The Science Department is housed in five laboratories together with a preparation room and student work area, but we are not limited to just the buildings. The Department is staffed by a full complement of teachers with specialisms in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology and Applied Science. We are a committed team with a progressive and caring attitude. We are all extremely passionate about our subject and share this enthusiasm at every opportunity.
The Curriculum
The first two years of Science are taught as a combined subject following the Pearson Edexcel Specification. Groups are set from Year 7 and each class follows the same scheme of work. Topics are from each of the 3 scientific disciplines, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The course is designed to engage and enthuse students, through the use of practical science, problem solving and extra-curricular activities and visits.
We offer two pathways at Key Stage 4 during Years 10 and 11, each tailored to pupils’ needs. These are the separate GCSE Sciences of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, or Trilogy Science.
Specialist teachers teach all subjects, typically over five hour sessions per week during Year 12 and over five 50 minute sessions during Year 13. The subjects on offer are AS and A2 Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We also offer the very popular BTEC Applied Science at Level 3, enabling students to achieve one and a half GCE equivalencies. All GCEs are accredited by OCR and the BTEC qualifications are accredited by Pearson.
Psychology is also available at Key Stage 5 and proves to be one of the most popular Sixth Form subjects with many students choosing to study it further at University level. For many students, it is a ‘new’ subject and the syllabus covers a wide range of fascinating and topical issues. Students normally have four hours teaching during the week and cover a broad range of topics including how to carry out a basic psychological enquiry. Students explore why we behave differently in the presence of others, how and why we remember and forget things, discuss possible explanations for aggressive or unusual behaviour and consider conditions such as Autism. The Psychology GCE is accredited by AQA.
Further information on all courses is available from the Science Department.
Curriculum Map
Staff
Mrs Brumpton – Subject Leader
Mrs Derham
Mrs Fearn
Mrs Foster
Miss Watkinson
