Science | The Community College, Bishop's Castle

Science

Dr A Day Jones	Head of Science
Mr A Kirk
Mrs G Mustoe
Mrs L Price
Dr L Wilson
Mr I Willoughby

Science Assessment Overview

Curriculum Overview Science Y7

Curriculum Overview Science Y8

Curriculum Overview Science Y9

Curriculum Overview Combined / Triple Science Biology

Curriculum Overview Combined / Triple Science Chemistry

Curriculum Overview Combined / Triple Science Physics

Intent of the Science Curriculum

We intend to deliver a high-quality science education, teaching all students essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Students are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They are encouraged to understand how science can be used in the real world. We seek to develop their understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science to help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them. We seek to equip them with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

Implementation of the Science Curriculum

We engage and develop our students in a spiral curriculum of knowledge through biology, chemistry and physics components throughout KS3 and KS4 that are linked by key Working Scientifically” skills. We deliver stimulating lessons that focus on practical enquiry and discussion. Our approach is aligned with the concept of ‘Science Capital’. We make use of ‘home experiments’ linked to competitions in KS3 to increase student engagement and to strengthen home-school links.

We have developed a broad range of STEM opportunities in KS3 and KS4 to enthuse students and raise awareness of the vast opportunities afforded by a career based in science. This includes careers visits and activities such as Science Live, Race for the Line, Thales Mars Landing Project and RSC talks.

We encourage our students to go the extra mile, through involvement in extra-curricular trips and activities and reading scientific texts: a reading list is provided specifically for this purpose.

We listen to our students and consider their feedback a valuable resource in developing our work. Student feedback has helped to inform our practice in many ways, including the setting of homework. We use task types which students (and their exam results) have told us are the most effective.

Impact of the Science Curriculum

Student experiences in science at the Community College impact positively on many aspects of their lives beyond school. Our students achieve excellent GCSE examination results, with many choosing to study sciences at A Level and beyond. There is a direct and obvious impact on those of our students who choose careers in STEM.

Many of our students choose careers in countryside management and agriculture: we aim to equip them to excel in these fields. Our wide range of extra-curricular activities and visits give students experience of applications of science which we hope inspire them to think creatively about future career options.

We hope that students of all abilities enjoy science lessons and appreciate the impact their learning has on life beyond the Community College.