The new Key Stage 3 Science

Welcome to the Key Stage 3 Science pages. Please click on the links on the left to navigate to the information you need. Please note that Year 7s will only be studying the first and second topics within each mastery theme.

What is our  INTENT  with the new Key Stage 3 Science course?

Pupils studying this curriculum will learn fundamental scientific concepts. They will be given opportunities to apply their knowledge through problem-solving questions and practical work. Pupils will also be challenged to extend their knowledge within lessons and beyond through big picture thinking. Research has shown that providing real-life exciting examples of concepts helps foster enthusiasm and engagement in Science. There will be opportunities and freedom to explore ideas through enquiry lessons: investigative practical experiments; research tasks; and real-life data analysis. The intention is to develop key scientific skills rather than correct answers.

An element of this course which moves away from traditional science curricula is the promotion of literacy in Science by devoting an entire lesson in every 12 to teaching how to write. In Year 7 we concentrate on only one command word: EXPLAIN. Mr Greer and Mrs Collins-Greer have designed a simple model to assist pupils in their longer written answers to questions where they are asked to explain a particular concept. Mr Greer argues that the ability to articulate an idea in written form underpins all Scientific communication.

Pupils will be encouraged to be organised by monitoring and tracking their own progress through the curriculum. Many of the resources that will help with this will be available online and it is hoped that pupils, parents and teachers work collaboratively and progress is clear to all.

How will we  IMPLEMENT  the new Key Stage 3 course?

Current research would define this course as mastery light. It is logistically difficult to manage a year group through a true mastery curriculum where pupils progress onto increasingly challenging concepts only when ready to do so. Mastery light achieves the progressive aspects of a mastery curriculum whilst accommodating time tabling and staffing restrictions.

The new KS3 course for Year 7 from September 2019 sees the National Curriculum for KS3 Science divided into 10 mastery themes. Within each theme, there are 4 topics - each progressively more challenging whilst building on the previous. It will require Year 7, Year 8 and the first term of Year 9 to cover this curriculum. AQA have provided the themes and topics along with keywords for each. Mr. Greer has constructed a curriculum based on AQA where there are two types of lessons: concept and enquiry. Underpinning these will be a simple framework for any investigative work, longer written pieces of work, and research. Pupils will also be formatively assessed through know, apply, and extend questions for each concept as well as summative assessments after every 2 topics within a theme.

Much of the curriculum resources that teachers will use to deliver this curriculum has been designed to be understood and used by pupils, parents, and teachers. These will be shared online to allow pupils and parents the opportunity to revise lessons, complete assignments, and follow links to big picture thinking where concepts are explored in greater depth.

What  IMPACT  will this new course have?

We are confident that this course will result in pupils:

• Having a strong foundation of knowledge of scientific concepts
• Having greater communication skills (written and verbal), particularly in a scientific context
• Having a firm understanding of investigative skills and being able to apply these
• Having opportunities to deepen their knowledge and broaden their ideas through big picture thinking (which is also a Kings’ Skill)