Alban Church of England Middle School

Curriculum: Science

We believe that all pupils at Alban must have regular access to Science appropriate to their age and stage of development. Learning opportunities will follow and build upon the National Curriculum guidelines and QCA Science Scheme. Programmes of work are planned which enable pupils to develop concepts through a broad range of experiences. Science is not taught in isolation but will naturally draw from and contribute towards other areas of the curriculum; in particular, links with Numeracy, Literacy, Information and Communications Technology and PSHCE are made explicit.

In Science we endeavour to ensure a broad and balanced experience for all our pupils. Wherever possible, opportunities will be provided to develop skills and gain an understanding of scientific concepts through first-hand experience in a climate which encourages curiosity, perseverance, open-mindedness, critical reflection and co-operation.

Teaching will combine a respect for traditional values with sensitivity towards topical issues and concerns and we endeavour to present informed but unbiased views on issues such as energy sources, pollution and medical developments. Particular attention is given to ensuring the Science curriculum is equally relevant to all the children, regardless of race, creed or gender. We employ a range of teaching methods including whole class teaching, experiential learning, discovery methods, problem solving and open-ended investigation.

Curriculum Overview
Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Year 5
Introduction to Science	Forces	Properties of Materials
Pupils are taught how to handle scientific equipment correctly.	We explore the different types of forces and investigate their effects on motion and shape.	We investigate physical properties of materials including thermal and electrical conductivity. Classification of materials as solids, liquids and gases.
The Human Body	Hearing and Seeing	Reproduction in Flowering Plants and Animals
Characteristics of living things. Function and care of teeth. The circulatory system. Skeletal structure and function. Balanced diet and healthy living.	Light - Sources of light, light absorption, reflection and how we see. Sound - Sound production and transmission, pitch and volume.	Requirements for plant growth. The life cycle of the flowering plant. The main stages of the human life cycle.
Year 6
Ecology	Earth and Space	Materials (continued)
Habitats Food Chains Classification of animals Microbes	Earth, Moon and Sun Movement of the Earth and Moon Day and night Shadows Seasons Classification of rocks and soil	Separating techniques The water cycle
Electricity	Materials	Life Processes
Making series and parallel circuits Using switches Resistance	Physical and chemical changes Solutions and speed of solution	Cell structure and specialisation Reproduction in plants and animals
Year 7
Elements, mixtures and compounds	Light and Sound (continued)	Forces (continued)
Pupils learn the difference between atoms and molecules Chemical Symbols The periodic table Solutions and solubility Properties and separation of mixtures Chemical Reactions forming Compounds	Sound transmission, absorption, reflection, frequency and amplitude Structure and function of the ear	Speed calculations Pressure and moments
Light and Sound	Classification of Materials
Light Transmission, absorption and reflection. Colour Structure and function of the eye	Properties of solids, liquids and gases Particle theory Indicators Classifying acidic, alkaline and neutral solutions Neutralisation and the pH scale
	Forces	Energy
	Effect of forces on shape and motion Balanced and unbalanced forces	Renewable and non-renewable energy resources Generating electricity Energy conversions
Year 8
Metals and Non-Metals	Life Processes II	Electricity and Magnetism
Physical & Chemical properties of metals and non-metals Reactivity Series of metals Extraction & use of metals Oxidation - Rusting, Burning Recycling metals to reduce energy consumption / pollution	Diet Circulatory system Skeleton Lung structure & function Breathing Effects of smoking, alcohol and drugs Microbes Health and immunisation Laws relating to drugs including alcohol and nicotine Drink driving regulations Government advice on diet, exercise and alcohol consumption	Series and Parallel circuits - controlling and measuring current using switches Resistance Magnetic fields Electromagnetism Energy consumption of different appliances
Earth and Space	Environmental Science	Variation and Inheritance
The Solar System Movement of Earth relative to Sun Day and Night Seasons Time Differences Phases of the Moon Satellites Space Exploration	Our changing environment Simple ideas of sustainable development and the consequences of changes in the environment	Habitats - indigenous species of plants and animals. Adaptation Food chains & webs Pyramid of numbers Accumulation of toxic materials in food chains Factors affecting sizes of populations Behaviour - How learned and innate behaviour responds to internal and external stimuli Genetic and environmental variation within species especially humans Embryo research, cloning, genetically modified foods Selective breeding, possibilities of breeding out inherited diseases.