Curriculum Map

In 2019/20, we worked with the curriculum leads in pyramid schools to develop our 'Big Ideas' curriculum, ensuring that the key skills and essential knowledge we have identified permeate our curriculum from year 5 to year 8, allowing our pupils to make links in their learning as well as develop the ability to think more deeply about what they are learning. In this respect, pupils’ learning is meaningful and purposeful, and designed in a range of contexts, which offer breadth and variety to their learning.

Big Ideas Curriculum

Why is Science important?

Science is important because it allows us to understand how the world around us works, and how we can make it a better place to meet the needs of society. It is the marrying of multiple disciplines into a simple investigative method. Science has allowed us to feed growing populations, power whole continents and save lives. By using it, we can make informed decisions about the future of our planet and how best to manage our limited resources for the benefit of everyone.

Programme of study

The Science programme of study is based on the UK National Curriculum. Students are helped to develop the ‘big ideas’ of science to enable them to understand the science in the world around them and to make informed decisions about the applications of science.

Student’s learning is arranged around 14 Big Ideas: Matter, Electromagnets, Forces, Energy, Earth, Solar System, Organisms, Ecosystems, Genes, Evolution, Natural world, Theories and Models, Products and Applications. Each Big Idea is taught in smaller parts so that concepts can build upon one another as they progress through Key Stage 3. Students learn to understand that the three science disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics are linked and equally important.

YEAR	AUTUMN	SPRING	SUMMER
Year 5 Science (2h)	Being a scientist Forces	Earth and Space Properties of Materials	Animals and Humans Life Cycles
Year 6 Science (2h)	Evolution and inheritance Electricity and electric circuits	Light Animals and humans	Classification Human reproduction
Year 7 Science (3h)	Cells and Organisation Mixtures and separation Energy reproduction	Acids and Alkali Current and electricity Forces Ecosystems	Particle Model Atoms,elements and compounds Sound
Year 8 Science (3h)	Food and Nutrition Combustion Plants and reproduction Periodic Table	Light Breathing and Respiration Energy transfer Unicellular organisms	Materials Forces Plant growth Reactivity Electromagnets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Lab

In science students work both as part of a team and independently, to complete many practical and written tasks.  Students are guided to be able to voice their own opinions and observations, as well as listen (and refer to) to the opinions and observations of others.  Students develop their ability to apply scientific method to their work so that they can predict, test, record, conclude and evaluate their scientific investigations.

Assessment

Students are assessed in a variety of ways – their books and written work, orally by question and answer sessions in lessons, through quick quizzes and tests at the end of every unit so their understanding of key concepts can be monitored.

Homework

Homework may comprise written tasks, research work, projects or other tasks depending on the topic.