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Year 10Key Stage 4 (GCSE)Ages 14–15 (Year 10 UK)

Year 10 GCSE Combined & Triple Science Curriculum UK

Year 10 covers Paper 1 specifications for GCSE Biology, Chemistry, and Physics: cell biology, infection and response, bioenergetics, atomic structure, bonding and quantitative chemistry, energy transfers, electricity, and particle model of matter.

Statutory Key Aims & Expected Attainment:
  • Mastery of Paper 1 required practicals across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
  • Calculate chemical quantities using moles (n = m / Mr) and balancing complex redox equations
  • Perform electrical calculations: V = IR, Q = It, E = VQ, and calculate energy efficiency
🇬🇧 Crown Copyright • OGL v3.0 Free License100% Free & Open Source Educational Access

Curriculum Specification & Statutory Documents

📄Official Government PDF
Source: UK DfE Statutory Secondary National Curriculum Guide (OGL v3.0)No login required • Free distribution under Open Government Licence

Essential Formulas, Key Rules & Frameworks for Year 10 GCSE Combined & Triple Science

Mole Formula: Moles = Mass (g) / Relative Formula Mass (Mr)
Electrical Power: P = I × V = I² × R
Energy Transferred: E = P × t = Q × V
Half-Life: Time taken for radioactive nuclei in an isotope to halve

Term-by-Term Units of Study & Learning Outcomes

Term 1

Autumn Term: Cell Biology, Bonding & Energy

Cell Biology & Transport (Paper 1 Biology)

Mitosis, stem cells, required practicals: microscopy and osmosis in potato cylinders.

Statutory Learning Outcomes:
  • Calculate percentage mass change in osmosis experiments
#Mitosis#Stem cell#Osmosis#Diffusion#Magnification

Atomic Structure & Bonding (Paper 1 Chemistry)

Ionic, covalent, metallic bonding; giant covalent structures (diamond, graphite, graphene, fullerenes).

Statutory Learning Outcomes:
  • Explain why graphite conducts electricity (delocalised electrons) while diamond does not
#Ionic#Covalent#Delocalised#Graphite#Diamond#Fullerene
Term 2

Spring Term: Infection, Quantitative Chemistry & Electricity

Infection, Response & Vaccines (Biology)

Viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists; monoclonal antibodies; vaccination and herd immunity.

Statutory Learning Outcomes:
  • Explain how vaccines stimulate white blood cells to produce specific antibodies and memory cells
#Pathogen#Antibody#Antigen#Vaccine#Monoclonal

Calculations with Moles (Chemistry)

Relative formula mass (Mr); moles: n = mass / Mr; limiting reactants and percentage yield.

Statutory Learning Outcomes:
  • Calculate mass of product formed from a limiting reactant
#Mole#Avogadro#Relative formula mass#Limiting reactant
Term 3

Summer Term: Electricity, Particle Model & Year 10 Mocks

Domestic Electricity & Atomic Radiation (Physics)

Mains electricity (230V AC, 50Hz); live, neutral, earth wires; alpha, beta, gamma radiation and half-life.

Statutory Learning Outcomes:
  • Calculate half-life from radioactive decay curves; calculate electrical power: P = IV = I²R
#AC / DC#Live wire#Alpha#Beta#Gamma#Half-life
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Free Open-Source Learning Resources & Video Masterclasses

Handpicked curriculum resources aligned with UK Department for Education standards.

Video MasterclassFree ↗
Free Science Lessons Paper 1 Video Guides
Self-Assessment CheckInstant diagnostic questions

GCSE Combined & Triple Science Key Concept Drills

Q1.Why does graphite conduct electricity while diamond does not?
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