At KS3 content is mapped under 10 ‘big idea’ headings: Forces, Electromagnetism, Energy, Waves, Matter, Reactions, Earth, Organisms, Ecosystems and Genes. Each idea contains four smaller topics: the building blocks for the big ideas and these smaller topics form the half termly themes for learning. Pupils in KS3 receive 3 lessons of Science per week.
Pupils in KS4 follow and accredited route of learning through either AQA or OCR Entry Level Science and where accessible AQA GCSE Combined Science. In KS4 pupils receive 3 lessons of Science per week. Learning in KS4 builds on that of KS3 with students further developing skills of investigation and reporting as well as applying the skills and knowledge gained at KS3 to address more complex and abstract Scientific issues and ideas.
For those pupils with ASC a modified national curriculum is planned to meet the needs of each pupil as an individual learner. At KS1 – 3 Pupils engage with the core National Curriculum themes as described above and at KS4 are taught by a specialist teacher in Science.
For pupils with more severe learning difficulties and those who struggle to engage with the traditional model of learning will follow individually tailored programmes to support individual needs when they arise.
At KS3, all pupils will access accreditation through the AQA Unit Award Scheme.