Science - KS3

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KS3 Science at SJB lays the groundwork for scientific understanding by encouraging students to explore, experiment, and make sense of the world around them. Through hands-on activities, real-life contexts, and collaborative learning, students develop the confidence to ask questions, think critically, and solve problems. Our curriculum nurtures a lifelong interest in science and prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of further study.

Science Curriculum Map

Catholic Social Teaching Principles in Science

 

All students in KS3 are guided through the use of our mastery grids which provide structured support for our learners to reflect on their progress with key scientific areas of progress and skills.

At the end of each topic, students have a low stakes online assessment that identifies areas of strength but also any gaps that the teacher can skillfully address quickly.

Each year group, will have 3 cumulative exams that are spread through each of the terms. It is through these that they are able to showcase their understanding and application of multiple topics studied previously so again teachers can praise and intervene where necessary.

Year 7 Assessment Mastery GridYear 8 Assessment Mastery GridYear 9 Assessment Mastery Grid

In year 7 students are exposed to all three disciplines of science Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Scientific skills are woven in to our curriculum right from the start of year 7.  Students will build on these throughout KS3 to ensure they are confident and successful practical scientists read for KS4 science.

Our year 7 Biology topics are:

Topic Overview
Cell structure

Looks at how we classify things as living and what each living organism contains
Movement

Examines the skeletal and muscular system, looking at how they work together to create movement, students will receive the opportunity to dissect a chicken wing to see how bones and muscles work together
Reproduction

Students learn about the reproductive system of males, females and plants and how they are used to create new life
Ecosystems

Students explore what constitutes an ecosystem and explore the factors that can change them

Our year 7 Chemistry topics are:

Topic Overview
Building blocks of matter

This topic looks at the particle model for solids, liquids and gases and how this can be change
Separation and Classification

This subject gives students plenty of hands-on experience in using lab apparatus to separate chemical substances.
Solutions

Students will find out what constitutes a solution and will get experience with working with chemicals in a laboratory
Acids and Alkalis

This topic explores the differences between acids and alkalis and how they react with other substances
Planet protectors

Gives students the chance to explore the different ways humans have impacted the planet and what can be done to help it in the future

Our year 7 Physics topics are:

Topic Overview
Different forces

Students will learn some different types of forces and the interactions they have on the world
Pressure and Density This unit explores the ways that particles interact with objects and how this can change with volume and mass, students will begin using formulas to calculate values
Energy stores and transfers Examines the different ways energy can be found and how energy can move from one store to another
Electricity

Students learn the basics of electricity and will begin constructing circuits and using equipment to measure values in circuits

 

Science in year 8 continues to build on the knowledge they have learnt in year 7 and develops their scientific approach. As with Year 7 science is taught as one whole subject alternating between the different disciplines to expose children to a whole range of scientific ideas.

Year 8 Biology topics:

Topic Overview
Organ systems

Students learn about various organ systems in the human body, how they function and what is needed to keep them healthy
Biological reactions

Pupils explore different reactions essential for life including respiration and photosynthesis
The producers

This unit focuses on plants, how they grow and how they can be used in the modern world.
DNA and Variation A topic introducing what DNA is and how it affects characteristics
Diseases This unit explores the different ways diseases are transmitted and how the human body can fight infection

Year 8 Chemistry topics:

Topic Overview
Chemical fluency

This unit re-enforces key ideas of chemistry whilst introducing the periodic table and how it is arranged
Metal and Earth’s resources

Students learn what constitutes a metal, how they are extracted and how they can be used
Chemical reactions This topic allows students to get hands on experience working with chemicals and recording results for various types of reactions
Planet Chemistry

This unit gives students an introduction into what chemicals make up our atmosphere and how they interact with each other

Year 8 Physics topics:

Topic Overview
Light Students learn the different properties of light, how we see colour and there is an opportunity to dissect an eye
Sound

This unit teaches students how sound is produced and why we can hear different sounds
Earth and space

Students learn about various planets in the solar system, what lies beyond our galaxy. This unit has a research and presentation element to allow students to grow in confidence in public speaking
Magnets and electromagnets

This topic gives students an insight into the properties of magnets and how electromagnets can be made

By Year 9, students have developed a strong foundation in essential scientific concepts. At this stage, the three disciplines—Biology, Chemistry, and Physics—are taught as distinct subjects, each with its own dedicated book. The curriculum focuses on deepening students’ understanding and mastery of key ideas, providing the skills and confidence needed to thrive as they progress into KS4 and beyond.

Year 9 Biology topics:

Topic Overivew
Evolution

Students encounter variation in ecosystems and how the theory of evolution was formed.
Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic cells This unit teaches students the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes as well as explorative practical’s involving cells
Digestion and Enzymes This topic focuses on the digestive system and the enzymes involved in breaking food down

Year 9 Chemistry topics:

Topic Overview
States and mixtures

Students will recap about the various states of matter and then further develop practical skills by separating various chemical compositions
Atomic structure and the periodic table

This topic looks deeper into what makes up an atom, how the structure of an element affects its properties and position in the periodic table
Acids and Bases

This unit offers students the chance to experiment with Acids and bases and develops their ability to write chemical equations
Atmosphere and Climate

This unit explores how are atmosphere has changed and the potential impacts future changes in our atmosphere could have

Year 9 Physics topics:

Topic Overview
Heat transfers This topic covers the different ways that thermal energy can be transferred, ways this can be useful and ways to reduce unwanted transfers
Describing motion

Students learn how to calculate and describe the distance, speed and acceleration of objects as well as how to represent this graphically
Waves and Electromagnetic spectrum

This topic teaches the students about the properties of waves and introduces them to the entire EM spectrum
Forces and Matter

Students will learn about the different ways forces can affect matter
Energy and Efficiency Students will expand their knowledge on energy stores and transfers and begin using calculations to reinforce their understanding
Describing Atoms

Pupils will gain an understanding on the history of the atom and explore the experiments that influenced scientists’ ideas.

 

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