Science Across the Curriculum
Scientific knowledge, understanding and enquiry skills are delivered through a dual model: a dedicated timetabled Science lesson leading to the AQA Entry Level Certificate, complemented by applied science embedded across vocational subjects, outdoor learning and PSHE.
Why Applied + Accredited Science?
Our learners benefit from a dual approach: a dedicated Science lesson working towards the AQA Entry Level Certificate in Science (8461), plus applied science embedded across vocational subjects. This ensures structured progression through Biology, Chemistry and Physics while reinforcing scientific concepts in meaningful, real-world contexts. The most able learners may progress to GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy.
Contextualised
Science taught through real vocational tasks
Accessible
Adapted for SEND learners' needs
Meaningful
Contextualised, applied and progression-focused
Science Coverage Grid
Click any area to see the detailed scientific content and how it's assessed.
Biology
(4 areas)Chemistry
(2 areas)Physics
(2 areas)Scientific Enquiry
(Cross-cutting)Inspection Evidence Map
Deep Dive ReadyWhere an inspector can find science being delivered — by subject, year group, SOW placement, and observable evidence.
| Pathway / Subject | Scientific Content | Year Group(s) | Where in SOW | Evidence Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health & Social Care | Anatomy, body systems, infection control, nutrition, human growth and development, immunisation | Y10-11 | Unit 1 (Autumn), Unit 2 (Spring) | Lesson plans, learner work, labelled diagrams, coursework portfolios, unit assessments |
| Hospitality & Catering | Food hygiene, heat transfer, states of matter, nutrition chemistry, allergens, bacterial growth | Y10-11 | Practical units (Spring/Summer), Food Safety module | Recipes with science annotations, teacher planning notes, food safety worksheets, practical assessments |
| Rail Engineering | Forces, motion, friction, electricity, signalling systems, materials science, structural integrity | Y10-11 | Project module (all year), PTS/COSS units | Project books, annotated photos, technical drawings, practical assessment records, display work |
| Construction | Forces, load-bearing, materials properties, COSHH, fire science, PPE science, structural safety | Y10-11 | H&S module (Autumn), Practical units (all year) | Risk assessments, material selection tasks, COSHH worksheets, CSCS test preparation, site visit records |
| Digital Skills / Games Design | Energy and power, electrical circuits, computing principles, light and sound in digital media, data | 16–25 | Hardware unit (Autumn), Creative media (Spring) | Learner project work, coding portfolios, game design documentation, digital media outputs |
| Outdoor Learning / Forest School | Habitats, biodiversity, plant biology, conservation, weather, animal behaviour, ecosystems | 16–25 | 6-week Forest School blocks, weekly outdoor sessions | Outdoor learning journals, field observation sheets, species identification records, photos, LOtC logs |
| Practical Cooking & Independent Living | Chemical reactions in cooking, food preservation, pH and acidity, nutrition, temperature control | 16–25 | Weekly sessions (all year) | Recipe adaptations, food science discussions in session notes, AQA Unit Award portfolios, tasting evaluations |
| Physical Development & Outdoor Learning | Sensory processing, proprioception, vestibular system, motor development, neuroscience of regulation | 16–25 | Weekly sessions (all year) | Session records, wellbeing observation notes, sensory profile plans, movement assessment records, AQA Unit Award portfolios |
| PSHE / RSE | Reproductive health, mental health biology (stress, cortisol), substance misuse, sleep science, nutrition | 16–25 | Health unit (Autumn), RSE unit (Spring), Wellbeing (Summer) | Lesson plans, learner workbooks, discussion records, assessment tasks, guest speaker feedback |
This evidence map supports commissioning conversations and quality-of-education discussions. Subject leads can direct commissioning partners to the specific evidence listed above.
Subject-to-Science Mapping
How each vocational subject contributes to scientific education.
| Delivering Subject | Science Disciplines Covered | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Health & Social Care | Biology (Human Body, Personal Health) | NCFE/CACHE L1-2 |
| Rail Engineering | Physics (Forces, Engineering), Chemistry (Materials, Safety) | City & Guilds NVQ, PTS/COSS |
| Construction | Physics (Forces, Engineering), Chemistry (Materials, Safety) | Construction L1, CSCS Card |
| Hospitality & Catering | Chemistry (Food Science) | NCFE/CACHE L1-2, Food Safety |
| Digital Skills / Games Design | Physics (Energy, Technology) | NOCN FS Digital, NCFE Games Design |
| Outdoor Learning / Forest School | Biology (Ecosystems, Environment) | LOtC activity portfolios |
| Physical Development & Outdoor Learning | Biology (Sensory & Motor Systems) | AQA Unit Awards |
| PSHE / RSE | Biology (Personal Health) | College-led / non-accredited |
| Practical Cooking & Independent Living | Chemistry (Food Science) | AQA Unit Awards |
Quality Assurance
Curriculum Mapping
Subject leads identify and map science content within their Schemes of Work
Annual Review
Science coverage is reviewed annually as part of the whole-curriculum audit
Outdoor Enquiry
Outdoor learning sessions explicitly plan scientific enquiry opportunities
Portfolio Evidence
Cross-curricular science is recorded in learner portfolios as evidence of breadth