Year 7
Space

The numbers involved in space are unbelievable. The Earth orbits  the sun at 67,000mph, and our solar system moves through space at 500,000mph. In space, there are over 100 billion galaxies each with 100 billion stars in it. This unit starts to help us understand all of this. 

Working scientifically

In science we come across new equipment and new vocabulary. We learn how we question the world around us, forming hypotheses and design investigations to test them. By understanding how we work scientifically we can analyse our findings and discover new learning.

Motion

In this topic we introduce students to the basics of physics and their first calculations and equations as they explore speed, distance time graphs, acceleration and plot their own speed time graphs.  With extensive real-world applications this unit is the perfect introduction to the practical value of physics in life beyond school.

Cells

Did you know? The average human is made of approximately 30 trillion cells. The cell is the foundational unit of an organism and unlocks the door to understanding life and the way living things work.

Particles and their behaviour

Particles can arrange in different states under different conditions. 

In this topic they will use their knowledge to see how particles behave in reactions.  This unit is the foundation for all future chemistry studies.

Energy

Everything interacts around us does so because of energy and the laws that relate to it.  As a result, every single thing we learn in physics is related to energy in some way.  This is the key to understanding the whole of physics.

Organisation and organ systems

Students have learnt that the cell is the most fundamental part of an organism. Cells work together to form tissues, which work together to form organs, which work together to form organ systems, making up the organism. This organisation helps us understand how the human body functions.

Atoms and the periodic table

Atoms are building blocks that all matter is made from.  Everything in the universe is made of atoms. There are about 100 elements in total and they are all listed in the periodic table. 

Sexual reproduction

All life depends on reproduction and for the vast majority of species this is sexual reproduction.  How species reproduce shapes nearly everything about them: their forms, their habitat.  To secure the future of a species, we need to reproduce. This includes both reproduction of plants and animals.

Waves

Waves are a way of transferring energy from one place to another. This unit looks at how the how the waves travel, and how the waves interact with matter. 

Separation techniques

Students have looked at the atomic structure of chemicals. In this unit they will explore how substances can be separated from compounds into elements and the uses of these. 

Geology

Geology is the study of the earth's structure. Learning about the surface of the earth and what it is made of helps us understand how the earth came to have its present shape and form.

Ecoschools

The ecoschools unit uses skills of data collection and data handling learnt in working scientifically to analyse the distribution of litter on our school field. While carrying out the data collection we remove any litter from the field improving the environment for the local wildlife.

Year 8
Chemical fundamentals

This unit leads on from year 7 where students learnt how particles behave and react. They will look at how different chemicals behave, interact and can be used

Forces

In this units students build on their year 7 work in physics to explore the nature and impact of forces.  Weight, mass and gravity are introduced as fundamental forces in the universe and students explore the theory and practical impact of friction, drag and tension, completing their own investigation into the nature of force and resistance.

Bioenergetics

Bioenergetics includes photosynthesis and respiration. This topic looks at how plants make their own food by the processes of photosynthesis. This is vital for plant survival. It also explores the process of respiration and how organisms use oxygen and glucose to meet their energy demands.

Electricity

Electricity is used everywhere; from the lights in your house, the controls of an airplane to the mobile phone in your pocket. We even use electricity circuits to know the temperature of our ovens and when to turn on the street lights. 

Health and lifestyle

Different nutrients are needed in different amounts to sustain a healthy body. The digestive system is needed to break down the food we eat into molecules that the body can use. Poor lifestyle choices can impact our bodies in a bad way leading to illness. Learning this topic provides our students with the knowledge to make the right lifestyle choices. 

Chemical reactions

Students have looked at atoms and their properties in matter. In this topic they explain the key reactions these atoms are having.

Matter

Some things float (like polystyrene and wood) and some things don't (like concrete, metal and stone).  If you take the same piece of metal and shape it in a different way (such as a boat) then the metal will float - this is all related to matter and density.  In a gas, the molecules can cause pressure - which  explains how car engines work, and even why a container will explode if it gets too hot. 

Adaptation and inheritance

Students have looked at interactions between organisms and the structure of the cell. In this topic they apply that knowledge to explain the biology behind these differences. Students learn about how variation is inherited and the impact a lack of diversity can have on our world.

The Earth

Students have looked at the earth's structure and layers. In this unit they look at the structure of earths atmosphere and how it has changed over time until the modern day. They will explore the impact this has had on life on earth, and future impact on our climate.

Generating electricity

What would happen if we didn't have electricity? What would the world look like? This must be one of the most important discoveries in human history and this topic will look at how we generate electricity. 

Space - synoptic

Space is unbelievably fascinating. After we have learnt about so many topics in KS3 we can now look in more detail at some of the specifics, such as the density of a black hole compared to Earth, the speed of planets through space, and why a hotter star will look a different colour to a less hot star. 

Year 9

In year 9 students study specialist disciplines and will rotate between these studying two at any one time with different teachers.  This extends beyond the national curriculum into GCSE-level science to ensure that all students have the foundational knowledge they need to study separate sciences at GCSE.  The content covered for each discipline is outlined here. 

Biology

BM Microbiology 1

Evolution of prokaryotic cells
Diffusion
Germ theory
Pathogens
Bacterial growth
Culturing microorganisms

BM Microbiology 2

Eukaryotic cells
Microscopy
Required practical 1: use a light microscope to observe, draw and label a selection of plant and animal cells.
Stem cells
Cell specialisation and differentiation
Cell cycle and mitosis

BA Animal Biology 2

Heart, lungs and exercise
Blood and blood vessels
Heart and circulatory system
Coronary heart disease
Lungs and respiratory system
Aerobic respiration
Anaerobic respiration and exercise
Metabolism
BA Animal biology 1 - Digestion

Multicellular organisms
Food molecules
Required practical 4: Qualitative nutrient tests
Enzymes
Required practical 5: Investigate the effect of pH on amylase
The digestive system and human digestive enzymes
Absorbing nutrients

Chemistry

C1 - Atomic structure and the periodic table 1

Elements, compounds and mixtures
Chromatography and filtration
Crystallisation and distillation
Conservation of mass and balancing equations
The structure and size of the atom
The development of the model of the atom
Relative formula mass and The Mole
Isotopes
Electronic structure

C1 - Atomic structure and the periodic table 2

Development of the periodic table
The modern periodic table
Reactions of the alkali metals
Reactions of the halogens
The Noble gasses
The transition elements

C2 - Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter 1

States of matter
Ions
Ionic bonding
Ionic substances 
Metallic bonding

C2 - Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter 2

Covalent bonding
Simple covalent molecules
Giant covalent structures
Polymers
Nanoparticles

Physics

P1 – Energy

Energy Stores and Transfers
Energy calculations
Work done and Power
Thermal Energy
Efficiency 
Heart Transfer
Generating Electricity
Conservation of Energy

P3 – The Particle Model

The Particle Model
Heat Transfer
Internal Energy
Thermal Energy
Changing state
Pressure in gasses
Density

P4 - Atomic Structure

The Atom
Ionizing Radiation
Rutherford scattering
The History of the atom
Nuclear Equations
Half life
Dangers of radiation
Background radiation
Uses of radiation
Nuclear Fission
Nuclear Fusion 

Exam Board AQA
Specification Biology 8461, Chemistry 8462, Physics 8463

Year 10 Biology

BP Plant biology 1
Plant cloning and mitosis
Differentiation and specialised cells
Photosynthesis and leaf structure
Reactants and osmosis
Transpiration - water transport in plants
Use a light microscope to observe and draw stomata seen on the surface of a leaf
Uses of glucose

BP Plant biology 2
Translocation
Rate of photosynthesis
Required practical 6: Rate of photosynthesis
Disease identification
Mineral deficiency
Required practical 3:
Investigate the effect of salt or sugar solutions on plant tissue

BX Medicine 1
Health issues
Effects of lifestyle
Cancer
The human defense system
Immunity
Vaccination

BX Medicine 2
Antibiotics and painkillers
Required practical 2: Investigate the effect of antiseptics or antibiotics on bacterial growth using agar plates and measuring zones on inhibition
Drug development
Monoclonal antibodies

B5 - Homeostasis and Response 1

Endocrine system
The endocrine system
Blood glucose control
Water and nitrogen balance
The kidneys and kidney failure
Control of body temperature
The menstrual cycle
Artificial control of fertility
Adrenaline and thyroxine

B5 – Homeostasis and Response 2

Nervous system
Plant hormones
Use of plant hormones
Required practical 8: An investigation into the effect of light on plant shoots.
The nervous system and reflexes
Reflex actions
The brain
The eye
Required practical 7: Investigating reaction times

Year 11 Biology

B6 – Inheritance, variation and Evolution 1
Variation
Classification
DNA and the genome
Sexual reproduction and meiosis
Inheritance
Genetic Disorders

B6 – Inheritance, variation and Evolution 2
Selective breeding
Evolution
Speciation
History of evolution
Evidence for evolution
Asexual reproduction and resistant bacteria
Cloning
Genetic engineering
Proteins and mutations

B7 – Ecology 1
Communities and ecosystems
Interdependence and Competition
Adaptations
Material cycling
Feeding relationships
Trophic levels and energy
Required practical 9 Measure the population size of a common species in a habitat.

B7 – Ecology 2
Decomposition
Required practical 10: Investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of decay of fresh milk by measuring pH change.
Biodiversity 1: Human population and biodiversity
Biodiversity 2:  Effects of Pollution
Food Security and Biotechnology

Year 10 Chemistry

C4 - Chemical changes
Neutralisation and the pH scale
Titrations
Reactions with acids
Percentage yield
Making a salt
The reactivity series 
Extracting metals by reduction
Atom economy
Redox reactions 
Electrolysis
Extraction of aluminium 

C5 - Energy changes
Exothermic reactions
Endothermic reactions 
Reaction profiles
Bond energy calculations
Chemical cells
Fuel cells

C3 – Quantitative chemistry
Mole calculations
Balancing equations using moles
Reacting masses
Limiting reactant
Concentration calculations
Gas calculations

C6 – The rate and extent of chemical change
Chemical reactions 
Rate of reactions and the effect of concentration, surface area and temperature
Catalysts
Reversible reactions
Equilibrium
Le Chatelier's principle 

C7 – Organic chemistry
Crude oil formation and uses
Fractional distillation
Alkanes
Alkenes and cracking
Reactions of alkenes
Addition polymerisation
Alcohols
Reaction of alcohols
Carboxylic acids
Condensation polymerisation
Amino acids and DNA

Year 10 Physics

P2 - Electricity
Charge and current
Potential difference and resistance
Ohm’s Law and IV characteristics
Thermistors and LDRs
Series circuits
Energy and Power
Parallel circuits
Resistors in series and parallel
Domestic uses and safety
The National Grid
Static electricity 

P5 – Forces and Motion 1
Speed and distance-time graphs
Acceleration
Velocity-time graphs
Stopping distance
Momentum
Momentum, force and time

P5 – Forces and Motion 2
Forces Introduction
Newton’s laws
Weight, mass and gravity
Friction, Drag, and Terminal Velocity
Hooke’s Law and EPE
Scale diagrams
Moments
Pressure
Pressure in Fluids

Year 11 Chemistry

C8 – Chemical analysis
Purity and formulations
Chromatography
Gas tests
Identifying positive ions with flame tests
Identifying positive metal ions with sodium hydroxide 
Identifying negative non-metal ions 

C9 and 10 - Chemistry of the atmosphere and using resources 
Evolution of the atmosphere 
Pollution 
Potable water
Water treatment
Glass, ceramics, polymers and composites 
Metal extraction 
Corrosion and alloys
 Life cycle assessment 
Recycling
Sustainable development 
The Haber process
Fertilizers 

Year 11 Physics

P6 – Waves 1
The Nature of Waves
The wave equation
The Ripple Tank
Waves on a string
Electromagnetic waves
UV, X-rays and Gamma
Visible light
Infrared
The Leslie cube
Microwaves and Radio waves

P6 – Waves 2
Reflection
Refraction
Reflection and refraction required practical 
Lenses, images and ray diagrams
Sound
Ultrasound
Seismic waves

P7 - Electromagnetism
Magnets and Electromagnets
The Motor Effect
The Generator effect
Transformers

P8 – Space Physics
Objects in the universe and Orbital motion
The life cycle of a star
Red Shift and The Big Bang

To find out more about Biology, Physics and Chemistry at Key Stage 5, please visit the JMF6 website: https://www.jmf6abingdon.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum-subjects/