At Brookhaven, our Science curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity, deepen understanding, and empower students to explore the world around them through a structured and inclusive approach.
Science Curriculum Intent Statement
Rooted in the National Curriculum, our KS3/4 programmes are organised around 14 "Big Questions" across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. These questions are revisited annually, enabling students to build upon prior knowledge, make meaningful connections, and develop a coherent understanding of scientific concepts over time.
Our curriculum is driven by the belief that Science is not just a body of knowledge but a dynamic process of discovery. This spiral structure ensures that learning is layered and reinforced, allowing all students to progress confidently and purposefully.
The Big Questions
Students explore questions that are both academically rigorous and relevant to their everyday lives, including:
Disciplinary Knowledge
Alongside substantive knowledge, we place a strong emphasis on disciplinary knowledge — how scientists work and think. Through a wide range of scientific enquiries, students learn to investigate, hypothesise, observe, and evaluate. Hands-on activities promote critical thinking, collaboration, and resilience. The use of models — such as the solar system — supports the understanding of abstract ideas, while data handling and calculations are embedded throughout the curriculum.
Addressing Misconceptions
We are committed to addressing misconceptions proactively. Teachers identify and plan for key misconceptions on a lesson-by-lesson basis, ensuring all students are supported in developing secure and accurate scientific understanding.
Assessment is integral to our approach in Science — used continuously to check understanding, inform teaching, and ensure every student is ready for the next step in their learning journey.
Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is used continuously throughout lessons to check understanding and inform teaching. Exit tickets at the end of each lesson are carefully designed to assess core knowledge and address misconceptions, ensuring students are prepared for what comes next.
Summative Assessment
Summative assessment takes place at the end of each unit, providing a structured checkpoint on students' progress and a foundation for planning next steps.
Students follow a pathway that best suits their needs and aspirations, ensuring Science is both ambitious and accessible for every learner at Brookhaven.
Vocational Pathway
Students on the Vocational Pathway follow a curriculum closely aligned with the National Curriculum and work towards formal qualifications. Practical, hands-on learning builds both scientific understanding and essential life skills. This pathway prepares students for vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, or employment, with a strong emphasis on communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Independence Pathway
Students on the Independence Pathway focus on developing life skills through science — understanding health and the environment, participating in community-based learning, and building confidence in everyday contexts. This pathway supports students in becoming independent, informed, and active members of society.
Our vision is for every student — regardless of their starting point or pathway — to leave Brookhaven with a sense of wonder about the natural world, the confidence to question it, and the skills to shape it.