Year 10 Science
KS4 Science Curriculum Intent
At Key Stage 4, students follow either the AQA Trilogy Combined Science course or the AQA Triple Science pathway. Our curriculum is deliberately designed as a spiral, allowing students to revisit and strengthen key scientific ideas introduced at KS3 before building on them with new, more complex knowledge and concepts. This approach ensures that learning is reinforced over time and that students develop a deep and connected understanding across Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Our intent is that all students leave the academy as scientifically literate individuals who can engage confidently with the scientific issues that shape their lives. Through secure knowledge gained from their studies, students learn to form informed opinions on everyday scientific matters such as health, energy, sustainability, technology and the environment. They develop the skills needed to question evidence, evaluate claims and apply scientific thinking both in and beyond the classroom.
We aim to nurture curiosity, critical thinking and independence by providing opportunities to work scientifically: planning investigations, analysing and evaluating data and drawing evidence based conclusions. By the end of KS4, students are well-equipped with the understanding and competencies required to progress onto Level 3 scientific courses, including A Level Sciences and vocational science pathways, enabling them to pursue further study and careers in a wide range of scientific fields
| Pedagogy | Enrichment | Further |
| Our pedagogy is supported by: Strand-based approach to teaching, allowing students to revisit content and deepen their knowledge; Clear modelling of scientific concepts and high quality teacher instruction; Regular opportunities for assessment for learning within every lesson to check students’ understanding of key concepts. Effective adaptive teaching, ensuring that any misconceptions are swiftly identified and addressed so that all students can secure and deepen their learning. Demonstrate and connect marking which informs planning and addresses misconceptions; Trust wide assessments and timely intervention; Using errors as a learning opportunity and building resilience. | We will enrich our curriculum by: Science clubs, visits to local and national sites of scientific interest; Encouraging students to become eco-students using the curriculum as a mechanism to enhance awareness of local and global issues; Continue to build on existing cross-curricular links; Complete bespoke short POS in areas of interest. | Our curriculum will enable students to: Apply Secure Scientific Knowledge and Understanding enabling them to make sense of scientific ideas that influence both local and global issues. Work Scientifically with Confidence and Precision They will understand scientific processes and use them to answer questions and solve problems. Use Scientific Language and Models Effectively and communicate their understanding clearly—both verbally and in writing. Think Critically, Creatively and Independently to form well-informed opinions on everyday scientific matters. They will appreciate the relevance of science in their own lives and the wider world. Retain and Build Knowledge Over Time to Support Future scientific study and pursue a range of science related careers. |
