Year 9 Physics Curriculum and Lesson Schedule 2025-2026

Administrative Overview and Course Structure

The Year 9 Science-Physics curriculum is managed by the Physics Department for the Year 9 group. The specific set groups covered under this plan are the W/X groups, which are scheduled for 3 lessons over a two-week period. The course content and schedule were authored by Law (Mr) and are designed to span the academic period from the 2025 Autumn Term through the 2026 Summer Term. The curriculum is divided into three primary units: Unit 1 Energy (divided into two parts), Unit 3 Particle Model, and Unit 8 Space.

Autumn Term 2025: Unit 1 Energy Part 1 and Unit 8 Space

The 2025 Autumn Term commences during the week of 03 Sept, designated as Week A. The initial focus is on Unit 1 Energy Part 1. During the first week (03 Sept – 05 Sept), students engage with topic (1) Infrared + $RP$ ($RP$ denotes a Required Practical). This is followed in Week B (08 Sept – 12 Sept) by topic (2) Thermal Insulation + $RP$. In the subsequent Week A (15 Sept – 19 Sept), the curriculum concludes Part 1 of Unit 1 with lessons on (1) Thermal Insulation + $RP$ and (2) Payback.

Transitioning to Unit 8 Space, the curriculum progresses in Week B (22 Sept – 26 Sept) with topic (2) Red Shift. Week A (29 Sept – 03 Oct) covers (1) Big Bang Part 1, followed by Week B (06 Oct – 10 Oct) which covers (1) Big Bang Part 2. The study of the solar system begins in Week A (13 Oct – 17 Oct) with (2) Our Solar System Part 1. Following the Half Term break (20 Oct – 31 Oct), the unit continues in Week B (03 Nov – 07 Nov) with (2) Our Solar System Part 2. Week A (10 Nov – 14 Nov) covers (1) Our Solar System Part 3, and Week B (17 Nov – 21 Nov) covers (1) Our Solar System Part 4. The final thematic lessons for the term occur in Week A (24 Nov – 28 Nov) concerning (2) Life cycle of a Star and Week B (01 Dec – 05 Dec) concerning (2) Orbital motion. The term concludes in Week A (08 Dec – 12 Dec) with a (1) (Revision) Test.

Spring Term 2026: Unit 3 Particle Model

The 2026 Spring Term begins in Week B (05 Jan – 09 Jan) with Unit 3 Particle Model. The first lesson is (1) State of Matter. Week A (12 Jan – 16 Jan) focuses on (2) Density, followed by a sequence of three lessons dedicated to the Density Required Practical: Week B (19 Jan – 23 Jan) covers (1) Density $RP$, Week A (26 Jan – 30 Jan) covers (2) Density $RP$, and Week B (02 Feb – 06 Feb) covers (1) Density $RP$.

The study of thermodynamic properties continues in Week A (09 Feb – 13 Feb) with (1) Change in State. After the Half Term break (16 Feb – 20 Feb), students resume in Week B (23 Feb – 27 Feb) with (1) Internal Energy. Week A (02 March – 06 March) is dedicated to (2) $SHC$ (Specific Heat Capacity), followed by Week B (09 March – 13 March) focusing on (1) Latent Heat Capacity. The term nears completion in Week A (16 March – 20 March) with (1) Revision, and concludes in Week B (23 March – 27 March) with a (1) Test.

Summer Term 2026: Unit 1 Energy Part 2

The final term of the academic year focuses on Unit 1 Energy Part 2, starting in Week B (20 April – 24 April) after the April break. The sequence of lessons is as follows: (1) Energy change & Transfer in Week B (20 April – 24 April); (1) Energy Diagrams in Week A (27 April – 01 May); (2) Pendulum in Week B (04 May – 08 May); (1) $GPE$ (Gravitational Potential Energy) in Week A (11 May – 15 May); and (1) $KE$ (Kinetic Energy) in Week B (18 May – 22 May).

Following the final Half Term break (25 May – 29 May), the curriculum explores mechanical properties and resources. Week A (01 June – 05 June) covers (1) Hooke's Law Part 1, followed by Week B (08 June – 12 June) with (2) Hooke's Law Part 2. Power and work are covered in Week A (15 June – 19 June) with (1) Energy, Work & Power Part 1 and Week B (22 June – 26 June) with (2) Energy, Work & Power Part 2. The term concludes with topics on (1) Efficiency in Week A (29 June – 03 July) and (2) Energy Resources in Week B (06 July – 08 July). The schedule accounts for remaining lessons in the final weeks for (1) Energy Resources, (1) Revision, and (1) Test, with (2) Spare lessons reserved for overflow.

Curricular Objectives: Cell Structure and Microscopy (Section 1.1)

Although the primary focus is Physics, the documentation notes specific biological cross-curricular links or overlapping requirements for cell structure. These include the ability to describe the terms magnification and the differences between electron and light microscopes. Students are expected to complete calculations involving magnification. Furthermore, descriptors included for this section involve describing form and function of antis (antiseptics), the components of a cell, and the process of mitosis.