At Burton Borough our science curriculum aims to ignite curiosity, foster critical thinking, and develop a deep understanding of the natural world. We believe every student should leave with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to question, investigate, and make informed decisions about scientific issues that impact their lives and the wider world.

Our intent is to:

• Build a secure foundation of scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
• Develop students’ ability to think scientifically — to observe, hypothesise, test, and evaluate evidence critically.
• Cultivate curiosity and enthusiasm for science through engaging, practical, and contextual learning.
• Equip students with scientific literacy to engage meaningfully with current and future global challenges — such as health, energy, climate, and technology.
• Ensure progression from KS3 to GCSE so that students are well prepared for further study and STEM-related careers.

Promote aspiration, resilience, and collaboration through enquiry-based learning and problem-solving activities.

Science is taught as a spiral curriculum, where key concepts are revisited and deepened over time.

• KS3 (Years 7–8) provides strong foundations through exploration of key ideas in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Students develop core practical, mathematical, and investigative skills through hands-on enquiry and real-world contexts
• KS4 (Years 9–11) builds on these foundations with increasing depth and application leading to GCSE Combined or Separate Science Content is sequenced to connect prior knowledge to new ideas, developing mastery and conceptual fluency. Students will study the AQA syllabus.
• Students experience a broad range of practical investigations, meeting all required practical and additional enrichment opportunities that encourage curiosity and independence.
• Literacy and numeracy are embedded throughout, with emphasis on precise scientific language, data interpretation, and use of equations.
• Assessment is formative and summative, identifying misconceptions early and supporting personalised feedback and intervention.

The curriculum is enriched through STEM clubs, fieldwork, trips, and links to industry and higher education, broadening students’ awareness of science in society

Through the Science curriculum, students will:

• Develop secure scientific knowledge and understanding, allowing them to explain, predict, and analyse scientific phenomena confidently.
• Become independent and reflective learners, capable of applying scientific thinking beyond the classroom.
• Develop critical thinking skills and develop their scientific literacy and oracy skills to build reasoned arguments.
• Gain practical competence and understand how scientific evidence is generated, validated, and communicated.
• Achieve strong outcomes at GCSE, reflecting good progress from individual starting points.
• Be inspired to pursue further study and careers in STEM fields, and to act as responsible citizens who appreciate the impact of science on society and the environment.

Ultimately, our science curriculum seeks to empower students to question the world around them, think critically, and contribute thoughtfully to the challenges of the future.

Fortnightly homework will be set by each of your child’s science teachers. This may take the form of online quizzes using platforms such as Seneca, paper-based tasks including past paper questions/papers. This will surmount to 1 hour per science, per fortnight.

• STEM Club
• Fieldwork – ecology investigations.
• Career Links – NHS, engineering, environment, sustainability
• Trips & Visits – Science museums, university STEM days.
• Skills Development – data literacy, collaboration, problem-solving

We work closely with our careers lead and local partners to ensure students see clear pathways from classroom learning to employment and higher study.
Our careers provision in science includes:

• Guest talks and workshops from STEM professionals.
• Visits to science museums, universities, and local industries.
• STEM clubs and competitions (e.g. CREST Awards, British Science Week).
• Explicit links in lessons between curriculum content and job roles.
• Guidance on GCSE and post-16 subject choices for STEM pathways.

Science provides strong foundations for further study and careers such as:

• Medicine and healthcare (doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, biomedical scientist)
• Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, software)
• Environmental and Earth sciences (ecologist, geologist, environmental consultant)
• Forensic science and criminology
• Computing, data science, and AI