Overview 

The Key Stage 3 Science curriculum follows the National Curriculum for England and is delivered using the Activate (Kerboodle) programme. Students study Biology, Chemistry and Physics, developing their understanding of the world around them through practical investigation and scientific enquiry. The curriculum is designed to build foundational knowledge, develop key scientific skills, and prepare students for success at GCSE. 

Curriculum Intent 

• Develop secure understanding of core scientific concepts across Biology, Chemistry and Physics 

• Build strong working scientifically skills including enquiry, analysis and evaluation 

• Develop scientific literacy, including accurate use of key terminology and extended writing 

• Encourage curiosity, resilience and problem-solving 

• Enable students to apply knowledge to real-world contexts 

• Prepare students for progression to Key Stage 4 science courses 

Curriculum Implementation 

Teaching approach 

• Delivered through the Activate (Kerboodle) programme with clear progression across Years 7–9 

• Combination of theoretical learning, practical investigations and enquiry-based activities 

• Explicit teaching of scientific literacy including vocabulary, reading and extended writing 

• Regular retrieval practice and structured revision 

• Integration of ‘Working Scientifically’ skills across all topics 

Sequencing of learning 

• Year 7 introduces fundamental concepts in Biology, Chemistry and Physics using Activate 1 

• Year 8 builds on prior knowledge, increasing depth and complexity through Activate 2 

• Year 9 provides bridging content to GCSE, consolidating key ideas and introducing more advanced topics 

• Concepts are revisited and developed over time to support long-term retention 

• Working scientifically skills are embedded and developed progressively across all three years 

Assessment 

• Half-termly summative assessments covering recent topics 

• Ongoing formative assessment including questioning, classwork and feedback 

• Regular spelling tests to support development of scientific literacy 

• Use of low-stakes quizzes and retrieval practice 

• Assessment of practical skills and ‘Working Scientifically’ competencies 

Curriculum Impact 

Success is measured through: 

• Strong retention of core scientific knowledge 

• Development of working scientifically skills including investigation and analysis 

• Improved scientific literacy, including use of technical vocabulary and extended responses 

• Confidence in practical work and enquiry-based learning 

• Successful progression to GCSE science courses 

Curriculum Structure 

Key Stage 3 

Year	Topics / Unis	Key Knowledge & Skills
7	Activate 1 topics including: Cells, Particles, Forces, Energy, Reactions, Earth and space	Students develop foundational knowledge in Biology, Chemistry and Physics while building core working scientifically skills such as observation, measurement and data recording, alongside developing scientific vocabulary.
8	Activate 2 topics including: Systems, Reactions, Electricity, Waves, Earth processes, Respiration and Photosynthesis	Students deepen knowledge and further develop working scientifically skills, including data analysis, evaluation and drawing conclusions, while improving accuracy in scientific language and extended writing.
9	Bridging topics including:   Working Scientifically, Maths in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Cells, Organisation, Atomic structure, Energy, Forces and foundational GCSE concepts	Students consolidate and apply their knowledge across disciplines, developing strong analytical and evaluative skills, refining practical techniques and preparing for GCSE-level study

Textbooks: 

Activate 1 and Activate 2 (Kerboodle – Oxford University Press) 

Combined Biology, Chemistry and Physics (Kerboodle – Oxford University Press) 

Digital Kerboodle textbooks and resources are available to all students 

Useful Websites: 

• BBC Bitesize https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize 

• Seneca Learning https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/ 

• Cognito https://cognitoedu.org/ 

Curriculum link: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-science-programmes-of-study 

Enrichment 

• STEM activities and clubs 

• Science competitions and quizzes 

• British Science Week event 

• Educational trips 

• Guest speakers