The Sciences
Aims
Our aim is to inspire our pupils with the excitement of science and give them a sound foundation of knowledge and understanding of the natural world. In addition, we encourage all of our pupils to take responsibility for their learning.
Key Stage Three
The Sciences, during Years 7 and 8, are taught in short three-week topics areas based around key disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Topics include Plant and Animal Cells, Acids and Alkalis and Light. The emphasis is on delivering as much as possible of the course via practical activities. Our pupils develop their skills at planning practical activities and obtaining accurate results so that they can draw conclusion and link these to their science knowledge. The opportunity for pupils to be hands-on practical scientists is integral to our delivery of the Sciences at this level.
Key Stage 4
In Years 9-11 sciences are taught as the separate disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Teaching the sciences as three separate subjects enables our pupils to benefit from specialist teachers and explore each subject in detail and with confidence. Pupils study for the International GCSE (IGCSE) taking examinations (in Year 11) for either the Double Award or three separate sciences.
AS and A Level
All of the mainstream science subjects, together with Psychology, are offered at AS and A2. Pupils now can choose which, if any, of the sciences they wish to continue to study. As a result of the interest and skills acquired by our pupils studying A Level sciences, many of them have earned places at university to read pure sciences, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and engineering.
Extra curricular
Our study of the sciences goes well beyond the laboratory with field trips and visits to study woodland, freshwater and salt marsh ecology. Ecton copper mine provides a good opportunity for A Level chemists to further their understanding of metal extraction and transition element chemistry. The RSC Christmas lecture at Hull University is an annual event. A level Physics pupils experience and study the mechanics of fairground rides at Flamingo Land. In addition our pupils are given the opportunity to test their scientific wits against other schools through a variety of competitions: the Physics Olympics, Salter’s Chemistry at York, RSC Young Analyst and Chemistry Week Competitions both at Hull University. In addition to our routine academic work, pupils can take part in a range of different clubs during lunchtime; these include Science club in Year 7 and Cosmetic Chemistry, Rocket Science and Electronics for other year groups.
Facilities
The Science Faculty is housed in six purpose-built laboratories. Their design reflects the way which the sciences are taught at the school with an emphasis on the practical and applied nature of the different disciplines.
Staffing
- Mrs S J Gibbs, BSc, Leicester, PGCE
- Mrs D Heads, BSc, Hull, PGCE
- Mr A M Hariott, BEng, Lancaster, GTP
- Mr T E Norris, BSc, Nottingham, PGCE. M Inst P
- Mr C F Owen, BSc, Liverpool, PGCE, M Inst Biol, CBiol
- Mr S D Pearce, BSc, Portsmouth, PGCE, CBiol, M Inst Biol (Head of Science Faculty)
- Miss R D Willie, BSc, Sheffield, PGCE
