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KS3: MYP Science

Intent

At Strood Academy, the curriculum intent for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) Science aims to foster inquisitive and scientifically literate students who develop a deep understanding of the natural world and its interconnections. Our curriculum is designed to empower students to become critical thinkers, effective problem solvers, and responsible global citizens through an inquiry-based approach to science education.

Curriculum Journey

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of scientific inquiry, including the scientific method, experimental design, and data analysis. They will explore basic concepts in biology, chemistry, and physics through hands-on activities and experiments.

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Earth, matter and magnetism (Criteria B&C melting points)
  • Module 2: Purity, atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures (D – access to drinking water)
  • Module 3: Unicellular and multicellular organisms, microscopy, cells (Crit A assessment)
  • Module 4: Organisation, organ systems and reproduction (Criteria D – deficiency diseases)
  • Module 5: Forces and motion (Criteria B&C forces on a rocket)
  • Module 6: Electricity and waves, space physics (Crit A assessment )

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Energy, chemical reactions, photosynthesis, Reactivity, displacement (Criteria B&C – reactivity of metals)
  • Module 2: Diffusion, Plant organs and tissues, Asthma, Separation techniques (Criteria D- Plant diseases & Crit A assessment)
  • Module 3: Ecosystems, plant reproduction, Speed, distance – time graphs, Energy in food (Criteria D – pollinators)
  • Module 4: Disease, rock cycle, magnetism, Evolution, extinction, Human eye, Light, Colour
  • Module 5: Electromagnets, Energy transfer, Efficiency, Fuel Bills, Energy, Atmosphere and pollution (Criteria B&C electromagnets)
  • Module 6: DNA, Variation, Evolution, Work Done, Moments, Levers, Ozone, Eutrophication (Crit A assessment)

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Development of atomic model and periodic table, Cell specialisation and differentiation, Vaccination (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 2: Structure and properties of matter, Conductivity, Electricity, Resistance (Crit A assessment)
  • Module 3: Acids, pH, neutralisation, digestive system, Enzymes, adaptation of small intestine (Criteria B&C modelling indigestion )
  • Module 4: Density, pressure, Heart, Blood, Coronary Heart Disease, Drugs (Criteria D performance enhancing drugs)
  • Module 5: Exo/endothermic reactions, Enzymes, Respiration, Exercise, Stopping distance (Criteria B&C investigating stopping distances)
  • Module 6: Earth’s resources, extraction of metals, Making salts, ecology (Crit A assessment)

Assessment

Each module in the information above is assessed based on the following criterion in the table below. Each criteria is graded from 1-8 (8 demonstrating that the criteria has been fully met) with this being determined by teacher judgments about students’ work.

 

Criteria

How is this assessed?

A – Knowledge & Understanding

Traditional style exam question, holistic approach to marking based on banded questions

B – Enquiring and designing

Practical based – students will create a prediction and prepare a method for a practical including their variables.

C – Processing and evaluating

Practical based – students will analyse their results, and evaluate their prediction to see if this is supported. 

D – Reflecting on the impacts of science

Longer answer response – students will research a topic and reflect  on the social, economic and environmental impacts of this.

Resources

Final grades are then awarded from a range of 1-8, with each ascending grade demonstrating the students mastery of that particular subject.

If you would like more information about MYP Science please refer to the IB subject brief here:

KS4: GCSE Combined Science

Intent

At Strood academy, GCSE Combined Science curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and balanced understanding of the core scientific principles that govern the natural world. This integrated science course combines elements of biology, chemistry, and physics, allowing students to develop a strong foundation in all three disciplines. Our curriculum intent is to inspire curiosity, foster critical thinking skills, and promote scientific literacy, equipping students with the knowledge and abilities necessary to succeed academically and engage with scientific concepts in their everyday lives.

Curriculum Journey

Our curriculum is designed to provide a seamless and progressive journey for students as they transition from Key Stage 3 (MYP) to Key Stage 4 (GCSE) in science. The curriculum is structured to ensure that students build upon the knowledge and skills they acquire during KS3, deepening their understanding of scientific concepts and preparing them for more advanced studies at KS4. The journey is designed to be engaging, inclusive, and challenging, catering to the diverse learning needs of our students.

Assessment

Internal Assessment

External Assessment

  • Formative assessment
  • Synoptic assessment
  • Mock exams
  • AQA GCSE combined Science trilogy

Careers

Pupils studying Combined Science Trilogy will be well placed to pursue a career pathway in:

  • Further education
  • Healthcare and medicine
  • Engineering
  • Environmental sciences
  • Forensic Sciences
  • Laboratory technician
  • Science education

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Cell division, genetics, Atomic structure and radiation
  • Module 2: Cell transport, Chemical bonding, Electricity
  • Module 3: Respiration, Quantitative chemistry, Particle model
  • Module 4: Communicable diseases, extraction of metals, Energy and power
  • Module 5: Photosynthesis, Energy changes, Energy transfer
  • Module 6: Revision for paper 1, Mock exams, Adaptations, interdependence and competition

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Homeostasis and response,  The rate and extent of chemical change, Forces and their interactions
  • Module 2: Inheritance and variation, Organic chemistry, forces, accelerations and Newton’s Laws of motion
  • Module 3: The development of understanding of genetics and evolution, Chemical analysis, waves in air, fluids and solids
  • Module 4: Organisation of an ecosystem, Chemistry of the atmosphere, Magnetism and electromagnetism
  • Module 5: Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems, Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases, Using resources
  • Module 6: GCSE Examinations

KS5: A Level Biology

Intent

At Strood Academy, we believe that a comprehensive and engaging A-Level Biology curriculum should provide students with a solid foundation in biological concepts, foster a deep understanding of the living world, and inspire a lifelong curiosity about the complexities of life. Our curriculum is designed to empower students to become critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible citizens in a rapidly advancing scientific society.

Curriculum Journey

Our curriculum is designed to provide a smooth and progressive transition for students as they move from Key Stage 4 (KS4) to Key Stage 5 (KS5) in biology. Building upon the foundational knowledge and skills acquired during KS4, the curriculum at KS5 aims to deepen students’ understanding of biology, develop their scientific research abilities, and prepare them for higher education or careers in biological sciences. The journey is structured to be challenging, engaging, and reflective of the latest advancements in the field.

Careers

Pupils studying Biology will be well placed to pursue a career pathway in:

  • Doctor
  • Clinical molecular geneticist
  • Nature conservation officer
  • Pharmacologist
  • Research scientist
  • Vet
  • Secondary school teacher
  • Marine biologist
  • Dentist

Assessment

Internal Assessment

External Assessment

Formative assessment, synoptic assessment and Mock exams

There are three exams at the end of the two years for A-level, all of which are two hours long. At least 15% of the marks for A-level Biology are based on what students learn in their practicals.

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: 3.1 Biological Molecules
  • Module 2: 3.2 Cells
  • Module 3: 3.3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment
  • Module 4: 3.4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
  • Module 5: Revision and exam practice
  • Module 6: Mock exams

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: 3.5 Energy transfer in and between organisms
  • Module 2: 3.6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environment
  • Module 3: 3.7 Genetics, population, evolution and ecosystems
  • Module 4: 3.8 The control of gene expression
  • Module 5: Revision and exam practice

KS5: A Level Chemistry

Intent

A level chemistry at Strood Academy seeks to stretch, challenge and intellectually stimulate students into the materials that make up the world, how they behave and why changes happen or do not happen. In the topics we study,  we seek to understand chemistry on a molecular level, applying these principles to organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, using thinking tools, mathematical calculations to understand and predict chemical changes. 

Curriculum Journey

At Strood Academy AQA A level Chemistry seeks to teach students subject content that is relevant in the classroom as well as the real world. And is taught in a way to allow students a stepping stone to further education. 

The curriculum intent is to inspire students, nurture their passion for chemistry and lay the groundwork for further study in courses such as chemistry, medicine and pharmacy.

Careers

Pupils studying Chemistry will be well placed to pursue a career pathway in:

  • Academic researcher
  • Analytical chemist
  • Biotechnologist
  • Chemistry Teacher/Lecturer
  • Clinical scientist, biochemistry
  • Colour technologist
  • Crime scene investigator
  • Forensic scientist
  • Medicinal chemist
  • Nanotechnologist
  • Operating department practitioner
  • Palaeontologist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Research scientist (physical sciences)
  • Toxicologist

Assessment

Internal Assessment

External Assessment

Formative assessment, synoptic assessment and Mock exams

There are three exams at the end of the two years for A-level, all of which are two hours long. At least 15% of the marks for A-level Chemistry are based on what students learn in their practicals.

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Atomic structure, Amount of substance, Bonding
  • Module 2: Introduction to organic chemistry, Alkanes, Haloalkanes
  • Module 3: Alkenes, Oxidation reduction and redox reactions, Group 2, the alkaline earth metals
  • Module 4: Group 7 (17), the halogens, Energetics, Kinetics
  • Module 5: Chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc., Alcohols, Organic analysis
  • Module 6: Periodicity, Thermodynamics, Rate equations

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Optical isomerism, Aldehydes and ketones, Carboxylic acids and derivatives, Electrode potential and electrochemical cells
  • Module 2: Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems, Acids and Bases, Aromatic chemistry
  • Module 3: Amines, Polymers, Amino acids, proteins and DNA, Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
  • Module 4: Transition metals, Reactions of ions in an aqueous solution, Chromatography, Organic synthesis
  • Module 5: Revision and exam practice