Science

Science Curriculum Overview

Subject: Science
Key Stage(s):KS3 and KS4
Head of Department: Mr Dave Buckingham
Date last reviewed: January 2026

1. Curriculum Intent

Science empowers us to understand the richness and diversity of the world around us, from the smallest parts of our everyday lives to the wonders of the Universe. Future generations of scientists will be the innovators and thinkers, inventing and developing new technologies and collaborating to find solutions to the problems that face humankind, such as climate change. 

Our science curriculum: 

1. Is designed to develop curiosity, excitement and a rich understanding of the relevance of science in their lives, inspiring children to learn more about the world and choose to follow careers in science
2. Is highly selective, and prioritises the most versatile and important knowledge in unit plans and lesson resources
3. Is challenging, allowing students to develop their understanding of abstract concepts and to allow them to question and think deeply
4. Includes a wealth of well-planned and purposeful practical work, teaching and developing the knowledge of methods, apparatus, techniques and analysis that scientists use to investigate hypotheses.
5. Uses carefully crafted high quality modelling to support the development and understanding of more abstract concepts, as well as bring a sense of wonder and awe 
6. Is structured around the big ideas in science and the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
7. Is sequenced carefully so that earlier topics establish the knowledge required for future topics and to enable revisiting and deepening of knowledge over time
8. Includes high quality assessment and feedback; carefully sequenced, well-structured and used to inform teaching.
9. Develops the language of science, with key vocabulary highlighted and taught within context and regularly revisited

2. Curriculum Implementation

Students are taught using the principles of Explicit Instruction:

1. Lessons are led by the teacher and involve whole-class teaching.
2. Students are presented with all the knowledge they need through explanations, questioning, demonstrations and guidance.
3. Before students attempt tasks, they will have been explicitly taught everything that they need.
4. Tasks focus on the core knowledge, and avoid distracting extraneous elements. This allows students to focus on developing depth in their scientific knowledge and understanding
5. Tasks and procedures are repetitive to free up attention. 
6. All details of instruction are optimised to minimise student confusions and misinterpretations.
7. Students use scientific language accurately in their explanations" and are taught how to describe, explain and use scientific models, developing in complexity and challenge from Y7 to Y11. This enables students to develop a deeper understanding of the most important scientific principles and models.

Lesson structure: 

1. Recaps prioritise core knowledge
2. Explanations are chunked, breaking new knowledge down into manageable steps, particularly for abstract concepts.

• Definitions are correct and clear with examples and opportunities to practise. 

• Examples, demonstrations and modelling are prepared in advance 

1. Frequent checks for understanding through turn and talks, show me and choral response, so students frequently practise new knowledge throughout the lesson.
2. Practice: Time is given every lesson for students to practise independently with self-checks for accuracy. During this time, students will independently practice applying their knowledge, including in different contexts. Practice builds in challenge and complexity across topics, and across the 5 year curriculum.
3. Misconceptions are anticipated and pre-empted.
4. Opportunities for extra support or stretch and challenge are built in, with teachers responsive to learner progress 
5. Teachers circulate giving quiet, individual verbal feedback often and pausing to re-teach a concept where required.  

3. Curriculum Impact

In 2025, Pool Academy achieved Grade 4+ and 5+ Combined Science results that exceeded the National Average and therefore allowed a large number of our students to pursue science A-Levels, and other further education qualifications linked to science. Formative assessment is a key part of our teaching fundamentals and is present within every lesson. It is used to help identify gaps in student knowledge and to close these gaps through whispered verbal support or through whole class teaching.  

4. Enrichment and Wider Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to attend enrichment visits such as Women in Stem events and the annual Cornwall Schools Mining Games for Year 8. Students also benefit from visiting speakers with a STEM background with examples including Health Professionals such as Radiographers. In addition, Year 10’s compete in the Annual Science Olympiad at a nearby school for gifted and talented students. Other examples include during Curriculum Enrichment Week where students have had the opportunity to visit the Geevor Tin Mine Museum to learn about mining, engineering and geology within a local context.

5. Quality Assurance and Review

The curriculum is never finished! It is continually reviewed and developed via CPD both at a department level and at a Trust-level via Heads of Science CPD led by the Athena Science coordinator. Student voice and Teacher voice is an important part of this process.

This overview reflects Pool Academy’s commitment to a coherent, ambitious and inclusive curriculum aligned with the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework.