Science

Year 8 science becomes more quantitative. Biology covers respiration, photosynthesis, digestion, the skeletal and muscular systems, and health and disease. Chemistry covers atoms and the periodic table, chemical reactions, word and symbol equations, acids and alkalis, and the reactivity series.

Physics covers energy transfer and efficiency, motion graphs, pressure, light, sound, magnetism and electromagnets. Pupils are expected to use formulae with correct units and to draw and interpret graphs accurately.

Practical work introduces the required-practical style used at GCSE, with attention to precision, repeat readings and identifying sources of error.