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Curriculum content & assessment
Access KS3 Science Curriculum: Nurturing scientific imagination and knowledge
Equip your students with the knowledge to excel in their own scientific investigations.
Aligned with the National Curriculum, our units are thoughtfully organised into separate courses, covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We begin with foundational units on cells, particles, and forces, and then progressively delve into intermediate and advanced units on interdependence, chemical reactions, circuits, the Periodic Table, forces and pressure, and photosynthesis and respiration.
Ignite a love for science with Access KS3.
Ignite scientific discovery
Want to keep your students motivated and excited about science? Want to encourage them to explore, question, and experiment?
Access KS3's Science curriculum is your trusted partner in nurturing inquisitive, scientifically literate, and critical-thinking students ready to shape the future through scientific exploration.
Why choose our KS3 Science curriculum?
Fostering scientific imagination
At Access KS3, we believe in nurturing scientific curiosity and imagination. Our curriculum encourages students to explore the world of science from a variety of perspectives. We provide them with the tools to not only understand the core principles but also to embark on their own scientific inquiries.
A balanced approach to science
Our Science curriculum covers Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education in the subject.
Beginning with foundational knowledge, we gradually build upon it with intermediate and advanced topics. This progressive approach prepares students for more complex scientific concepts and challenges.
Practical applications and scientific context
Science isn't just about theory; it's about practical application. We include examples of practical experiments in our lessons, allowing students to experience science in action.
Spotlights on scientists broaden students' knowledge of the subject and its real-world impact. We also provide opportunities to practice math skills in a scientific context, reinforcing the connection between science and mathematics.
Find out how you can help your students on their journey to GCSE success
Key features of our science curriculum
Visual resources
To assist students in their scientific exploration, we offer easy-to-follow videos and infographics. These visual resources simplify complex scientific concepts and make learning engaging and accessible.
Knowledge checks are integrated throughout the lessons, allowing students to apply what they've learned in real-time.
Additionally, we conduct summative assessments for each lesson, and an end-of-unit assessment ensures that knowledge retention is tested.
Scientist spotlights
Our Key Stage 3 Science curriculum goes beyond traditional science education by introducing "Scientist Spotlights," a feature designed to immerse students in the captivating world of renowned scientists and their groundbreaking contributions. Here's what you can expect from this engaging component:
- Diverse perspectives
- Historical context
- Inspiration for aspiring scientists
- Relevance to curriculum content
- Comprehensive understanding
- Interdisciplinary learning
Incorporating Scientist Spotlights into our curriculum enriches students' scientific education by broadening their knowledge and appreciation of the subject.
It not only supports the National Curriculum but also nurtures inquisitive minds, encouraging students to explore the captivating world of science and consider their own place within it.
Math skills integration
Our Key Stage 3 Science curriculum takes a holistic approach to education by seamlessly integrating mathematical skills into the study of science. This feature offers numerous opportunities for students to apply and enhance their math skills within a scientific context, fostering a deeper understanding of both subjects.
This is achieved through:
- Practical application
- Cross-disciplinary learning
- Problem-solving
- Data interpretation
- Enhanced literacy
- Real-world relevance
By integrating mathematics into the scientific context of our curriculum, we not only prepare students to excel in science but also equip them with essential skills that have broad applicability in various academic and professional pursuits.
What's in Access Key Stage 3 Science curriculum?
Year 7
7.1 Cells
- What are cells?
- How do we observe cells? (microscopes practical)
- Microscope maths (basic magnification and converting units)
- Parts of a cell (organelles)
- Animal cells
- Plants cells
- Similarities and differences between plant and animal cells
- Specialised animal cells
- Specialised plant cells
- Diffusion and the cell membrane
- Unicellular organisms
- Multicellular organisms (cells, tissues, organs, organ systems)
7.2 Particles
- What are ‘states of matter’?
- States of matter and the particle model
- Separating mixtures
- Naming changes of state
- The particle model and changes of state
- Diffusion
- Gas pressure
- Energy changes on changing state
- Melting points and boiling points
- Predicting the state matter (using melting and boiling points - maths)
- Evaporation
- Density (linked to the particle model)
7.3 Forces and describing motion
- What is a force? (pushes, pulls, units)
- How do we measure forces?
- Balanced and unbalanced forces (including force arrows)
- Drawing force diagrams
- Contact forces
- Non-contact forces
- Friction
- Friction practical
- Air and water resistance
- Speed
- Distance-time graphs
- Relative motion
Year 8
8.1 Interdependence
- What is interdependence?
- Food chains
- Food webs
- Disruptions to food webs
- Predator prey relationships
- Competition
- Bioaccumulation
- Ecosystems
- Sampling an ecosystem
- Quadrat calculations
- The importance of biodiversity
- Insect pollinated crops (plant reproduction covered in reproduction)
8.2 Chemical reactions
- Atoms, elements and compounds (quick recap)
- What is a chemical reaction?
- Word equations
- Ratios and Formulae
- Conservation of mass
- Complete and incomplete combustion
- Thermal decomposition
- Oxidation
- Displacement reactions
- Predicting the products of displacement reactions
- Exothermic reactions
- Endothermic reactions
8.3 Electrical circuits
- Electric charge (basic introduction- static)
- What is electric current?
- Circuit Symbols
- Measuring electric current
- Series and parallel circuits
- Bulbs in series
- Bulbs in parallel
- What is potential difference?
- Measuring potential difference
- What is resistance?
- Differences in resistance
- Calculating resistance
Year 9
9.1 Photosynthesis and respiration
- What is photosynthesis?
- Photosynthesis word equation
- The importance of plants in food chains
- Leaf adaptations for photosynthesis
- Testing leaves for starch
- What is respiration?
- Aerobic respiration
- Respiration practical
- Anaerobic respiration in humans
- Fermentation
- Differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration
- Photosynthesis, respiration and the atmosphere
9.2 The Periodic Table
- Elements (varying physical and chemical properties)
- The Periodic Table and Mendeleev
- Periods and Groups
- Properties of elements
- Metals and non-metals
- The chemical properties of metal and non-metal oxides
- Uses of metals and non-metals
- Group 1 elements
- Group 7 elements
- Reactions between Group 1 and 7 elements
- Patterns in reactions in the periodic table
- Predicting reactions using the Periodic Table
9.3 Force and pressure
- What is a force? (recap)
- Turning forces
- How to calculate the moment of a force
- Balancing moments
- Deformation
- Hooke’s Law
- Investigating Hooke’s Law
- What is pressure?
- Measuring pressure
- Atmospheric pressure
- Pressure in liquids
- Upthrust
