Science

Mr Christopher Phillips

Mr Martyn Wood

Mrs Jeni Mason

An analysis of the material world from atomic building blocks to universal bodies.  

Curriculum Intent 

The intent of our Science curriculum is to empower every student to think and act as a skilled, knowledgeable, and cultured scientist. We are committed to providing an ambitious, knowledge-rich education which is inclusive of all students, that not only prepares students for further academic study and STEM careers but also fosters a lifelong curiosity about the natural world. 

Our curriculum is deliberately sequenced as a spiral, informed by the best evidence-based model of science teaching from the STEM Learning Centre in York. This approach ensures that foundational knowledge, securely established in Key Stage 3, is systematically revisited and built upon throughout Key Stage 4. This structured progression allows students to deepen their understanding by connecting new learning to prior knowledge, moving from concrete concepts to complex abstract principles with confidence. 

We intend that, through their journey in our department: 

1. Our scientists develop a deep knowledge of relevant modern scientific principles. They acquire a secure, interconnected understanding of the core concepts in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, enabling them to explain the world around them through a scientific lens. 

2. Our scientists aim for mastery over their skills and knowledge. We foster a culture of high expectations where students are challenged to achieve fluency in both scientific theory and practical investigation, striving for excellence in all they do. 

3. Our scientists are cultured investigators. They appreciate the historical context of scientific discovery and understand how science is a global, human endeavour. They are equipped to critically evaluate scientific claims they encounter in society and the media. 

4. Our scientists are enriched by the opportunity to interact with the scientific community. Through partnerships with universities, STEM ambassadors, and national competitions, we provide authentic experiences that bring science to life and illuminate the diverse pathways within the scientific world. 

5. Our scientists question what it means to be a scientist in the 21st century. We encourage students to engage with contemporary ethical issues, such as climate change, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence, developing their understanding of the social and moral responsibilities of science. 

6. Our scientists communicate their ideas using science-specific vocabulary. We explicitly teach and model the precise use of technical language, empowering students to articulate their reasoning with clarity and confidence, both in writing and orally. 

7. Our scientists are responsive to their own learning and are always striving to improve. Through regular, formative feedback and metacognitive strategies, we cultivate resilient and reflective learners who take ownership of their progress and understand how to improve. 

Ultimately, our curriculum is designed to ensure that every student leaves our school not just with a set of qualifications, but as a scientifically literate individual, prepared to engage with, contribute to, and question the scientific and technological world they inhabit. 

Note on Curriculum Delivery: The 15 Big Ideas 

To give conceptual coherence and intellectual rigour to our spiral curriculum, the delivery of content is structured around the 15 Big Ideas of Science. These overarching themes form the fundamental pillars of scientific understanding and provide a logical framework that connects knowledge across the traditional disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. 

Our curriculum is designed to ensure students encounter, revisit, and master these ideas throughout their journey: 

• The Cellular Basis of Life 

• Heredity and Life Cycles 

• Organisms and Their Environment 

• Variation, Adaptation and Evolution 

• Health and Disease 

• Substances and Properties 

• Particles and Structure 

• Chemical Reactions 

• Earth Chemistry 

• Dynamic Earth 

• Matter 

• Forces and Motion 

• Sound, Light and Waves 

• Electricity and Magnetism 

• Earth in Space 

By organising our teaching around these Big Ideas, we move beyond a simple collection of facts. We empower our students to see the interconnectedness of scientific knowledge, enabling them to think like true scientists and apply their understanding to new and complex challenges. 

Links to CARES values 

1. Courage 

Studying science often involves tackling challenging concepts, conducting experiments that may not go as planned, and asking bold questions. It takes courage to embrace failure as part of learning. 

2. Aspiration 

Science opens doors to countless careers and innovations. It inspires aspiration by showing students the possibilities of becoming doctors, engineers, researchers, or environmentalists, encouraging curiosity about the world and how it works and motivating students to aim high and pursue solutions to global challenges like climate change or disease. 

3. Respect 

Science teaches respect in multiple ways, such as; respect for differing viewpoints and peer collaboration, respect for the natural world and the impact humans have on it. 

4. Equality 

Science promotes equality by being accessible to all students, regardless of background and highlighting diverse scientists and their contributions. 

5. Self-Control 

Scientific inquiry requires self-control through, patience in conducting experiments and collecting data, discipline in following procedures and safety rules and critical thinking rather than impulsive conclusions. 

Links to British Values 

Science encourages democratic principles through: Group work and collaboration, where every student’s voice and ideas are valued. Science reinforces the importance of rules by exploring how laws (e.g. environmental regulations, health and safety standards) are informed by scientific research. Science supports individual liberty by encouraging students to explore their own interests within the subject. Science fosters mutual respect through understanding the impact of science on society and respecting differing opinions on controversial topics. Its study encourages students to consider multiple perspectives, especially in areas where science and belief systems intersect. 

Links to Careers 

There are many careers that are linked to studying Science, some of these are: 

• Biomedical Scientist 

• Environmental Engineer 

• Pharmacist 

• Forensic Scientist 

• Astrophysicist 

Enhanced Provision 

At Ks3 we offer enrichment trips to universities and national science fairs, in addition to a weekly STEM club and gardening club. At Ks4 we offer extra study support to help to prepare students for their external examinations. 

Learning Journey 

Link to document - Science 

Ks3 Curriculum overview 

Link to Document - Science

Ks4  

Curriculum  

overview 

Link to document - Science