THE DISCOVERY CLUSTER
The Discovery Cluster currently consists of seventeen hard working professionals with a range of experience.
Cathy North / (Biology) Director of Learning, Discovery ClusterStephen Jones / (Chemistry) Assistant Director of Learning
Peter Stephenson / (Physics) Assistant Director of Learning
Claire Smith / (Chemistry)
Rob Cooper / (Physics)
Tina Curwen / (Chemistry)
Elizabeth Hilton-Peet / (Biology) Assistant Head
Gemma Holden / (Chemistry)
James Johnstone / (Biology) Mercury College Leader
Alex Jordinson / (Chemistry)/Deputy Head
Ruth Rothwell / (Physics)
Kate Webster / (Biology) ITT Mentor
Annette Walker / Science Technician
Shaheen Vohra / Science Technician
Nicola Burt / Science Technician
The aims of the Department are:
Ø to ensure that each student, on leaving school, has sufficient knowledge and understanding of the part that Science plays in daily adult life and can make more informed choices as our future citizens.
Ø to ensure that every student, regardless of ability, reaches his/her full potential.
Ø to ensure that whilst students come to appreciate that science is all around them and to be able to understand and explain items featuring in the news and in magazines.
In Science, for all years, pupils are set according to their ability within ‘half-year’ populations.
Following a review of the KS3 curriculum the Department is introducing a bespoke KS3 Scheme of Work based on the new National Curriculum in Year 7,8 and 9. This is well resourced through electronic planning tools and textbooks. The Year 7 and 8 Science courses are usually taught by one Science teacher where possible for each set with a carousel of ‘Science topics’ being taught during the year. Year 9 students will be following the KS3 Scheme of Work with some aspects of KS4.
KS4 students are following a 2 year GCSE course (Level1/Level2 Certificate offered by Edexcel) in both Double and Triple Science. This is a 100% exam course and leads well into the AS/A2 courses.
At Advanced Level the Department delivers the AQA Biology, Chemistry, Physics AS & A2 Specification. Level 3 BTEC in Applied Science is also delivered.
The Department has 9 labs and 1 ICT suite, each equipped with projector and an interactive whiteboard in 3 of the rooms.
In the past the Department has been involved in various activities and trips such as, National Science and Engineering Week, ‘Chemistry – the next generation project’, Bronze and Silver CREST awards, visits to the ‘Catalyst’ museum, the ‘Body Worlds’ exhibition, Sellafield visitor centre, Jodrell Bank, Forensic Science work with UCLAN, Chemistry and Biology Olympiad, IOP Eureka competition, IOP lectures, Visiting speakers on a variety of topics – e.g.Behaviour of Materials, Creepy Crawly Road show.