UK Curriculum · Year 8 Physics · KS3

Year 8 Physics Lesson Plan & Curriculum Map

The physics units from our Year 8 science scheme of work for the UK curriculum (Key Stage 3, UK National Curriculum): forces, contact forces and pressure, electromagnets and magnetism, energy, work, heating and cooling and waves, wave effects and wave properties. Week-by-week lessons for 1, 2 or 3 days a week, taught from September to December. For the full year, including biology and chemistry, see the Year 8 Science lesson plan.

Explore lesson mapBook a free trial
1Terms
16Weekly checkpoints
1-on-1Tutor support
Interactive curriculum browser

Year 8 Physics learning map

Choose a term, then compare a lighter weekly plan with a more intensive schedule.

1 day/week · steady pace2–3 days/week · guided practice
September · Forces & Contact forces & Pressure

Year 8 Physics — September Lesson Plan

UK National Curriculum · Physics
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
September 1st week
(Science)		Forces & Contact forces & Pressure 1: ForcesForces & Contact forces & Pressure 1: ForcesForces & Contact forces & Pressure 1: Forces 2: Contact forces
September 2nd week
(Science)		Forces & Contact forces & Pressure 2: Contact forcesForces & Contact forces & Pressure 2: Contact forcesForces & Contact forces & Pressure 3: Pressure
September 3rd week
(Science)		Forces & Contact forces & Pressure 3: PressureForces & Contact forces & Pressure 3: PressureForces & Contact forces & Pressure 4: Concept Review 5: Lab Activity & Quiz
September 4th week
(Science)		Forces & Contact forces & Pressure 4: Concept Review 5: Lab Activity & QuizForces & Contact forces & Pressure 4: Concept Review 5: Lab Activity & QuizForces & Contact forces & Pressure Applied Practice Task
October · Electromagnets & Magnetism

Year 8 Physics — October Lesson Plan

UK National Curriculum · Physics
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
October 1st week
(Science)		Electromagnets & Magnetism 1: ElectromagnetsElectromagnets & Magnetism 1: ElectromagnetsElectromagnets & Magnetism 1: Electromagnets 2: Electromagnets
October 2nd week
(Science)		Electromagnets & Magnetism 2: ElectromagnetsElectromagnets & Magnetism 2: ElectromagnetsElectromagnets & Magnetism 3: Magnetism
October 3rd week
(Science)		Electromagnets & Magnetism 3: MagnetismElectromagnets & Magnetism 3: MagnetismElectromagnets & Magnetism 4: Concept Review 5: Lab Activity & Quiz
October 4th week
(Science)		Electromagnets & Magnetism 4: Concept Review 5: Lab Activity & QuizElectromagnets & Magnetism 4: Concept Review 5: Lab Activity & QuizElectromagnets & Magnetism Applied Practice Task
November · Energy & Work & Heating and cooling

Year 8 Physics — November Lesson Plan

UK National Curriculum · Physics
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
November 1st week
(Science)		Energy & Work & Heating and cooling 1: EnergyEnergy & Work & Heating and cooling 1: EnergyEnergy & Work & Heating and cooling 1: Energy 2: Work
November 2nd week
(Science)		Energy & Work & Heating and cooling 2: WorkEnergy & Work & Heating and cooling 2: WorkEnergy & Work & Heating and cooling 3: Heating and cooling
November 3rd week
(Science)		Energy & Work & Heating and cooling 3: Heating and coolingEnergy & Work & Heating and cooling 3: Heating and coolingEnergy & Work & Heating and cooling 4: Concept Review 5: Lab Activity & Quiz
November 4th week
(Science)		Energy & Work & Heating and cooling 4: Concept Review 5: Lab Activity & QuizEnergy & Work & Heating and cooling 4: Concept Review 5: Lab Activity & QuizEnergy & Work & Heating and cooling Applied Practice Task
December · Waves & Wave effects & Wave properties

Year 8 Physics — December Lesson Plan

UK National Curriculum · Physics
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
December 1st week
(Science)		Waves & Wave effects & Wave properties 1: WavesWaves & Wave effects & Wave properties 1: WavesWaves & Wave effects & Wave properties 1: Waves 2: Wave effects
December 2nd week
(Science)		Waves & Wave effects & Wave properties 2: Wave effectsWaves & Wave effects & Wave properties 2: Wave effectsWaves & Wave effects & Wave properties 3: Wave properties
December 3rd week
(Science)		Waves & Wave effects & Wave properties 3: Wave propertiesWaves & Wave effects & Wave properties 3: Wave propertiesWaves & Wave effects & Wave properties 4: Concept Review 5: Lab Activity & Quiz
December 4th week
(Science)		Waves & Wave effects & Wave properties 4: Concept Review 5: Lab Activity & QuizWaves & Wave effects & Wave properties 4: Concept Review 5: Lab Activity & QuizWaves & Wave effects & Wave properties Applied Practice Task
The learning framework

Anatomy of a focused lesson

Each session moves from a clear focus to guided practice and a quick check for understanding.

10 minutes

Recall and activate

Open with retrieval questions that connect the week’s physics topic to earlier learning and everyday examples.

25 minutes

Model and calculate

Work through the physics with diagrams, models and worked calculations, then apply it to a practical or data question.

10 minutes

Check for mastery

Close with exam-style questions that show what is secure and what to revisit next lesson.

Student learning toolkit

Resources for Year 8 Physics

Concept lessons

Clear, visual lessons on each National Curriculum physics topic.

Practice activities

Short questions and checks matched to each week’s focus.

Working scientifically

Investigations, measurements and recording skills linked to each physics unit.

Progress notes

A clear record of what your child has mastered and what comes next.

Free first lesson

Build a plan for Year 8 Physics

Tell us how your child is getting on with science at school and we will shape the first lesson around the physics topics they find hardest.

  • No credit card required
  • A one-to-one session with a certified Physics tutor
  • A recommended next-step study plan