow the National Curriculum KS3 Science Programme of Study 

 

Long Term Assessment Plan – Key Stage 4 

Year 9 Combined Science (AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy or Triple Science GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics 

Note  

  • Triple topics cover more depth and details than combined Science and is worth 3 GCSEs. In physics there is the additional topic of Earth in Space. 
  • Combined Science is worth 2 GCSEs based on exams in each of Biology Chemistry and Physics. 
  • topics taught within a term will be taught in different order from class to class to avoid clashes with lab equipment. 

 

Key Stage 4 Examination Overview 

Exam Board Details: AQA GCSE (9-1) Combined Science: Trilogy 

Qualification Details: Combined Science is a double award GCSE. Students are awarded 2 GCSEs based on exams in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, e.g. Grade 9,8  

There are 6 written examinations lasting 1 hour 15 minute (70 marks)  

Foundation (Grade 5 to 1) or Higher Tier (Grade 9-5) containing multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions. Each exam is worth 16.7% of the total GCSE. 

  • Biology Paper 1 (1hour 15mins)   Biology topics 1–4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics. 
  • Chemistry Paper 1 (1hour 15mins)   Chemistry topics 1-5: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes. 
  • Physics Paper 1 (1hour 15mins) Physics topics 1–4: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure 

 

  • Biology Paper 2 (1hour 15mins)   Biology topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology. 
  • Chemistry Paper 2 (1hour 15mins)   Chemistry topics 6–10: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources 
  • Physics Paper 2 (1hour 15mins) Physics topics 5–7: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism. 

 

Exam Board Details: Triple Science – each GCSE is independent of the others AQA GCSE (9-1) Biology, AQA GCSE (9-1) Chemistry, AQA GCSE (9-1) Physics 

Qualification Details: Triple Science consists of three independent GCSE Science qualifications GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics. This covers the same content as Combined Science with additional detail in each unit and some extra units such as Physics Earth and Space. 

There are 2 written examinations lasting 1 hour 45 minute (100 marks) for each of the three GCSEs. 

Foundation (Grade 5 to 1) or Higher Tier (Grade 9-5) containing multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions. Each exam is worth 16.7% of the total GCSE. 

GCSE Biology 

  • Biology Paper 1 (1hour 45mins)   Biology topics 1–4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics. 
  • Biology Paper 2 (1hour 45mins)   Biology topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology. 

GCSE Chemistry 

  • Chemistry Paper 1 (1hour 45mins)   Chemistry topics 1-5: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes. 
  • Chemistry Paper 2 (1hour 45mins)   Chemistry topics 6–10: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources 

GCSE Physics 

  • Physics Paper 1 (1hour 45mins) Physics topics 1–4: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure. 
  • Physics Paper 2 (1hour 45mins) Physics topics 5–8: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism, Earth and Space 

 

What resources could I buy or borrow that will help my child?  

Any National Curriculum Linked KS3 Science revision resource will cover the same topics as we do. 

BBS Bitesize KS3 (England) website has extensive information, quizzes and videos to support learning in KS3 Science. 

We recommend CGP revision Guides, workbooks and textbooks.  These can be purchased through the school at fixed time during the year, usually in the first half term.  After this, we can send out ISBN numbers to ensure you have the correct revision Guides 

 

These are highly recommended for revision from Year 10 onwards 

CGP Revision Guides for Triple Science AQA GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics 

New GCSE Biology AQA Complete Revision & Practice includes Online Ed, Videos & Quizzes 

New GCSE Chemistry AQA Complete Revision & Practice includes Online Ed, Videos & Quizzes 

New GCSE Physics AQA Complete Revision & Practice includes Online Ed, Videos & Quizzes 

 

CGP Revision Guides for AQA Combined Science Trilogy 

FOUNDATION TIER New GCSE Combined Science AQA Foundation Complete Revision & Practice w/ Online Ed, Videos & Quizzes 

HIGHER TIER New GCSE Combined Science AQA Higher Complete Revision & Practice w/ Online Ed, Videos & Quizzes 

 

CGP also produce a wide selection of other resources to support revision at reasonable prices – CGP Revision Guides Link 

 

What are the key websites or Apps that my child could use? 

 CGP has apps to accompany the revision guides, but we recommend the following websites: 

All Year groups: 

https://www.senecalearning.com/ 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ 

Year 9, 10 and 11 

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/ 

http://www.docbrown.info/ 

 

 What can I do to encourage my child to take further interest in Science? 

Encourage them to look for science outside of their science lessons, especially in the news and current affairs.   

Promoting and encouraging them to attend any trips we organise – we try and ensure these are run for most year groups.  

Asking them what they have been doing and see if they can explain it back to you so that you understand.  Encouraging them to visit museums and science centres where they can do hands on activities as well.  

Podcasts and TV shows about Science 

Reading Popular Science books 

Develop understanding of the multitude of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) Careers. 

Any documentaries about the world we science or technology from nature programs to space exploration. 

Share any science or technology applications from the world of work. 

 

Email Links 

To find out more about the curriculum we are studying please contact staff via email