Department: Science
Resources:
We have 7 specialist scientists and a dedicated suite of laboratories, all with interactive whiteboards and two with a suite of computers. Our higher ability students are supported by a graduate teaching assistant and we are also supported by teaching assistants when we teach students with special education needs.
Curriculum KS3:
Our students are set on entry and setting is reviewed regularly. We complete the KS3 National curriculum course at the end of year 8.
Topics are taught using a number of different strategies and learning and teaching styles, with a particular emphasis on practical work.
Students’ progress is carefully tracked and personalised intervention supports those who are having difficulty reaching their target. Every KS 3 student is given homework packs and all have a revision booklet to help with their examination preparation.
Curriculum KS4:
(See options page for further information.)
Our students begin their KS4 courses at the start of year 9 and we identify a GCSE cohort and a BTEC cohort.
The GCSE course is a modular Edexcel double award examination course which we feel best suits our students’ learning styles. These students also have the opportunity to opt for a Triple Award science course which they begin at the start of year 10. GCSE students have revision guides and are given revision packs with previous examinations and mark schemes, together with relevant examiners’ reports.
The Edexcel BTEC First Diploma in Applied Science is examined solely by portfolio work and therefore does not have any external examinations.
We believe our KS4 courses challenge all our young scientists, preparing them well for college, employment and university.
Enrichment:
To motivate, challenge and reward our students we have many enrichment activities.
Our annual science week encourages students to take part in a number of different activities such as designing rocket launchers and parachutes for eggs! Gifted and Talented summer schools have focused on Forensic Science and have allowed students to develop their practical and analytical skills. Each year a team of year 10 students compete in a Young Scientist competition at the University of Liverpool and we have representatives attending a ‘Girls into Engineering’ conference each year at the same university.
Older students are offered after school support and holiday revision sessions, to help prepare them for external examinations and to improve BTEC portfolio work.
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