KS3 COURSE OVERVIEW

Key Stage 3 Course - Introduction

In each year the course is divided into a number of modules. At the end of a module, students take a short levelling exercise to measure their progress. The science department uses these test results to monitor students' progress and to help determine which group they will be placed in for the following year. Throughout the course students are taught practical skills and how to design, carry out and evaluate experimental investigations.

In year 7 students are taught in mixed ability tutor groups. Differentiated work is provided according to the student's ability. In years 8 & 9 students are grouped according to their ability. It is possible to move between these groups during the year. The course prepares students for the SATs (national tests taken in May of Year 9). There are two tiers of entry for these tests: one enables students to attain National Curriculum levels 3-6, the other is for levels 5-7. The final decision as to which paper the student takes is not made until near the time of the SAT.

Year seven Modules

During year 7, pupils will study the following modules.

• Cells
• Acids and Alkalis
• Energy Resources
• Reproduction
• Chemical Reactions
• Electricity
• Environment
• Particles
• Forces
• Reproduction
• Solutions
• Space

Year Eight Modules

During year 8, pupils will study the following modules.

• Food and Digestion
• Atoms and Elements
• Heating and Cooling
• Respiration
• Compounds and Mixtures
• Magnets and Electromagnets
• Microbes and disease
• Rocks and weathering
• Light
• Ecology
• The Rock Cycle
• Sound and Hearing

Year Nine Modules

During year 9, pupils will study the following modules.

• Inheritance and Selection
• Reactions of Metals
• Energy and Electricity
• Fit and Healthy
• Patterns of Reactivity
• Gravity and Space
• Plants and Photosynthesis
• Environmental Chemistry
• Speeding Up
• Plants for Food
• Using Chemistry
• Pressure and Moments