We will be following the UK national curriculum for science KS3 (Pre-GCSE) adding to our knowledge every week, starting with the cells topic (week starting 8th Jan 2024), then moving through the topics in the following order; 
Body systems (starting 27th Feb); 
Nutrition and digestion (starting 16th Apr); 
Reproduction (human and plant) (starting 21st May); 
Photosynthesis (starting 3rd Sep); 
Respiration (starting 1st Oct); 
Ecosystems (starting 22nd Oct); 
Genetics (starting 19th Nov). This will mean that by the time we have finished all of the topics, the entire content for Biology KS3 will be fully taught. As can be seen below, this will take the entire year.  

Dates for Cells lessons:
1. 9th Jan- Microscopes and cells
2. 16th Jan- Animal cells
3. 23rd Jan- Plant cells
4. 30th Jan- Specialised cells
5. 6th Feb- Unicellular organisms
6. 13th Feb- Organisation
7. 20th Feb- Diffusion

Dates for body systems topic:
1. 27th Feb- Lung structure and breathing
2. 5th Mar- Human skeleton
3. 12th Mar- Biomechanics
4. 19th Mar- Antagonistic muscles
5. 26th Mar- Drugs, alcohol and smoking

!!Easter break- 2nd Apr + 9th Apr!!

Dates for Nutrition and digestion:
1. 16th Apr- Digestive system
2. 23rd Apr- Enzymes in digestion
3. 30th Apr- Food groups
4. 7th May- Food tests
5. 14th May- Malnutrition

Dates for reproduction topic (human and plants):
1. 21st May- Adolescence and puberty
2. 28th May- Male and female sex organs
3. 4th Jun- the menstrual cycle and fertilisation
4. 11th Jun- Contraceptives and hormones 
5. 18th Jun- the development of a foetus and birth
6. 25th Jun- IVF treatment
7. 2nd Jul- Flower structure
8. 9th Jul- Pollination
9. 16th Jul- Fertilisation and seed development
10. 23rd Jul- Seed dispersal and germination

!!Summer break 30th Jul- 27th Aug!!

Dates for Photosynthesis topic:
1. 3rd Sep- Photosynthesis
2. 10th Sep- Leaf structure
3. 17th Sep- Plant adaptations
4. 24th Sep- Transpiration

Dates for Respiration topic:
1. 1st Oct- Aerobic respiration
2. 8th Oct- Effects of exercise
3. 15th Oct- Anaerobic respiration

Dates for Ecosystems topic:
1. 22nd Oct- Environments and ecosystems
2. 29th Oct- Competition and adaptations
3. 5th Nov- Evolution
4. 12th Nov- Food chains

Dates for Genetics topic: 
1. 19th Nov- DNA
2. 26th Nov- Chromosomes and inheritance
3. 3rd Dec- Punnet squares
4. 10th Dec- Selective breeding and genetic engineering
5. 17th Dec- Cloning

Each topic will have a mini practical/ model building task for a more relaxed and fun lesson. Students who start later than the topic start date should be able to catch up as we frequently recap previous content as the start of each lesson, if the student is struggling to catch up from this, please let me know and I can send over some revision style resources. Knowledge builds up throughout the topic, however students should be able to start a new topic with no prior knowledge. 
Lessons are fairly structured and will include a mixture of individual tasks, group activities for collaborative learning by following a PowerPoint and working through various worksheets. We often use quizzes, interactive whiteboards and games. It is useful for students to have a general knowledge of science but this is not entirely necessary, as I can adapt lessons as we go along for the group!