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Curriculum rationale:
The fundamental aim of our science curriculum is the desire to increase the life chances of the students at the college. To facilitate this aim, the curriculum has been designed with the following guiding principles:
Curriculum Design:
A successful science curriculum should always challenge and inspire students so that:
At Sir Jonathan North College, students follow a spiral curriculum allowing them to understand the fundamentals of particular topics before revisiting those topics in later years to build upon the fundamental knowledge gained previously. By doing this we enable the students to master the content of the curriculum at an appropriate pace whilst still allowing opportunities to revisit and reinforce understanding in areas. We also interweave this spiral design with activities designed to bridge across the spiral nature of the curriculum and encourage long term understanding on the curriculum content.
Curriculum Plan:
Curriculum Map |
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Year 7 |
Introductory Topic for two to four weeks, including a Baseline Assessment |
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Biology: Organisms Topic (Organisms – Cells and Movement) |
Chemistry: Particles Topic (Matter – Particle Model) |
Physics: Forces Topic (Forces - Speed and Forces - Gravity) |
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Biology: Reproduction Topic (Genes – Human Reproduction and Ecosystems – Plant Reproduction) |
Chemistry: Solutions Topic (Matter – Separating Mixtures) |
Physics: Space Topic (Earth - Universe) |
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Biology: Variation Topic (Genes – Variation) |
Chemistry: Reactions Topic (Reactions – Acids and Alkalis) |
Physics: Energy Topic (Energy - Energy Transfer and Energy - Work) |
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Biology: Interdependence Topic (Ecosystems – Interdependence) |
Chemistry: Reactions Topic (Reactions – Metals and Non-Metals) |
Physics: Electricity Topic (Electromagnets – Potential Difference and Electromagnets - Current) |
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Year 8 |
Biology: Digestion Topic (Organisms – Digestion) |
Chemistry: Elements Topic (Matter – Elements) |
Physics: Waves Topic (Waves – Wave Effects, Waves - Wave Properties, Waves - Sound and Waves - Light) |
Biology: Respiration Topic (Organisms – Breathing and Ecosystems - Respiration) |
Chemistry: Periodic Table Topic (Matter – Periodic Table) |
Physics: Advanced Energy Topic (Energy - Heating and Cooling and Energy - Energy Costs) |
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Biology: Photosynthesis Topic (Ecosystems - Photosynthesis) |
Chemistry: Earth Topic (Earth – Earth Structure and Earth – Earth Resources and Climate) |
Physics: Magnetism Topic (Electromagnets - Magnetism and Electromagnets - Electromagnets) |
Curriculum Map – Year 9 for 2020/2021 Only |
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Year 9 |
Biology: Humans as Organisms Topic |
Chemistry: Further Chemical Reactions Topic |
Physics: Forces Topic |
Biology: Plant Biology and Variation Topic |
Chemistry: Reactivity Series and the Earth’s Resources |
Physics: Electricity Topic |
Key Stage 4 |
Depending on ability and enthusiasm for science, students follow one of two pathways through Science at Key Stage 4 |
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GCSE Separate Science Pathway |
GCSE Combined Science Pathway |
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Students complete 3 GCSEs in the sciences, following the following AQA Courses: 8461 Biology, 8462 Chemistry and 8463 Physics |
Students complete 2 GCSEs in the sciences, following the following AQA Courses: 8464: Combined Science (Trilogy) |
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Biology (8461 and 8464) |
Chemistry (8462 and 8464) |
Physics (8463 and 8464) |
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1. Cell Biology |
1. Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table |
1. Energy |
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2. Organisation |
2. Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter |
2. Electricity |
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3. Infection and Response |
3. Quantitative Chemistry |
3. Particles |
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4. Bioenergetics |
4. Chemical Changes |
4. Atomic Structure |
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7. Ecology |
5. Energy Changes |
5. Forces |
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5. Homeostasis and Response |
6. The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change |
6. Waves |
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6. Inheritance, Variation and Evolution |
7. Organic Chemistry |
7. Magnetism |
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8. Chemical Changes |
8. Space (8463 Only) |
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9. Chemistry of the Atmosphere |
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10. Using Resources |
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Curriculum Assessment:
Essential equipment:
Each student requires their own scientific calculator. These can be obtained via Beehive.