Science

Cells

Atoms and the periodic table

Energy

Pupils will learn how producers make glucose using photosynthesis, which is used to make biomass and as a fuel for cellular respiration.

Pupils learned how food is broken down to release useful substances such as sugar.

This unit explores the human gas exchange system, breathing mechanisms, and adaptations for function. It covers aerobic and anaerobic respiration, including fermentation, and compares their processes and implications. Focus is on accuracy, reliable measurements, and SI units.

Breathing and respiration

In the unit Making salts, pupils will build on this knowledge to learn about the production of pure salts, and about why acids are acidic and how bases can neutralise them. 

In the Understanding Chemical Reactions unit, pupils learned how atoms rearrange to form new substances during chemical reactions.

This unit covers acids, alkalis, and their neutralisation reactions, the pH scale, and the reactions of acids with metals and alkalis. It also examines the chemical properties of metal and non-metal oxides. Emphasis is on evaluating risks, using appropriate techniques, and making observations.

Acids and bases

In the Electromagnetism unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about the motor effect and electric motors, the generator effect and electric generators, and how loudspeakers and microphones work.

In the Series circuits unit, pupils learnt about static electricity (electric charge), setting up series circuits using circuit diagrams, finding and replacing faulty components, and the rules for electric current and voltage in series circuits.

This unit explores magnetism, including magnetic poles, fields, and Earth’s magnetism, along with the principles of electromagnets and DC motors. It focuses on conducting precise scientific enquiries and identifying variables and emphasises accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility.

Magnets and electromagnets

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

Pupils learned about gas exchange in humans, and cellular respiration in all living organisms uses glucose as a fuel to provide energy for life processes.

This unit covers photosynthesis, including how plants produce carbohydrates, absorb water and minerals, and the role of leaf stomata in gas exchange. It highlights the importance of photosynthesis in sustaining life on Earth and explores the adaptations of leaves for photosynthesis.

Plant nutrition and photosynthesis

In the Using Earth's Resources unit, pupils will build on their knowledge of materials to explore the extraction and purification of metals, life cycle assessments, and recycling.

In the Acids and Bases unit, pupils learned about the properties of acids, bases, alkalis, and the neutralisation reaction.

This unit examines the varying properties of elements, the reactivity series, and the role of carbon in metal extraction. It also explores catalysts and the properties of ceramics, polymers, and composites. Emphasis is placed on evaluating risks, using appropriate techniques, and interpreting data.

Materials

In the Particle explanations of density and pressure unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to learn how the arrangement and movement of particles in solids, liquids and gases explain density, pressure, floating and convection.

In the Forces unit, pupils learnt how to accurately describe and explain the actions of forces in a range of situations.

This unit explores forces, deformation, Hooke’s Law, moments, and work done. It covers pressure in liquids, atmospheric pressure, upthrust, and equilibrium, as well as simple machines and force-extension relationships, highlighting how forces affect motion, friction, and object deformation.

Hidden forces

Pupils will learn that the fossil record provides evidence of evolution from common ancestors through transitional species to modern species, and that the theory of evolution by natural selection can be used to explain phenotypic changes in populations of species over generations.

Pupils learned that variation (differences in the features of individuals of the same species) can be caused by environmental and genetic factors.

This unit explores variation within and between species, competition, and natural selection. It focuses on asking questions, making predictions, planning scientific enquiries, and testing hypotheses. It also covers analysing results, explaining findings, and identifying new questions that arise.

Adaptations, competition, natural selection and evolution

In the Atmosphere and Changing Climate unit, pupils will build on their understanding of the carbon cycle and climate change to explore the evidence for the composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, and the effects and mitigation of increased levels of carbon dioxide and methane.

In the Earth's Resources unit, pupils learned about the composition of rock, the interior of the Earth, and how igneous and metamorphic rocks are made by heating.

This unit explores the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It also examines the atmosphere's composition, human-induced carbon dioxide production, and its impact on climate. Focus is on interpreting data, identifying patterns, and presenting explanations.

Carbon cycle and climate change

In the Measuring waves unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to learn about the measurable features of a wave, the relationship between them and the wave equation.

In the Making images unit, pupils learnt that white light is made of different colours that can be detected by the eye, and how pinhole cameras and lenses form clear images.

This unit explores the nature of sound and water waves, including transverse and longitudinal motion, wave reflection, superposition, and the speed of sound in various media. It covers sound production, detection, and auditory ranges, emphasising data interpretation, and basic calculations.

Waves

Pupils will learn more about non-communicable diseases in humans including cardiovascular diseases and cancer; and about communicable diseases in humans and plants caused by pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists.

Pupils learned about the major food groups, eating a balanced diet and how it affects health. Pupils also looked at food labels and calculated the amount of energy provided by different foods and investigated the effects of exercise on heart rate and breathing rate.

This unit explores the human gas exchange system, focusing on the impact of exercise, asthma, smoking, recreational drugs, and the differences between infectious and non-infectious diseases. It emphasises understanding scientific methods, evidence, risk evaluation, and peer review importance.

Disease and drugs

In the Atomic structure and the periodic table unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to learn about how the structure of atoms in each element determine its position on the periodic table and affects its chemical and physical properties.

In the Atoms, elements and compounds unit, pupils learnt about atoms, the differences between elements and compounds and how particles reorganise in a chemical reaction

This unit explores the periodic table, including the principles behind Mendeleev's design, the arrangement of elements into periods and groups, and the classification of metals and non-metals. It examines how the physical and chemical properties of elements predict reaction patterns.

Patterns in the periodic table

about the properties of electric fields, moving electric charge, and how to analyse series and parallel electrical circuits.

This unit covers electrical circuits, compares appliance power ratings, and understands domestic fuel use and costs. It explores electric current, potential difference, resistance, and the differences between conductors and insulators, focusing on calculations and applications in circuits.

Resistance and parallel circuits

Pupils will learn 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.

Pupils learned about changes experienced in puberty, the male and female reproductive systems, the menstrual cycle, sexual intercourse, gametes and fertilisation, gestation and birth, and the dangers of smoking, drinking and drugs during pregnancy.

This unit explores plant reproduction, including flower structure, pollination, fertilisation, seed formation, and dispersal mechanisms. It highlights the role of insect pollination in food security. Focus is on planning and conducting enquiries, and ensuring reliable observations.

Reproduction in plants

Pupils will learn about biomass transfer including calculating the efficiency of transfers between trophic levels. They will learn about human impacts on the environment, food security and biotechnology to help maintain biodiversity and achieve food security.

In the Climate change and greenhouse gases unit, pupils learnt about greenhouse gas emissions from transport and industry, and the use of renewable energy resources and changes to transport infrastructure that could reduce emissions.

In this unit pupils learn about the impact of agriculture and deforestation on biodiversity, and to more thoroughly consider the effects of climate change on biodiversity and food production.

Science

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