Science
Head of Department: Miss S Wright
Science education is for all, regardless of age, sex and ability. The society in which our students live depends to an already large but ever-increasing extent on the results of scientific and technological endeavour. All students will need a scientific background if they are to have a basic understanding of the technology that surrounds them and how it may affect their lives. As a department we seek to provide every student with a challenging and appropriate Science education, ensuring that all students are stretched to achieve their full potential.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
In Year 7 and 8 the sciences are taught in separate topics, usually by one teacher. The topics are as follows:
- Biology – Cells, Classification, Plants, Ecology, Reproduction, Health and Transport.
- Chemistry – Elements, Mixtures and Compounds, Chemical Reactions, Rocks, Acids and Reactivity
- Physics – Circuits, Sound and Light, Energy, Forces and Motion, Astronomy and Magnets.
The school is set in extensive grounds containing a wide range of habitats, including woodland and open grassland containing many unusual plants and trees. Use is made of the grounds within the course of the biology lessons.
In Year 9 all students start their core science GCSE course.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
In Years 10 and 11 students continue to complete modules toward their core and additional science GCSE. These courses are targeted at their individual needs and abilities. We follow the AQA examination board syllabus.
The modules for Core and Additional Science are as follows:
- Biology – Human biology, Evolution and Environment, Cells, Plants, Energy flows, Enzymes, Homeostasis and Inheritance.
- Chemistry – Products from rocks, Oils, Earth and Atmosphere, Structures and bonding, Structures and properties, Rates of reaction, Energy and reactions and Electrolysis.
- Physics – Energy and energy resources, Radiation and the Universe, Motion, Forces, Work, Energy and Momentum, Electricity and Nuclear Physics.
By starting the GCSE courses in Year 9 more able students may achieve three separate science qualifications at the end of Year 11.
25% of each GCSE is achieved through coursework. In Science, this takes the form of skills-based assessment where students are tested on their understanding of experiments they have carried out.
Educational trips
Each year in late September the Science department runs a Year 8 trip to Lulworth Cove to investigate the geological features of the area. This enhances students’ knowledge of the rocks topic which is part of the Chemistry curriculum.
Every two years, the Science and Geography departments jointly run an educational trip. In the summer of 2008 students travelled to Iceland to study the glaciers, geysers and volcanoes of this geologically active area and in the summer of 2010 they ventured further afield to the West coast of America visiting cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and a natural wonder of the world, the Grand Canyon.
We recognise that some students are exceptionally able and require additional opportunities for learning. We aim to provide enrichment and enhancement activities including trips and visits - for example Year 10 students may visit the Natural History museum to study cells, genetics and the work of Darwin. More able students in Years 7 and 8 have the opportunity to represent the school in the Salters Chemistry competitions.
Science club 
Science Club is run once a week after school for approximately one hour and is primarily for Year 7 students. Older students who were members in Year 7 are encouraged and supported to choose, organise and undertake their own open-ended Science or Technology project. The overall aim of Science Club is to engage in interesting scientific topics through practical investigation and also investigate questions that would otherwise not be addressed in normal lessons due to time restraints.
Experiments and investigations that we undertake include:
- Developing the ideal bubble solution
- Does a worm smell?
- Making lava lamps
and many more activities to engage inquisitive minds.
ICT
The department has an excellent range of ICT facilities. Wireless laptops are available for data logging and research on the internet. All laboratories have a data projector and there is also an interactive whiteboard.
Science and Engineering Week
Science and Engineering Week is always a very important time in the Science department’s calendar. A small number of students are selected each year to go to the ‘Blue fusion’ event held at IBM, Hursley and all years take part in an engineering challenge whether it be designing a marble run, egg drop or bridge build. Upper school students may hear talks about what it is like to study Science subjects at university and beyond.
