The Science department at St. Edmund’s consists of a team of dedicated teachers and support staff who pride themselves on working together to help pupils achieve highly no matter what their prior achievement in Science. We believe in using trusted techniques and practicals, but we are always willing to work creatively with other departments and to use innovative teaching strategies whenever appropriate. Science is an essential part of the curriculum through which we hope to give students a greater understanding of the world around them, along with the learning skills to help them succeed in all their studies.

- Mr Chittenden, Head of Science.

Key Stage 3

Pupils in Years 7 to 9 are placed into sets based on their ability in Science. The department follows the Eureka! scheme of work although we have made many additions and improvements over recent years. Pupils are regularly assessed both formatively (using SATs questions at the start of topics, and with homework tasks) and summatively (using end-of-topic tests). These end-of-topic tests are assessed against National Curriculum sub-levels.

Every pupil at KS3 is given a yearly NC level target and is encouraged to take responsibility for meeting or beating this target in each topic.

Pupils in sets 1 and 2 in Years 7 and 8 follow an accelerated programme in Science. They are taught KS3 science in these two years. Pupils are then given the option to continue this programme in Years 9, 10 and 11. If the accelerated route is chosen, pupils will go on to complete three Science GCSEs.

Once pupils have taken their SATs exams in Year 9, they immediately commence GCSE Science.

Key Stage 4

The National Curriculum revisions for Science take effect in September 2006 and so at St. Edmund’s we have invested in a brand-new scheme of work published by Nelson Thornes for the AQA GCSE Science B and GCSE Additional Science courses.

The superb materials for these qualifications include many videos, animations and interactive whiteboard activities as part of the “e-Science” CD-ROM. Pupils are encouraged to work individually on these materials out of lesson time to improve their learning, as well as making full use of them during teaching.

Pupils take GCSE Science B (modules B1, C1, P1) in Year 10 and GCSE Additional Science (B2, C2, P2) in Year 11. Those pupils following the accelerated programme take B1C1P1 in Year 9, B2C2P2 in Year 10 and B3C3P3 in Year 11, leading to three separate science GCSEs.

Key Stage 5

At St. Edmund’s pupils have the opportunity to continue their studies in Science by taking Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics at A-level. We have a thriving 6th form with many highly-motivated students, keen to succeed in Science and looking to continue their studies at University. A-level classes usually consist of small groups of pupils (currently about 4-8 per group) taught by subject-specialist staff.

For more information about Science at St. Edmunds, have a look at the Science Vertical Tutor Group website.