SCIENCE
Staff
Head of Science: Ms R Bennett
KS3 Lead Teacher: Ms R Jehangir
KS4 Physics Lead Teacher: Ms J Hesson
Science Teacher/Lead Practitioner Quality of Education: Ms K Bibi
Science Teacher/Head of Year 8: Mr S Bamford
Science Teacher (0.8): Mrs F Kassim
Science Teacher (0.6): Mrs L Pillinger
Science Teacher (0.4): Mrs R Young
Science Technician: Mr R Chorley-Merrell
Welcome to the Science Department, where we strive to excite and develop a curiosity and understanding of the wonders of Science. The department is equipped with 6 modern laboratories and specialist teachers who are supported by a senior technician.
Intent
• To develop competent, literate and numerate Scientists.
• To deliver an aspirational and inclusive curriculum.
• To develop student’s skills so they can think like a scientist.
• To embed character virtues, SMSC and cultural capital both inside and outside of the classroom.
• To prepare students for the next stage in their education, training or employment.
Science Curriculum
Our science curriculum builds a firm understanding of the scientific world through the development of key knowledge and concepts, pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity. Pupils are taught to have an appreciation of the spiritual, moral, social, cultural and economic implications of science.
Each year group are progressively developed to build an extended scientific vocabulary and taught the skills to apply their mathematical knowledge. Scientific enquiry is at the heart of our teaching allowing pupils to independently research, investigate and analysis data using a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions and further deepen their understanding of science.
Extra-curricular
STEM Science Club: The Club is led by STEM Ambassadors from UoB: Women in Science and Engineering, during the Autumn term. Each week pupils from all year groups are invited to engage in fun STEM activities to further develop their understanding of science as well as develop their appreciation for the vast applications of science in our modern world.
After-school Science Club: This club is run by science teachers during the Autumn, Spring and Summer Terms. Pupils are invited to complete group investigations, practical activities and cross-curricular activities that enhances their understanding of science.
Home learning: Homework is set weekly to consolidate pupils learning and to develop pupils’ independent learning skills, allowing pupils to develop their independence in learning and revise key topic areas.
Science activities: We organise many enrichment activities and daytrips, these exciting opportunities always compliment the topics pupils have learnt during lessons and help to consolidate their learning and scientific enquiry.
Each year we celebrate National Science and Engineering Week which is a 10-day celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths. Pupils engage in an activity linked to the NSEW theme, and the theme for the 2022 is – ‘Growth’! A fitting theme for what has been a turbulent time for all of us, ‘Growth’ links with multiple areas across Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths. Whether exploring plant growth investigating the impacts of economic growth on our society, or even our own personal growth over the last twelve months, ‘Growth’ as a theme offers a huge range of topics to delve into as part of British Science Week 2022.
We also participate in the annual First Tech Challenge UK, where pupils complete a STEM challenge. The team design a robot to take on a global challenge, supported by a mentor, the team develop technical knowledge like coding, learn about engineering and design principles, whilst building soft skills. Each team operates like a business – creating a brand and delivering community outreach – before uniting to compete in tournaments and earn awards.
Key stage 3
KS3 pupils are encouraged to develop their disciplinary literacy and scientific enquiry skills whilst exploring the 'Big Ideas' in Science including cells are alive, structures determine properties and forces predict motion. This builds a firm foundation for successful progression in their KS4 Science qualifications.
We aim to bring awe and wonder to Science lessons and hope to develop pupils' thirst to learn about the world around them, while upholding high expectations and to create independent, aspirational, motivated and hardworking learners.
Assessment
Pupils will have end of topic tests that will be used to monitor their progress as well as formative assessment throughout lessons. Early revision and seeking help outside of lessons is encouraged from the beginning. It is vital that your daughter is independent in their approach to revision and is equipped with the tools and resources needed to succeed.
A few useful websites are listed below:
Seneca: https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/
KS3 Science Bitesize: http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zng4d2p
Educational quizzes: http://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/
CGP revision guides and workbooks: https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Parent/books_ks3_science
Key stage 4
There are two pathways:
Route 1: Separate Sciences, (GCSE’s in biology, chemistry and physics)
EXAM BOARD – Edexcel
ASSESSMENT – 100% External examinations.
TIERS OF ENTRY - Available at foundation (1-5) and Higher (4-9)
The separate sciences are an option and pupils will need to use one of their option choices to study this pathway.
Examinations are now linear, i.e. at the end of the study period in years 10 and 11. Parents will get a letter at the start of the course outlining the examination schedule.
Pupils following this route are in Red 1 and Blue1. They start their GCSE 9-1 Science course in September of Year 9.
Route 2 GCSE 9-1 Combined Science (x2 GCSEs in Science)
EXAM BOARD – Edexcel
ASSESSMENT - 100% External examinations
TIERS OF ENTRY - Available at foundation (1-5) and Higher (4-9)
This is the compulsory route for all learners, except those that have chosen to learn the separate sciences.
Teaching for GCSE 9-1 Science course starts in September of Year 10.
Further information about specifications and assessments can be found at: https://qualifications.pearson.com/
Useful websites:
www.pearsonactivelearn.com / www.bbc.co.uk/education / http://www.s-cool.co.uk
Summer Transition Work
Please use the link below to download Science work to be completed over the summer.