1. Threshold concept Big Idea Y7 Y8 Y9 Y10 Y11
Forces
Forces predict motion
Contact forces
Speed & acceleration
Newton’s laws
Resultant force
Velocity and acceleration
Momentum
Moments
Forces act through fields
Gravity
Magnetism
Fields
Pressure acts in liquids and gases
Gas pressure Laws
Pressure in liquids
Energy
Energy is conserved in transformations
Energy transfers
Heating & cooling
Energy transfers and transformations
Energy efficiency
Work & energy
Electricity transfers energy
Current & voltage
Mains electricity
Current electricity
Static electricity
Energy travels as radiation
Light
Wave properties
Radioactivity
Infrared radiation
E.m. radiation
Matter
Structure determines properties
Substances & mixtures
Elements & compounds
Periodic table
Specific heat capacity
Specific Latent heat
Bonding & structures
Carbon chemistry
Reactions rearrange matter
Acids
Chemical change
Chemical energy
Rates & reversibility
Making substances
Earth systems interact
Rocks
Using resources
Atmosphere
Organisms
Cells carry out life processes
Cells
Growth & differentiation
Bodies work as systems
Organisation
Organ systems
Feedback & control
Ecosystems
Organisms interact in communities
Interdependence
Human impacts
Ecosystems cycle matter & energy
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Cycling materials
Genes
Characteristics are Inherited
Reproduction
Genetics
Controlling reproduction
Species show variation
Evolution
Diversity of life
The result of merging the KS3 Syllabus with the 40 topics created from Trilogy, and removing duplication between the Key Stages, is this 5 year curriculum plan. Our analysis (see later slide) confirmed what teachers had said, that there was not enough time to properly teach all the content of KS3 and then GCSE. Removing duplication involved ‘merging’ involved 10 KS3 topics whose ideas were also covered at GCSE. These were combined with their Trilogy counterparts to create a single topic. Therefore the plan contains 70 topics, not 80 (30 from KS3, 40 from GCSE).