Science Department Information

The Science Curriculum Team currently comprises 10 full time and 1 part time teacher and 4 laboratory technicians. Science is taught in a suite of 8 laboratories and there is ready access to ICT facilities and the school library. There are 3 prep rooms and a teachers’ work room where all teachers have their own desk space. The structure of the team is as follows:

Matthew Ward / CTL / A-Level Biology & KS4 Coordinator
Abigail Turner / 2nd i/c Science / A-Level Physics & KS3 Coordinator
Christina Blackburn / Technician
Julian Bojungs / Teacher of Science
Helen Carter / Teacher of Maths & Science
Richard Chandler / Teacher of Science (p/t) / Head of Year 12 and 13
Trish Hibble / Senior Technician
Steve Hodgetts / Teacher of Science
Kirsten Lloyd / Teacher of Science / Head of Year 7
Emma MacKenzie / Teacher of Science
Jill McEvoy / Teacher of PE & Science / Deputy Headteacher
Jackie Miller / Technician
Anwar Mismar / Teacher of Science / Head of Year 8
Linda Muncey / Teacher of Science (p/t)
Mary Reed / Technician
Malcolm Ward / Teacher of Science (p/t)
Andy Weaver / Teacher of Science / Deputy Headteacher
Denise Webber / Teacher of Science (p/t)
John Younan / Teacher of Science / A-Level Chemistry & Applied Science GCSE coordinator

Students at the SandonSchool are currently taught as follows:

Year 7 / All students are following a 2 year KS3 programme of study
Year 8 / All students are following a 2 year KS3 programme of study
Year 9 / 3 accelerated groups studying separate sciences, 5 sets following 3-year KS3
Year 10 / 3 accelerated groups studying separate sciences, 7 sets studying core science
Year 11 / 2 accelerated groups studying separate sciences, 4 sets studying additional science, 2 sets studying additional applied science, 2 sets studying BTEC Applied Science

Key Stage 3

The students at Sandon are divided into 2 year halves. The science team runs a 2 year Key Stage 3 for the students in year 7 & 8. This releases time for students to study for three separate science GCSEs higher up the school, allows more time to prepare for core science in year 10 and gives time for a skills based programme in Y9 for less able students alongside the KS4 schemes of work.

Key Stage 4

Students who follow the accelerated programme study for OCR’s 21st Century Science GCSEs in Biology, Physics and Chemistry. These students start studying for these GCSEs in Year 9. These students have 3 specialist teachers in Year 10 and Year11

All other students follow the OCR 21st Century Science Core Science GCSE in Year 9 & 10. They are then given a choice between OCR 21st Century Additional Science or 21st Century Additional Applied Science in Year 11.

All teachers are required to teach outside their specialism at Key Stage 4, but subject specialists support non-specialists both informally and through a continual programme of sharing good practice in team meetings. Teachers are encouraged to look for CPD and INSET opportunities to assist them in developing their skills.

Post 16

There are currently 2 biology groups in Year 12 and year 13 studying for AS and A2 Biology and Chemistry. Physics has 1 AS and 2 A2 groups. Uptake of the post 16 courses is high with over 50% of Year 12 studying 1 or more A-Level science. Less experienced teachers at advanced level are supported by the subject coordinators, more experienced teachers, and the knowledgeable specialist technicians. Teachers are encouraged to look for CPD and INSET opportunities to assist them in developing their skills.

Resources and Accommodation

All schemes of work have recommended resources, but staff are encouraged to be imaginative and supplement these with more personalised resources where appropriate. Recommended resources can be ordered from the Technicians.

The department has 8 laboratories which have all been refurbished in the past 5 years. 2 of these rooms have tables to facilitate group work, whilst we have 30 student PCs distributed over 3 laboratories along with data-loggers and a comprehensive selection of sensors. All rooms have teacher PCs, projectors and smart boards.

The department also has a developing outdoor classroom with a pond which should mature over the next few years to be an invaluable resource for environmental studies.

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The Sandon School