Science
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCIENCE FACULTY
Faculty Organisation
The faculty is large with 11 teaching staff, 5 technicians and 2 teaching assistants.
It is a strong and supportive faculty and everyone is encouraged to communicate with each other to ensure effective collaboration.
The Teaching Staff are:
Peter Smith - Head of Faculty
Steve Greendale - Head of Physics and KS4 Science
Emma Massey - Head of Biology and KS3 Science
Claire Cramer
Peter Lowry
Patrick Marshall - Y10 Director of Learning
David Neal -
Peter Newton - 0.6 fte
Andrea Olle
Jonathan Rogers - Y8 Director of Learning
Maria Young -
The Technical Staff are:
Diane Fores
Paul Savoury
Leanne Simpson Senior Science Technician
Maggie Tompsett
Trevor Pougher
Technical support is high quality, supporting preparation and teaching.
Rooms
Currently there are 12 laboratories. This facility allows us to ensure that all science teaching takes place in science laboratories. There is a science office and a main work area as well as 2 prep rooms.
There has been an on-going programme of extensive laboratory refurbishment which continues.
Curriculum
KS3
At present all of KS3 follow the QCA scheme of work linked with Exploring Science. This has been extensively re-worked for Year 7 from September 2008 and Year 8 from September 2009. This re-working will be done for Year 9 from September 2010.
The grouping arrangements are as follows:
Year 7 – mixed ability tutor groups with 3 hours per week of teaching time
Year 8 – 1 x top set, 3 x set two – on both sides of the year
Year 9 -1 x top group, 2 x set two; 2 x set three – on both sides of the year.
The setting arrangements for students in KS3 are reviewed regularly.
KS4
All students are taught Science for 5 one hour periods per week apart from 2 groups in each of Year 10 and 11 who have Science for 3 hours a week and follow vocational courses and attend courses at the local colleges at other times.
From September 2006 all students have followed 21st Century Science administered by OCR, with the vast majority at present doing dual award. A small minority of students follow the single award if they are part of the group that get Science 3 times a week.
Some students are studying Applied Science and Separate Science in Year 11.
At present the setting in Years 10 and 11 follows the same format as Year 9, and is constantly reviewed. The Year 10 curriculum has been re-arranged to accommodate the new Diploma courses.
Sixth Form
Students follow ‘A’ level courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The school works closely with the departments in the Consortium schools (Hessle High School and Wolfreton School) in planning and moderation procedures. Common specifications are followed across Biology and Physics A-levels in the Consortium to support the movement of students.
Physics
Post 16 Physics follow the OCR (B) Advancing Physics specification. This course is supported by text books and an interactive CD Rom. Next to the physics labs there is an array of 15 computers which enable students to work independently. In September 2008, the same adapted syllabus is being followed. Physics is a popular subject in the school and there are always opportunities for further development. This specification is supported by the Institute of Physics and is up to date, linked to social and economic implications of Physics.
Chemistry
Chemistry follows ‘Salters’ A-level Chemistry administered by OCR. (This is not the specification taught by the other consortium schools) The course is well resourced with a textbooks and interactive presentations as well as different types of practical activity. The emphasis of the course is on the ways that chemistry is applied, the work chemists do and the frontiers of chemistry. It is a rigorous and stimulating course which lays foundations appropriate for further study and satisfies those who will study Chemistry no further. Chemistry is a popular subject and retention from AS into A2 is good
Biology
AQA Biology supported by text books, IT and teacher produced material. Studies are complemented by a field trip, visits to Hull University and revision sessions. Biology is a popular subject for students who wish to study pure science or supplement courses in PE and Health and Social Care.