Welcome to Our Science Department

Who We Are

• Mrs L Panesar – Associate Headteacher
• Miss K Smith - Head of Science
• Dr A Eagle - (Curriculum Leader Chemistry)
• Mrs C Loveday (Curriculum Leader Biology)
• Mr J Curry 
• Mr J Tracy (Raising Standards)
• Mrs A Slyfield
• Mrs V Foster
• Mr R Edwards
• Ms D Taylor
• Miss T Hatton
• Mr A Hopkins

Students in Year 7 start with a Science skills unit before embarking on a two year scheme of work covering the National Curriculum, using the Activate resources, in a rota in which they cover three or four units per term. At the end of each term the students are tested on everything covered up to that point.

	Biology	Chemistry	Physics
Yr 7	Cells Systems Reproduction	Acids & Alkali Reactions Particles and their behaviour Elements and compounds	Light Sound Forces Space
Yr 8	Food Respiration Disease Evolution	Earth and Atmosphere Reactivity of Metals The Periodic Table Separating Techniques	Forces & Transport Heat Transfers Motion Energy

We offer several opportunities for KS3 students (including G&T) to enjoy and experience Science outside the classroom including a Year 7 Science Fair project; visits to places such as Winchester Science Centre, local STEM events and Reading University; and competitions such as the Faraday Challenge and the Salters Festival. Students can also participate in the CREST award scheme run as a club after school.

Key Stage 4

Students start their GCSE Science course in Year 9, following an introductory unit in which they learn about “How Science Works” and skills about thinking, planning and analysing. Students will have 3 subject specialist teachers in Biology, Chemistry and Physics whenever possible in 3 lessons per fortnight per subject. We are using the AQA GCSE course: those in top set will follow the Separate Science award (“Triple Science”) towards three GCSEs, whilst others will follow the Combined Science award towards two GCSEs.  At the end of each half term the students are tested.

The course consists of the following major units, broken into smaller topics within:

 

Biology	Chemistry	Physics
Cells and organisation Disease & bioenergetics Biological responses Genetics & reproduction Ecology	Atoms, bonding & moles Chemical reactions & energy changes Rates, equilibrium & organic Analysis & the Earth’s resources	Energy & energy resources Particles at work Forces in action Waves, electromagnetism & Space

 

Key Stage 5

We follow the OCR GCE Advanced Level courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Students in Year 12 usually have two teachers per subject and a total of 10 lessons per fortnight, whilst in Year 13 this becomes 9 lessons per fortnight. We have strong links to Reading University and, in certain topics, students are able to visit here and use their facilities.  Students achieve highly and are helped by experienced teachers who are also able to give advice about career prospects and university courses using these subject qualifications.

May 2020