Science

Curriculum

Combined Science

GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy) is the basic all-round science course suitable for all abilities and learning styles. It covers all of the core concepts needed for an understanding of science in the real world and is the course choice for those who want to keep their options open.  This GCSE Science option is taken by the majority of students. It builds on the Key Stage 3 curriculum and covers the National Curriculum Programme of Study for Science at Key Stage 4. It encourages students to explore, explain, theorise and model in science and develops a critical approach to scientific evidence.

Separate Sciences

GCSE Triple Award Science covers the separate GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics content. Our route ensures a thorough and in-depth preparation for further study into any area of Science at Post 16
The course is academically demanding and a certain level of scientific attainment and independent learning is essential.

Curriculum overview

Aspects of Science are covered within the L4L curriculum.

Year 7 L4L Themes:

  • Journey to the Centre of the Earth
  • iRobot
  • Water
  • Silent Movies

Aspects of Science are covered within the L4L curriculum.

Year 8 L4L Themes:

  • Pudding Lane 
  • Grand Designs 
  • Da Vinci

Please note, additional knowledge related to Triple Science has been highlighted in bold italic text within the overview.

 

 Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 
7 Crime Scenes: 
– Investigate a crime scene and use evidence to find the culprit using the following topics: 
– Paper chromatography 
– Extracting DNA 
– Distance time graphs 
 
Matter: 
– The particle model 
– States of matter and changes in state 
– Cooling Curves – steric acid 
– Diffusion 
– Gas Pressure 
– Pure substances and mixtures 
– Evaporation and distillation 
– Chromatography 
Cells and Organisation: 
– Levels or organisation 
– Plant and animal cells 
– Unicellular organisms 
– Specialised cells 
– Observing cells 
– Skeletal System 
– Muscles and movement 
– Movement of substances 
Introduction to Forces: 
– Introduction to forces 
– Balanced and unbalanced forces 
– Calculating speed 
– Distance time graphs 
– Gravity 
 
Energy: 
– Energy in food 
– Energy resources 
– Energy and power 
– Energy transfers 
– Energy dissipation 
Energy: 
– Energy in food 
– Energy resources 
– Energy and power 
– Energy transfers 
– Energy dissipation 
 
Ecology: 
– Food chains and webs 
– Disruption to food chains and webs 
– Ecosystems 
– Competition 
– Flowers and Pollination 
– Fertilisation and Pollination 
– Seed Dispersal 
Sound and Light: 
– Sound waves and speed 
– Frequency and amplitude 
– Sound waves and energy 
– The ear and hearing 
– Light 
– Reflection 
– Refraction 
– The eye 
– Colour 
Sound and Light: 
– Sound waves and speed 
– Frequency and amplitude 
– Sound waves and energy 
– The ear and hearing 
– Light 
– Reflection 
– Refraction 
– The eye 
– Colour 
 
Acids and Alkali: 
– Acids and Alkali 
– Indicators and pH 
– Acid strength 
– Neutralisation 
– Making salts 
8 Acids and Alkali: 
– Acids and Alkali 
– Indicators and pH 
– Acid strength 
– Neutralisation 
– Making salts 
 
Reproduction: 
– Variation 
– Animal adaptions 
– Adolescence 
– Reproductive system 
– Fertilisation 
– A new life 
– Menstrual cycle 
Sound and Light: 
– Sound waves and speed 
– Frequency and amplitude 
– Sound waves and energy 
– The ear and hearing 
– Light 
– Reflection 
– Refraction 
– The eye 
– Colour 
Chemical Reactions: 
– Chemical Reactions 
– More about Elements 
– Chemical reactions of metals and non-metals 
– Metals and acids 
– Metals and Oxygen 
– Metals and water 
– Displacement Reactions 
 
Electromagnets: 
– Magnets and magnetic fields 
– Electromagnets 
– Using electromagnets 
Forces and pressure: 
– Friction and drag 
– Squashing and stretching 
– Moments 
– Pressure in gasses  
– Pressure in liquids 
– Pressure in solids 
 
Earth and the Atmosphere: 
– Global warming 
– The carbon cycle 
– Climate change 
– Extracting metals 
– Recycling 
The Periodic Table: 
– Elements and atoms 
– Periodic table 
– Group 1 
– Group 0 and 7 
– Compounds 
– Chemical formulae  
– Ceramics and polymers 
Human Biology: 
– Gas exchange 
– Breathing 
– Smoking and alcohol 
– Drugs 
– Nutrients and unhealthy diet 
– Food tests 
– Digestive system 
9 Energetics: 
– Atoms in a chemical reaction 
– Conservation of mass 
– Exothermic and endothermic reactions 
– Combustion 
– Thermal decomposition 
– Energy level diagrams 
– Bond energies 
 
Inheritance and Variation: 
– Natural Selection 
– Charles Darwin 
– Extinction 
– Preserving Biodiversity 
– Inheritance 
– DNA 
– Genes 
– Genetic Modification 
 
Earth and the Atmosphere: 
– Global warming 
– The carbon cycle 
– Climate change 
– Extracting metals 
– Recycling 
 
Waves: 
– Sound waves, water waves and energy 
– Radiation and energy 
– Modelling waves 
Bioenergetics: 
– Aerobic respiration 
– Anaerobic respiration 
– Fermentation 
– Biotechnology 
– Photosynthesis 
– Leaves 
– Investigating photosynthesis 
– Plant minerals 
 
Transferring Energy: 
– Work done and machines 
– Energy and temperature 
– Energy transfer: conduction and convection 
– Radiation 
 
Human Biology: 
– Gas exchange 
– Breathing 
– Smoking and alcohol 
– Drugs 
– Nutrients and unhealthy diet 
– Food tests 
– Digestive system 
Electromagnets: 
– Magnets and magnetic fields 
– Electromagnets 
– Uses of electromagnets 
 
Forces: 
– Introduction to forces 
– Mass and weight 
– Resultant forces 
– Newtons first law 
– Newtons second law 
– Newtons third law 
– Distance time graphs 
 
Cell Biology:  
– Animal and plant cells 
– Investigating cells with a microscope 
– Specialised cells 
– Discovering cells and DNA 
 
Periodic Table of Elements and Atomic Structure: 
– Atomic structure 
– Group 1 metals 
– Group 7 and group 0 
– Writing formulae 
– Conservation of mass 
– Balancing equations 
– Making salts 
Organ Systems:  
– Circulatory system 
– Respiratory system 
– Reproductive system 
– Nervous system 
 
Chemistry investigative skills: 
– Writing a method 
– Planning a risk assessment 
– Designing a results table 
– Collecting data 
– Data processing 
– Data analysis 
 
Electricity:  
– Symbols and charge 
– Current 
– Potential difference 
– Resistance 
– Series circuits and parallel circuits 
Plant Biology:  
– Photosynthesis 
– Plant anatomy and leaf structure 
– Plant adaptations 
– Flowers and pollination 
– Fertilisation and germination 
– Food production 
 
Physics investigative skills:  
– Writing a method 
– Planning a risk assessment 
– Designing a results table 
– Collecting data 
– Data processing 
– Data analysis 
Matter:  
– Atoms, elements and compounds 
– Pure and impure substances 
– Separating mixtures 
– Purifying water 
– Chromatography 
 
Energy:  
– Energy stores and systems 
– Energy transfers 
– Dissipation and reducing unwanted energy transfers 
– Calculating energy efficiency 
– Renewable energy 
– Non-renewable energy 
 
Biology Investigative skills: 
– Writing a method 
– Planning a risk assessment 
– Designing a results table 
– Collecting data 
– Data processing 
– Data analysis  
10 

Atomic Structure: 
– Atoms, elements and compounds 
– Formulae and equations 
– Mixtures 
– Development of the model of the atom 
– Sub-atomic particles, changes and masses 
– Isotopes 
– Electronic structures 
– Periodic table 
– Developing the periodic table 
– Physical and chemical properties of metals and non-metals 
– Exploring group 0 
– Exploring group 1 
– Exploring group 7 
– Properties of transition metals 
 
Cell Biology: 
– Animal and plant cells 
– Prokaryotes and eukaryotes 
– Specialised cells 
– Microscopy 
– Magnification and microscopy 
– Mitosis and the cell cycle 
– Stem cells 
– Cell Organisation 
– Cancer 
– Aerobic respiration 
– Anaerobic respiration in muscles and plants 
– Response to exercise 

In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following: 
– Growing microorganisms  
– Testing new antibiotics 
– Investigating disinfectants 

 
Energy: 
– Energy stores and systems 
– Changes in energy 
– Power 
– Conservation of energy 
– Work done 
– Specific heat capacity 
– Conduction and convection 
– Reducing energy transfers 
– Insulation  
– Efficiency 
– Non-renewable energy resources 
– Renewable energy resources 
 
Photosynthesis: 
– Explaining photosynthesis 
– Investigating leaves 
– Factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis 
– Investigating photosynthesis 
– Increasing food production 
– Transpiration 
– Translocation 

Bonding, structure and the properties of matter: 
– Atomic structure and bonding 
– Ionic bonding 
– Properties of ionic compounds 
– Covalent bonding and dot-cross diagrams 
– Metallic bonding and properties 
– Alloys 
– Properties of small covalent molecules 
– Giant covalent structures – diamond 
– Giant covalent graphite – graphite 
– Giant covalent structures – graphene and fullerenes 

In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following: 
– Nanoparticles 

 
Electricity: 
– Circuit symbols, electrical charge and current 
– Potential difference 
– Series and parallel circuits 
– Resistors 
– Thermistors and LDRs 
– Current potential difference and resistance calculations in circuits 
– Control circuits 
– Direct and alternating potential difference and mains electricity 
– Power and energy transfers 
– The national grid 
– Transformers 

In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following: 
– Static electricity 
– Electric fields 

 
Quantitative Chemistry: 
– Law of conservation of mass and balanced equations 
– Relative formula mass 
– Moles (HT) 
– Amounts of substances in equations (HT) 
– Limiting reactants (HT) 
– Using moles to balance equations (HT) 
– Concentration of solutions (HT) 

In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following: 
– Percentage yield 
– Atom economy 
– Titrations 
– Amount of substance in relation to volume of gas 

Particle Model of Matter: 
– Intro to particle model (particle model, how to draw it), Density 
– Changes of state and internal energy 
– Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity 
– Changes of state and specific latent heat 
– Particle motion in gasses 
 
Organisation: 
– Diffusion 
– Osmosis 
– Active Transport 
– Surface Area 
– Gas Exchange Surfaces 
– Enzymes 
– Digestive System 
– Digestive Enzymes 
– Structure of the Heart 
– Blood and Blood Vessels 
– Coronary Heart Disease 
 
Chemical Changes: 
– pH scale and neutralisation 
– Strong and Weak acids 
– Reactions of acids with metals 
– Making Salts 
– Reactivity Series 
– Oxidation and reduction in terms of electrons 
– Metal Oxides and extraction of metals 
– Introduction to electrolysis 
– Electrolysis of molten ionic compounds 
– Electrolysis of aqueous solutions 
– Required practical: Electrolysis of aqueous solutions 
– Extraction of aluminium using electrolysis 
Chemical Changes: 
– pH scale and neutralisation 
– Strong and Weak acids 
– Reactions of acids with metals 
– Making Salts 
– Reactivity Series 
– Oxidation and reduction in terms of electrons 
– Metal Oxides and extraction of metals 
– Introduction to electrolysis 
– Electrolysis of molten ionic compounds 
– Electrolysis of aqueous solutions 
– Extraction of aluminium using electrolysis 
 
Atomic Structure: 
– The structure of an atom 
– Mass number, atomic number and isotopes 
– Development of the model of the atom 
– Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation 
– Nuclear equations 
– Half lives and the random nature of radioactive decay 
– Radioactive contamination 
 
Energy Changes: 
– Endothermic and exothermic reactions 
– Reaction profiles 
– Energy change of reactions (Bond Energies) 
 
Infection and Response: 
– Health and Risk Factors 
– Studying Bacterial Diseases 
– Studying Viral Diseases 
– Studying Fungal Diseases 
– Malaria (A Protist Disease) 
– Protecting the Body 
– White Blood Cells 
– Vaccines 
– Antibiotics and Painkillers 
– Making New Drugs 
Forces: 
– Forces – Scalars, vectors, contact, non-contact and resultant 
– Distance and displacement 
– Speed 
– Velocity 
– Distance time graphs 
– Acceleration 
– Velocity-time graphs (+ tangents) 
– Calculations and motion (v2-u2 = 2 x a x s) 
– Weight, Mass (plus centre of mass) and Gravity 
– Resultant forces 
– Newtons first law 
– Newton’s second law 
– Terminal velocity 
– Newtons third law 
– Momentum  
– Keeping safe on the road, braking distance and reaction times 
– Forces and energy in springs (Hooke’s Law) 
Rate and Extent of Chem Reactions: 
– Collision Theory 
– Calculating rate of reaction 
– Factors affecting rates of reactions 
– Reversible reactions and energy changes 
– Equilibrium 
– Effect of changing concentration and temperature on equilibrium  
– The effect of changing pressure on equilibrium 2 
 
Homeostasis and Response: 
– Homeostasis 
– The Nervous System 
– Reflex Actions 
– The Endocrine System 
– Controlling Blood Glucose 
– Diabetes 
– Negative Feedback (Thyroxine and Adrenaline) 
– Human Reproduction 
– Contraception 
– IVF 
11 

Forces: 
– Motion 
– Forces (scalars, vectors, contact and non-contact forces) 
– Speed, velocity, distance time graphs 
– Acceleration 
– Velocity time graphs 
– Motion calculations 
– Weight, masa and gravity 
– Resultant forces 
– Newtons first law 
– Newtons second law 
– Investigating acceleration of an object 
– Terminal velocity 
– Newtons third law 
– Keeping safe on the road, breaking distance and reaction time 
– Hooke’s law 

In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following: 
– Momentum 
– Changes in momentum 
– Moments 
– Levers and gears 
– Pressure in a fluid 

 
Homeostasis and Response: 
– Homeostasis and Response 
– The nervous system 
– Reflect actions 
– Reaction time 
– The endocrine system 
– Controlling blood glucose 
– Diabetes 
– Human reproduction 
– Contraception 
– IVF (HT) 

In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following: 
– The brain 
– The eye 
– Seeing in focus 
– Eye defects 
– Controlling body temperature 
– Water balance 
– The kidneys 
– Kidney failure 
– Dialysis and kidney transplants 
– Auxins 
– Factors effecting plant growth 
– Plant hormones 

 
Rate and Extend of Chemical Reactions: 
– Collision theory 
– Measuring the rate of reaction 
– Calculating rate of reaction 
– Factors effecting rates of reaction 
– Reversable reactions and energy changes 
– Equilibrium 
– Effect of changing concentration and temperature on equilibrium (HT) 
– Effect of changing pressure on equilibrium (HT) 

Organic Chemistry: 
– Crude oil, hydrocarbons and alkanes 
– Properties of hydrocarbons 
– Fractional distillation and petrochemicals 
– Alkenes 
– Cracking 
– Combustion 

In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following: 
– Structure and reaction of alkenes 
– Alcohols 
– Carboxylic acids 
– Addition polymerisation 
– Condensation polymerisation 
– DNA and amino acids 

 
Chemical Analysis: 
– Pure substances and mixtures 
– Formulations 
– Chromatography 
– Testing for gasses 

In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following: 
– Flame tests 
– Metal hydroxides 
– Test for halides 
– Test for carbonates and sulphates 
– Testing for ions 
– Flame emission spectroscopy 

 
Inheritance: 
– DNA, genes and the human genome 
– Meiosis 
– Asexual and sexual reproduction 
– Genetics 
– Genetic crosses 
– Tracking gene disorders 

In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following: 
– DNA structure 
– Proteins 
– Mutations 
– Gregor Mendel 

 
Waves: 
– Transverse and longitudinal waves 
– Properties of waves 
– Measuring and wavelength, frequency and speed of waves 
– Types of electromagnetic waves and properties 
– Properties of electromagnetic waves 
– Uses and applications of electromagnetic waves 

In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following: 
– Reflection of waves 
– Investigate the reflection or light by different types of surfaces and the refraction of light by different substances 
– Sound waves 
– Waves for detection and exploration 
– Lenses 
– Visible light 
– Black body radiation 

 
Chemistry of the Atmosphere: 
– Earth’s early atmosphere 
– Greenhouse gasses and climate change 
– Atmospheric pollutants from fuels 

Variation and Evolution: 
– Variation 
– Theory of Evolution 
– Origin of Species (Natural Selection) 
– Antimicrobial Resistance 
– Selective Breeding 
– Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Crops  
– Fossil Evidence and Extinction 
– Classification 
 
Electromagnetism:  
– Poles of a magnet, compasses 
– Magnetic fields (combined with lesson 1 for HT and Triple) 
– Electromagnetism 
– Flemmings left hand rule 
– Magnetic Flux density 
– Electric motors 
 
Using Resources:  
– Using the Earth’s resources and sustainable development 
– Potable water 
– Required Practical: Analysis and purification of water samples 
– Waste water treatment 
– Alternative methods of metal extraction  
– Life cycle assessment and recycling 
 
Ecology: 
– Ecosystems 
– Biotic and Abiotic Factors 
– Competing for Resources 
– Food Chains and Food Webs 
– Adaptations in Animals 
– Adaptations in Plants 
– The Water Cycle 
– The Carbon Cycle 
– Land Use 
– Deforestation 
– Global Warming 
– Waste Management and Pollution 
– Maintaining Biodiversity 
Mock examinations 
Embedding disciplinary knowledge 
Embedding disciplinary knowledge  

KS4 COURSE

WHAT CAN SCIENCE LEAD TO?

(Combined Science) GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy) gives you a good grounding in Science. Success in Combined Science can provide access to A-Level Science courses, including Applied Science, Applied and Human Biology and Psychology. In the long term, if you decide to pursue your scientific studies, it can lead to an almost limitless number of job opportunities. Highly qualified scientists are very much in demand and their skills are required in many jobs. 

(Separate Sciences) Provided the required grades are attained at the end of the course, GCSE Triple Award Science provides a basis for studying A-level Science courses; as a general rule a GCSE grade 6 is required.
Students who achieve Grade 5 will be offered the opportunity to study our BTEC (Level 3) qualifications Applied Science or Applied and Human Biology
Examples of careers that GCSE Triple Award Science may lead to are: 

  • Medical Sciences 
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences 
  • Pathology 
  • Forensic Sciences 
  • Engineering 
  • Environmental Sciences 
  • Research Science 

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

(Combined Science) The Combined Science GCSE is examined by six 1 hour 15 min written examinations, each of which is worth 16.7%. There are two examinations on each subject – Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each examination paper will include multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response questions. There are 21 required practical’s that are delivered throughout the course. There will be questions relating to these practical’s on the written examination papers.

(Separate Sciences) GCSE Triple Award Science students will sit all of their Science exams at the end of Year 11. Students will receive separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and will be graded using the 9-1 system.

The three GCSE Sciences will be taught in a parallel way, offering a flexible solution to gaining the Science qualifications required for a variety of Post 16 Science courses.

There are no Controlled Assessments; instead there are required practicals that are completed throughout normal Key Stage 4 Science lessons and are then examined as a part of the examinations at the end of Year 11. Students will be regularly assessed throughout Key Stage Four; this information will be used by Science staff to inform progress in relation to Target Grades and also tier of entry.

WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED?

(Combined Science) Mathematics skills are now included in the assessment of all GCSE science qualifications. A minimum percentage of marks must be allocated to assessing mathematical skills at an appropriate level of difficulty, in line with new rules and guidance from the Department for Education.

Basic Practical skills developed in KS3 will be needed to complete a series of ‘required practicals’, which all students must complete over the duration of the course, and which are tested along with theoretical science content in the six examinations.

(Separate Sciences) Due to the demands of the course a student must have achieved level 6 consistently throughout Key Stage 3 Science.
Students must have also demonstrated a good academic ability within their KS3 Mathematics and English.
Students not fulfilling this criterion will be offered the choice of GCSE Double Award Combined Science.

Students will be expected to work independently and continually act upon the feedback of their classroom teacher in order to make the progress that is required of them. There is an expectation that students will complete all class and home work to the best of their ability as well as reading around the subject and attending Study Support in order to enhance their classroom experience.

Miss Fitzpatrick

Head of Department

Completed a BSc in Applied and Human Biology with Hons at Aston University. Has taught at Shireland Collegiate Academy since 2014 and led the Science department since 2017.