English National Curriculum - Science
Mission Objectives
Describe the key features of specialised animal and plant cells
Explain how these features relate to their specific functions
Use diagrams or given data to justify how cell structure supports function at the tissue, organ, or organism level
Save files related to this lesson
Words and meanings to learn
function
The specific job or role that something (like an organ or structure) performs.
differentiation
When a cell changes to become a special type of cell with a specific job.
cell
The smallest building block of living things – all organisms are made of cells.
specialised
when a cell has a specific shape or structure to do a particular job
adaptation
A feature or behaviour that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.
Samantha is an accomplished science educator whose current work centres on curriculum design and professional development, supporting teachers to deliver high-quality science education through evidence-informed approaches. She is a former Head of Chemistry and Sixth Form Tutor with extensive Key Stage 4 and 5 experience, and has worked as an AQA examiner, giving her valuable insight into assessment standards and what students need to succeed.
Samantha has written the complete KS4 Science curriculum, fully aligned with the AQA GCSE Science: Trilogy specification. Covering biology, chemistry and physics, the curriculum is carefully sequenced so that students build knowledge cumulatively and see clear connections between concepts across the three sciences. Drawing on her experience as an examiner and on research into effective teaching, she has designed it to embed retrieval practice, clear explanation, worked examples and the required practicals throughout, preparing students for the demands of the GCSE exams. Grounded in the realities of the classroom, the curriculum is rigorous for students and manageable for busy teachers.
In her spare time, Samantha enjoys playing the accordion with her local orchestra and has recently taken up cricket.
PowerPoint or handouts with diagrams of specialised cells
Worksheets with structure-function matching tasks
Cell comparison table templates
Annotated image cards for sorting activities
Short video clips or animations showing cells in action (e.g. sperm, phloem transport)
Scissors and glue for card sort activity (optional)
Stretch/challenge cards with application questions
Expert film
Mission assignment film
Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK
Phone
01603 273515
Email
[email protected]
Copyright 2026 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.
Unlock expert-designed lessons, resources, and assessments tailored for educators. No credit card required.
Claim Your Free Trial →We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze our traffic. Learn more.