What do students study in Science?

The Science Faculty consists of:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics

At Key Stage 3 students follow the National Curriculum for Science. The schemes of work used has been designed by Oxford Framework Science and further developed by our staff to fit our students’ specific needs.

At Key Stage 4 students choose to study at GCSE Core and Additional Science or they can choose to study them as three separate Sciences: Physics, Chemistry and Biology: the Triple Science course.

How many lessons of Science do students get?

At Key Stage 3 students have six hours of Science a fortnight.

At Key Stage 4, students have ten hours of Science a fortnight, unless they are taking the Triple Science GCSE course, in which case they have fifteen hours a fortnight.

What is the teaching like in Science?

We believe that students enjoy and learn hugely from a practical, experimental approach to Science, using their developing knowledge to investigate biological, chemical and physical relationships and phenomenon.

To underpin their investigations we teach them the scientific theories and concepts as well as the practical skills which allow them to perform experiments safely and successfully.

Students are taught in mixed attainment groups in Years 7 and 8 and set in attainment groups in Year 9. At GCSE, they are taught in attainment groups at higher level and in mixed attainment groups at foundation level.

Are there extra-curricular activities?

We organise various trips and invite many guest speakers, including:

• Didcot Power Station
• The Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons
• The Faraday Lectures on Science and Engineering
• London Zoo – to assess animal behaviour
• A local brewery
• An annual NHS Conference
• Students from Imperial College to give lessons on Medicine, Chemistry or Biology

In addition there is a regular Environment Club open to all students.

How well resourced is the Faculty?

We have eight exceptionally well equipped laboratory classrooms, each with an interactive whiteboard, OHP facilities, its own supply of basic laboratory equipment and boards for Science displays. There are also three prep rooms.

We also have access to ICT facilities within the school and a wide variety of resources including the very latest multimedia packages.

Outside the classroom, we have our own ecology area which includes a pond as well as easy access to Elthorne Park and the Grand Union Canal.

How do I contact the Science Faculty?

Please contact Mr Heffernan, Head of Science, at the school.
Contact details are here.