Curriculum

Science

Subject Vision and Intent

In Science, we focus on the real world and look at issues such as climate change, renewable energy, nanotechnology and more.  We see Science education in school as the start of a lifelong experience of learning, discovering, and developing the skills to understand the world around us. As Edwin Hubble the astronomer said, ‘Equipped with our five senses, we explore the universe around us and call the adventure Science.’   


In Science, pupils study aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics as they develop the skills that scientists use as they go about their work. At Key Stage 3 pupils build upon the knowledge, understanding and skills that they have already developed in their Primary School. It is our aim that every pupil achieves an externally validated qualification in science by the end of Year 11. 

 

Five-Year Plan

Key Stage 3 

Term Year 7 Year 8
Autumn Term 1

On rotation: 

Organisms

Matter

Forces

Electromagnets 

On rotation: 

Organisms

Matter

Forces

Electromagnets 

Autumn Term 2
Spring Term 1
Spring Term 2

On rotation:

Reactions

Genes

Energy

Ecosystems

Waves

Earth

On rotation:

Reactions

Genes

Energy

Ecosystems

Waves

Earth

Summer Term 1
Summer Term 2

 

Key Stage 4

Term Year 9 Year 10      Year 11
Biology Chemistry Physics Biology Chemistry Physics Biology Chemistry Physics

Autumn Term 1

Cells

Automatic structure and periodic tables

Energy

Infection and response

Quantitative Chemistry

Energy

Genetics

Organic Chemistry

Energy

Autumn Term 2

Electricity

Bioenergetics

Chemical Changes

Electricity

Ecology

Chemical Analysis

Electricity

Spring Term 1

Organisation

Particles & atomic structure

Homeostasis

Particles & Atomic structure

Chemistry of the atmosphere

Particles & Atomic structure

Spring Term 2

Bonding, structure and properties of matter

Forces

Energy Changes

Forces

Revision

Using resources

Forces

Summer Term 1

Infection and Response

Waves

Genetics

Waves

Revision

Waves & Magnets

Summer Term 2

Quantitative Chemistry

Magnets

Rate of extent of chemical change

Magnets

Revision

All pupils study science at Key Stage 4. Most pupils study GCSE Combined Science Trilogy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics. This is a combination of Biology, Physics and Chemistry and enables pupils to gain two GCSE qualifications. Some pupils study separate AQA GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics and can gain a triple GCSE qualification in these subjects.

 

GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 

Exam Board  AQA 

Examinations 

GCSE Combined Science Trilogy consists of 6 papers and pupils gain 2 GCSE qualifications 

Paper 1 - Biology, 1hour 15 minutes 

Paper 2 - Biology, 1hour 15 minutes 

Paper 3 - Chemistry, 1hour 15 minutes 

Paper 4 - Chemistry, 1hour 15 minutes 

Paper 5 - Physics, 1hour 15 minutes 

Paper 6 - Physics, 1hour 15 minutes 

Key Topics 

Biology 

  • Cell biology 

  • Organisation 

  • Infection and response 

  • Bioenergetics 

  • Homeostasis and response 

  • Inheritance, variation and evolution 

  • Ecology 

Chemistry 

  • Atomic structure and the periodic table 

  • Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter 

  • Quantitative chemistry 

  • Chemical changes 

  • Energy changes 

  • The rate and extent of chemical change 

  • Organic chemistry 

  • Chemical analysis 

  • Chemistry of the atmosphere 

  • Using resources 

Physics 

  • Energy 

  • Electricity 

  • Particle model of matter 

  • Atomic structure 

  • Forces 

  • Waves 

  • Magnetism and electromagnetism 

GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics 

Exam Board  AQA 

Examinations 

GCSE Biology consists of 6 papers and pupils gain 3 GCSE qualifications 

GCSE Biology 

Paper 1 – I hour 45 minutes  

Paper 2 – 1 hour 45 minutes 

GCSE Chemistry 

Paper 1 – 1 hour 45 minutes 

Paper 2 – 1 hour 45 minutes 

GCSE Physics 

Paper 1 – 1 hour 45 minutes 

Paper 2 – 1 hour 45 minutes 

Key Topics 

GCSE Biology 

  • Cell biology 
  • Organisation 
  • Infection and response 
  • Bioenergetics 
  • Homeostasis and response 
  • Inheritance, variation and evolution 
  • Ecology 
  • Key ideas 

GCSE Chemistry 

  • Atomic structure and the periodic table 
  • Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter 
  • Quantitative chemistry 
  • Chemical changes 
  • Energy changes 
  • The rate and extent of chemical change 
  • Organic chemistry 
  • Chemical analysis 
  • Chemistry of the atmosphere 
  • Using resources 

GCSE Physics 

  • Energy 
  • Electricity 
  • Particle model of matter 
  • Atomic structure 
  • Forces 
  • Waves 
  • Magnetism and electromagnetism 
  • Space physics (physics only) 

Hodge Hill Girls School
Bromford Road
Birmingham
B36 8EY

0121 464 3094