Curriculum intent

At Kenwood Academy, pupils are exposed to the wonders of science that relates to every aspect of their lives, from the living organisms that surround us to the chemical and physical laws that govern our very existence.

Pupils will be introduced to a large range of substantive knowledge which is met through a range of teaching methods, always with appropriate scaffolding, with topics planned into manageable chunks of new information to avoid cognitive overload. We aim to allow pupils to make clear links and make connections form with a fact, concept, relationship or theory. This method of investigation will create a sense of wonder and curiosity about the material world. As pupils progress through our curriculum, they are repeatedly exposed to core scientific concepts and ideas, with time built in for the revisiting of these concepts to both strengthen existing knowledge and to give new knowledge to pupils who have missed that learning. This serves to form a solid base of scientific understanding and knowledge that will allow more complex learning to take place. This method is underpinned by government research into ‘spaced’ and ‘interleaved’ learning as a tool for long term recall and true understanding of concepts. A key component for a scientist is to learn a range of scientific techniques that will allow them to take part in investigating, observing, experimenting or testing scientific ideas or concepts. This disciplinary knowledge through practical investigation gives our pupils insight into the processes followed and the methodology of being a scientist – scientific thinking, experimental skills and strategy, analysis and evaluation and scientific vocabulary.  By teaching both aspects of science knowledge, our curriculum encourages the development of a complete scientist with an understanding of science through working scientifically. This skill can then be used throughout their lives to think objectively and analytically in a range of situations.

To account for our diverse cohort of pupils, we offer a range of science courses from an Entry Level Certificate to a high tier GCSE qualification. On discussion with all parties involved we can tailor the learning for a pupil that will suit their prior learning and any gaps in knowledge they may have. Science is a subject that covers a wide range of topics and can have a huge breadth of knowledge required, our curriculum has been uniquely designed so that, whatever the ability of the individual, we can provide a course that will stretch and challenge their capabilities. Every course offered is based on the National Curriculum, subject knowledge and is grouped into the 10 big ideas of science:

Biology – Organisms, Genes, Ecosystems

Chemistry – Matter, Reactions, Earth

Physics – Forces, Electromagnets, Energy, Waves

Our curriculum has been planned to alternate between these ten key concepts in a sequence that reinforces the spaced learning model employed at Kenwood. It provides a range of topics and points of interest to engage, excite and enthuse our pupils in science.

Studying science at Kenwood gives pupils the analytical skills and substantive knowledge that will prepare them for the wider world and give them the best possible opportunities to move on to a destination that allows them to thrive.