Science Key Stage 4

In KS4 most students follow the AQA Trilogy combined Science programme of study. This is the equivalent of 2 GCSE’s.

Some students choose to study triple Science as an option and will follow the AQA Biology, AQA Chemistry and AQA Physics programmes of study. This will result in 3 Science GCSE’s.

GCSE Curriculum Overview

GCSE Curriculum Overview Topic Unit Content
Biology 1
B1: Cell Biology Explore how structural differences between types of cells enables them to perform specific functions within the organism. Cells, specialised cells, cell transport, eukaryotes/prokaryotes, organelles and their function, as well as the use of electron/light microscopes.
B2: Organisation Explore the human digestive system which provides the body with nutrients and the respiratory system that provides it with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. Also, learn how the plant’s transport system is dependent on environmental conditions to ensure that leaf cells are provided with the water and carbon dioxide that they need for photosynthesis.
B3: Infection and Response Explore how we can avoid diseases by reducing contact with them, as well as how the body uses barriers against pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and protists. Also, taking a look at how modern medicine is affecting our protection against disease, and the problems arising across the world.
B4: Bioenergetics Explore how plants harness the Sun’s energy in photosynthesis in order to make food, and how both plants and animals harness the energy stored in glucose through respiration. We will also explore the factors that affect the rates of respiration, and photosynthesis, making links to units B1 and B2.
Chemistry 1
C1: Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table Explore the historical development of the periodic table and learn to use it as a tool to support our understanding of the building blocks of matter, atoms. Use the periodic table to make predictions about reactivity and the structure of matter. Learn about the sub-atomic particles and how the atomic model has changed over time.
C2: Bonding / Structure & the Properties of Matter Continue your understanding of atoms to explore how atoms bond and interact to form the world around us. Discover how the structure of ionic, covalent and metallic substances determines its properties.
C3: Quantitative Chemistry Explore the use of quantitative analysis to determine amounts of substances, the formulae of compounds and balancing equations. Identify the different types of chemical reactions that allow chemists to make sense of how different chemicals react together, to establish patterns and to make predictions about the behaviour of other chemicals.
C4: Chemical Changes Explore how scientists understand chemical changes by undertaking chemical reactions in a planned and logical way. Identify ways to make predictions about what new substances can be made and discover how to work backwards to identify the building blocks of compounds.
C5: Energy Changes Explore the energy changes that can be observed in different types of reactions, and how heating and cooling affects the interactions between particles. Discover ways in which metals can be extracted using electrolysis, and how cells and batteries produce electricity.
Physics 1
P1: Energy Explore the varying types of energy stores and energy transfers. Discover how energy is conserved and transferred between stores within a system, and use this to calculate values for energy.
P2: Electricity Explore the what is meant by current, potential difference and resistance by building series and parallel circuits. Determine Ohms law and discover the relationship between current, potential difference and resistance across different components of a circuit.
P3: Particle model of matter Explore how the particle model is widely used to predict the behaviour of solids, liquids and gases and this has many applications in everyday life. Discover how to explain a wide range of observations and engineers use these principles when designing vessels to withstand high pressures and temperatures, such as submarines and spacecraft.
P4: Atomic structure Explore the world of radioactivity, half-life and hazardous radiation. Learn to explain the processes involved in alpha, beta and gamma radiation, and discover how they interact with the world around us.
Biology 2
B5: Homeostasis & Response Explore the structure and function of the nervous system and how it can bring about fast responses in our body. We will also explore the hormonal system which usually brings about much slower but longer lasting changes, and look at the mechanisms which enable these changes in the body. Explore in detail how our body regulates its internal conditions.
B6: Inheritance, Variation & Evolution Discover genetics, variation generated by mutations in genetic material, the process of meiosis, and the associated genetic disorders. Explore Darwin’s theory of natural selection and how this leads into the evolution of a species over time. Learn about the Lineaus classification system.
B7: Ecology In this section we will explore how humans are threatening biodiversity as well as the natural systems that support it, and practice methods to collect data that supports our understanding. We will also consider some actions we need to take to ensure our future health, prosperity and well-being.
Chemistry 2
C6: The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change Explore reversible reactions, and the rates of chemical reactions that are found in dynamic equilibrium. Discover how chemists can change reaction conditions to affect the outcomes and yields of chemical reactions.
C7: Organic Chemistry Explore the chemistry of carbon compounds, fossil fuels, alkanes/alkenes, including their use in the petrochemical industry and their effect on the environment.
C8: Chemical Analysis Explore the process by which to identify the makeup of substances using experimental analysis and practical techniques.
C9: Chemistry of the Atmosphere Explore the chemistry that makes up the atmosphere and how human activity effects the chemistry of the atmosphere, and its implications.
C10: Using Resources Explore the alternative methods of extracting metals, and how chemists can use chemical and biological processes to extract metals and create new useful substances.
Physics 2
P5: Forces Explore and calculate the effects of the forces around them. Learn about Newtons laws, their application and how they are used by engineers. Discover the effects of forces on stopping distance, acceleration and momentum.
P6: Waves Explore the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, their wavelengths, frequencies and their uses. Discover the effects of reflection, refraction and wave properties.
P7: Magnetism & Electromagnetism Explore the uses and effects of magnetic fields, permanent magnets and electromagnets. Discover how electromagnets are made, and how they can be used in the modern world. Learn about permanent and induced magnetism.
Triple only – P8: Space Physics Explore the formation of stars and their life cycles, as well as the orbits of planets and satellites.

Combined Science Grading

Year 10 Combined Science Curriculum Overview

Year 10 Combined Science Curriculum Overview Unit Unit Content
Term 1
B2: Organisation Explore the human digestive system which provides the body with nutrients and the respiratory system that provides it with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. Also, learn how the plant’s transport system is dependent on environmental conditions to ensure that leaf cells are provided with the water and carbon dioxide that they need for photosynthesis.
B4: Bioenergetics Explore how plants harness the Sun’s energy in photosynthesis in order to make food, and how both plants and animals harness the energy stored in glucose through respiration. We will also explore the factors that affect the rates of respiration, and photosynthesis, making links to units B1 and B2.
C3: Quantitative Chemistry Explore the use of quantitative analysis to determine amounts of substances, the formulae of compounds and balancing equations. Identify the different types of chemical reactions that allow chemists to make sense of how different chemicals react together, to establish patterns and to make predictions about the behaviour of other chemicals.
C4: Chemical Changes Explore how scientists understand chemical changes by undertaking chemical reactions in a planned and logical way. Identify ways to make predictions about what new substances can be made and discover how to work backwards to identify the building blocks of compounds.
P2: Electricity Explore the what is meant by current, potential difference and resistance by building series and parallel circuits. Determine Ohms law and discover the relationship between current, potential difference and resistance across different components of a circuit.
Term 2
B5: Homeostasis & Response Explore the structure and function of the nervous system and how it can bring about fast responses in our body. We will also explore the hormonal system which usually brings about much slower but longer lasting changes, and look at the mechanisms which enable these changes in the body. Explore in detail how our body regulates its internal conditions.
P5: Forces Explore and calculate the effects of the forces around them. Learn about Newtons laws, their application and how they are used by engineers. Discover the effects of forces on stopping distance, acceleration and momentum.
Term 3
C5: Energy Changes Explore the energy changes that can be observed in different types of reactions, and how heating and cooling affects the interactions between particles. Discover ways in which metals can be extracted using electrolysis, and how cells and batteries produce electricity.
C6: The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change Explore reversible reactions, and the rates of chemical reactions that are found in dynamic equilibrium. Discover how chemists can change reaction conditions to affect the outcomes and yields of chemical reactions.

 

Year 10 Triple Science Curriculum Overview

Year 10 Triple Science Curriculum Overview Unit Unit Content
Term 1
B2: Organisation Explore the human digestive system which provides the body with nutrients and the respiratory system that provides it with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. Also, learn how the plant’s transport system is dependent on environmental conditions to ensure that leaf cells are provided with the water and carbon dioxide that they need for photosynthesis.
B4: Bioenergetics Explore how plants harness the Sun’s energy in photosynthesis in order to make food, and how both plants and animals harness the energy stored in glucose through respiration. We will also explore the factors that affect the rates of respiration, and photosynthesis, making links to units B1 and B2.
C3: Quantitative Chemistry Explore the use of quantitative analysis to determine amounts of substances, the formulae of compounds and balancing equations. Identify the different types of chemical reactions that allow chemists to make sense of how different chemicals react together, to establish patterns and to make predictions about the behaviour of other chemicals.
C4: Chemical Changes Explore how scientists understand chemical changes by undertaking chemical reactions in a planned and logical way. Identify ways to make predictions about what new substances can be made and discover how to work backwards to identify the building blocks of compounds.
P2: Electricity Explore the what is meant by current, potential difference and resistance by building series and parallel circuits. Determine Ohms law and discover the relationship between current, potential difference and resistance across different components of a circuit.
P5: Forces Explore and calculate the effects of the forces around them. Learn about Newtons laws, their application and how they are used by engineers. Discover the effects of forces on stopping distance, acceleration and momentum.
Term 2
C5: Energy Changes Explore the energy changes that can be observed in different types of reactions, and how heating and cooling affects the interactions between particles. Discover ways in which metals can be extracted using electrolysis, and how cells and batteries produce electricity.
P6: Waves Explore the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, their wavelengths, frequencies and their uses. Discover the effects of reflection, refraction and wave properties.
B5: Homeostasis & Response Explore the structure and function of the nervous system and how it can bring about fast responses in our body. We will also explore the hormonal system which usually brings about much slower but longer lasting changes, and look at the mechanisms which enable these changes in the body. Explore in detail how our body regulates its internal conditions.
C6: The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change Explore reversible reactions, and the rates of chemical reactions that are found in dynamic equilibrium. Discover how chemists can change reaction conditions to affect the outcomes and yields of chemical reactions.
Term 3
B6: Inheritance, Variation & Evolution Discover genetics, variation generated by mutations in genetic material, the process of meiosis, and the associated genetic disorders. Explore Darwin’s theory of natural selection and how this leads into the evolution of a species over time. Learn about the Lineaus classification system.
C8: Chemical Analysis Explore the process by which to identify the makeup of substances using experimental analysis and practical techniques.
P7: Magnetism & Electromagnetism Explore the uses and effects of magnetic fields, permanent magnets and electromagnets. Discover how electromagnets are made, and how they can be used in the modern world. Learn about permanent and induced magnetism.

 

Year 11 Combined Science Curriculum Overview

Year 11 Combined Science Curriculum Overview Unit Unit Content
Term 1
B7: Ecology In this section we will explore how humans are threatening biodiversity as well as the natural systems that support it, and practice methods to collect data that supports our understanding. We will also consider some actions we need to take to ensure our future health, prosperity and well-being.
C6: The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change Explore reversible reactions, and the rates of chemical reactions that are found in dynamic equilibrium. Discover how chemists can change reaction conditions to affect the outcomes and yields of chemical reactions.
C7: Organic Chemistry Explore the chemistry of carbon compounds, fossil fuels, alkanes/alkenes, including their use in the petrochemical industry and their effect on the environment.
P6: Waves Explore the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, their wavelengths, frequencies and their uses. Discover the effects of reflection, refraction and wave properties.
Term 2
B6: Inheritance, Variation & Evolution Discover genetics, variation generated by mutations in genetic material, the process of meiosis, and the associated genetic disorders. Explore Darwin’s theory of natural selection and how this leads into the evolution of a species over time. Learn about the Lineaus classification system.
C8: Chemical Analysis Explore the process by which to identify the makeup of substances using experimental analysis and practical techniques.
C9: Chemistry of the Atmosphere Explore the chemistry that makes up the atmosphere and how human activity effects the chemistry of the atmosphere, and its implications.
P7: Magnetism & Electromagnetism Explore the uses and effects of magnetic fields, permanent magnets and electromagnets. Discover how electromagnets are made, and how they can be used in the modern world. Learn about permanent and induced magnetism.
Term 3
C10: Using Resources Explore the alternative methods of extracting metals, and how chemists can use chemical and biological processes to extract metals and create new useful substances.
Revision of previous units

 

Year 11 Triple Science Curriculum Overview

Year 11 Triple Science Curriculum Overview Unit Unit Content
Term 1
C6: The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change Explore reversible reactions, and the rates of chemical reactions that are found in dynamic equilibrium. Discover how chemists can change reaction conditions to affect the outcomes and yields of chemical reactions.
C7: Organic Chemistry Explore the chemistry of carbon compounds, fossil fuels, alkanes/alkenes, including their use in the petrochemical industry and their effect on the environment.
C8: Chemical Analysis Explore the process by which to identify the makeup of substances using experimental analysis and practical techniques.
P7: Magnetism & Electromagnetism Explore the uses and effects of magnetic fields, permanent magnets and electromagnets. Discover how electromagnets are made, and how they can be used in the modern world. Learn about permanent and induced magnetism.
Triple only – P8: Space Physics Explore the formation of stars and their life cycles, as well as the orbits of planets and satellites.
Term 2 C9: Chemistry of the Atmosphere Explore the chemistry that makes up the atmosphere and how human activity effects the chemistry of the atmosphere, and its implications.
C10: Using Resources Explore the alternative methods of extracting metals, and how chemists can use chemical and biological processes to extract metals and create new useful substances.
Revision of paper 2 units
Term 3 Revision of previous units