The Crypt Science Department - KS3 PoS 2025-26. updated July 2025
Key : Black; all 3 science strands or skills, Green; biology, Red; Chemistry, Purple;physics.
Note: There are two teaching strands per year, and therefore the teaching order/assessments may not sit in the term shown but all units will be taught to checkpoints at half year & end of year.
Floreat scholar Cryptiensis
Our Vision
Our primary aim is to instil a genuine love of the sciences and the confidence to question our understanding of the natural and physical world. The programme of study aims to develop inquisitive minds into critical thinkers through acquiring theoretical knowledge, practical skills and scientific literacy. Students will understand how science continuously builds upon previous advancements and understanding; linking the topics studied with realworld application ensures that our pupils develop key investigative, analytical and evaluative skills to prepare for their life ahead.
In years 7 and 8, our bespoke curriculum embeds the key foundations of biology, chemistry and physics whilst allowing students’ natural enthusiasm and curiosity to flourish. From year 9 onwards, the three science strands are taught separately through challenging and enriching lessons which build students’ resilience. Additional opportunities beyond the classroom at all key stages further strengthen the curriculum and reinforce the key role science and its applications have in understanding contemporary issues, future developments and the challenges of the modern world.
Year 7 Topics:
A1 Working Scientifically
C1 Particle Theory
Key Skills:
Practical and Investigative Skills (working safely, using equipment, collecting data, analysing data, evaluating) Key words, modelling theories, evaluating models
Assessments:
A1 Working Scientifically Baseline Test (Written)
C1 Particle Theory test (MCQ)
Topics:
P1 Energy
B1 Cells, Tissues Organs and Organ Systems
Key Skills: Calculating, planning, analysing data, literacy, comparing, evaluating, ethics of energy resources, biological drawings
Topics:
C2 Mixtures & Separating techniques
P2 Waves
Key Skills: Calculating, practical skills, evaluating techniques, analysing data, applying knowledge, key words,
Topics:
C3 Atoms, elements, compounds & the periodic table
Key Skills: Planning, analysing data, literacy, evaluating, key words, analysing patterns, interpreting data, understanding the development of scientific thinking
Topics:
B2 The Digestive System
P3 Forces and Motion
Key Skills: Calculating, applying, describing, explaining, comparing, literacy
Topics:
B3 Reproduction
A2 Y7 Project
Assessments:
P1 Energy Test (MCQ)
B1 Cells Test (MCQ)
Half Year assessment
Assessments:
C2 Separating Mixtures Test (MCQ)
P2 Waves Test (Written)
Assessments:
C3 Atoms, elements, compounds & PT test (Written)
Assessments:
B2 Digestive System Test (MCQ)
P3 Forces and Motion Test (MCQ)
End-of-Year Exam
Key Skills:
Interpreting and analysing data, dissection, practical skills, comparing biological structures and functions Planning, investigation and presentation skills
Assessments:
B3 Reproduction Test (Written)
● Use a range of laboratory apparatus safely, evaluating risk and suggesting control measures
● Plan an appropriate method to investigate a question
● Evaluate the accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility of data and identify sources of error
● Present observations and data using appropriate tables and graphs and interpret data, including identifying patterns and drawing conclusions
● Use simple equations to make calculations
● Understand that energy is a quantity that can be calculated; describe the energy changes that take place for a variety of situations.
● Understand the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of objects and draw and interpret force diagrams
● Understand the properties of light and sound waves and explain wave phenomena like reflection and refraction
● Identify solids, liquids and gases based on their properties.
● Understand that everything is made up of small particles, which are known as atoms.
● Understand that these particles/atoms can remain separate as elements, join as elements or compounds.
● Use simple separation techniques to identify if a substance is an element, mixture or compound.
● Use of light microscope to identify and complete biological drawings of cells
● Understand structure and function of different cell types and exchange between the cell and its environment.
● Understand the importance of a healthy diet, testing techniques for different molecules and the structure and function of the digestive system.
● Understand processes occurring in reproduction in plants and animals, including germination, puberty and the menstrual cycle.
The Crypt Science Department - KS3 PoS 2025-26. updated July 2025
Key : Black; all 3 science strands or skills, Green; biology, Red; Chemistry, Purple;physics.
Note: There are two teaching strands per year, and therefore the teaching order/assessments may not sit in the term shown but all units will be taught to checkpoints at half year & end of year.
Year
8 Topics:
P4 Electricity and Magnetism
C4 Chemical reactions
Key Skills: Learning equations, calculating, describing, practical skills
Topics:
B4 Gas Exchange and Health
P5 Pressure and Moments
Key Skills:
Calculating, analysing, drawing circuit diagrams, explaining, applying knowledge, observations, developing theories, explaining, developing & balancing equations
Topics:
B5 Inheritance
C5 Metals and Acids
Key Skills: Understanding the role of scientists in developing theories, using theories to make predictions, collecting and analysing data, practical skills, developing & balancing equations
Topics:
C6 Our Atmosphere & Us
P6 Matter
Key Skills:
Calculating, explaining, application of knowledge, practical skills, evaluating data, research techniques, sourcing information, discussing, debating, concluding, ethics, evaluating human impact on environment
Topics:
B6 Photosynthesis
P7 Space
Key Skills: Applying knowledge, explaining, describing, modelling, practical skills, chromatography, microscopy
Topics:
B7 Ecology
Y8 Maths skills
Y8 project –
Plastics
Key Skills:
Literacy, design, creativity, presenting, evaluating, ethics, numeracy, working scientifically, sampling, evaluating the human impact on the environment
● Understand that science is about working objectively, modifying explanations to take account of new evidence and ideas and subjecting results to peer review.
● Evaluate our use of plastics and their impact on the environment. Understand the role of scientists in developing alternatives and advising governments.
● Apply knowledge to a range of different contexts
● Rearrange and use a range of equations to make calculations
● Use the particle model to explain energy transfer through solids, liquids and gases and what happens when substances change state
● Build simple circuits and measure the current and potential difference. Explain, in simple terms, the meaning of current and pd
● Understand how magnets interact, what we mean by a non-contact force and the applications of magnets and electromagnets
● Explain how the Earth fits into the universe and the origin of day and night, the seasons and eclipses
● Begin to understand that a chemical reaction is balanced and hence mass is conserved.
● Begin to write and balance simple chemical equations.
● Understand that the earth’s atmosphere has evolved over time.
Assessments: Working Scientifically Baseline Test (Written)
P4 Electricity and Magnetism test (MCQ)
C4 Chemical reactions test (MCQ)
Assessments:
P5 Pressure and Moments test (Written)
B4 Gas Exchange and Health test (MCQ)
Assessments: Half year Assessment
B5 Inheritance test (MCQ)
C5 Metals and Acids test (MCQ)
Assessments:
C6 Our Atmosphere & Us test (Written)
P6 Matter test (MCQ)
Assessments:
P7 Space test (MCQ)
B6 Photosynthesis test (MCQ)
End of Year Assessment (Written)
Assessments:
B7 Ecology test (Written)
● Understand that the products of the reactions which are occurring now are changing the balance of gases in the atmosphere.
● Understand some of the impacts of the changing levels of different gases in our atmosphere
● Understand the function of the gas exchange system in humans, including the importance of exercise and impact of some drugs such as caffeine and alcohol.
● Understand the role of DNA in inheritance, and the impact of the environment on variation and adaptations within a species.
● Understand the process of photosynthesis and the impact of the environment on it.
● Understand relationships between organisms and their interactions with the environment.