Science: Curriculum Intent
Science is ever changing, with new evidence and theories coming to light every day. Here at King’s Leadership Phoenix Academy students gain an understanding of the importance of science in their everyday lives. This will enable them to follow a career in science or give them the skills they need to follow alternative pathways. Science is the key to understanding the world around us.
Key Stage 3 Science at KLPA will give students the opportunity to learn the fundamentals and knowledge of science, required to be successful throughout their school lives. It will also equip them with skills needed should they wish to pursue science in the future. Our thematic approach makes science accessible to all students. Themes are based on real life situations that students will encounter throughout their lives. Themes will coincide with specific times of the year, e,g, seasons and events. For example, year 9 will study the science behind fireworks and explosions for the first term, alongside Bonfire night; year 7 will study the topic Understanding Snow as winter sets in during the second half term.
The aim is to instil high aspirations into all students so that they are engaged, enthused and ready for the next steps in their academy journey. We endeavour to provide a fully inclusive curriculum with stretch and challenge opportunities embedded into lessons. It is our aim to ensure students develop a deeper understanding of the scientific principles; integrating theory and practice.
The curriculum follows the National Curriculum for Science, however is set out into thematic topics, cross linking the three disciplines
Key Stage 4
Science for all
We believe that science has something to offer every student. That’s why we have a suite of science qualifications for Key Stage 4 – to suit students of all abilities and all aspirations. The subject content and required practicals in this specification are also in the specifications for GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This gives us the flexibility to deliver content to students and allow them to move between specifications - ones which they will learn at their parent schools.
AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy is interesting and relevant to all types of students. It ensures that:
There’s no better way to learn about science than through purposeful practical activities as part of day to day teaching and learning. There are 21 required practicals:
The King’s Leadership Phoenix Academy science curriculum has been developed to ensure that all students:
Science is ever changing, with new evidence and theories coming to light every day. Here at King’s Leadership Phoenix Academy students gain an understanding of the importance of science in their everyday lives. This will enable them to follow a career in science or give them the skills they need to follow alternative pathways. Science is the key to understanding the world around us.
Key Stage 3 Science at KLPA will give students the opportunity to learn the fundamentals and knowledge of science, required to be successful throughout their school lives. It will also equip them with skills needed should they wish to pursue science in the future. Our thematic approach makes science accessible to all students. Themes are based on real life situations that students will encounter throughout their lives. Themes will coincide with specific times of the year, e,g, seasons and events. For example, year 9 will study the science behind fireworks and explosions for the first term, alongside Bonfire night; year 7 will study the topic Understanding Snow as winter sets in during the second half term.
The aim is to instil high aspirations into all students so that they are engaged, enthused and ready for the next steps in their academy journey.
We endeavour to provide a fully inclusive curriculum with stretch and challenge opportunities embedded into lessons. It is our aim to ensure students develop a deeper understanding of the scientific principles; integrating theory and practice.
The curriculum follows the National Curriculum for Science, however is set out into thematic topics, cross linking the three disciplines. Their learning journey will cover the following themes:
Fireworks
Understanding Snow
Car Crash
Creation of Life
Electric Car
What a Catastrophe
Survival of the Fittest
Space
Carbon Zero Homes
Grow Your Own
Fireworks
Explosions
Hot Air Balloons
The History of Science
Organisms
We believe that science has something to offer every student. That’s why we have a suite of science qualifications for Key Stage 4 – to suit students of all abilities and all aspirations. The subject content gives us the flexibility to deliver content to students and allow them to move between specifications - ones which they will learn at their parent schools.
Over one thousand teachers have been involved in developing this specification, exams and resources. So you can be confident that our GCSE Biology is relevant and interesting to teach and to learn.
• the subject content is presented clearly, in a logical teaching order.
• the subject content and required practicals are also in the GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy, giving flexibility to move between courses should students return to their parent schools
• AQA GCSE Biology includes progression in the subject content and consistency in the exam questions, so that students have the best preparation for A-level, should they choose this pathway.
There’s no better way to learn about science than through purposeful practical activities as part of day to day teaching and learning. There are 10 required practicals:
• are clearly laid out in the specification, so you know exactly what’s required
• are deliberately open, so can be adapted teach in the way that suits students
• have already been trialled in schools.
AQA have improved their question papers. Exams now:
• use more straightforward language and fewer words so they’re easier to understand
• have fewer contexts so students don’t get confused
• have questions that increase in difficulty so students feel confident
• have been written with the GCSE Mathematics and A-level science teams, so students have consistency between content and questions.
Over 3,000 students have sat their specimen question papers and they agree that they’re clearer and more straightforward than ever.
1. Cell biology
2. Organisation
3. Infection and response
4. Bioenergetics
5. Homeostasis and response
6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
7. Ecology
8. Key ideas
Over one thousand teachers have been involved in developing this specification, exams and resources. So you can be confident that our GCSE Physics is relevant and interesting to teach and to learn.
• the subject content is presented clearly, in a logical teaching order.
• the subject content and required practicals are also in the GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy, giving flexibility to move between courses should students return to their parent schools
• AQA GCSE Physics includes progression in the subject content and consistency in the exam questions, so that students have the best preparation for A-level, should they choose this pathway.
There’s no better way to learn about science than through purposeful practical activities as part of day to day teaching and learning. There are 8 required practicals:
• are clearly laid out in the specification, so you know exactly what’s required
• are deliberately open, so can be adapted teach in the way that suits students
• have already been trialled in schools.
AQA have improved their question papers. Exams now:
• use more straightforward language and fewer words so they’re easier to understand
• have fewer contexts so students don’t get confused
• have questions that increase in difficulty so students feel confident
• have been written with the GCSE Mathematics and A-level science teams, so students have consistency between content and questions.
Over 3,000 students have sat their specimen question papers and they agree that they’re clearer and more straightforward than ever.
1. Energy
2. Electricity
3. Particle model of matter
4. Atomic structure
5. Forces
6. Waves
7. Magnetism and electromagnetism
8. Space physics (physics only)
AQA ELC Science is designed, as a qualification, to enable students to engage, explore, enjoy and succeed in science. By putting students at the heart of everything we do, our aim is to help shape success in science for every student. Entry Level Certificates (ELCs) are nationally recognised qualifications which give students the opportunity to achieve a certificated award. The ELC Science specification is co-teachable with GCSE Combined Sciences to suit students who are studying both qualifications. The assessment is on demand so our students can complete assignments when they are ready, alongside their GCSEs, helping to keep them motivated. Like all of AQA’s science qualifications, they use straightforward language in their tests to allow students to focus on the science and achieve the results they deserve.
As an approved Entry Level qualification, the ELC Science specification provides excellent progression to GCSE studies particularly in GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy and GCSE Combined Science: Synergy. The ELC provides flexibility, but on a clear progression pathway. It equips students with skills and knowledge transferable to both educational and career settings, and provides a worthwhile course for students of various ages and from diverse backgrounds in terms of general education and lifelong learning.
The specification comprises six components. Each component has two assessments: one externally set and one internally set.
The six components meet the Programme of Study Key Stage 4 requirements.
There are two different types of assessment.
Externally-set assignments (ESAs) consist of a short written test.
Teacher-devised assignments (TDAs) consist of a short piece of practical work.
Students studying Entry Level Certificate Science – Double Award must submit evidence for six Teacher-devised assignments plus six Externally-set assignments.
We believe that science has something to offer every student. That’s why we have a suite of science qualifications for Key Stage 4 – to suit students of all abilities and all aspirations. The subject content and required practicals in this specification are also in the specifications for GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics.This gives us the flexibility to deliver content to students and allow them to move between specifications - ones which they will learn at their parent schools.
• the biology, chemistry and physics content is presented clearly, in a logical teaching order.
• the subject content and required practicals are also in the biology, chemistry and physics GCSEs so students have the flexibility to move between courses, should their parent schools need to do this
• all our science qualifications provide opportunities for progression. Combined Science: Trilogy gives students the option to progress to A-levels in science or other subjects.
There’s no better way to learn about science than through purposeful practical activities as part of day to day teaching and learning. There are 21 required practicals:
• are clearly laid out in the specification, so you know exactly what’s required
• are deliberately open, so can be adapted teach in the way that suits students
• have already been trialled in schools.
1. Cell biology
2. Organisation
3. Infection and response
4. Bioenergetics
5. Homeostasis and response
6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
7. Ecology
8. Atomic structure and the periodic table
9. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
10. Quantitative chemistry
11. Chemical changes
12. Energy changes
13. The rate and extent of chemical change
14. Organic chemistry
15. Chemical analysis
16. Chemistry of the atmosphere
17. Using resources
18. Energy
19. Electricity
20. Particle model of matter
21. Atomic structure
22. Forces
23. Waves
24. Magnetism and electromagnetism
There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas.