Campion School
Science Curriculum Key Stage 3
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When students embark on their journey through Science at Campion we want them to be inquisitive, get hands on and enjoy their time in the department. Not only will students learn amazing facts about themselves and the world around them, but they will also develop practical and problem-solving skills needed throughout their lifetime. The development of these skills are the foundations for the first unit they will study (Introduction to Science). Within which they will learn how to construct a scientific investigation, what questions to ask in the first place, and how to analyse the data they produce. They will then go on to use and develop these skills within subsequent topic areas such as electricity, cells and atoms. All students will cover independent topic areas within Biology, Chemistry and Physics designed to lead towards the knowledge and skills required for the current 9-1 GCSE. There are three pathways in which science is taught at KS3 and this is dependent on sets.
Pathway 1 – Aspire Sets A1 and B1 in KS3 will follow a legacy GCSE style syllabus. We have designed a curriculum that extends our pupils to basic GCSE level but still covers the core concepts pupils learn in KS3 along with the fun practical side. All pupils following this pathway are provided with legacy Edexcel GCSE textbooks and will be exposed to GCSE exam questions in all assessments in order to develop their technique in readiness for starting the higher GCSE. KS3 Units Year 7 Introduction to Science Biology – Plant and Animal Systems and cells Chemistry – Atoms and the Periodic Table and Quantitative Chemistry Physics – Electricity and Forces Year 8 Biology – Health, Disease, Inheritance and responding to our environment Chemistry – Rocks, Metals, the Atmosphere and Fuels Physics – Waves, Energy, Electricity and Space
Pathway 2 – Engage In KS3 sets A2, B2, A3 and B3 will follow a purpose built KS3 curriculum that builds up to GCSE. This curriculum has been designed so pupils have the opportunity to explore science both inside and outside the classroom in order to nurture their own scientific curiosity. This curriculum ensures that all topics that are covered at GCSE level are introduced at KS3 so that no pupil starts their GCSE science with gaps in their knowledge. Pupils cover KS3 content in class supported by an Activate textbook and complete assessments using exam questions that use the same language as their book to develop confidence and confirm understanding of the subject. All pupils following this pathway are provided with Activate textbooks. KS3 Units Year 7 Introduction to Science Biology – Cells and Functions and Reproduction Chemistry – Particles, Kinetic Theory and Chemical Reactions Physics - Waves and Force Year 8 Biology – Ecology, Plants, Inheritance and Health Chemistry – Separating substances and Reacting metals and acids Physics – Electricity, Energy and Speed
Pathway 3 – Achieve Science can often be a new and challenging subject and at Campion we believe that science is a subject that can be enjoyed by all pupils. We acknowledge that some areas of science can be difficult for some pupils to access, with this in mind we have developed a curriculum that allows all pupils to access the subject and develop a deep understanding of the basic principles and techniques that they need to know to make sure they are GCSE ready. This pathway allows for more reinforcement and practice to aid content retention and is followed by pupils in set 4. This pathway is also supported the Activate textbook and assessments are made using the same language as the textbook to promote confidence and success in the subject.
KS3 Units Year 7 Introduction to Science Biology – Cells and Functions and Reproduction Chemistry – Particles, Kinetic Theory and Chemical Reactions Physics - Waves and Force Year 8 Biology – Ecology, Plants, Inheritance and Health Chemistry – Separating substances and Reacting metals and acids Physics – Electricity, Energy and Speed |