Combined science

Atomic structure (electron mass of 0.0005)

Developing a model for atoms (Geiger and Marsden)

Atoms, elements and compounds (mass number to 1 d.p.)

Modern periodic table with electron configuration

Atomic number and mass number (RAM 1 d.p.)

Isotopes and nuclear notation

Relative formula mass (mass number to 1 d.p.)

History of the periodic table

In the Structure and Bonding unit, pupils will build on their understanding of atomic structure to explore different types of chemical bonding and how these bonds affect the properties of substances.

In the Atoms, Elements and Compounds unit, pupils learned about the differences between atoms, elements, and compounds, as well as their chemical symbols and formulae.

This unit covers the atomic model, relative atomic mass, isotopes, and the structure of the modern periodic table. It explains how atomic structure influences element positioning, properties, and reactivity. The focus is on identifying trends and using models to develop scientific explanations.

Atomic structure and the periodic table

Cells

Light microscopy: observing and drawing cells

Animal cells: common structures and specialised cells

Plant cells: common structures and specialised cells

Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms

Common structures of prokaryotic cells

The size and scale of cells: the basics

Pupils will learn about biological molecules that are essential to life, including sugars and other carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, and the role of enzymes in catalysing the chemical reactions in which these substances are used and made.

Pupils learned that photosynthesis in producers makes glucose, a type of carbohydrate, which is used to make biomass and as a fuel for cellular respiration.

This unit covers the structure and function of sub-cellular components in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and explores DNA as the genetic material of organisms. It explains genetic terms, protein synthesis, and how genetic variants influence phenotypes.

Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells

Calculating density and measuring volume

Measuring density

Pressure in a fluid

Upthrust

Explaining convection

Changes of pressure

In the Energy of moving particles unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn how the movement and nature of different particles transfers energy by conduction, and how specific heat capacity and specific latent heat quantify the effect of heating on the properties of a material.

In the Heating and cooling unit, pupils learnt how the motion of particles in solids, liquids and gases changes when they are heated, how thermal conduction and insulation work and why heating different materials doesn’t always increase their temperatures by the same amount. 

This unit defines density and explores how it varies between states of matter based on atomic arrangement. It covers mass conservation during physical changes, gas behaviour, fluid pressure, buoyancy, and atmospheric pressure, and calculations involving density, mass, and volume relationships.

Particle explanations of density and pressure

The genome

The structure of DNA

The genome, the environment and phenotype

Pupils will learn about dominant and recessive alleles, and how to use models of single gene inheritance to make predictions about the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring.

Pupils learned about flower structure, wind and insect pollination, fertilisation, seed and fruit formation and dispersal.

This unit covers the structure and function of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, DNA as the genetic material, and key genetic terms. It also explains protein synthesis, genetic variants, and how DNA structure affects proteins. The emphasis is on using models to explain scientific concepts.

DNA and the genome

Why chemical reactions occur

Metallic structure and properties

Metal alloys

Forming ions for ionic bonding (RAM 1 d.p.)

Giant ionic structures

Determining ionic formulae

Ionic diagrams for binary ionic substances

Properties of giant ionic structures

Forming covalent bonds

Properties of covalent substances

Bonding models

In the Chemistry of Carbon unit, pupils will build on their understanding of chemical bonding to explore the unique properties and bonding of carbon, leading to various natural and synthetic organic compounds.

In the Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table unit, pupils learned about the model of the atom, isotopes, and the arrangement of elements in the periodic table.

This unit explores changes of state, particle kinetics, and energy transfers in relation to chemical bonding, including ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds. It examines carbon's unique bonding properties, leading to organic compounds and materials like diamond, graphite, fullerenes, and graphene.

Structure and bonding

Diseases

Cardiovascular disease

Effects of exercise on pulse rate

Risk factors for non-communicable diseases

Cancer

Bacterial and viral diseases in humans: Salmonella and influenza

Fungal and protist diseases in humans

Sexually transmitted infections

Plant diseases: TMV, crown gall disease and barley powdery mildew

Plant diseases: TMV, crown gall disease and Chalara ash dieback

Climate change and human health

Pupils will learn about human and plant defences against pathogens, the role of white blood cells in the human immune system, and the use of vaccination to protect against communicable diseases.

Pupils learned about some common non-infectious diseases, factors that increase the risk of developing lifestyle diseases and steps we can take to help prevent them, including the impacts of smoking on the human body, and asthma and its risk factors.

This unit explores health and disease, including communicable and non-communicable types and their interactions. It examines lifestyle impacts, disease spread, evaluates cardiovascular treatments, and highlights the importance of risk evaluation, peer review, and effective communication of results.

Health and disease

Different speeds (v=s/t)

Measuring instantaneous speed practical (v = s ÷ t)

Measuring instantaneous speed analysis (v=s/t)

Displacement and velocity as vectors (v=s/t)

Velocity on a graph (v = s ÷ t)

Calculating from displacement-time graphs (v = s ÷ t)

Acceleration (a=(v-u)/t)

Measuring acceleration practical (v=s/t, a=(v-u)/t)

Measuring acceleration analysis (v = s ÷ t, a = (v – u) ÷ t)

Calculating from velocity-time graphs (a=(v-u)/t)

Calculating from motion graphs (a=(v–u)/t  and v=s/t)

Motion calculations (a=(v–u)/t, v²−u²=2ax & v=x/t)

In the Energy of moving objects unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn how to calculate the amount of energy of objects have because they are moving, stretched or in a gravitational field; and to calculate energy transfers using knowledge of energy conservation and dissipation.

In the Moving by force unit, pupils learnt how to calculate speed and describe motion using distance-time graphs, apply Newton’s First Law of motion and calculate the amount of energy needed to move an object to a new position.

This unit covers vector-scalar distinctions in displacement, distance, velocity, and speed. It explores speeds, acceleration, motion graphs, and formulas for uniform and non-uniform motion. It also includes understanding circular motion and conducting accurate measurements, and calculations.

Measuring and calculating motion

The particle model

State changes: fundamentals

State changes: evaporation and sublimation

Predicting states of matter

Pure substance

Heating and cooling curves

Heating curves: practical

In the Separating Substances unit, pupils will build on their knowledge of states of matter to learn about different techniques for separating mixtures.

In the Solid, Liquid and Gas States and Changes of State unit, pupils learned about the properties of different states of matter and how particles move during changes of state.

This unit covers the particle model, states of matter, and changes between them, distinguishing physical from chemical changes. It explains the concept of purity in scientific terms, using melting point data to identify pure and impure substances, and explores the limitations of the particle model.

States of matter

Biological molecules

Tests for biological molecules

Obtaining the elements needed to make biological molecules

Enzymes: function, structure and specificity

Effects of substrate concentration and temperature on rate of enzyme activity

The effect of pH on the rate of an enzyme reaction: plan

The effect of pH on the rate of an enzyme reaction: practical

The effect of pH on the rate of an enzyme reaction: data analysis

Pupils will learn how substances essential for chemical reactions, and the products of the reactions, are transported into, around and out of the human body.

Pupils learned about differences in the cell structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms.

This unit explores the roles of sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids in the synthesis and breakdown of biological molecules. It covers enzyme action, transport in organisms, hypothesis development, and data interpretation. Emphasis is on planning experiments and presenting explanations.

Biological molecules and enzymes

The human circulatory system

The human heart and double circulatory system

Human blood cells and blood vessels

Microscopy of human blood cells and blood vessels

Moving into and out of the blood: diffusion, osmosis and active transport

Diffusion and surface area to volume ratio

The importance of exchange surfaces and transport systems in humans

Pupils will learn how the components of the human nervous system enable us to respond to changes outside and inside our bodies.

Pupils learned about biological molecules that are essential to life, including sugars and other carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, and the role of enzymes in catalysing the chemical reactions in which these substances are used and made.

This unit covers the human circulatory system, its link to the gas exchange system, and the adaptations of the heart, blood vessels, and blood components. It explains transport mechanisms like diffusion, osmosis, and active transport, and the need for exchange surfaces in multicellular organisms.

Transport and exchange surfaces in humans

Moving electric charge

Linking current, potential difference and resistance

Resistance of a wire at a constant temperature

Analysing series circuits

Adding components to a parallel circuit

Analysing parallel circuits

In the Circuit components unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn how the resistance of filament lamps and diodes change with current and about the properties and applications of light dependent resistors and thermistors.

In the Resistance and parallel circuits unit, pupils learnt about electrical resistance and parallel electric circuits.

This unit covers static electricity, electric fields, and current flow in series and parallel circuits. It explains current, resistance, and potential difference relationships and explores diodes, thermistors, and LDRs. The focus is on calculations, experiments, and accurate measurements.

Electric fields and circuit calculations

The human nervous system

Neurones and synapses

Human reaction time: practical

The structure and function of a reflex arc

Pupils will learn how hormones and glands of the human endocrine system enable us to coordinate and control changes in our bodies.

Pupils learned how substances essential for chemical reactions in living cells, and the products of the reactions, are transported into, around and out of the human body, and the implications of surface area:volume ratio.

This unit explores the structure and function of the nervous system, including the CNS, reflex arcs, and the eye. It covers brain structure, common eye defects, and the challenges in treating nervous system damage. It also addresses ethical considerations.

Coordination and control: the human nervous system

Separating mixtures (including formulations)

Solutions

Filtration

Crystallisation

Chromatography: paper

Comparing types of chromatography: including gas chromatography

Interpreting chromatograms

Chromatography: separating a mixture of inks

Distillation: simple distillation

Distillation: separating a mixture of inks

Distillation: fractional distillation

Potable water

In the Making Salts unit, pupils will build on their understanding of separation techniques to learn about the process of making salts and writing balanced chemical equations.

In the Separation Techniques unit, pupils learned about various methods for separating mixtures, including filtration, evaporation, distillation, and chromatography.

This unit explores purification techniques, including filtration, crystallisation, and distillation. It explains formulations, uses chromatographic methods to identify pure and impure substances, and interprets chromatograms with Rf values. The emphasis is on accurate measurements.

Separating substances

The human endocrine system

Insulin and the control of blood sugar level

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Pupils will learn more about photosynthesis in producers, including a two-stage model of the process and the requirements and products of each stage.

Pupils learned how the components of the human nervous system enable us to respond quickly to changes outside and inside our bodies.

This unit explores hormonal control by the endocrine system, including blood sugar regulation by insulin and glucagon, and the roles of thyroxine and adrenaline. It covers the importance of maintaining a stable internal environment and compares types 1 and 2 diabetes and their treatments.

Coordination and control: hormones and the human endocrine system

Transverse waves

Representing transverse waves

Representing longitudinal waves

Oscilloscope

Measuring the speed of water waves from distance and time

Measuring waves on a string

The wave equation

Using the wave speed equations

Measuring water waves in a ripple tank

Measuring the speed of sound in air and solids

In the Electromagnetic waves unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about the reflection and refraction of light, other types of electromagnetic radiation in the EM spectrum and the helpful and harmful effects of each type of radiation.

In the Waves unit, pupils learnt about the properties and propagation of transverse and longitudinal waves.

This unit covers wave motion, including amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and velocity. It explains transverse and longitudinal waves, reflection, and absorption. The focus is on measuring wave speed, and sound interactions, applying formulas, and conducting accurate experiments.

Measuring waves

Producers, photosynthesis and consumers

The requirements and products of photosynthesis: practical

Pupils will learn more about aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration, including the chemical reactants and products of the processes, and practical ways to measure the rate of cellular respiration in living cells.

Pupils learned how hormones and glands of the human endocrine system enable us to coordinate and control changes in our bodies.

This unit explores photosynthesis as the basis for food and biomass, examines cell structure and adaptations in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, and covers the photosynthesis process. It focuses on using models and theories to develop hypotheses, interpret data, and present reasoned explanations.

Photosynthesis: requirements and products

Three types of chemical reaction

Conservation of mass

Balancing equations

Mass in a chemical reaction

Uncertainties in measurements: chemistry

In the Making salts unit, pupils will learn about the production of pure salts, concentration and strength of acids, and what makes acids acidic and how bases can neutralise them.

In the Understanding Chemical Reactions unit, pupils learned about how atoms rearrange during chemical reactions and the conservation of mass.

This unit covers writing chemical formulae, balancing equations, and using the conservation of mass. It includes calculating moles, empirical formulae, relative formula masses, and theoretical yields. Emphasis is on stoichiometry, concentration, gas volumes, and using standard form.

Calculations involving masses

Alleles, genotype, and phenotype

Models of single-gene inheritance: Punnett squares

Models of single-gene inheritance: family tree diagrams

The inheritance of biological sex in humans

Pupils will learn about growth through cell division, mitosis as part of the cell cycle, cancer as the result of changes in cells that lead to uncontrolled growth and division, and the formation of gametes by meiosis.

Pupils learned about what the genome is, what it’s made of and where it’s stored, more detail about the chemical structure of DNA, and the relationship between an organism’s genome and its phenotype.

This unit covers key genetic terms, single-gene inheritance, and genetic crosses, including probability and ratios. It explores how most traits result from multiple genes and sex determination in humans. The unit also includes interpreting data and using models to solve problems.

Combined science

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These lessons were made for home learning during the pandemic.