The National Curriculum
Keystage 3 & 4 Homepage on the Government Site
What do we have to teach them?
Well, we have to teach physics (see below)- but that is not all - see the page on Science and the National Curriculum Aims. Put simply we have to help develop their
- literacy skills, through discussion and the use of scientific vocabulary and terminology
- numeracy skills, through obtaining, recording and analysing data
- ICT skills, through using data logging and analysis, internet research, modelling and simulation software, and appropriate methods for communicating scientific information.
so that we help them develop as confident individuals and responsible citizens.
The Science National Framework has
five key ideas that underpin and permeate the science pupils study at KS3. Teachers are to reinforce these ideas within their lessons. See here for the details.
What PHYSICS do we have to teach them?
Since the removal of Y9 SATs subject content is far less specified. At a school like WGHS we used to cover a large range of knowledge in physics - in fine detail and depth so that they could attain high levels in their SATs - Most girls were level 7 (only a handful out of the year group wuld be level 6.
Now it seems we have far less to cover at KS3. See here.The physics required seems minimal:
3.1 Energy, electricity and forces
- energy (including light, sound, energy sources - including fuel cells) can be transferred usefully, stored, or dissipated, but cannot be created or destroyed
- forces are interactions between objects and can affect their shape (pressure) and motion (acceleration and moments)
- electric current (and voltage) in circuits (series and parallel) can produce a variety of effects (heating, magnetic and chemical).
3.4 The environment, Earth and universe
- astronomy and space science provide insight into the nature and observed motions of the sun, moon, stars, planets and other celestial bodies.
But read this in conjuction with the attainment taget levels and you will see just how much depth you have to deliver. No longer is there a national examination to assess their level - it is down to teacher assessment of each child's level.
In order to help schools develop their teaching schemes the government has set up a website for the National Strategies. This gives more detailed information about what is expected to be taught at each stage - even in each year. Take a look at it.
There is a section on APP (Assessing Pupils' Progress) and a downloadable booklet on ICT in Science.
At WGHS we deal with the requirements of KS3 with the needs at KS4 in mind too...
The new push in science is away from simple knowledge acquisition and recall towards an understanding of how science impacts on society and the problems associated with scientific research and progress... but they still need to know the basic terms and methods.
Science at KS3 Key concepts at KS3 Key Processes at KS3
How science works - attainment targets
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At KS4 - which has to start in Y9 because of time constraints - we deliver the AQA GCSE Physics. See the links below:
Science at KS4
How Science works - practical investigations - see this page for more on practical investigations
ISA keywords Variables