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Key Stage 3 · Year 8 Science
Online KS3 Year 8 Science Course
Develop a stronger understanding of Biology, Chemistry and Physics through a structured Year 8 Science course covering digestion, respiration, electricity, rocks, heat, ecology, gravity and scientific investigation.
Students also build on earlier practical skills by completing a structured investigation in which they design an experiment, carry it out and interpret the results.
Immediate access to the online course
18 lessons across six Science modules
Optional tutor marking, email support and printed materials
Start your Year 8 Science course
£14.99 / month
Today’s payment:
£24.99
Includes:
- Course materials subscription
- Academic induction session and booking fee
Then
£14.99 per month
🔒 Minimum 6 months subscription applies.
For schools, colleges and local authorities
Build an institutional learner package
Choose the course access and support required for each learner. All options selected below apply to the number of identical learner places in this package.
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Choose the number of places
Enter the number of learners who need the same course and package of support.
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Select the support required
Add printed materials, assignment marking, practice exam marking or Annual Email Tutor Support as required.
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Allocate learners later
Learner details are not required at checkout. Allocate each purchased place later through your institutional account.
Choosing the right package
Annual course access is included for every learner place. Add only the extra services needed by the learners in this package.
Please note: Assignment marking and Email Tutor Support are separate services. Email support covers brief questions and guidance; it does not replace assignment marking or individual tuition.
Package selection
Configure your learner places
The selections below apply to every learner place entered in this package.
Course overview
Year 8 Science course at a glance
Build on earlier Key Stage 3 Science through a structured home-study course covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics alongside practical work and a complete student investigation.
Course level
Key Stage 3 · Year 8
The second year of Oxford Home Schooling’s three-year Key Stage 3 Science programme.
Course structure
6 modules · 18 lessons
Study Biology, Chemistry and Physics before completing an extended scientific investigation.
Biology
Life processes and ecology
Explore digestion, respiration, breathing, adaptations and relationships within ecosystems.
Chemistry and Physics
Matter, energy and forces
Develop understanding of equations, gases, rocks, electricity, heat, gravity and orbits.
Student investigation
Design · Carry out · Interpret
The final module brings together scientific investigation skills developed through Years 7 and 8.
Assignments
6 tutor-marked assignments
Every module concludes with a Tutor-marked Assignment to help students and parents monitor progress.
Practical work
Science activities at home
Practical activities are designed wherever possible to use accessible equipment and be completed safely at home.
Progression
Continue into Year 9
Year 8 develops the scientific knowledge and investigation skills needed for the final year of Key Stage 3.
Science becomes increasingly investigative
Alongside more advanced Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Year 8 culminates in a student investigation that develops planning, practical work and interpretation of results.
How it works
How your Year 8 Science course works
Work through a structured sequence of scientific explanations, activities and practical work, building knowledge across the three sciences before bringing your investigation skills together in a final project.
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Enrol and start online
Enrol at any time and receive immediate access to your online course. Your included academic induction session helps you understand the course and plan your studies.
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Develop your scientific knowledge
Work through Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons with clear aims and structured activities designed to extend your understanding progressively.
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Practise Science at home
Practical activities help connect scientific ideas with observation and experiment, with adult supervision and risk assessment where appropriate.
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Complete your own investigation
Finish the course by designing an investigation, carrying it out and interpreting the results, building on the investigation skills introduced in Year 7.
Flexible additional support
Add personal support when you need it
The course can be studied independently using the lesson materials and activities. Tutor marking, email support, one-to-one tutorials and printed materials can be purchased separately when useful.
What you’ll study
Explore the Year 8 Science course content
The Year 8 course contains six modules and 18 structured lessons, progressing through Biology, Chemistry and Physics before finishing with a three-stage student investigation.
Module 1 Food, Equations and Electricity Explore food and digestion, chemical symbols and equations, and the foundations of electrical circuits. 3 lessons
- Biology: Food and Digestion
- Chemistry: Symbols, Formulae and Equations
- Physics: Electrical Circuits 1
Module 2 Respiration, Burning and Electricity Study respiration, burning and gases while extending your understanding of electrical circuits. 3 lessons
- Biology: Respiration
- Chemistry: Burning, Air and Gases
- Physics: Electrical Circuits 2
Module 3 Breathing, Rocks and Heat Explore breathing, sedimentary rocks and the relationship between heat and temperature. 3 lessons
- Biology: Breathing
- Chemistry: Sedimentary Rocks
- Physics: Heat and Temperature
Module 4 Adaptations, Rocks and Heat Develop understanding of classification and adaptation, igneous and metamorphic rocks, convection and radiation. 3 lessons
- Biology: Keys and Adaptations
- Chemistry: Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks
- Physics: Convection and Radiation
Module 5 Ecology and Gravity Study feeding relationships and ecosystems before exploring gravity, weight and orbital motion. 3 lessons
- Biology: Chains, Webs and Pyramids
- Biology: Studying Ecosystems
- Physics: Gravity, Weight and Orbits
Module 6 Student Investigation Bring your scientific investigation skills together by designing an experiment, carrying it out and interpreting the results. 3 lessons
- Investigation: Design
- Investigation: Carrying Out
- Investigation: Interpretation
From scientific knowledge to independent investigation
The first five modules extend knowledge across Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The final module then brings together the investigation skills needed to plan, carry out and interpret scientific work.
Assessment and progress
How progress is assessed in Year 8 Science
Progress is checked throughout the course through lesson activities, self-assessment and a Tutor-marked Assignment at the end of every module, including the final Student Investigation.
Tutor-marked assignments
6 TMAs
6
Assignments
6
Course modules
1 per module
Progress check
Every module concludes with a Tutor-marked Assignment, giving students and parents a regular indication of how well scientific knowledge and skills are progressing.
Self-assessment
Throughout the course
Regular
Lesson checks
Answers
Review learning
Discussion
With a parent
Lessons without a TMA include self-assessment activities designed to test understanding and provide a useful starting point for reviewing progress.
Scientific knowledge
Three sciences developed together
Students extend their understanding of Biology, Chemistry and Physics across the first five modules.
Investigation skills
Plan, test and interpret
The final module provides a structured opportunity to apply scientific investigation skills in a complete project.
Practical Science
Learn through experiment
Practical activities help students connect scientific explanations with evidence and observation.
Parent support
Guidance for every module
Parents’ Guides provide information about each lesson and suggested answers to the self-assessment activities.
Progress through Key Stage 3
Prepare for the final year of KS3 Science
Year 8 builds more advanced scientific knowledge and investigation skills before students continue into Year 9 and towards later GCSE or IGCSE Science study.
Support & add-ons
Add extra Science support when you need it
Your course subscription provides the structured online materials and practical activities needed for independent study. Additional tutor support, marking and printed materials can be purchased separately whenever they would be useful.
Written feedback
Assignment marking
Submit individual course assignments and receive tutor feedback on scientific knowledge, reasoning, investigation skills, written answers and areas that need further work.
Assignment marking bundle£53.95
Practical Science
Home practical activities
Practical activities are built into the course and designed wherever possible to use accessible equipment at home, with adult supervision where necessary.
Practical activities Included with the course
Ongoing guidance
Email Tutor Support
Ask Science questions by email while working through the course and receive help when a biological, chemical, physical or investigative idea needs further explanation.
Email Tutor Support£10.00 / month
Live tuition
One-to-one tutorials
Book an individual online session with a tutor to work through difficult scientific ideas, discuss an investigation or build confidence with a particular topic.
Tutorial time Purchased separately
Printed materials
Science course pack
Add a printed, spiral-bound copy of the course materials if you prefer to read, annotate, record results and complete activities away from the screen.
Printed course materials£40.00
Flexible by design
Choose only what you need
Study independently using the course materials and practical activities, then add tutor marking, email support, tutorials or printed materials if your needs change.
Explore your options
See all available Science support
Prospective students can compare the different support services. Existing students can purchase Science marking, tutorials and other course-specific add-ons through their account.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Year 8 Science course
Find answers about the course structure, practical Science, the Student Investigation, assessment, tutor support and progression through Key Stage 3.
Can I start the Year 8 Science course at any time?
Yes. You can enrol and begin studying when it suits you, then work through the course at a pace that fits your home education timetable.
How is the Year 8 Science course structured?
Year 8 contains 18 lessons arranged across six modules. The first five develop Biology, Chemistry and Physics, while the final module is a three-stage Student Investigation.
Do I need to have completed Year 7 Science first?
Year 8 builds on earlier Key Stage 3 Science, particularly in the Student Investigation. The course notes explain that students who have not completed the OHS Year 7 course can access the earlier investigation material separately.
Can practical Science be studied at home?
Yes. Many practical activities are designed to be completed safely at home using accessible equipment, although some activities require adult supervision.
What is the Student Investigation?
Module 6 develops scientific investigation skills through three stages: designing an investigation, carrying it out and interpreting the results.
How many Tutor-marked Assignments are there?
There are six Tutor-marked Assignments, with one at the end of each module.
Is tutor marking included in the subscription?
The course contains all six Tutor-marked Assignments. Tutor marking is purchased separately, allowing you to add marking when it would be useful.
Can I get help from a Science tutor?
Yes. Optional support includes assignment marking, Email Tutor Support and one-to-one online tutorials.
Is there guidance for parents?
Yes. Each module has a Parents’ Guide with information about the lessons and suggested answers to the self-assessment activities.
What comes after Year 8 Science?
Students can continue into Year 9 Science, developing their scientific knowledge and investigation skills further before progressing towards GCSE or IGCSE Science.
Ready to begin?
Start your online Year 8 Science course
Enrol at any time and develop stronger Biology, Chemistry, Physics and scientific investigation skills through a structured, flexible Key Stage 3 home-study course.
- Start studying at any time
- Immediate access to the online course
- Develop scientific knowledge and investigation skills together
Start your Science course
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