Key Stage 3 Overview
The KS3 curriculum at Thomas Gainsborough School helps students develop their knowledge & understanding of the key topics in Science, both those already covered at KS2 and of new content. The curriculum is also designed to develop their knowledge and application of the scientific process and to develop their ability to link ideas across Science. Using the ‘Big ideas in Science’ teaching approach, the generalisations, principles and models which connect concepts are at the heart of our teaching. We believe this is how students learn how to see the world analytically, how to explain phenomena and develop the ability to make intelligent predictions of what may happen based on scientific knowledge and understanding – all skills they need for their next stage of scientific learning. While broadly taught in the three main areas of science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), the topics studied often have a deep cross-curricular link embedded within them.
Outline of Subject Content at KS3
Biology
7.1a The Living Body
7.2b Habitats & Organisation
8.1a How the Body Works
8.2b Evolution & Inheritance
9.1a Cells
9.2a Organ systems
Chemistry
7.1b Elements, Compounds, Mixtures & Separating Techniques
7.3a Common Chemical Reactions
8.1b Physical & Chemical Change
8.3a Chemistry on Earth
9.1b Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table
9.3b Bonding in chemicals
Physics
7.2a Energy
7.3b Electricity
8.2a Speed & Forces
8.3b Magnetism & Waves
8.3ci Pressure
8.3cii Space
9.1c Energy & Energy Resources
9.2d Changes of State & Gas Pressure
Working Scientifically skills
The disciplinary skills needed to become a competent scientist are taught explicitly and along side the substantive subject knowledge of the science curriculum at all key stages. Safe use of the lab and its equipment, planning experiments, presenting, analysing and evaluating results are all covered. Year 7 are given a set of booster lessons interleaved through their first topics to kick start their working scientifically skills at secondary school level.
Each unit taught at KS3 incorporates carefully curated booklets that contain all of the key knowledge required to succeed as well as resources based on the best pedagogical research including literacy opportunities, spaced and repeated practice.
Key Stage 4 Overview
Science is a set of ideas about the material world. TGS students develop a vast array of skills in science at GCSE level: whether it be investigating, observing, experimenting, testing out ideas or thinking about them. The way the set of ideas flow through the curriculum is designed to support students in building a deep understanding of science. Their learning involves talking, reading and writing about science plus the carrying out of practical activities that help develop or reinforce understanding. There is also a clear focus on representing science in its many forms both mathematically and visually through models.
GCSE Science classes at TGS are taught by highly skilled science teachers and students will experience all three sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) on a level beyond anything they have done in the previous key stages. Students follow either the Triple Science or Combined Science route through KS4 and as GCSE Science is a linear course, they sit all of the exams in the summer of year 11.
From September 2024 students can choose to study Triple Science as an option. students will need the recommendation of the science team based on strong performance in Year 9 and a desire to study additional science content.
Each unit taught at GCSE incorporates the learning of Golden Knowledge; the key facts from each topic using structure strips. Students are helped to develop the recall of these facts through the setting of homework and repeated practice at the beginning of every lesson.
Biology
B1. Cell biology
B2. Organisation
B3. Infection and response
B4. Bioenergetics
B5. Homeostasis and response
B6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
B7. Ecology
Chemistry
C1. Atomic structure and the periodic table
C2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
C3. Quantitative chemistry
C4. Chemical changes
C5. Energy changes
C6. The rate and extent of chemical change
C7. Organic chemistry
C8. Chemical analysis
C9. Chemistry of the atmosphere
C10. Using resources
Physics
P1. Energy
P2. Electricity
P3. Particle model of matter
P4. Atomic structure
P5. Forces
Weds P3 :)P6. Waves
P7. Magnetism and electromagnetism P8. Space (Triple Science only)
Outline of Subject Content at GCSE
Biology
1. Cell biology
2. Organisation
3. Infection and response
4. Bioenergetics
5. Homeostasis and response
6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
7. Ecology
Chemistry
8. Atomic structure and the periodic table
9. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
10. Quantitative chemistry
11. Chemical changes
12. Energy changes
13. The rate and extent of chemical change
14. Organic chemistry
15. Chemical analysis
16. Chemistry of the atmosphere
17. Using resources
Physics
18. Energy
19. Electricity
20. Particle model of matter
21. Atomic structure
22. Forces
23. Waves
24. Magnetism and electromagnetism
25. Space (Triple Science only)
