The mission of Science is that together, with families and the local community, we are dedicated to helping young people to develop a lifelong love of learning for Science and the confidence to not just navigate the scientific world, but to shape it.

Science plays a very important part of the curriculum because it links to students’ lives in terms of medicine, technological change and their own health.  Understanding Science is crucial in helping students to understand where Physics, Biology and Chemistry is in their homes, in their school and their community. The subject of Science prepares students for the “next stage” because everything in Science has an impact on what students say and do. It is not meant to limit innovation or prescribe how the curriculum is taught.

Science is taught by linking Biology, Chemistry and Physics that support student progression through years 7 to 11. The subjects are sequenced through a spiral curriculum to enable depth before breadth, this is to prepare students to develop critical thinking, create solutions and decision making; required practical’s play an integral role in developing these skills. Required practical’s allow students to cultivate curiosity, construct hypothesises, observe and record data; subsequently to analyse and evaluate the scientific method.

Science empowers our students through resilience, courage and discipline to fulfil their individual potential to pursue a successful career of their choice though university or apprenticeship. 

KS3 Curriculum

At The Link Academy we have chosen to follow the Oxford Activate scheme of work which is designed to support every student on their journey through key stage 3 to key stage 4 success.  Our key stage 3 curriculum hopes to develop and nurture a lifelong love of science which will set our students on the right path for their future.

KS4 Curriculum

Starting in Year 9, all learners are following the new 9-1 AQA specification (2016 onwards). All learners study Biology, Chemistry and Physics at GCSE level. We offer two courses, either combined or separate sciences.

Combined science

All learners at a minimum study Combined Science. It is worth 2 GCSE's and consists of an equal weighting of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. At the end of Year 11, learners will sit 6 examinations (1 hr 15 min) and each one is worth 70 marks. Learners who achieve a grade in Combined Science will receive a double weighted grade, ranging from 1-1 (lowest) to 9-9 (highest). There are 2 tiers of entry: foundation (Grades: 1-1 up to 5-5), and higher (Grades: 4-4 up to 9-9). Learners must sit the same tier for all 6 papers.

Separate science

In consultation with the Head of Science, selected learners can opt to study the separate sciences at GCSE. Separate sciences are classed as three separate qualifications and the learner will receive an individual GCSE in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. At the end of Year 11, students sit 6 examinations (1 hr 45 min) and each one is worth 100 marks. Learners who achieve a grade in each of the separate sciences will receive a separate grade for Biology, Chemistry and Physics, ranging from 1 to 9. There are 2 tiers of entry: foundation (Grades: 1 to 5) and higher (Grades: 4 to 9). Learners must complete the same tier in both exams for each individual science, however they could sit higher in Chemistry and foundation in Biology, for example.

A crucial aspect of all science courses is the required practical activities (RPA). The terminal exam papers contain questions specifically linked to some of these practical activities.

The following topics are studied at GCSE for both combined and separate science unless otherwise stated:

Biology – Paper 1/Paper 2

• B1 Cell Biology 
• B2 Organisation 
• B3 Infection and response 
• B4 Bioenergetics
• B5 Homeostasis and response 
• B6 Inheritance, variation and evolution 
• B7 Ecology 

Chemistry – Paper 1/Paper 2

• C1 Atomic structure 
• C2 Bonding, structure and the properties of matter 
• C3 Quantitative chemistry 
• C4 Chemical changes 
• C5 Energy changes 
• C5 Rates and extent of chemical change 
• C7 Organic chemistry 
• C8 Chemical analysis 
• C9 Chemistry of the atmosphere 
• C10 Using resources 

Physics – Paper 1/Paper 2

• P1 Energy 
• P2 Electricity 
• P3 Particle model of matter 
• P4 Atomic structure 
• P5 Forces 
• P6 Waves 
• P7 Magnetism and electromagnetism
• P8 Space Physics (separate sciences only)

Extra Curricular Activities

KS3 Science club – Every Wednesday 2.45-3.30pm

Crest Awards – Run at different points throughout the year

Industry and guest speakers – Summer Term