Science
Welcome to the Science Curriculum Area
Personnel
Mr J Welsh - Director of Learning (Assistant Headteacher)
j.welsh@ratton.e-sussex.sch.uk
Mrs K Clark - Curriculum Manager KS3 & KS4
k.clark@ratton.e-sussex.sch.uk
Mr O Froom - Lead Teacher Science
Mr J Ferguson- Science Teacher
Mr T. Dunn - Advanced Skill Teacher
Mrs T Driver - Science Teacher + 2nd in Department
Mr R. Westwood - Science Teacher
Mr A Dearie - Science Teacher
Miss L Hide - Science Teacher
Mr C Beard - Science Technician
Mrs S White - Science Technician
Mr. E. Webb - Science Technician
Aims of the Science Department
The following aims are intended for all students:
1. To recognise Science as an interactive, relevant subject where knowledge gained will ensure they have an awareness and a deep understanding of real life issues.
2. To have all students achieve results they can be proud of.
3. To encourage initiative, imagination and flexibility of mind when problem solving whether working independently or in a group.
KEY STAGE 3
KS3 science builds on the ideas begun at KS2 by developing and extending ideas about how science work through the contexts of chemistry, biology and physics. Students are encouraged to learn by discovery. This includes using practical tasks, ICT and books. We have nine laboratories equipped with full facilities where pupils can plan, carry out and evaluate their investigations and a dedicated ICT suite.
Pupils are assigned a personal target based on previous achievement and their progress is tracked each term using written tasks and APP assessment by their teacher.
Most students will follow a two year KS3 however we do offer a three year extended KS3 pathway for those students who are unready to make the transition to GCSE at the begining of year nine.
KEY STAGE 4
In KS4 we offer a range of pathways to meet the needs of all students.
OCR 21st Century Science suite of qualifications for GCSE.
Students will follow two GCSEs in Core and Additional Science. Core Science explores many scientific issues in a everyday context. Additional Science explores the subject in greater depth.
We also offer GSCEs in each of the Separate Sciences Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These course are avalible to those students who achieve a Level 6 or above in KS3 Science. This is an option for the students who are deeply interested and have the capacity to develop their science knowledge across the spectrum. It deals with more complex scientific concepts, issues and problems . The seperate science GCSEs provide a foundation for those studeents who are considering following science courses post 16 and for those whose goal is a career in the scientific community.
Teachers use a variety of resources at KS4 depending on topics and ability of the class. However the 21st Century Science Series of text books published by Oxford University Press is common to all classes. All Students ar expected to purcase a revision guide from school at the start of their course.
GCSE Homework:
Students should complete one homework per week. Online homeworks can be found at www.21cscience.gcsehomework.com students will need their personal log in details. Independent study tasks for autonomous learners are also availble on the VLE.
BTEC In Applied Science
For students who are interested in science but have no desire to follow the subject post 16 at A level we offer a BTEC level 2 qualification in Applied science. This qualification offers a hands on approch to learning and is entirly assessed in class. A Pass in the BTEC qualification is broadly equivelent to two C grade GCSEs.
At KS4 Students are loosely set according to ability .
Homework:
Students should complete one homework per week.
We expect all pupils to:
• have a full set of equipment
• observe health and safety procedures at all times
• comply with all laboratory rules
• arrive fully prepared
• show respect all members of staff, themselves, other pupils and their environment
Expectations for lessons
Pupils can expect us to:
• teach, guide and help them to reach at least their target minimum level/grade
• treat all fairly and with respect
Equipment
All pupils should be fully equipped for their Science lesson to enable them to access the curriculum.
Basic Science Equipment includes (items in bold are essential):
Pen (Blue or Black)
Pencil
Ruler Scientific Calculator
Rubber Colour pencils
School Planner Pencil Sharpener
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