Curriculum
Key Stage 3
At West Bromwich Collegiate Academy we teach a three year Key Stage 3 curriculum that builds upon the science knowledge and skills that students have gained during their earlier years.
- This ensures that the KS3 National Curriculum programme of study for Science is covered broadly and in depth. Students have the time and capacity to gain new knowledge and develop skills of scientific enquiry. Every student will have the opportunity to become a confident practical scientist, capable of proposing and testing hypothesis in the laboratory.
- The three year curriculum provides the necessary time to enrich the learning of students with extended practical opportunities. The scientific competencies that underpin all units of work provide students with a mechanism to link the science knowledge gained in lessons to real life ideas applications. We teach concepts using relevant examples and case studies that students can relate to and care about. The interleaved model of learning allows students to return to ideas and skills that have been covered previously in order to achieve competence and mastery. As the scientific competencies are also covered and assessed within our Key Stage 3 Literacy for Life curriculum, students are able to make connections between Science lessons and the scientific areas of L4L themes.
- We have a duty to deliver an outstanding Science education to the young people in our care. Through the delivery of the Science curriculum we provide them with a sense of curiosity, awe and wonder. We can inspire and equip the scientific innovators of the future with the skills they need to compete on a global stage. This generation of young people will train for jobs and industries that may not exist yet. They may have to retrain and change careers several times in their lifetimes. A thorough foundation of Science knowledge, skills and a passion for discovery is essential for their success.
Our Key Stage 3 Science Curriculum aims for students to:
- Use scientific ideas and models to represent and explain abstract concepts.
- Explore how and why scientific theories and ideas have changed over time
- Identify the risks and benefits associated with the development of new ideas or technology.
- Devise scientific enquiry questions that can be explored by investigation
- Identify hazards and assess risks in a range of situations.
- Follow and devise comprehensive methods to collect valid data within scientific enquiries.
- Present data accurately and in a manner appropriate for the target audience.
- Identify and analyse patterns within data in order to determine the nature of relationships.
- Make and explain conclusions using scientific knowledge and understanding.
- Make connections between concepts learned in Science, other areas of the curriculum and real life
- Evaluate the reliability of scientific claims and to be able to question and challenge opinions.
- Evaluate the accuracy, precision and reliability of data and procedures, making suggestions for improvements.
- Communicate scientific ideas effectively with high standards of literacy and numeracy
- Appreciate the important of primary and secondary evidence, including peer review
- Apply mathematical skills to solve problems
- Use scientific vocabulary and SI units consistently and correctly.
- Apply a range of simple statistical techniques to support data collection.
The 2023-24 Science Curriculum
This year, the Science Curriculum at WBCA has been designed to ensure that the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum is covered in depth for all students while providing opportunities for extended practical work and enrichment. The sequence of learning we have prepared provides opportunities for students to revisit and build upon their prior knowledge and working scientifically skills, in addition to acquiring an awareness of new practical techniques. The topics studied allows students to gain confidence in the fundamental scientific ideas that underpin the later stages of the curriculum, while allowing student to develop and deepen their understanding in applying knowledge to examples in the world around them.
Year 7 Curriculum 2023-24
Science in Year 7 is covered in 2 x 1 hour lessons per week in our state of the art laboratories. The key ideas are covered in the following topics throughout the year.
- Working Scientifically
- Biology – Cells
- Chemistry – Particles
- Physics – Forces
- Biology – Organisation
- Chemistry – Elements, Compounds and the Periodic Table
- Physics – Electricity
- Biology – Reproduction and Adolescence
- Chemistry – Separation Techniques
- Physics – Energy
- Biology – Reproduction and Development
- Chemistry – Acids and Alkalis
- Physics – Light
Year 8 Curriculum 2023-24
Science in Year 8 builds upon the key ideas and skills learned in Year 7. Science lessons continue to be delivered in 2 x 1 hour sessions per week in our state of the art laboratories.
The key ideas are covered in the following topics. Working Scientifically skills and knowledge are embedded within all units of work.
- Biology – Ecosystems
- Chemistry – Metals and Non-Metals
- Physics – Energy Transfers Through Heating
- Biology – Respiration
- Chemistry – Combustion
- Physics – Forces and Elasticity (Hooke’s Law)
- Biology – Photosynthesis
- Chemistry – Energy Changes in Reactions
- Physics – Speed
- Biology – Health and Disease (Non-Communicable Diseases)
- Chemistry – Chemical Reactions (Making Salts)
- Physics – Magnetism
- Physics – Pressure
Year 9 Curriculum 2023-24
In Year 9, Science is allocated 4 x 1 hour lessons per week in a continuation of the Key Stage 3 curriculum as students approach the transition to Key Stage 4. Year 9 is a crucial year where students make their choices of the subjects that they will study at Key Stage 4. All students will progress to study at least Combined Science in Year 10 and 11 though we hope to inspire as many students as possible to study Separate Sciences at GCSE level.
In Year 9, the fundamental ideas are extended upon further in the following topics:
- Fundamental Ideas of Biology (Cell Biology)
- Fundamental Ideas of Chemistry (Atomic Structure)
- Introduction to Circuits
- Environmental Science
- The Periodic Table
- Electrical Power
- Life Processes – Digestion and Nutrition
- Chemical Bonding 1 – Types of Chemicals
- Energy Transfers
- Life Processes 2 – Respiration
- Chemical Bonding 2 – Chemical Equations
- Waves
- Genetics
- Health and Disease (Non-Communicable Disease)
- Organic Chemistry – Fuels and Materials
Key Stage 4: GCSE Science
Students who are taking GCSE Combined Science have 5 x 1 hour lessons per week.
Students who study Separate Sciences have an additional 3 hours per week in order to cover the additional content.
The content covered in each of the three courses is outlined below:
| Biology | ||||
Year 10 Cells and organisation | Year 10 Disease and bioenergetics | Year 10 Biological responses | Year 11 Genetics and reproduction | Year 11 Ecology |
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| Chemistry | |||
Year 10 Atoms, bonding and moles | Year 10 Chemical reactions and energy changes | Year 11 Rates, equilibrium and organic chemistry | Year 11 Analysis and the Earth’s resources |
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| Physics | |||
Year 10 Energy and energy resources | Year 10 Particles at work | Year 11 Forces in action | Year 11 Waves, electromagnetism and space* (*Separate Science Only) |
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Maths Skills
- Arithmetic and numerical computation
- Handling data
- Algebra
- Graphs
- Geometry and trigonometry
Practical Skills
Students will carry out a variety of experiments throughout their Science course. Some of these are known as Required Practicals, as they are a compulsory aspect of the GCSE Science courses. Students need to have knowledge and understanding of these as they form part of the terminal examinations. These practicals involve aspects of the following:
- Planning
- Making measurements and observations
- Interpreting and analysing data
- Drawing conclusion
- Evaluating procedures
Students who are absent will be given opportunity to redo the Required Practicals, however, excellent attendance is essential for success in this course.
Required Practicals
| Biology | Chemistry | Physics |
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