South Dartmoor Community College
Science department
Introduction
The Science Department currently comprises fifteen teaching staff and five support staff. Accommodation is excellent and consists of eleven purpose-built laboratories, including two that are brand new this year. The range of resources available is excellent.
Primary Liaison
The Science Department has strong links with the Primary schools that feed the college. South Dartmoor has hosted many Year 4, 5 and 6 Science lessons and whole day Science experiences for local schools. We regularly hold gifted and talented sessions for key stage 2 students, and South Dartmoor Science staff often visit primary schools as part of our departmental primary liaison programme.
Key Stage Three
The department has teaches an innovative STEM curriculum taught in conjunction with the Technology, ICT and Mathematics departments.
We have developed some exciting and original ideas, with a particular emphasis on developing learning habits. How Science Works is integrated into the schemes in a progressive way.
Key Stage Four
The department teaches the OCR 21st Century Science GCSE course, with approximately 30% of students currently opting for triple science. This is taught in 30% curriculum time, with each class having three subject specialist members of staff. The numbers opting for triple science have increased year-on-year since its introduction in 2008.
The remaining students currently study 21st Century GCSE Science, progressing to 21st Century Additional Science or Applied Science in year 11. These courses are taught in 20% of curriculum time. Students have shown enthusiasm and commitment, demonstrating excellent response to learning with significant value added. Results in 2012 were 79% A*-C in GCSE Science and 85% A*-C in Additional Science.
The overall outcome for year 11 students in 2012 was 89% achieving 2 A*-C in science. This was significantly above the FFT-Dx target of 77%.
A-level
We have a very strong post-16 record, offering A-levels in Biology, Human Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
A significant number of former students have moved on to study Science-related degree courses including a number at Oxbridge. Each year several students participate in the Nuffield Science Bursary scheme to carry out a four-week research project in their holiday.
The department
Great emphasis is placed on extending the curriculum and ability to help with this aspect would be an advantage.There is a popular and dynamic annual Parents’ Science Evening, for example, during which parents are taught by their children with staff and technician support in the laboratories. Science Week has been a highlight with spectacular activities such as custard running, egg races, laser mazes, hot air balloons and freezing carnations. Practical Science demonstrations have produced packed laboratories at lunchtime. For a recent year 6 open evening the department took a James Bond theme, complete with bow ties, black dresses and even a baddy with a cat. The profile of Science has been extremely high.
This is a strong department which values the contributions made by all staff and is committed to team planning. It is open to new ideas and sharing of good practice, and there are exceptionally strong professional relationships in the department. It is a fun place to be. The successful candidate will have every opportunity for professional development whilst making a contribution to the development of teaching and learning in Science.
The department works hard to bring about excellent outcomes and we challenge ourselves to be consistently outstanding. We are on an exciting journey, and we want to hear from you if you can help us achieve even more for all our students.
Jim Lodge
Head of science