Science

In KS3 Science, our students study the following topics:

Year 7 

Biology

1. Movement
2. Cells
3. Variation
4. Human reproduction
5. Interdependence
6. Plant reproduction

Chemistry

1. Earth structure
2. Universe
3. Particles
4. Separating substances
5. Metals
6. Acids and alkalis

Physics

1. Speed 
2. Gravity
3. Voltage and resistance
4. Current
5. Energy cost and transfer
6. Sound
7. Light

Year 8

Biology

1. Evolution
2. Inheritance
3. Breathing
4. Digestion
5. Respiration
6. Photosynthesis

Chemistry

1. Chemical energy
2. Types of reaction
3. Climate
4. Earth resources
5. Periodic table
6. Elements

Physics

1. Magnetism
2. Electromagnetism
3. Contact forces
4. Pressure
5. Wave properties and effects
6. Work
7. Heating and cooling

Exam board: AQA

In KS4 GCSE Biology, our students study the following topics:

Paper 1: 50% of GCSE

Cell biology

1. Cell structure
2. Cell division
3. Transport in cells

Organisation

1. Principles of organisation
2. Animal tissues, organs and organ systems

Infection and response

1. Communicable diseases
2. Monoclonal antibodies
3. Plant disease

Bioenergetics

1. Photosynthesis
2. Respiration

Paper 2: 50% of GCSE

Homeostasis and response

1. Homeostasis
2. The human nervous system
3. Hormonal coordination in humans
4. Plant hormones

Inheritance, variation and evolution

1. Reproduction
2. Variation and evolution
3. The development of understanding of genetics and evolution
4. Classification of living organisms

Ecology

1. Adaptions, interdependence and competition
2. Organisation of an ecosystem
3. Biodiversity and the effect of human interactions on ecosystems
4. Trophic levels in an ecosystems
5. Food production

Useful websites

AQA GCSE Biology Specification

Exam board: AQA

In KS4 GCSE Chemistry, our students study the following topics:

Paper 1: 50% of GCSE

Atomic structure and the periodic table

1. A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes
2. The periodic table
3. Properties of transition metals

Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter

1. Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic
2. How bonding and structure are related to the properties of substances
3. Structure and bonding of carbon
4. Bulk and surface properties of matter including nanoparticles

Quantitative chemistry

1. Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations
2. Use of amount of substance in relation to masses of pure substances
3. Yield and atom economy of chemical reactions
4. Using concentrations of solutions in mol/dm3
5. Use of amount of substance in relation to volumes of gases

Chemical changes

1. Reactivity of metals
2. Reactions of acids
3. Electrolysis

Energy changes

1. Exothermic and endothermic reactions
2. Chemical cells and fuel cells

Paper 2: 50% of GCSE

The rate and extent of chemical change

1. Rate of reaction
2. Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium

Organic chemistry

1. Carbon compounds as fuels and feedstock
2. Reactions of alkenes and alcohols
3. Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers

Chemical analysis

1. Purity, formulations and chromatography
2. Identification of common gases
3. Identification of ions by chemical and spectroscopic means

Chemistry of the atmosphere

1. The composition and evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere
2. Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases
3. Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources

Using resources

1.  Using the Earth’s resources and obtaining potable water
2. Life cycle assessment and recycling
3. Using materials
4. The Haber process and the use of NPK fertilisers 

Useful websites

AQA GCSE Chemistry Specification

Exam board: AQA

In KS4 GCSE Physics, our students study the following topics:

Paper 1: 50% of GCSE

Energy

1. Energy change in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes
2. Conservation and dissipation of energy
3. National and global energy resources

Electricity

1. Current, potential difference and resistance
2. Series and parallel circuits
3. Domestic uses and safety
4. Energy transfers
5. Static electricity

Particle model of matter

1. Changes in state and the particle model
2. Internal energy and energy transfer
3. Particle model and pressure

Atomic structure

1. Atoms and isotopes
2. Atoms and nuclear radiation
3. Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation
4. Nuclear fission and fusion

Paper 2: 50% of GCSE

Forces

1. Forces and their interactions
2. Work done and energy transfer
3. Forces and elasticity
4. Moments, levers and gears
5. Pressure and pressure differences in fluids
6. Forces and motion
7. Momentum

Waves

1. Waves in air, fluids and solids
2. Electromagnetic waves
3. Black body radiation

Magnetism and electromagnetism

1. Permanent and induced magnetism, magnetic forces and fields
2. The motor effect
3. Induced potential, transformers and the National Grid

Space physics

1. Solar system; stability of orbital motions; satellites
2. Red-shift

Useful websites

AQA GCSE Physics Specification

Exam board: AQA

In KS4 GCSE Science (Trilogy), our students study the following topics:

Biology

1. Cell biology
2. Organisation
3. Infection and response
4. Bioenergetics
5. Homeostasis and response
6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
7. Ecology

Chemistry

1. Atomic structure and the periodic table
2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
3. Quantitative chemistry
4. Chemical changes
5. Energy changes
6. The rate and extent of chemical change
7. Organic chemistry
8. Chemical analysis
9. Chemistry of the atmosphere
10. Using resources

Physics

1. Energy
2. Electricity
3. Particle model of matter
4. Atomic structure
5. Forces
6. Waves
7. Magnetism and electromagnetism

Useful websites

AQA GCSE Science (Trilogy) Specification

Exam board: AQA

In KS5 A Level Biology, our students study the following topics:

Paper 1: 35% of A Level

1. Biological modules
2. Cells
3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment
4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
5. Practical skills

Paper 2: 35% of A Level

1. Energy transfers in and between organisms
2. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environment
3. Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
4. The control of gene expression
5. Practical skills

Paper 3: 30% of  A Level

1. Biological modules
2. Cells
3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment
4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
5. Energy transfers in and between organisms
6. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environment
7. Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
8. The control of gene expression
9. Practical skills

Useful websites

AQA A Level Biology Specification

Exam board: AQA

In KS5 A Level Chemistry, our students study the following topics:

Paper 1: 35% of A Level

1. Atomic structure
2. Amount of substance
3. Bonding
4. Energetics
5. Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc
6. Oxidation, reduction and redox equations
7. Thermodynamics
8. Equilibrium constant Kp for homogenous systems
9. Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
10. Acids and bases
11. Periodicity
12. Group 2, the alkaline earth metals
13. Group 7 (17), the halogens
14. Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides
15. Transition metals
16. Reactions of ions in aqueous solution
17. Practical skills

Paper 2: 35% of A Level

1. Amount of substance
2. Bonding 
3. Energetics
4. Kinetics
5. Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc
6. Rate equations
7. Introduction to organic chemistry
8. Alkanes
9. Halogenoalkanes
10. Alkenes
11. Alcohols
12. Organic analysis
13. Optical isomerism
14. Aldehydes and ketones
15. Carboxylic acids and derivatives
16. Aromatic chemistry
17. Amines
18. Polymers
19. Amino acids, proteins and DNA
20. Organic synthesis
21. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
22. Chromatography 
23. Practical skills

 Paper 3: 30% of A Level

All content and practical skills from Paper 1 and Paper 2

Useful websites

AQA A Level Chemistry Specification

Exam board: AQA

In KS5 A Level Physics, our students study the following topics:

Paper 1: 34% of A Level

1. Measurements and their errors
2. Particles and radiation
3. Waves
4. Mechanics and materials
5. Electricity
6. Further mechanics

Paper 2: 34% of A Level

1. Thermal physics
2. Fields and their consequences
3. Nuclear physics
4. Assumed knowledge from Paper 1

Paper 3: 32% of A Level

1. Practical skills and data analysis
2. Astrophysics

Useful websites

AQA A Level Physics Specification

Exam board: AQA

In KS5 Level 3 Applied Science, our students study the following topics:

1. Unit 1: Key concepts in science (external exam)
2. Unit 2: Applied experimental techniques (portfolio)
3. Unit 3: Science in the modern world (external exam with pre-release material)
4. Unit 4: The human body (external exam)
5. Unit 5: Investigating science (portfolio)
6. Unit 6: Microbiology, medical physics or organic chemistry (portfolio)

Useful websites

AQA Level 3 Extended Certificate in Applied Science Specification