Science

Introduction

As a core National Curriculum subject science is compulsory and occupies a significant proportion of the teaching week for all pupils in the lower and middle school. It is also an increasingly important area in modern life - we all depend in many ways on the application of science and today everyone must be able to take their part in the many debates as to how science should be used for the good of all. Concern for the planet is demanding a shift from a philosophy of growth to one of sustainability, and this will provide significant new challenges to the scientists and citizens of the future.

As a result many changes are currently coming to the science curriculum at all levels and our courses are developing to reflect this. It is an opportunity to build more links with the history and application of science and with other curriculum areas. The philosophy of the department is to provide a sound scientific literacy for all and to underpin further study for those who will continue to A-level and beyond.

Facilities

The Science Department occupies a suite of four first floor laboratories, one of which is due for major refurbishment in the spring of 2012, and preparation rooms. Two new laboratories and a prep room with a modern design were built in November 1994 via the conversion of existing classrooms, bringing the science department together as a single unit. A lift was also incorporated ensuring efficient servicing.

Curriculum

Science is taught as an integrated course in Y7 and Y8. From Y9 on biology, chemistry and physics are taught separately by teachers who are subject specialists with the aim of building an identity for each subject area within science through to A level study. At Key Stage 4 approximately one third of students in each year (one set) study for a separate GCSE exam in each of the three sciences. The remaining students study for two GCSEs in Science, Core science being completed in Year 10 and Additional Science in Year 11.

A healthy number of pupils opt to study the Sciences at A level where they study the AQA course in Biology, OCR in Physics and Edexcel.

General

The Science Department supports the delivery of the curriculum in a variety of ways both in and out of lessons. A successful STEM club meets throughout the year and is open to students in all year groups. The STEM club helps students to expand their leadership and teamwork skills whilst bringing together aspects of Science, Technology and Maths. More recently the ‘Big Bang Club’ has also been introduced for Year 7 pupils; this is aimed at those pupils who have a passion for Science and are enthusiastic about increasing their knowledge of how things work.

Staff