Curriculum Subject Information

Students learn Science at Framingham Earl in six fully equipped laboratory classrooms staffed by qualified Biology, Chemistry and Physics teachers. As a department we aim to engage and enthuse students about the natural world that surrounds them and the science that helps us understand it. Our purpose is to provide our students with the skills, knowledge and understanding to enable them to become scientifically literate citizens; to develop the understanding they have of science from primary school through to Year 7 where they will develop a sound foundation for an academically successful journey to Year 11 and potentially beyond. They will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills; and develop transferable skills for the world of work. 

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In Key Stage 3 students are taught the fundamentals of Biology, Chemistry and Physics with an emphasis on ‘How Science Works’. Our teaching techniques focus on developing a broad knowledge base in the three science subjects. To support this our lessons focus on the retrieval of knowledge, independent practice of newly gained knowledge and regular questioning. Additionally, students will develop have the opportunity to take part in computer-based research and investigation, practical science activities, group discussion, role play and question and answer sessions.

In Key Stage 3 topics are taught on a rotation basis. This means students won’t necessarily study the topics in the order listed below.

Key Stage 3

Year 7

Term	Content	Assessment
Autumn Term	Lab safety Particle model Cells, tissues, organs & organ systems Energy Muscles & bones Atoms & elements	Students are given a multiple-choice quiz at the end of each unit.   At the end of each term (approximately) students complete a test that covers the 3 units they have been taught.
Spring Term	Forces Sexual reproduction Mixtures & separations Sound
Summer Term	Ecosystems Acids & Alkalis Electricity

Year 8

Term	Content	Assessment
Autumn Term	Food & nutrition Combustion Fluids Breathing & respiration Periodic table	Students are given a multiple-choice quiz at the end of each unit.   At the end of each term (approximately) students complete a test that covers the 3 units they have been taught.
Spring Term	Light Plants & reproduction Metals & their uses Energy transfers
Summer Term	Unicellular organisms Rock cycle Earth & space

Year 9

Term	Content	Assessment
Autumn Term	Core skills Energy Key concepts of biology Periodic table Radioactivity	At the end of each unit, students are given one test to assess their knowledge recall and application. This is a combination of multiple -choice questions and exam questions.
Spring Term	Enzymes and nutrition Mixtures and separating Motion Evolution
Summer Term	Chemical bonding Genetic modification Property of chemical bonds

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Key Stage 4

During Key Stage 4 students study for the separate Science qualifications at GCSE level following the Edexcel syllabuses.  This course means students will gain three separate GCSEs, one in Biology, one in Chemistry and one in Physics. Students can be entered for a higher or foundation level for the exams and this decision is finalised in the January of Year 11. 

Students in Year 10 and 11 will build upon solid GCSE preparatory study undertaken in Key Stage 3. Lessons are spent exploring concepts, undertaking a broad range of experiments and analysing scientific data. Practical work will ensure that students are made deeply familiar with the 24 core scientific procedures that are subject to specific exam questions. Students will have completed comprehensive workbooks designed to thoroughly teach and assess understanding of the core practicals.

Internal assessment includes regular testing and guided re-cap of scientific knowledge. All students complete regular added formative tasks exploring key concepts. These help extend learning and consolidate understanding of important bodies of scientific knowledge.

The following tables outline the curriculum for Year 10 and Year 11.

Year 10 Biology

Year 10 Biology	Content	Assessment
Autumn Term	Cells and control Genetics	At the end of each unit, students are given one test to assess their knowledge recall and application. This is a combination of multiple choice questions and exam questions.
Spring Term	Health & disease
Summer Term	Ecosystems Revision for end of year test

Year 10 Chemistry

Year 10 Chemistry	Content	Assessment
Autumn Term	Reviewing the atom   Acids, bases & calculations	At the end of each unit, students are given one test to assess their knowledge recall and application. This is a combination of multiple choice questions and exam questions.
Spring Term	Reactivity & metals   Electrolysis
Summer Term	Further chemistry   Revision for end of year test

Year 10 Physics

Year 10 Physics	Content	Assessment
Autumn Term	Waves   Electromagnetic spectrum Forces	At the end of each unit, students are given one test to assess their knowledge recall and application. This is a combination of multiple choice questions and exam questions.
Spring Term	Forces & energy
Summer Term	Astronomy   Revision for end of year test

Year 11 Biology                       

Year 11 Biology	Content	Assessment
Autumn Term	Plant structures & photosynthesis   Animal co-ordination, control & homeostasis	At the end of each unit, students are given one test to assess their knowledge recall and application.
Spring Term	Exchange and transport in animals   Ecosystems and material cycles
Summer Term	Examination prep

 

Year 11 Chemistry

Year 11 Chemistry	Content	Assessment
Autumn Term	Atomic structure review   Groups & reactions   Earth & atmosphere	At the end of each unit, students are given one test to assess their knowledge recall and application.
Spring Term	Hydrocarbons   Further chemistry
Summer Term	Examination prep

Year 11 Physics

Year 11 Physics	Content	Assessment
Autumn Term	Electricity   Magnetism & electromagnetism	At the end of each unit, students are given one test to assess their knowledge recall and application.
Spring Term	Particle model   Forces & matter
Summer Term	Examination prep

Our exam board is Edexcel:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/sciences-2016.html