Year 10 / 11 Science

Full teaching content for GCSE Science – Biology, Chemistry and Physics – aligned to WJEC / Made-for-Wales qualifications. Explanations, examples and practice questions in both languages.

The three branches

Biology

Living things – cells, organisation, processes for life, interdependence.

Chemistry

Matter – atoms, reactions, rates, and how substances behave.

Physics

Forces and energy – motion, energy stores, electricity and waves.

Lessons

Each lesson includes clear explanations, examples and practice questions.

Biology · Both

Cells & Organisation

Animal and plant cells, key organelles, specialised cells and how cells form tissues, organs and systems.

CellsOrganellesSpecialised cellsLevels of organisation
Open lesson
Biology · Both

Photosynthesis & Respiration

Word and symbol equations, limiting factors for photosynthesis, aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

PhotosynthesisRespirationLimiting factorsGas exchange
Open lesson
Chemistry · Both

Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table

Structure of the atom, atomic number, mass number, electron shells and groups/periods in the periodic table.

AtomsProtons neutrons electronsElectronic structurePeriodic table
Open lesson
Chemistry · Both

Chemical Reactions & Rates

Types of reaction, balancing ideas, factors affecting rate and catalysts.

Reaction typesConservation of massRates of reactionCatalysts
Open lesson
Physics · Both

Energy Stores & Transfers

Energy stores, pathways for transfer, conservation of energy and calculating efficiency.

Energy storesTransfersConservation of energyEfficiency
Open lesson
Physics · Both

Forces & Motion

Contact and non-contact forces, speed, acceleration, weight vs mass, and resultant force.

ForcesSpeedAccelerationNewton's lawsWeight and mass
Open lesson
Biology · Both

Inheritance & Genetics

DNA, genes and chromosomes, dominant and recessive alleles, genetic diagrams and variation.

DNAGenesChromosomesInheritanceVariation
Open lesson
Biology · Both

Ecosystems & Interdependence

Food chains and webs, producers and consumers, biodiversity and how humans affect ecosystems.

Food chainsTrophic levelsBiodiversityHuman impact
Open lesson
Chemistry · Both

Acids, Alkalis & Salts

The pH scale, acids and alkalis, indicators, neutralisation and making salts.

pH scaleAcidsAlkalisNeutralisationIndicators
Open lesson
Chemistry · Both

Ionic & Covalent Bonding

How ionic and covalent bonds form, and the properties of simple ionic and covalent substances.

Ionic bondingCovalent bondingProperties of compounds
Open lesson
Physics · Both

Electricity – Current, Voltage & Circuits

Current, potential difference, resistance, Ohm’s law, series and parallel circuits.

CurrentVoltageResistanceSeries and parallelPower
Open lesson
Physics · Both

Waves – Properties & the EM Spectrum

Transverse and longitudinal waves, wave equation, electromagnetic spectrum and uses/dangers.

Wave propertiesFrequencyWavelengthEM spectrumSound
Open lesson
Biology · Both

Enzymes & Digestion

How enzymes work, factors affecting enzyme activity, and the main digestive enzymes and organs.

EnzymesDigestive systemLock and keyOptimum conditions
Open lesson
Biology · Both

Circulation & the Heart

Structure of the heart, blood vessels, components of blood and the double circulatory system.

HeartBlood vesselsBlood componentsDouble circulation
Open lesson
Chemistry · Both

Metals & the Reactivity Series

The reactivity series, displacement reactions, extraction of metals and preventing corrosion.

Reactivity seriesDisplacementExtraction of metalsRusting
Open lesson
Chemistry · Higher

Electrolysis

Breaking down ionic compounds using electricity, electrode products, and aluminium extraction.

ElectrolysisElectrolytesAnode cathodeExtraction of aluminium
Open lesson
Physics · Both

Magnetism & Electromagnetism

Magnetic fields, electromagnets, the motor effect and electromagnetic induction basics.

Magnetic fieldsElectromagnetsMotor effectInduced current
Open lesson
Physics · Higher

Radioactivity

Types of radiation, half-life, contamination vs irradiation, uses and safety.

Alpha beta gammaHalf-lifeContaminationUses and dangers
Open lesson
Biology · Both

Homeostasis & Hormones

Keeping internal conditions constant, blood glucose control, insulin and glucagon, and negative feedback.

HomeostasisBlood glucoseInsulinHormonesNegative feedback
Open lesson
Biology · Both

Pathogens & Immunity

Types of pathogen, how disease spreads, immune response, vaccination and antibiotics.

PathogensTransmissionWhite blood cellsVaccinationAntibiotics
Open lesson
Chemistry · Both

Organic Chemistry – Hydrocarbons

Alkanes and alkenes, homologous series, combustion and cracking of crude oil fractions.

HydrocarbonsAlkanesAlkenesCombustionCracking
Open lesson
Chemistry · Both

Atmosphere & Climate

Composition of the atmosphere, greenhouse effect, human impact and common air pollutants.

AtmosphereGreenhouse gasesClimate changePollutants
Open lesson
Physics · Both

Density & Pressure

Calculating density and pressure, floating and sinking, and pressure in liquids.

DensityPressureFloatingHydraulics
Open lesson
Physics · Both

Space Physics

The solar system, gravity and orbits, life cycle of stars, and evidence for an expanding universe.

Solar systemGravityOrbitsLife cycle of starsRed shift
Open lesson
Biology · Both

The Nervous System

How the nervous system detects stimuli and coordinates responses, including reflex arcs and synapses.

NeuronesSynapsesReflex arcCNSReceptors
Open lesson
Biology · Both

Plant Transport & Transpiration

How water, minerals and sugars move through plants; transpiration and factors that affect its rate.

XylemPhloemTranspirationStomataTranslocation
Open lesson
Biology · Both

Evolution & Natural Selection

Darwin’s theory of natural selection, adaptation, speciation and evidence for evolution.

Natural selectionEvolutionVariationSpeciationEvidence
Open lesson
Chemistry · Higher

Quantitative Chemistry – Moles & Concentration

Relative formula mass, the mole, calculating reacting masses and solution concentration.

MolesRelative formula massConcentrationReacting massesAvogadro
Open lesson
Chemistry · Both

Polymers

How addition polymers form from alkenes, representing polymers, properties and environmental issues.

Addition polymersMonomersPolymerisationPropertiesRecycling
Open lesson
Physics · Both

Specific Heat Capacity & Latent Heat

Calculating energy changes using specific heat capacity and latent heat; linking to insulation.

Specific heat capacityEnergy calculationsLatent heatInsulation
Open lesson
Physics · Both

Hooke’s Law & Springs

Extension of springs, Hooke’s law, spring constant and elastic potential energy.

Hooke's lawSpring constantElastic potentialLimit of proportionality
Open lesson
Physics · Both

Energy Resources

Renewable and non-renewable energy resources, advantages and disadvantages, and environmental impact.

RenewableNon-renewableFossil fuelsNuclear powerEnvironment
Open lesson

Full Year 10/11 Science coverage for Biology, Chemistry and Physics – aligned to WJEC / Made-for-Wales GCSEs, with examples and practice in both languages.

MathsProgression Step 5