Mathematics - Year 7

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Below you will find more specific information about the curriculum in Science for Year 8 students, explaining to you what students will learn, when, why and how. There is also information about how parents/carers are able to support students in their learning, extra-curricular opportunities in this subject and how it links to other subjects and the wider world.

Subject Key Concepts

#1 DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC THINKING

#2 EXPERIMENTAL SKILLS AND STATEGIES

#3 SCIENTIFIC VOCABULARY

BIOLOGY

#1 CELL BIOLOGY #2 ORGANISATION (ORGANS) #3 INFECTION AND RESPONSE #4 BIOENERGETICS

#5 INHERITANCE, VARIATION AND EVOLUTION #6 ECOLOGY #7 BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES

CHEMISTRY

#1 MATTER #2 REACTIONS #3 ENERGY

#4 QUANTITATIVE #5 INDIVIDUAL, SOCIAL AND SOCIETY

PHYSICS

#1 FORCES #2 ENERGY #3 ATOMIC STRUCTURE AND RADIOACTIVITY

#4 PARTICLE MODEL #5 SPACE

Please click here for Subject Key Concepts.

Curriculum Overview for the Year

Term	Topic / Specific Knowledge	Specific Skills
Autumn	Biology Animals and plant cells Microscopes, microbes and pathogens Heart structure and function The effect of drugs Heart disease.	Recap of microscopes and how they are used. The difference between magnification and resolution. Growing of microorganisms on agar. Heart dissection, data analysis of drugs data. Daphnia investigation; recap of variables, making observations and drawing conclusions. Making of model stents.
	Chemistry Particle model, separating mixtures, elements compounds and mixtures. Conservation of mass, chemical formula, physical and chemical changes,	Maths skills, drawing and interpreting particle pictures, understanding chemical formula, melting point boiling point data. Making and recording observations. Recapping and learning the 'language' of Chemistry.
	Physics Particles States of matter Conduction, convection, radiation
Spring	Biology Breathing and respiration Gas exchange Adaptations of the lungs Anaerobic respiration and fermentation. Food and nutrition with an introduction to the digestive system.	Making observations, collecting and analysing data, drawing conclusions. Calculation of rates and drawing graphs.
	Chemistry Chemical Reactions Combustion Thermal decomposition and oxidation Catalysts Properties of metals, reactivity series, displacement reactions	Using equipment safely, making predictions, word & symbol equations. Making and recording observations. Application of knowledge to new or different contexts.
	Physics Pressure & Motion Pressure (on solids, in fluids) Speed, distance, time, acceleration Motion graphs
Summer	Biology Food and nutrition with an introduction to the digestive system continued Variation, inheritance and evolution.	Making observations, collecting and analysing data, drawing conclusions. Drawing of scatter graphs
	Chemistry Periodic table Pollution Fuels The carbon cycle Energy from fuels Calorimetry	Applying science knowledge. Relating science ideas to everyday and world-wide situations and challenges. Problem solving and discussion of different ideas to reach suitable conclusions.
	Physics Waves Reflection, refraction, dispersion The eye, the ear Sound and colour Cost of electricity

Please click here for a PDF of curriculum overview.

While this information covers a broad range of areas, please do get in touch with the Subject Leader Mr Grove if you have any questions.

Please click on the questions below to find out more.

How are groups organised?

7 mixed ability classes.

6 Science per fortnight

What characteristics does a successful student have in this subject?

Students will develop knowledge about a varsity of scientific topics. The most enthusiastic will apply ideas to all sorts of examples in the ‘real world’

How will students learn at this level?

Group work sharing ideas
Teacher talk
Experimentation, watching practical demonstrations, carrying out practical work individually and in a group.
Self-assessment

How will students’ learning be assessed at this level?

End of topic tests – 2 per subject per year.

Assessed tasks – 2 or 3 per subject per year.

End of year exams

When do key assessments take place?

1 test before Christmas per subject. 1 before Easter – end of year exam in May/June.

How can parents/carers support students’ learning?

Encourage students to read around the subject. Possibly complete extra revision activities on Bitesize/screen etc. Ensure any missed work is caught up.

What equipment do students need for this subject?

Various practical equipment

How does this subject link to other subjects?

Maths – various calculations

What websites or resources may be helpful to support students’ learning?

BBC Bitesize – KS3 Science

What extra-curricular or enrichment opportunities are available for students in this subject at this level?

Science Club

Science week activities

What sort of careers can this subject lead to?

www.stem.org.uk/careers

www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/careers/stem-careers/

What does student work look like in this subject at this level?

How does this subject support a broad and balanced curriculum, meeting the needs of all students, and developing traditional core skills?

Whatever student’s futures maybe, an ability to think scientifically and analyse data will always be useful.
Science is a core GCSE for all students

How does this subject promote creativity, critical thinking, practice, perseverance and resilience, and making links?

Students are encouraged to apply ideas previously learned to new situations.
Students are asked to analyse data and draw conclusions.
Difficult skills are practised multiple times to help students improve.
There are consistently links to be made between topics.

Knights Templar

Science - Year 8