English National Curriculum - Science
Mission Objectives
Define trophic levels and identify them in food chains, food webs and pyramids of biomass
Define biomass and describe how it can be measured
Explain why not all biomass is passed from one trophic level to the next
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Words and meanings to learn
decomposers
organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that break down dead plant and animal matter, releasing nutrients back into the environment and recycling them through the ecosystem
apex predator
a predator at the top of a food chain that has no natural predators and plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem
energy transfer
the movement of energy through the trophic levels of a food chain or food web
trophic level
the hierarchical positions in a food chain, representing the flow of energy and nutrients from one organism to another
pyramid of numbers
The pyramid of numbers is a graphical representation showing the number of individual organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem.
Samantha is an accomplished science educator with over 15 years of leadership experience and a strong background in scientific analysis. She has a proven record of leading departments effectively, improving practice, and working collaboratively with stakeholders.
In her current work, Samantha embeds evidence-informed pedagogical principles such as retrieval practice, clear modelling, and effective sequencing to support high-quality curriculum design and professional development. She draws on assessment insight and common misconceptions to help teachers secure strong student understanding.
She is a former Head of Chemistry and Sixth Form Tutor at Ilkley Grammar School, with extensive Key Stage 4 and 5 experience, and an AQA examiner, giving her valuable insight into assessment standards and exam requirements.
In her spare time, Samantha enjoys playing the accordion with her local orchestra and has recently taken up cricket.
Handouts: 10 minutes on biomass and trophic levels.
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