Our Science curriculum is broad and balanced, designed to maximise progression for all. We aim to provide the highest quality Science education for all Fareham Academy students.  

From Year 7, students will acquire skills that will help develop them into scientifically literate global citizens – a crucial quality in today’s world. As a department, we have taken significant care to ensure that the curriculum’s design supports a successful transition across all key stages. From the moment students start in Year 7, they are immersed in a robust introduction to life in Science at secondary school. From there, we are confident that students’ five-year learning journey adequately prepares them for their post-16 choices.  

Both our Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 curricula have been designed with the following core objectives:  

• Delivering high-quality teaching of core concepts in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and how science works.  

• Developing students’ natural inquisitiveness and fascination for the scientific world around them.  

• Creating resilient and passionate young scientists who can confidently explore scientific theory through investigation and practical work, allowing them to gather evidence to form their own conclusions.  

• Promoting a sense of pride in all areas of work and encouraging students to grow in confidence in their own abilities. 

We take pride in our curriculum provision as it involves more than simply covering the National Curriculum outcomes; it encompasses experiences and exposure to social, moral, spiritual, and cultural dimensions, as well as promoting fundamental British values and climate awareness. As a department, we passionately believe that Science underpins everything we do in life. Our curriculum facilitates significant learning links across other subjects, ensuring that students’ progress is always prioritised. Alongside developing the skills of a scientist, we consistently champion the highest levels of numeracy and literacy.  

The curriculum at both key stages is designed to continuously retrieve and build on existing knowledge. We use both summative and formative assessment as natural tools to promote progression.  

In Key Stage 3 Science, students gain experience in topics across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. We aim for our students to learn about some of the best achievements in human thought in these areas and to see how much of what they learn relates directly to their lived experiences, now and in the future, as they prepare to become citizens of the modern world. Topics are selected and sequenced to ensure clear progression and challenge year on year. To support students with the high cognitive demands of Science, we have structured our curriculum to begin with concrete ideas and concepts that are easily observed, progressing towards more abstract concepts that explain these observations.  

Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is not only designed to broaden students’ knowledge and understanding but also to develop the practical skills needed to be successful scientists in the future.  

Key Stage 4 Science commences in Year 9, following the AQA pathway for both double (Trilogy) and triple GCSE qualifications. The majority of students take the double award GCSE route, with one class of triple students selected through the options process.  

The organisation of the Key Stage 4 curriculum builds upon prior learning from Key Stage 3 to facilitate the understanding of challenging new content. Students will cover the course material, and practical skills will be assessed through required practicals set out by the exam board.  

We aim to equip students with a sufficient depth of knowledge and key skills that will serve them well when they leave the Academy. We firmly believe this will allow students to unlock their individual potential.