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Curriculum/Science/Key Stage 4

🔬 Science – Key Stage 4

Years 10-11

Official GOV.UK source

Aims

Teaching in the sciences in key stage 4 continues with the process of building upon and deepening scientific knowledge and the understanding of ideas developed in earlier key stages in the subject disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. For some students, studying the sciences in key stage 4 provides the platform for more advanced studies, establishing the basis for a wide range of careers. For others, it will be their last formal study of subjects that provide the foundations for understanding the natural world and will enhance their lives in an increasingly technological society.

Key Stage 4

Working scientifically27 objectives

Pupils should be taught to:

  • SC-KS4-00-WS-01the ways in which scientific methods and theories develop over time
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-02using a variety of concepts and models to develop scientific explanations and understanding
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-03appreciating the power and limitations of science and considering ethical issues which may arise
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-04explaining everyday and technological applications of science; evaluating associated personal, social, economic and environmental implications; and making decisions based on the evaluation of evidence and arguments
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-05evaluating risks both in practical science and the wider societal context, including perception of risk
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-06recognising the importance of peer review of results and of communication of results to a range of audiences
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-07using scientific theories and explanations to develop hypotheses
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-08planning experiments to make observations, test hypotheses or explore phenomena
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-09applying a knowledge of a range of techniques, apparatus, and materials to select those appropriate both for fieldwork and for experiments
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-10carrying out experiments appropriately, having due regard to the correct manipulation of apparatus, the accuracy of measurements and health and safety considerations
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-11recognising when to apply a knowledge of sampling techniques to ensure any samples collected are representative
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-12making and recording observations and measurements using a range of apparatus and methods
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-13evaluating methods and suggesting possible improvements and further investigations
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-14presenting observations and other data using appropriate methods
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-15translating data from one form to another
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-16carrying out and representing mathematical and statistical analysis
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-17representing distributions of results and making estimations of uncertainty
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-18interpreting observations and other data, including identifying patterns and trends, making inferences and drawing conclusions
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-19presenting reasoned explanations, including relating data to hypotheses
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-20being objective, evaluating data in terms of accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility and identifying potential sources of random and systematic error
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-21communicating the scientific rationale for investigations, including the methods used, the findings and reasoned conclusions, using paper-based and electronic reports and presentations
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-22developing their use of scientific vocabulary and nomenclature
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-23recognising the importance of scientific quantities and understanding how they are determined
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-24using SI units and IUPAC chemical nomenclature unless inappropriate
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-25using prefixes and powers of ten for orders of magnitude (e.g. tera, giga, mega, kilo, centi, milli, micro and nano)
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-26interconverting units
  • SC-KS4-00-WS-27using an appropriate number of significant figures in calculations
Biology45 objectives

Pupils should be taught to:

  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-01cells as the basic structural unit of all organisms; adaptations of cells related to their functions; the main sub-cellular structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-02stem cells in animals and meristems in plants
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-03enzymes
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-04factors affecting the rate of enzymatic reactions
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-05the importance of cellular respiration; the processes of aerobic and anaerobic respiration
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-06carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids as key biological molecules
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-07the need for transport systems in multicellular organisms, including plants
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-08the relationship between the structure and functions of the human circulatory system
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-09the relationship between health and disease
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-10communicable diseases including sexually transmitted infections in humans (including HIV/AIDs)
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-11non-communicable diseases
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-12bacteria, viruses and fungi as pathogens in animals and plants
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-13body defences against pathogens and the role of the immune system against disease
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-14reducing and preventing the spread of infectious diseases in animals and plants
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-15the process of discovery and development of new medicines
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-16the impact of lifestyle factors on the incidence of non-communicable diseases
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-17principles of nervous coordination and control in humans
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-18the relationship between the structure and function of the human nervous system
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-19the relationship between structure and function in a reflex arc
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-20principles of hormonal coordination and control in humans
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-21hormones in human reproduction, hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-22homeostasis
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-23photosynthesis as the key process for food production and therefore biomass for life
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-24the process of photosynthesis
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-25factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-26levels of organisation within an ecosystem
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-27some abiotic and biotic factors which affect communities; the importance of interactions between organisms in a community
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-28how materials cycle through abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-29the role of microorganisms (decomposers) in the cycling of materials through an ecosystem
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-30organisms are interdependent and are adapted to their environment
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-31the importance of biodiversity
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-32methods of identifying species and measuring distribution, frequency and abundance of species within a habitat
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-33positive and negative human interactions with ecosystems
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-34the genome as the entire genetic material of an organism
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-35how the genome, and its interaction with the environment, influence the development of the phenotype of an organism
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-36the potential impact of genomics on medicine
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-37most phenotypic features being the result of multiple, rather than single, genes
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-38single gene inheritance and single gene crosses with dominant and recessive phenotypes
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-39sex determination in humans
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-40genetic variation in populations of a species
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-41the process of natural selection leading to evolution
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-42the evidence for evolution
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-43developments in biology affecting classification
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-44the importance of selective breeding of plants and animals in agriculture
  • SC-KS4-00-BIO-45the uses of modern biotechnology including gene technology; some of the practical and ethical considerations of modern biotechnology
Chemistry37 objectives

Pupils should be taught to:

  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-01a simple model of the atom consisting of the nucleus and electrons, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-02the number of particles in a given mass of a substance
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-03the modern Periodic Table, showing elements arranged in order of atomic number
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-04position of elements in the Periodic Table in relation to their atomic structure and arrangement of outer electrons
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-05properties and trends in properties of elements in the same group
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-06characteristic properties of metals and non-metals
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-07chemical reactivity of elements in relation to their position in the Periodic Table
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-08changes of state of matter in terms of particle kinetics, energy transfers and the relative strength of chemical bonds and intermolecular forces
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-09types of chemical bonding: ionic, covalent, and metallic
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-10bulk properties of materials related to bonding and intermolecular forces
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-11bonding of carbon leading to the vast array of natural and synthetic organic compounds that occur due to the ability of carbon to form families of similar compounds, chains and rings
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-12structures, bonding and properties of diamond, graphite, fullerenes and graphene
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-13determination of empirical formulae from the ratio of atoms of different kinds
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-14balanced chemical equations, ionic equations and state symbols
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-15identification of common gases
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-16the chemistry of acids; reactions with some metals and carbonates
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-17pH as a measure of hydrogen ion concentration and its numerical scale
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-18electrolysis of molten ionic liquids and aqueous ionic solutions
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-19reduction and oxidation in terms of loss or gain of oxygen.
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-20Measurement of energy changes in chemical reactions (qualitative)
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-21Bond breaking, bond making, activation energy and reaction profiles (qualitative)
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-22factors that influence the rate of reaction: varying temperature or concentration, changing the surface area of a solid reactant or by adding a catalyst
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-23factors affecting reversible reactions
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-24distinguishing between pure and impure substances
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-25separation techniques for mixtures of substances: filtration, crystallisation, chromatography, simple and fractional distillation
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-26quantitative interpretation of balanced equations
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-27concentrations of solutions in relation to mass of solute and volume of solvent
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-28life cycle assessment and recycling to assess environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-29the viability of recycling of certain materials
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-30carbon compounds, both as fuels and feedstock, and the competing demands for limited resources
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-31fractional distillation of crude oil and cracking to make more useful materials
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-32extraction and purification of metals related to the position of carbon in a reactivity series
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-33evidence for composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere since its formation
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-34evidence, and uncertainties in evidence, for additional anthropogenic causes of climate change
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-35potential effects of, and mitigation of, increased levels of carbon dioxide and methane on the Earth's climate
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-36common atmospheric pollutants: sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, particulates and their sources
  • SC-KS4-00-CHE-37the Earth's water resources and obtaining potable water
Physics41 objectives

Pupils should be taught to:

  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-01energy changes in a system involving heating, doing work using forces, or doing work using an electric current: calculating the stored energies and energy changes involved
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-02power as the rate of transfer of energy
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-03conservation of energy in a closed system, dissipation
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-04calculating energy efficiency for any energy transfers
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-05renewable and non-renewable energy sources used on Earth, changes in how these are used
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-06forces and fields: electrostatic, magnetic, gravity
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-07forces as vectors
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-08calculating work done as force x distance; elastic and inelastic stretching
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-09pressure in fluids acts in all directions: variation in Earth's atmosphere with height, with depth for liquids, up-thrust force (qualitative)
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-10speed of sound, estimating speeds and accelerations in everyday contexts
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-11interpreting quantitatively graphs of distance, time, and speed
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-12acceleration caused by forces; Newton's First Law
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-13weight and gravitational field strength
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-14decelerations and braking distances involved on roads, safety
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-15amplitude, wavelength, frequency, relating velocity to frequency and wavelength
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-16transverse and longitudinal waves
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-17electromagnetic waves, velocity in vacuum; waves transferring energy; wavelengths and frequencies from radio to gamma-rays
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-18velocities differing between media: absorption, reflection, refraction effects
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-19production and detection, by electrical circuits, or by changes in atoms and nuclei
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-20uses in the radio, microwave, infra-red, visible, ultra-violet, X-ray and gamma-ray regions, hazardous effects on bodily tissues
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-21measuring resistance using p.d. and current measurements
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-22exploring current, resistance and voltage relationships for different circuit elements; including their graphical representations
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-23quantity of charge flowing as the product of current and time
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-24drawing circuit diagrams; exploring equivalent resistance for resistors in series
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-25the domestic a.c. supply; live, neutral and earth mains wires, safety measures
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-26power transfer related to p.d. and current, or current and resistance
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-27exploring the magnetic fields of permanent and induced magnets, and the Earth's magnetic field, using a compass
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-28magnetic effects of currents, how solenoids enhance the effect
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-29how transformers are used in the national grid and the reasons for their use
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-30relating models of arrangements and motions of the molecules in solid, liquid and gas phases to their densities
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-31melting, evaporation, and sublimation as reversible changes
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-32calculating energy changes involved on heating, using specific heat capacity; and those involved in changes of state, using specific latent heat
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-33links between pressure and temperature of a gas at constant volume, related to the motion of its particles (qualitative)
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-34the nuclear model and its development in the light of changing evidence
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-35masses and sizes of nuclei, atoms and small molecules
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-36differences in numbers of protons, and neutrons related to masses and identities of nuclei, isotope characteristics and equations to represent changes
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-37ionisation; absorption or emission of radiation related to changes in electron orbits
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-38radioactive nuclei: emission of alpha or beta particles, neutrons, or gamma-rays, related to changes in the nuclear mass and/or charge
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-39radioactive materials, half-life, irradiation, contamination and their associated hazardous effects, waste disposal
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-40nuclear fission, nuclear fusion and our sun's energy
  • SC-KS4-00-PHY-41the main features of the solar system.

Practise Science with free games

These games are aligned to the Science national curriculum objectives above.

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Content sourced from the Science programmes of study, Department for Education, published September 2013. Crown copyright. Each objective carries a reference code (e.g. SC-KS4-...) for identification. Verify any objective by searching the GOV.UK source page linked above. Last verified against GOV.UK: April 2026. About this data