Science
It is the aim of the department first of all to generate a healthy interest in Science, and to foster and develop that interest with mainly practical and experimental courses that encourage an investigative approach within the scientific method. A variety of teaching styles are used making full use of modern technology available. There are data projectors and interactive whiteboards in both labs.
The courses taught follow the National Curriculum Science and go into greater depth where the Common Entrance syllabus requires further study. As a pupil progresses through the school, topics introduced at a basic level in early years will be revisited, revised and taken further, placing Science in the world outside and not just in the laboratory. Pupils will be prepared for examinations that occur at intervals throughout the course so that all can make full use of their talents and abilities.
Safety is paramount in any practical subject and all pupils will follow a basic safety course, usually refreshed at the start of each academic year. Pupils will be instructed to wear safety goggles, to tuck in ties, to tie back long hair whenever the situation demands it. The Science labs are modern with smoke alarms, safety gas cut-off valves and isolation switches, and first aid equipment is close at hand.
Pupils’ progress is monitored continuously in an informal way in oral class work, more formally with written work in class, written Preps and end of module tests. It is usual to give a numerical mark out of a total for assessed written work. It is the aim of the department to return written work to the pupil on the next occasion when the pupil and teacher meet for Science, or as soon as possible after that with constructive comments. Where the Science curriculum is delivered by more than one teacher, there is regular consultation to assess effort and achievement and to arrive at an overall picture for reporting. Where possible, pupils scoring badly will be given extra help and then re-assessed.
It is the policy of the department to write internal examinations that allow pupils to demonstrate what they have learned and not to find out what they do not know. The format of exams will mirror the style of the Common Entrance papers and, where possible, model answers will be given to pupils after sitting the exams so that they will be able to see where they can make improvements. Ideally, a year group will all sit the same exam. In situations where this is not possible, there will be a number of common questions so that comparisons between teaching groups can be made. The degree of difficulty of internal examinations will be adjusted so that the pupils’ marks convey a realistic measure of ability to the parents. For example, exam marks in years 4, 5 & 6 may well be as high as 85-90% but in year 7, the marks will come more into line with the marks likely to be achieved in Common Entrance.
A variety of texts are used throughout the course including So you really want to learn Science Book 2, Key Stage Three Science Companion, Spotlight Science 7, 8 & 9 and Key Stage 2 & 3 Revision Guides. Many worksheets, practical schedules and multiple choice tests are written in house using the department's own computers.