Science
Why should students study science?
‘Science stimulates and excites pupils' curiosity about phenomena and events in the world around them. It also satisfies this curiosity with knowledge. Because science links direct practical experience with ideas, it can engage learners at many levels. Scientific method is about developing and evaluating experimental evidence and modelling. This is a spur to critical and creative thought. Through science, pupils understand how major scientific ideas contribute to technological change - impacting on industry, business and medicine and improving quality of life. Pupils recognise the cultural significance of science and trace its worldwide development. They learn to question and discuss science-based issues that may affect their own lives, the direction of society and the future of the world.'
Taken from the Science National Curriculum
The Science Department
Teaching Staff:
Mr N Roupee (Subject Leader), Mrs N Crawford (Standards Manager), Dr H Cook, Mr N Hansyz, Mr G Tyson, Mr W Mapplebeck, Mrs S Abbey, Mr W Rhodes.
Technician:
Mrs T Hopkins
As a Science Department we are totally committed to teach science so that it interests and inspires students, so that all students are confident to be challenged about their learning and ultimately, so that all students engage with and enjoy their learning to achieve their absolute best.
KS3
Students are taught in their mixed ability form groups in Year 7 and in Years 8 and 9 they are taught in ability sets, based broadly on their average achievement in the previous year.
The department follows the QCA schemes of work, which we have adapted to suit our students needs.
Students are assessed in a variety of ways centred upon ‘Assessment For Learning' techniques together with a common summative assessment every two topics. Each summative assessment is a test based on past SATs papers which provides the students with an excellent opportunity to develop their exam technique before they are assessed externally in the summer term of Year 9 in the form of the SAT tests.
KS4
Students are taught in ability sets in Years 10 and 11, based broadly on the students' achievement in the SATs tests.
As from September 2006 the GCSE provision in Science comprises OCR Twenty First Century Science. The courses on offer have been developed to meet the diversity of students' needs and aspirations and trough a wide range of activities provide greater student choice and more relevant and stimulating learning.
The courses not only provide students with knowledge about Science itself but also teach methods of scientific enquiry, the nature of scientific knowledge and about relationships between Science, Technology and Society.
All students will study ‘GCSE Core Science' in Year 10 and then the majority of students will go on to study either ‘GCSE Additional Science' or ‘GCSE Additional Applied Science in Year 11. A small minority of students may study the GCSE Core Science of two years.
The ‘GCSE Additional Science' is a concept-led course to meet the needs of students who wish to develop their understanding of scientific ideas whereas ‘GCSE Additional Applied Science' is a course designed to meet the needs of students who wish to develop their scientific understanding through a range of practical competences in work-related contexts.
Students are again assessed in a variety of ways using ‘Assessment For Learning' techniques together with externally assessed summative tests and coursework throughout Years 10 and 11.
Opportunities to enhance and develop learning
Each year, towards the end of Year 9 a group of students are selected to take part in a ‘Art of Microscopy' project, set up in partnership with the University of York and the Royal Society.
There is also an opportunity for students to be part of a ‘Dragons Den' style project towards the end of Year 9.
This year, Year 10 students will be visiting Chester Zoo to develop their understanding of the ‘Theory of Evolution'.
We will also be running a ‘Science Meets The Arts' project for Year 10 students and we hope to show case the students work for this one evening in the summer term.
As a Science Department we are always looking for ways that we can enhance and develop the curriculum.