Science Department
Our aim is to secure the highest levels of success and self esteem for each individual pupil in Science education. As a Science Department our commitment is:
- to provide a stimulating scientific thinking environment for pupils, staff, families and members of the wider community;
- to extend and enrich the pupils’ curriculum in science, enabling them to become confident learners who embrace new scientific ideas;
- to increase the number of young people pursuing science related careers;
- to be a centre for lifelong learning in the community;
- to promote excellence in training and developing science teachers.
We are very proud of our premises and resources and indeed all aspects of our high quality-learning environment. We are a progressive and enthusiastic team consisting of six teachers and two science technicians, committed to ensuring the highest standards for our pupils.
Key Stage 3
Every pupil is unique and wherever possible pupils should be treated as individuals. A strong home-school partnership is essential if pupils are to achieve their best in public examinations and to take a full part in all that the school offers.
As pupils enter the school they are welcomed into mixed ability form groups, but settled on ability for Science from Year 8. For Key Stage 3 our Department uses Balance Science, having as guidance the Exploring Science framework. In Key Stage 3 Science each pupil is taught four lessons a week as a combined science course.
The course includes lists of key words, revision guides and tests to support learning. Pupils are also encouraged to monitor their progress using self-assessment sheets. The department is very keen for pupils to understand how to progress and National Curriculum levels are used extensively to inform pupils of what is required to improve performance.
The development of practical skills and ability to investigate is fundamental in science. Consequently the pupils in each year will be challenged to complete several investigations.
We recognise that children are motivated by feelings of success. Therefore, we see assessment as a tool for identifying achievement and enabling the pupil and teacher to target areas for improvement.
Currently there are four main forms of assessment:
- formal end of unit tests, supported by revision sheets;
- teacher assessment of attainment based on a range of activities, enabling students to demonstrate their understanding in different ways;
- annual examinations including the National Assessment tests in the summer term of Year 9;
- self-assessment within each unit.
Key Stage 4
Science at KS4 has undergone exciting major changes with each examination board producing new sets of examinations in a bid to make science much more relevant to pupils’ lives. The Department has adopted the AQA course. From September the Department will deliver as well Triple Science in a course being taught in eight times a week.
AQA Science has been successfully taught over the last few years. This is important because it means that there are already large ranges of resources, which have already been trailed and improved, giving teachers and pupils extra confidence in ultimate success.
The majority of pupils (excluding those doing the separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSEs) start by studying the common core Science GCSE essentially designed to develop scientific literacy.
There are two levels ensuring that individuals will be appropriately challenged. This course features many of the major theories of science in a way that encourages pupils to appreciate their importance to everyday life. The course also explores how scientific information is obtained, how reliable it is, what its limitations are, and how this information helps society to make important decisions.
Pupils are prepared to deal with issues involving science - How Science Work - which they may meet, for example, mobile phone safety, decisions about childhood vaccinations, and sustainable use of resources.
Home learning is set to all classes weekly. This will include activities to reinforce learning, research involving books and the Internet, preparing talks, reviewing and revising including the use of practice questions to develop high quality examination technique.
Science Club
Science Club takes place after school and is an opportunity for us to carry out experiments that we would not typically do in class. Here is a selection of our fun experiments:
- making lip-gloss;
- wxtracting DNA;
- making slime;
- growing crystals;
- alka-seltzer rockets.
The OCR National Award
The OCR Nationals suite of qualifications provides candidates with high quality, industry-relevant qualifications geared to the specific requirements of key sectors. They are vocationally-related qualifications that provide valuable opportunities for individuals to develop skills and gain underpinning knowledge and understanding which will support entry into work or progression to further studies through Further Education or Higher Education.
A pass in the OCR Nationals award in Science is equivalent to 2 C-grade GCSEs – merit and distinction grades are also available. The course is split into 3 Units – each Unit will be assessed by the completion of a range of tasks to satisfy a number of Assessment Objectives. Evidence for each Assessment Objective can be provided in written, ICT, photographic, video or witness statement (teacher confirms student has completed a particular task) format – other formats are possible – use your imagination!
Our marking will be moderated – by us internally and by our linked visiting moderator – the first visit of the moderator will allow us to gauge our progress before formal submission of portfolios. We can “bank” students’ Unit grades throughout the course, allowing us to concentrate solely on the work that must still be completed.
View our monthly newsletter below and see what our students are studying:
July 2008 Newsletter
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March 2008 Newsletter
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July 2007 Newsletter
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