Three sciences. Zero boring.

KS3 Biology, Chemistry and Physics for Years 7–9, taught face-to-face in small groups by scientists. Here is what is covered.

Below are the KS3 topics across Years 7–9. For exactly what each year group covers this term, see this term’s session plan.

KS3 · Years 7–9

Biology

How living things work, from a single cell to a whole ecosystem. Students learn to use a microscope, model body systems and explain why living things vary.

Cells and organisation

Plant and animal cells, microscopes, and how cells build tissues, organs and systems.

The human body

Skeleton and muscles, digestion and nutrition, breathing and gas exchange, health and drugs.

Plants and energy

Photosynthesis, respiration, and how energy moves through food chains.

Ecosystems

Food webs, how organisms depend on each other, and the effect of humans on the environment.

Reproduction

Reproduction in humans and plants, including pollination and seed dispersal.

Genetics and evolution

DNA, genes and chromosomes, variation, inheritance and natural selection.

  • Microscope skills
  • Project work
  • Explaining data
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KS3 · Years 7–9

Chemistry

What everything is made of and why it changes. Students practise safe lab technique, make careful observations and use the particle model to explain what they see.

Particles and states

Solids, liquids and gases, diffusion, and changes of state explained with the particle model.

Atoms and compounds

Elements, compounds and mixtures, chemical symbols and simple formulae.

Separating mixtures

Filtration, evaporation, distillation and chromatography.

Chemical reactions

Combustion, oxidation, word and symbol equations, and energy changes in reactions.

Acids and alkalis

The pH scale, indicators, and neutralisation.

Periodic table and Earth

Metals and non-metals, patterns in groups, the rock cycle and the atmosphere.

  • Lab technique
  • Working safely
  • Particle model
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KS3 · Years 7–9

Physics

The rules that run the universe. Students measure, calculate and test predictions, from building circuits to working out why things float.

Forces and motion

Speed, balanced and unbalanced forces, pressure, and moments.

Energy

Energy stores and transfers, power, and the cost of using fuels and electricity at home.

Electricity and magnetism

Current, voltage and resistance, series and parallel circuits, static, magnets and electromagnets.

Waves

Sound, light, reflection and refraction, and how waves carry energy.

Matter

Density, the particle model, and heating and cooling.

Space

Gravity, the solar system, seasons, and our place in the galaxy.

  • Building circuits
  • Measuring accurately
  • Testing predictions
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Session by session

This term’s plan

What each year group covers this term, session by session.

Year 7

Focus: Transitioning from primary school descriptions to precise, atomic-level scientific vocabulary and basic mathematical manipulation.

Session 1 Introduction to the Lab & Scientific Scale

Safety, variables, and introducing equipment.

Session 2 Cells

The Building Blocks of Life - Plant and animal cells, using light microscopes.

Session 3 Specialised Cells & Levels of Organisation

Unicellular organisms, tissues, organs, and organ systems.

Session 4 The Particle Model & States of Matter

Solids, liquids, gases, and changes of state.

Session 5 Pure Substances & Mixtures

Elements, compounds, mixtures, and formulations.

Session 6 Introduction to Forces & Vector Arrows

Contact and non-contact forces, balanced and unbalanced forces.

Session 7 Mid-Term Synoptic Review & Assessment

Consolidating half-term progress.

Session 8 Gravity, Mass, and Weight

Mass vs. weight, gravitational field strength.

Session 9 Separating Mixtures

Filtration and evaporation.

Session 10 Separating Mixtures

Distillation (Simple and Fractional).

Session 11 Movement & Organ Systems (The Skeleton)

Joints, antagonistic muscles, and biomechanics.

Session 12 End of Term Assessment & KS4 Horizon Lookup

Review of Term 1 and unpacking of a real, unmodified GCSE Foundation paper for questions on forces to show students how Year 7 learning directly maps to Year 11 exams.

Year 8

Focus: Introducing chemical equations, formula structures, basic circuits, and mathematical energy calculations.

Session 1 Periodic Table & Chemical Symbols

Elements, groups, periods, and basic atomic structure.

Session 2 Elements of Group 1 and Group 7

Alkali metals and Halogens.

Session 3 Chemical Reactions & Conservation of Mass

Reactants, products, and open vs. closed systems.

Session 4 Energy Transferred & Efficiency

Conservation of energy, energy stores, and pathways.

Session 5 Thermal Insulation & Dissipation

Conduction, convection, and radiation.

Session 6 Digesting Food & Enzymes

The human digestive system and nutrients.

Session 7 Mid-Term Synoptic Review & Assessment

Reviewing chemical changes and energy.

Session 8 Introduction to Current & Voltage

Series circuits, ammeters, and voltmeters.

Session 9 Parallel Circuits & Component Resistance

Parallel loops and adding components, introduction to Ohm's Law.

Session 10 Breathing & Gaseous Exchange

The respiratory system and lung structure.

Session 11 Drugs, Health, and Lifestyle

Nutrients, recreational/medicinal drugs, and health impacts.

Session 12 End of Term Assessment & GCSE Higher Tier Lookup

Term 1 review and breaking down actual GCSE questions on circuit calculations, guiding Year 8 students to solve them using their foundational understanding.

Year 9

Focus: High-level mathematical reasoning, mole introductions, complex wave behaviours, and rigorous scientific application.

Session 1 Photosynthesis & Limiting Factors

The word equation, chloroplasts, and rates of photosynthesis.

Session 2 Cellular Respiration (Aerobic vs. Anaerobic)

Mitochondria, energy release, and oxygen debt.

Session 3 Atomic Structure & Isotopes

Protons, neutrons, electrons, and mass/atomic numbers.

Session 4 Introduction to Bonding (Ionic vs. Covalent)

Chemical bonds and transferring/ sharing electrons.

Session 5 Longitudinal & Transverse Waves

Wave attributes, amplitude, frequency, and wavelength.

Session 6 Wave Interactions (Reflection & Refraction)

Light behaviours and boundary interactions.

Session 7 Mid-Term Synoptic Review & Exam Masterclass

Bridging Year 9 content to the GCSE specification. Deconstructing the marking criteria for 6-mark questions on wave behaviours.

Session 8 Sound, Hearing, and the Ultrasound Horizon

Sound propagation, auditory ranges, and ultrasound echoes.

Session 9 Acids, Alkalis, and the pH Scale

The pH scale, indicators, and neutralisation reactions.

Session 10 Reactivity Series & Metal Extraction

Displacement reactions and carbon reduction.

Session 11 Inheritance, DNA, and Chromosomes

The nucleus, genes, alleles, and structure.

Session 12 Comprehensive Term Assessment & GCSE Strategy Alignment

Working through a GCSE Higher Tier Paper 1 section.