Science

First Year Science classes are taught in their tutor groups. Pupils follow a stimulating course, designed to make the subject interesting and relevant. The philosophy of Science teaching at Key Stage 3 is to reach out to students and engender a sense of wonder about the world that they live in.

Each Science class is taught by one science teacher for the whole year. The topics studied are clearly identifiable as either Biology (‘Cells’ and ‘Reproduction’), Chemistry (‘Acids and Alkalis ’, ‘The Particle Model and Mixtures’), or Physics (‘Forces’ and ‘Electricity’). Each topic is assessed by a short test and teachers use a variety of methods to assess pupils’ progress. Lessons are hands-on, interactive, and include a large element of practical work. These experiments can be shorter to illustrate some theoretical points, or more extended to introduce the skills of scientific investigation. Pupils are encouraged to develop a sense of enquiry and curiosity, building on their understanding of how the world works.

There are also educational visits, such as to the Cheltenham Science Festival, project work and competitions organised to enhance the whole learning experience.