Term

Lesson

Biology
Term 1:
Living
systems

1. Using a microscope

Cells as the fundamental unit of living organisms, including how to observe, interpret
and record cell structure using a light microscope

2. Looking at animal cells

The functions of the cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus and mitochondria

3. Looking at plant cells

The functions of the cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, vacuole,
mitochondria and chloroplasts; the similarities and differences between plant and
animal cells

4. The role of diffusion

The role of diffusion in the movement of materials in and between cells

5. Adaptations of unicellular
organisms

The structural adaptations of some unicellular organisms

6. Cells, tissues, organs and

systems

The hierarchical organisation of multicellular organisms: from cells to tissues to

organs to systems to organisms

7. The human skeleton

The structure and functions of the human skeleton, to include support, protection,
movement and making blood cells

8. Muscles

The function of muscles and examples of antagonistic muscles

9. Muscles and movement

Biomechanics the interaction between skeleton and muscles, including the

measurement of force exerted by different muscles

10. Joints

Term

Lesson

Chemistry
Term 1: The
particulate
nature of
matter

1. Matter and its properties

2. The particle model

The properties of the different states of matter (solid, liquid and gas) in terms of the
particle model, including gas pressure

3. Particle behaviour
4. Changing state

The properties of the different states of matter (solid, liquid and gas) in terms of the
particle model, including gas pressure; changes of state in terms of the particle model

5. Gases

The properties of the different states of matter (solid, liquid and gas) in terms of the
particle model, including gas pressure
Diffusion in terms of the particle model
Brownian motion in gases; similarities and differences between solids, liquids and
gases; diffusion in liquids and gases driven by differences in concentration

6. Water

The differences in arrangements, in motion and in closeness of particles explaining

changes of state, shape and density, the anomaly of icewater transition

7. Mixtures

The concept of a pure substance; mixtures, including dissolving; the identification

of pure substances

8. Filtering and evaporation

The concept of a pure substance; mixtures, including dissolving; simple techniques for
separating mixtures: filtration, evaporation, distillation and chromatography; the
identification of pure substances

9. Chromatography
10. Distillation

Term

Lesson

Physics
Term 1:
Forces and
motion

1. Movement and speed

Speed and the quantitative relationship between average speed, distance and time
(speed = distance time)

2. Distancetime graphs

The representation of a journey on a

distancetime graph; relative motion: trains and cars passing one another

3. Forces and representing forces

Forces as pushes or pulls, arising from the interaction between two objects; using
force arrows in diagrams, adding forces in one dimension, balanced and unbalanced
forces; forces measured in newtons

4. Gravity and weight

Non-contact forces: gravity forces acting at a distance on Earth and in space

Gravity force, weight = mass x gravitational field strength (g), on Earth g=10 N/kg,
different on other planets and stars; gravity forces between Earth and Moon, and
between Earth and Sun (qualitative only)

5. Friction

Forces: associated with rubbing and friction between surfaces

6. Density

Similarities and differences, including density differences, between solids, liquids and
gases

7. Stretching and squashing

Forces: associated with deforming objects; stretching and squashing springs;

forces measured in newtons, measurements of stretch or compression as force is
changed; forceextension linear relation; Hookes Law as a special case

8. Air and water resistance

Forces: associated with rubbing and friction between surfaces, with pushing things out
of the way; resistance to motion of air and water
Upthrust effects, floating and sinking

Term

Lesson
9. Balanced and unbalanced forces

Forces as pushes or pulls, arising from the interaction between two objects; using
force arrows in diagrams, adding forces in one dimension, balanced and unbalanced
forces
Opposing forces and equilibrium: weight held by stretched spring or supported on a
compressed surface

10. Forces and changes in

movement

Forces being needed to cause objects to stop or start moving, or to change their
speed or direction of motion (qualitative only); change depending on direction of
force and its size

Term

Lesson

Biology
Term 2: Diet
and health

1. A balanced diet

Content of a healthy human diet: carbohydrates, lipids (fats and oils), proteins,
vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and water, and why each is needed

2. The human digestive system

The tissues and organs of the human digestive system, including adaptations to
function and how the digestive system digests food (enzymes simply as biological
catalysts)

3. Digesting food
4. Bacteria and digestion

The importance of bacteria in the human digestive system

5. Food tests

Content of a healthy human diet: carbohydrates, lipids (fats and oils), proteins,
vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and water, and why each is needed

6. A closer look at the food groups

7. Malnutrition and obesity

The consequences of imbalances in the diet, including obesity, starvation and

deficiency diseases

8. Energy requirements

Calculations of energy requirements in a healthy daily diet

9. Drugs

The effects of recreational drugs (including substance misuse) on behaviour, health

and life processes

10. Drug misuse

Term

Lesson

Chemistry
Term 2:
Atoms,
elements
and
compounds

1. Atoms

A simple (Dalton) atomic model

Atoms and molecules as particles

2. Elements and the Periodic Table

The varying physical and chemical properties of different elements; the principles
underpinning the Mendeleev Periodic Table

3. Groups and periods

The principles underpinning the Mendeleev Periodic Table; the Periodic Table:
periods and groups; metals and non-metals

4. Atoms, elements and

compounds

Differences between atoms, elements and compounds

5. The difference between mixtures

and compounds
6. Naming compounds
7. Chemical symbols and formulas

Chemical symbols and formulae for elements and compounds

8. Chemical reactions
introduction

Combustion, thermal decomposition, oxidation and displacement reactions

9. Chemical reactions

Chemical reactions as the rearrangement of atoms; representing chemical reactions

using formulae and using equations

10. Conservation of mass

Conservation of mass, changes of state and chemical reactions

Representing chemical reactions using formulae and using equations

Term

Lesson

Physics
Term 2:
Levers,
moments
and
pressure

1. Levers

Moment as the turning effect of a force

2. Levers in action
3. Calculating the turning effect
4. Principle of moments
5. Simple machines

Moment as the turning effect of a force; work done and energy changes on
deformation
Using physical processes and mechanisms, rather than energy, to explain the
intermediate steps that bring about such changes
Simple machines give bigger force but at the expense of smaller movement (and vice
versa): product of force and displacement unchanged

6. Pressure

Pressure measured by ratio of force over area acting normal to any surface

7. Pressure calculations
8. Atmospheric pressure

Atmospheric pressure, decreases with increase of height as weight of air above

decreases with height

9. Pressure in liquids

Pressure in liquids, increasing with depth; upthrust effects, floating and sinking

10. Hydraulic machines

Term

Lesson

Biology
Term 3:
Genetics
and
evolution

1. What is a species?

Differences between species

2. Variation within a species

The variation between individuals within a species being continuous or

discontinuous, to include measurement and graphical representation of variation

3. Heredity

Heredity as the process by which genetic information is transmitted from one

generation to the next

4. Chromosomes, genes and DNA

A simple model of chromosomes, genes and DNA in heredity, including the part
played by Watson, Crick, Wilkins and Franklin in the development of the DNA model

5. The DNA model

6. Adaptation
7. Natural selection and evolution

The variation between species and between individuals of the same species means
some organisms compete more successfully, which can drive natural selection

8. Selective breeding

The variation between species and between individuals, and selective breeding

9. Extinction

Changes in the environment may leave individuals within a species, and some entire
species, less well adapted to compete successfully and reproduce, which in turn may
lead to extinction

10. Gene banks and biodiversity

The importance of maintaining biodiversity and the use of gene banks to preserve
hereditary material

Term

Lesson

Chemistry
Term 3:
Reactions

1. Metals and non-metals

How patterns in reactions can be predicted with reference to the Periodic Table; the
Periodic Table: periods and groups; metals and non-metals; the properties of metals
and non-metals

2. Reactivity series

The order of metals and carbon in the reactivity series

3. More on the reactivity series

The use of carbon in obtaining metals from metal oxides

Displacement reactions

4. Properties of metal and nonmetal oxides

The chemical properties of metal and

non-metal oxides with respect to acidity

5. Energy changes and exothermic

and endothermic reactions

Energy changes on changes of state (qualitative); exothermic and endothermic

chemical reactions (qualitative)

6. Catalysts

What catalysts do

7. Changes reversible,
irreversible, physical, chemical

Conservation of material and of mass, and reversibility, in melting, freezing,

evaporation, sublimation, condensation, dissolving; the difference between
chemical and physical changes

8. How can we measure changes

in a reaction?
9. Combustion and thermal
decomposition
10. Oxidation and reduction

Combustion, thermal decomposition, oxidation and displacement reactions

Term

Lesson

Physics
Term 3:
Electricity
and electromagnetism

1. Static electricity

Separation of positive or negative charges when objects are rubbed together:

transfer of electrons, forces between charged objects; the idea of electric field,
forces acting across the space between objects not in contact
Forces due to static electricity

2. Electric fields and charges

Separation of positive or negative charges when objects are rubbed together: transfer
of electrons, forces between charged objects; the idea of electric field, forces acting
across the space between objects not in contact
Forces due to static electricity

3. Circuits and current

Electric current, measured in amperes, in circuits, series and parallel circuits,

currents add where branches meet and current as flow of charge

4. Parallel circuits

Electric current, measured in amperes, in circuits, series and parallel circuits, currents
add where branches meet and current as flow of charge
Other processes that involve energy transfer: completing an electrical circuit,

5. Voltage

Potential difference, measured in volts, battery and bulb ratings

6. Resistance

Resistance, measured in ohms, as the ratio of potential difference (p.d.) to current;

differences in resistance between conducting and insulating components
(quantitative)

Term

Lesson
7. Electrical relationships

Electric current, measured in amperes, in circuits, series and parallel circuits, currents
add where branches meet and current as flow of charge; potential difference,
measured in volts, battery and bulb ratings; resistance, measured in ohms, as the
ratio of potential difference (p.d.) to current

8. Magnetic forces

Magnetic poles, attraction and repulsion; magnetic fields by plotting with compass,
representation by field lines
Forces between magnets

9. The Earth's magnetism

Magnetic fields by plotting with compass, representation by field lines; Earths

magnetism, compass and navigation

10. Electromagnets

The magnetic effect of a current, electromagnets, D.C. motors (principles only)