Science
Welcome to the Science Department
The question is not ‘What is Science?’ but, ‘What isn’t Science?’
In the Science department we believe that Science is a practical subject that allows pupils to explore their ideas and form theories through investigative and experimental work.
Pupils are encouraged to undertake different types of enquiry and research their ideas using ICT and text resources. This learning is enhanced by the recent addition of 30 laptop computers, data loggers that allow pupils to record and follow investigations and the use of ‘Activote’ individual voting devices.
Pupils are actively taught how to think through problems, communicate effectively and use numerical methods confidently. They are allowed flexibility within their own learning to develop the most appropriate skills for them at their own pace.
Teaching is planned to ensure that all learners are facilitated; visual, auditory and kinaesthetic activities are included within each lesson. Scientific concepts are applied to the world of work at every opportunity and examples are drawn from the local area and Wales as a whole to ensure the learning is relevant to each child. Pupils are encouraged to personalise their learning by considering the impact on themselves of choices made by them or society. Examples of relevant issues are food, diet, fitness and global changes.
All pupils are encouraged to succeed and are exposed to excellent role models within the Science team.
Curriculum
Teaching facilities include: 6 dedicated laboratories, ICT focus room containing 17 networked computers, Video conferencing suite, 30 networked laptop computers with 10 network points in each laboratory.
KS3
Years 7, 8 and 9 all have 6 hours of Science a fortnight. Pupils develop their skills through the range of ‘Interdependence of organisms’, ‘The sustainable Earth’ and ‘How things work’. Learners are taught to apply their scientific skills, knowledge and understanding to design strategies, solve problems and offer explanations, relating scientific ideas to the information about them, including current issues. Years 7 and 8 are split into six, 6 week learning programmes and year 9 is split into 3, with the remainder of year 9 being used to start the GCSE course.
KS4
At GCSE pupils study either:
GCSE Applied Science or GCSE Science and Additional Science
