How we Support and Develop Your Child

In KS3 Science, we support and develop every student through a personalised and inclusive approach to learning. A personalised learning chart helps students understand their individual targets, strengths and areas for development, encouraging them to take ownership of their progress. Students have access to the Seneca learning platform, alongside KS3 BBC Bitesize, providing opportunities to consolidate knowledge, revisit key concepts and develop independent learning habits. We encourage autonomy by giving students increasing responsibility for organising their learning, completing tasks and identifying areas where they need further support.

Learning activities are carefully differentiated to meet a wide range of learning needs, ensuring that all students can access the curriculum and make progress. We work closely with the Student Support Centre to regularly review individual needs and check that appropriate provision and reasonable adjustments are in place. Through this approach, we aim to develop confident, resilient and increasingly independent learners who are well prepared for future study.

How we Assess Your Child's Progress

Students will be assessed formatively each lesson to determine; previous understanding and misconceptions, to check their understanding following teacher inputs and to help determine what each child's next steps in learning should be.

There will also be summative assessments after each module to enable us to provide parents with regular inputs on how their child is progressing in science.

At the end of the year, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate how much they have progressed over the course of the year by completing an end of year summative assessment.

Year 7

Overview

Our vision for KS3 Science is to inspire curiosity, build confidence and equip every learner with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive at Key Stage 4 and beyond. We bring science to life by connecting classroom learning with exciting scientific discoveries, technological breakthroughs and current events, helping students see that science is not simply something that happens in a laboratory—it shapes the world around them and their future.

In Year 7, students begin their scientific journey by becoming familiar with the laboratory environment and developing confidence in using a range of scientific equipment safely and effectively. Building on their Key Stage 2 knowledge of fair testing, students are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions and begin planning their own investigations with guidance from their teachers. Through practical experiences, problem-solving and real-world contexts, we nurture inquisitive, independent learners who are excited to explore, question and understand the science behind the world they live in.

Skills Developed

Year 7 Science gives students an exciting introduction to the world of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, combining engaging theory with hands-on practical experiences using specialist scientific equipment.

Throughout the year, students develop a wide range of essential skills alongside their scientific knowledge. Carefully designed opportunities within our schemes of work strengthen extended writing, mathematical application and ICT skills, helping students become confident communicators and problem-solvers.

Science is also a highly collaborative subject. Students work together, share ideas, discuss and debate topical scientific issues, and develop the social and communication skills needed to work effectively with others.

From the very beginning of Year 7, students are encouraged to think, work and write like scientists. They learn to ask questions, make predictions, plan and carry out investigations, analyse evidence and evaluate their findings. These investigative experiences nurture curiosity, resilience and independence, helping students develop the confidence to question the world around them and find evidence-based answers.

Topics Covered

Download the Year 7 Science Curriculum Overview

• Induction
• Particles and Reactions
• Cells, Tissues and Organs
• Separation Techniques
• Acids and Alkalis
• Sound and Light
• Reproduction

Year 8

Overview

Year 8 Science builds on the strong foundations developed in Year 7, taking students deeper into Biology, Chemistry and Physics while challenging them to think, question and investigate with increasing independence.

Students develop their scientific and practical skills through a greater emphasis on independent study, problem-solving and enquiry. They are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, becoming increasingly proactive in asking questions, making predictions and designing investigations.

With expert guidance and supervision from their teachers, students plan, conduct and evaluate their own scientific investigations, making informed decisions about equipment, methods and the evidence they collect. This hands-on approach develops confidence, resilience and scientific curiosity, while helping students understand how scientists work in the real world.

By the end of Year 8, students are becoming increasingly independent, reflective and confident scientists, ready to embrace the greater challenges of Key Stage 3 and beyond.

Skills Developed

Year 8 Science builds on the strong foundations established in Year 7, taking students on a deeper journey through Biology, Chemistry and Physics. As their knowledge grows, so too does their confidence to question, investigate, solve problems and think like scientists.

Students are challenged to take greater ownership of their learning through independent study, practical enquiry and problem-solving. They become increasingly proactive in asking questions, developing predictions and designing investigations, while making thoughtful decisions about how best to test their ideas.

Topics Covered

Download the Year 8 Science Curriculum Overview

• Keeping Healthy
• Energy and Forces
• Periodic Table and Metals
• Magnetism and Electricity
• Revision for end of year exam
• Pressure and Moments

Year 9 

Overview

Year 9 is a transition year in science where we prepare learners for the specific demands that they will encounter at GCSE and help them to make sensible choices regarding their science options.

Skills Developed

During the first half term of Year 9, students will complete the final two KS3 topics. The focus then switches to skills-based lessons where students will receive guidance in data presentation and interpretation, answering longer written questions and revision techniques. These skills will be employed through the completion of a series of investigations where it will be imperative for learners to think critically and independently. We will continue to develop numeracy, literacy and ICT skills and will promote discussion and collaboration as students explore topical issues linked to the curriculum.

Topics Covered

Download the Year 9 Science Curriculum Overview

• Space and Gravity, Adaptation and Evolution
• Scientific skills
• Revision for end of KS3 exam
• Transition Unit: GCSE Biology B1
• Transition Unit: GCSE Physics P1
• Transition Unit: GCSE Chemistry C9 and C10

Students will commence GCSE courses after the February half term break.

Head of Science: Mrs S Frith

Email:friths@lytchett.org.uk

Science enables students to learn and understand the world around them.  Everyday subjects from electricity in our homes to catastrophic events such as a tsunami are covered. Science is a gateway to a wide range of careers. Doctors, vets, physiotherapists and beauticians need knowledge of science. Engineers, astronomers, chefs and plumbers also use their science skills on a daily basis.

All students will follow one of 2 pathways for Science:

1. Combined Science (2 GCSEs)
2. Triple Award Science (3 GCSEs) – as an option choice

Students can choose which pathway to follow.  However, a student must be on track to achieve high grades at the end of Year 9 to study Triple Award Science.

1. Combined Science Pathway

During Years 10 and 11, students will follow the AQA GCSE Trilogy Science to complete the Combined Science Pathway.  Students will be awarded two GCSEs.

This course provides students with a broad, coherent course that adds to their knowledge and understanding of the living, material and physical worlds.  This course is designed to follow on directly from the course studied in key stage 3.

The Combined Science (double award) route provides a thorough preparation for students wishing to take any of the A-level Science courses.

2. Triple Award Science Pathway

During Years 10 and 11 students, will follow the AQA GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics programmes of study to complete the Triple Science Pathway.  Students will be awarded three separate GCSEs.

Triple Science provides students with an advanced course that extends their current knowledge and understanding of the living, material and physical worlds. This course is designed to follow on directly from the course studied in key stage 3.

The three Sciences of Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught separately by subject specialists. This allows teachers to focus on their area of expertise and provides the very best experience for students during GCSE Science.  It is expected that students taking Triple Science should be strongly considering progressing to one or more of the three A-level Sciences in Year 12.

Triple Science is suitable for students who enjoy Science and are interested in pursuing it in any form beyond GCSE. As it will result in three GCSEs, you will spend 15 periods per fortnight in Science lessons. 

Download the Year 10 GCSE Combined Science Curriculum Overview

Download the Year 11 GCSE Combined Science Curriculum Overview

Download the GCSE Biology Year 10 Curriculum Overview

Download the GCSE Biology Year 11 Curriculum Overview

Download the GCSE Chemistry Year 10 Curriculum Overview

Download the GCSE Chemistry Year 11 Curriculum Overview

Download the GCSE Physics Year 10 Curriculum Overview

Download the GCSE Physics Year 11 Curriculum Overview

AQA Science

Why study Science? 

• Science is interesting and enhances your understanding of the world around you.
• Science equips you to make important technical and ethical decisions in life.
• Science relates well to many other vocational and academic subjects and supports your understanding of them.
• Science supports vocational and academic courses of study beyond GCSE.

Option

Science will be delivered as follows:-

• Combined GCSE Science will be delivered in 10 lessons per fortnight.
• Triple GCSE Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) will be delivered in 15 lessons per fortnight (5 lessons in each science). Triple Science is a good preparation for Science AS and A2 courses.  Different grades can be obtained in each of these 3 GCSEs.

Assessment

The formal GCSE examinations will now take place in the summer of Year 11.

• Combined Science take 6 papers; 2 each in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, giving 2 GCSEs. The marks from all six papers are combined, and the students are given two GCSE grades from this combined score.
• Triple Science take 6 papers; 2 each in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, giving 3 GCSEs in separate sciences.

If you would like to discuss the course in more detail please speak to a member of the Science Faculty.  We will be glad to explain or discuss any aspect of the course. If you require information on how your child is progressing at KS3 and their suitability for Triple or Combined Science, please contact Mrs Ventham (KS3 Science Co-ordinator) or your Science teacher.