welcome to science
The Science department is housed in twelve fully equipped modern laboratories. There are fourteen full-time teachers and six part time staff.
Three full time technicians maintain equipment and prepare experiments. Wednesday afternoon is used for departmental meetings and staff training. Recent inset courses include:
- New GCSE courses;
- How Science works;
- Accelerated learning;
- Assessment for Learning.
In both 2000 and 2001 the department won the Specialist Schools Science Award for most improved GCSE results.
Recent departmental activities to promote Science for the students have included:
- Ecology field work at the Teesmouth Field Centre and Hartlepool nuclear power station.
- IEE Faraday lecture.
- Durham University Festival of Science.
- External speaker from Durham Nanoscale Magnetics group.
- Teesside University Science in Work Lectures.
- One week Field trip to Lake District for AS/A2 Biology students.
Department Staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Mrs S Wilson | Director of Science |
| Mr T Shaw | Head of Science |
| Mr M Batey | Head of Physics |
| Mr R Bryson | Head of Chemistry |
| Mrs M. Fawcett | Head of Biology |
| Mrs M.Hart | Head of Biology |
| Mrs D Arrowsmith | Teacher of Physics |
| MS B Bolton | Teacher of Chemistry |
| Miss S Cummins | Teacher of Biology |
| Dr E Fernandez | Teacher of Biology |
| Mr T Firth | Teacher of Physics |
| Miss L Fleming | Teacher of Science |
| Miss E Griffiths | Teacher of Chemistry / Vocational Science Co-ordinator |
| Mrs SL King | Teacher of Chemistry |
| Mr D. Mason | Teacher of Physics / AST |
| Dr R Moran | Teacher of Biology/ Head of Critical thinking |
| Mr I. Robley | Assistant Principal |
| Mrs N. Rochelle | Teacher of Biology |
| Mrs L Shaw | Teacher of Chemistry/ Lead induction Tutor |
| Mr A Sunter | Teacher of Chemistry |
| Mr P Sykes | Teacher of Chemistry |
| Dr K Wake | Teacher of Biology |
| Mr C. Everitt | Technician for Physics |
| Miss L Houghton | Technician for Biology |
| Miss N Zorina | Technician for Chemistry |
| Mrs K Campbell | Teaching Assistant |
Syllabus
Year 7-9
Year 7-9 follow National Curriculum Key stage 3 using our own in house scheme. All lesson plans incorporate accelerated learning, the Academy literacy strategy, Gifted and Talented opportunities and SEN. Year 7 has three lessons a week, Year 8 has three lessons a week, and Year 9 has four lessons a week. Year 7 comprises of mixed ability classes, Year 8 are taught in mixed ability bands, but each band is setted on their overall Year 7 results. In Year 9 the students remain in their three mixed ability bands, but the Science department then set them according to their year 8 Science scores.
Year 10-11
In Year 10, following National Curriculum Key Stage 4, students undertake the OCR Gateway Science course. The course is taught by specialist teachers of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, each subject getting two lessons a week. Year 10 classes are taught in three bands, within each band students are setted according to their KS3 SAT’s results. In year 11 students are taught OCR staged assessment. Year 11 comprise of single gender groups, setted from Year 9 exams. The top set in Year 11 is taught separate Sciences. The top three groups of both sexes are taught with the assumption that they will all be entered for the top tier GCSE exam. Final decision on entry is only made in the February of Year 11 giving students the maximum opportunity to gain the highest levels of achievement.
Year 12-13
Post sixteen students undertake AS and A2 level Biology (OCR), Chemistry (OCR) and Advancing Physics (OCR). All students get 6 hours per week. BTEC National level 3 Applied Science is also taught. This includes twelve lessons a week following the Edexcel syllabus.
Examination Results
S.A.T's |
|
|---|---|
| Year | Percentage 5+ Levels |
2003 |
87% |
2002 |
89% |
2001 |
90% |
GCSE's |
|
|---|---|
| Year | Percentage A* - C Grades |
2003 |
92% |
2002 |
78% |
2001 |
84% |