Science
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Welcome to the Science Department
Science is an integral part of our everyday lives. Science has shaped everything around us. A greater
understanding of science will help us all to achieve our goals in life as well as add to our own well
being. An understanding of science allows us to see why something happens or how something works, and
such an understanding is always beneficial. Science helps us to analyse things, see patterns and trends
and make predictions which enables us to plan for the future. It helps us to evaluate things that we have
done and as such it enables us to make improvements.
“The study of science increases pupils' curiosity about phenomena in the world around them and offers
opportunities to find explanations. It engages learners at many levels, linking direct practical experience
with scientific ideas. Experimentation and modelling are used to develop and evaluate explanations,
encouraging critical and creative thought. Pupils learn how knowledge and understanding in science are
rooted in evidence. They discover how scientific ideas contribute to technological change – affecting
industry, business and medicine and improving quality of life. They trace the development of science
worldwide and recognise its cultural significance. They learn to question and discuss issues that may
affect their own lives, the directions of societies and the future of the world.” (QCA, 2007)
The Faculty of Science
The Science Faculty is located to the North end of the College and occupies 7 dedicated science
laboratories all fitted with digital overhead projectors (Rooms 8 to 14) and 3 associated preparation
rooms.
Science Teaching Staff
Mrs C Gribble
Head of Faculty |
BSc in Chemistry from Anglia Ruskin University. |
Miss L Craske
Science Teacher & Head of Progress |
BSc in Biology from Bristol University. |
Miss G Hensby
Science Teacher & Head of Progress |
BSc in Animal Sciences (Behavioural Studies) from Lincoln University. Also
trained as a Veterinary Nurse. |
Mr D Hughes
Science Teacher |
BSc in Physics with Astrophysics from the University of Leeds. |
Ms N Le Good
Science Teacher |
BSc in Biology from Bristol University. Worked at the University of Cardiff researching
osteoarthritis in horses, before undertaking research in genetic diseases at Cardiff University
Hospital. I have also worked for the Wellcome Foundation researching healing, osteoarthritis and
other diseases of collagen.
|
Mrs A Mocherla
Science Teacher & Head of Progress |
BSc in Combined Sciences from Anglia Ruskin University. I have worked as an
Analytical chemist for the National Rivers Authority, a Research Chemist for Baker Hughes
Petrochemicals and a Polymer Chemist for Hexcel Composites. |
Dr M Pearson
Science Teacher & Teacher Support Group |
BSc in Biological Sciences (Plant Physiology and Biochemistry) from Lancaster University;
MPhil and PhD from Lancaster University in Pollution Biology. Ten years post-doctoral experience investigating
the effects of elevated CO2 on terrestrial ecosystems. |
Miss H Roberts
Science Teacher & Assistant Principal (Key stage 3) |
|
Mr P Ward
Science Teacher & Second in Department |
BSc in Zoology from Bristol University. Postgraduate research for St. Andrews
University in fish physiology in conjunction with British Antarctic Survey including 2 years spent
in Antarctica. I have worked in Mombasa, Kenya teaching Science and Biology. |
Technical Support Staff
| Ms J Field |
Senior Science Technician |
| Mrs S Seaton |
Science Technician |
| Mrs C Wood |
Science Technician |
| Mrs A Smith |
Science Technician |
The Science Curriculum
Successes in Science 2009-10
The Science department had a very successful year:
- From the 51 students who followed the GCSE triple Science programme there were 23 grades at A* and 30 at grade A, culminating in 53 grades at either A or A*. When all year 11 students were considered there were 68 science GCSE grades at either A or A*.
- The percentage of year 11 students gaining GCSE grades A*-C in Biology, Chemistry and Physics was 96, 100 & 98% respectively. Of those students taking Additional Science, 63% gained GCSE grades A*-C, and of those students taking Additional Applied Science, 19% gained GCSE grades A*-C.
- The percentage of Year 11 students gaining two GCSE grades A*-C in Science increased from 49 to 53%.
- In A-level Biology, 100% of Year 13 students gained grades A-E. This compared to a national average of 96%.
- For students examined at the end of key stage 3, i.e. Year 9, 76% of students gained level 5 or above and 52% of students gained level 6 or above.
- These data equate to 52% of students making 2 levels of progress across KS3 and 11% of students made 3 levels of progress.