Science
St. Mary's Science Department is a progressive, active and vibrant area where pupils are enthused, challenged and motivated through practical hands-on experience, modeling, role play, ICT and direct involvement with all three sciences. We have an experienced team of staff: two Biologists (Miss Tew and Mrs Murray), two Physicists (Mr Edwards and Mr Burgoyne), one Chemist (Mrs Hall) and one Technician (Mrs Norton), who all work very hard together to deliver exciting and interesting science at all levels.
THE CURRICULUM
YEARS 7 AND 8
Pupils follow a broad based KS3 programme of study that covers Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The course has a good practical based foundation which challenges pupils to think about science in a variety of ways, assess their results and ask questions. In the final half-term of Year 8, pupils form into small groups and investigate practically any aspect of science which interests them, as a project for a few weeks. This culminates in a special Science Fair day in which the pupils display their results to other pupils, staff and parents. We are joined by an eminent scientist who discusses their career and also judges the projects and presents awards to the winners and runners-up. The winning and runners-up projects are displayed in the Science corridor.
The pupils are tested at the end of each topic to assess how well they have understood what has been taught and there is an annual exam at the end of May. We use the Collins KS3 text book and students are issued with a KS3 revision guide to keep at home, to help with homework.
YEAR 9
Pupils start GCSE science in Year 9. All schools are following this procedure because of the amount of knowledge pupils are required to know for exams. At St. Mary's we follow the Edexcel Exam Board specification and use the Coolins text book. We do not sell revision guides or work books but we recommend that pupils look at a variety of different providers first before they purchase one so they can decide on the style that suits them. These can be purchased on line at reasonable prices from www.amazon.co.uk and delivery is usually within a couple of days. In Year 9 pupils study Core Biology, Chemistry and Physics for one hour a week for each subject. Wherever possible they have a specialist teacher for that subject. In May, the pupils sit an annual school exam which is based on the GCSE exam they will sit next year. Students are issued with the text book for which they are responsible. At the end of Year 9 pupils can opt to take either Additional Science or Triple Science.
YEAR 10/11
Pupils either take Additional Science for 5 hours a week or Triple Science (studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics separately) for 7.5 hours a week, in addition they undertake practical components (Internal Assessment Activity - IAA's), associated with each science. These count in addition towards the final GCSE mark and are similar to the old coursework component. Pupils are taught by specialist subject teachers. In May, Year 10 sit an annual school exam which is based on their GCSE exams and serves as good revision. Actual GCSE exams which count towards a pupil's final grade are sat throughout the year in November, March and June. However, the majority of exams are sat in June. If a pupils performs very poorly in an exam, that exam can be re-sat but the new mark they receive is kept towards their final grade whether it be higher or lower than the original mark. In December, before the Christmas break, Year 11 sit their GCSE Mock Exams. It is important for pupils to do as well as possible in these. Students are issued with the text book for which they are responsible.
5 YEAR ROLLING EXAM SCHEDULE
The Exam dates table above lists the exams and dates where possible of all science exams for all years. The table is read left to right for each year group. Further dates will be added when we are advised of them by the exam board.
Please ensure you do sufficient preparation for exams by attending all revision sessions (wherever possible) and take past papers home to practice if you are sitting GCSEs.
SCIENCE WEEK
Annually we celebrate Science Week (March) with a series of events for all year groups. This year (2011) Year 7 met 'Jungle Jo' with her unusual animals, Year 8 took on the Coke-Mentos Challenge and Year 9 became forensic scientists with an expert . All pupils could participate in lung, heart and kidney dissections during a lunch-time session. In addition to these events, pupils dressed up as scientists for the day when we were visited by 'Darwin.'
TRIPS
There are a variety of science trips throughout the school year. Each year we have managed to secure tickets for the Royal Institute's Christmas Lectures which we combine with a visit to the Natural History Museum . Year 10 visit Thorpe Park to learn about roller coasters and the mathematics which underpin the technology and this is a cross-curricular trip with the Maths Department. We also hold Orchard and Stag Beetle Pyramid Days at St. Mary's Lower School. We are always on the lookout for new and exciting trips to bring science alive for pupils.
CLUBS
Science runs a variety of clubs during lunch time. These include: Animal Club (Miss Tew), Science Club (Miss Tew), and First Aid Club (this is a course which leads to a certficate run by Mrs Murray, a qualified trainer).
CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT BY PUPILS
We actively encourage pupils to produce work of a high standard, strive to make progress and put 100% effort into all they do. Twice a year all the science teachers nominate a pupil from each class they teach, who has made the most progress and effort during that term, to be a 'Science Star'. They receive a certificate and a badge in assembly presented by Mrs Vipond and their name is displayed on the science stars board in the science corridor.
COMPETITIONS
We regularly enter competitions, both local and national.
ACTIVITIES WEEK
During this week many pupils are away on school trips but for those who remain in school there are a variety of activities during the week including specialist science activities where pupils are involved in competitive bridge building and parachute making/testing involving eggs. A whole day is spent at St. Mary's Lower School doing a variety of outdoor activities with an ecological basis which challenges pupil's abilities and develops team work skills in activities such as den building.
