|
 About
the Department:
The Science Department is an
exciting and rewarding place to work. The teachers are friendly and
enthusiastic about their subject and students, and are proud of the
quality of teaching and learning that goes on in the department. We are
always looking for ways to develop and improve. We respond positively to
new initiatives and share good practices, ideas and resources. We have
high expectations of all students and ensure that each student achieves their
true potential by using a wide variety of teaching strategies to
accommodate individual learning styles.
Aims of the Department:
• To raise the achievement of all students in Science at KS3 and KS4
• To ensure equal opportunities for all our students
• To stimulate curiosity, interest and enjoyment in science and its
methods of enquiry
• To promote awareness of the relationships between scientific activity
and the society within which it operates
• To contribute to students' records of personal achievement.
Facilities and Resources:
Science is taught in a two storey purpose-built block, opened in 1992. The
laboratories are spacious and are fully equipped with modern scientific
equipment. The Department benefits from its own computer room with
twenty-eight student stations and an interactive whiteboard. We have a
well-organised staff workroom and two prep rooms, one on each floor and
manned by three Technicians.
The Department is well resourced with
equipment, videos, software and textbooks.
Curriculum:
At KS3 we follow the QCA Scheme of Work supported by Hodder Science
textbooks. Students are taught in mixed ability groups in Year 7 and ability
groups in Years 8 and 9. At KS4, the students are taught in ability
groups. The top set groups study the GCSE Double Award through
the OCR Suffolk (1977) Science and is supported by Oxford Co-ordinated Science
Textbooks. The middle set groups study the Applied Science Double Award
supported by the Folens Applied Science Books. Finally, the bottom set
groups do the Entry Level Certificate course.
Departmental Development Plan:
The department has good and improving results at KS3 and KS4. In 2004, 39%
of students achieved level 5-7 at KS3 and 40% achieved grade A*- C at
GCSE.
We have welcomed the introduction of the KS3
Strategy and Framework.
Our priorities this year have
been:
• Using data and individual targets to monitor progress.
• Lesson observations and sharing good practice.
• Developing the Applied Science and Entry Level Certificate courses.
• Updating KS3 Schemes of Work to accommodate the KS3 Strategy Framework.
Our priorities from September 2005, in
addition to what has been outlined above, will be:
• to develop Literacy and Numeracy in Science.
• to ensure progression through KS3 and KS4 with emphasis on both the
development of Investigative Skills and Ideas and Evidence.
• to research new KS4 courses.
Staffing:
The team is made up of 10 Science Specialists and 3 full time technicians.
The current staffing is as follows:
Teachers:
Asma Rahman (Head of Department)
Hatice Ahmet
Akwasi Asianowa
Suresh Babu
Helen Bolsover
Husnara Kamali
Borira Mahmud
Stuart Pearson
Fathy Saleh
Louis Youri
Technicians:
Philip Pugh
Iris Milton-White |
