GOSFORTH ACADEMY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Jon Bigg Science / KS5 Physics.

Iona Boyle Science / KS5 Biology / Achievement co-ordinator, Science.

Joanne Brunton Technician.

Carl Burton Technician.

Allan Carson Senior Technician.

Ross Colman Science / KS5 Chemistry

Nicola Dennison Science / KS5 Biology.

Mark Dickinson Science / KS5 Physics.

Ruth Duffy Science / Leader of Teaching and Learning for KS5 Physics

Jacqui Farquar Science / KS5 Biology.

Irene Jones Science / KS5 Physics

Stacy Jones Science / KS5 Biology / Deputy Leader of Teaching and Learning

James Laws Science / KS5 Chemistry

Margaret McEwan Science / KS5 Biology

Alex McCrae Technician

Ian Meek Technician

Geoff Nicholson Science / KS5 Biology

Emma Pringle Science / KS5 Chemistry, Acting Leader of Teaching and Learning for KS5 Chemistry

Rebecca Rundle Science / Leader of Teaching and Learning for KS5 Biology

Joanne Souter Science / KS5 Chemistry

Jim Vennart Science / KS5 Physics / Leader of Teaching and Learning, Science.

Laura Vitty Science / KS5 Biology

Mark Watson Senior Science Technician

KS3

In Year 9, students follow a skills course and start their KS4 studies.

Groups are taught as mixed ability until May when they are put into their provisional GCSE groups. Each group has 8 lessons per fortnight.

We use our own schemes of work written in house, based on the OCR OXBOX scheme.

KS4

At Key Stage 4 we follow OCR’s Twenty First Century Science. Most students follow the Dual Award Course with a single teacher delivering all 12 lessons each fortnight. A further five groups follow the Separate Sciences route in 12 lessons per fortnight (Triple Science)

A Level

All Sixth form groups receive 11, 50minute periods over a 2 week timetable, normally taught by 2 members of staff

Biology / Chemistry / Physics / Science
Exam Board / OCR
(Modular) / OCR
(Modular) / OCR
(Advanced Physics) / OCR Applied
Science
Rough Numbers / AS / 90-100 / 40-60 / 40-60 / 30
A2 / 40-50 / 20-30 / 25-35 / 15
Student support materials / Textbook / Workbooks / Textbook / Workbooks / Textbook and CD Rom / Textbook / Workbooks

Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of outside activities including:

·  Laboratory work at the Centre for Life

·  Fieldwork at the Dove Marine Laboratory

·  Work at the Universities of Newcastle upon Tyne and Northumbria

·  Master classes at Durham University

At AS Level, we have a large and diverse cohort of students ranging from prospective medical students to those wishing to maintain a broad based curriculum. Practical skills are assessed throughout each course. A minimum of grade AB in Dual Award Science is required for entry into AS courses. (except for AS Science where a CC grade is acceptable)

Science Department Accommodation

The Science Department has 15 laboratories, roughly split between each of the subjects. All laboratories have built-in data projectors and interactive whiteboards.

Within the Science Department there is a computer suite that can, along with other rooms in the school, be booked on an individual lesson basis. We also have easy access to the computers in the Learning Resource Centre.

The department has a large prep room for each subject and is well supported by excellent Technical Support Staff. There is also a large departmental workroom.

ICT

The school has excellent ICT facilities and Science is a leading department within the school for innovative and extensive ICT use. Each department member has a laptop and all labs have access to the school intranet and beyond to the World Wide Web.

Jim Vennart

Leader of Teaching and Learning, Science

December 2015