At Pembroke Academy, our Science curriculum is designed to be practical, engaging, and ambitious, inspiring curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. We aim to empower students to understand and shape the world around them.

Our vision is to:

• Foster Curiosity and Wonder
  Encourage students to ask questions, explore ideas, and develop a deep appreciation for the natural world and technological advancements.
• Deliver a Practical and Experiential Curriculum
  Provide hands-on investigations and real-world applications that bring scientific concepts to life, ensuring students learn through discovery and experimentation.
• Build Knowledge and Understanding
  Develop a secure foundation in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, enabling students to make connections across disciplines and apply their learning to new contexts.
• Equip Students with Skills for the Modern Era
  Cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, data analysis, and communication skills that prepare students for further study and careers in a rapidly evolving global society.
• Promote Ambition and Resilience
  Challenge students to think deeply, work collaboratively, and persevere through complex problems, fostering confidence and independence.
• Prepare Global Citizens
  Instill an awareness of the ethical, environmental, and societal implications of scientific progress, empowering students to make informed decisions and contribute positively to the world.

Curriculum content

Our Science curriculum is built around Big Ideas of Science, which underpin our learning journey. These core topics ensure students develop a deep understanding by progressing through our curriculum and prepare our learners fully as scientists for life beyond school.  

Cells and Life
All living things are made of cells, which carry out essential life processes. Understanding cells helps students appreciate the complexity and diversity of life.

Organisation
Organisms function through interconnected systems. Students learn how tissues, organs, and organ systems work together to sustain life.

Interdependence
Life exists within ecosystems where organisms depend on each other and their environment. This fosters awareness of biodiversity and sustainability.

Ecosystems
Matter and energy cycle through ecosystems, highlighting the importance of conservation and the role of producers in supporting life.

Inheritance and Variation
Genetic information is passed through DNA, shaping characteristics and driving evolution. Students explore how variation leads to adaptation and survival.

Structure and Properties of Matter
The arrangement of atoms determines material properties. This principle underpins Chemistry and links to real-world applications.

Chemical Reactions
Reactions rearrange matter but conserve atoms, teaching students about chemical processes and their role in everyday life.

Earth
Earth’s composition and dynamic processes shape its surface and climate. Students consider human impact and sustainability.

Forces and Motion
Forces govern motion and energy transfer. Students learn to predict and calculate physical interactions using scientific laws.

Energy
Energy is conserved and transferred through electricity, radiation, and fields, enabling technological advances and modern conveniences.

Working Scientifically

Working scientifically is the sum of all the activities that scientists do. Throughout our curriculum students develop fundamental inquiry skills required to carry out practical investigations. They develop an appreciation for scientific explanations, theories and models and understand that these can evolve over time and with further investigations and evidence. The knowledge produced by science is used in some technologies to create products to serve human ends.

Our Science curriculum ensures students think scientifically, apply knowledge practically, and understand the global significance of science in addressing challenges such as climate change, health, and technology. Students explore the applications of science and are shown that these can often have ethical, social, economic and political implications.