Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend
Lower School Science
“What scientists are attached to is journeys into the unknown and discovering things that are completely unexpected and baffling and surprising.”
Brian Cox
At Mayfield Grammar School, our Lower School Science curriculum is designed to spark curiosity, build foundational scientific knowledge, and develop confident learners who can think critically and work practically. Through a carefully sequenced programme based on the Oxford Smart Activate Curriculum, students explore the Big Ideas of Science, preparing them for success at GCSE and beyond.
Our Aims
- Inspire and engage students through real-world contexts and hands-on practical activities and demonstrations.
- Build scientific understanding across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics with depth and breadth.
- Develop key scientific skills, including working scientifically, literacy, numeracy, and enquiry.
- Promote safe and effective laboratory practice from the outset.
Curriculum Overview
Students in Years 7 and 8 follow a spiral curriculum that revisits and deepens understanding of core concepts. Each term focuses on different modules from the Big Ideas:
- Biology-linked topics: Organisms, Inheritance, Ecosystems
- Chemistry-linked topics: Matter, Reactions, Earth’s Resources
- Physics-linked topics: Energy, Forces, Waves, Electromagnetism
- Interdisciplinary topics: Planetary Sciences
Each module includes core practical activities, interdisciplinary links, and opportunities for literacy and numeracy development.
Key Concepts
- Working Scientifically: Enquiry, planning, safety, and data analysis
- Scientific Attitudes: Accuracy, precision, peer-review and evaluation
- Measurement & Analysis: Units, equations, calculations, and interpreting data
- Scientific Literacy: Use of key terminology, structured explanations, and critical thinking
Key Skills Developed
- Practical: Handling apparatus, conducting experiments
- Investigative: Designing and evaluating investigations
- Analytical: Interpreting data and identifying patterns
- Mathematical: Calculating means, re-arranging equations, calculating percentages, and interpreting graphs
- Evaluative: Drawing conclusions and improving methods
- Problem Solving: Applying knowledge to unfamiliar contexts
Academic Literacy
Students are supported in developing scientific literacy through:
- Vocabulary lists and glossaries
- Independent research and reading, such as through the Science LEAP Project and activities
- Structured discussions and debates
- Regular questioning and teacher-assessed written tasks
Enrichment Opportunities
- Science Club: Hands-on STEM activities at lunchtime
- Lower School Science Drop-In: Teacher-led academic support group, with assistance from Sixth Form Science students
- Trips and Events: Including KS3 Live and the annual MGSG Science Fair
- Extending Scientist Award: Celebrating students who demonstrate initiative, curiosity, and commitment to Science through independent exploration and active participation in extra-curricular STEM activities.
Encouraging Independent Learning
Students are motivated to extend their interest in science by:
- Reading beyond the curriculum
- Using the Learning Resource Centre (LRC)
- Watching science-related documentaries and listening to science podcasts
- Exploring topics via the EY STEM app