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Science
The Science Faculty is based in the purpose-built Powell’s centre. There are eight well-equipped labs, two with ICT facilities and dataloggers. There are nine enthusiastic and dedicated members of the Science Faculty teaching staff, with a range of experience from NQT to 20 years’ experience. Some of the Science Staff have previous industrial or academic experience. All of the Science teaching staff believe in the value of practical and investigative work, and we are well supported by a team of three technical staff.
There are many opportunities for pupils to engage in extra-curricular activities in Science. All pupils and their families are very welcome to attend the Deer Park Science Fair, held biennially in March. The Science Fair is a free event that includes displays and activities from local science-based businesses, educational display companies, animal sanctuaries and fireworks display companies. At GCSE level we offer visits for Separate science pupils to Warwick University Chemisty Department (to purify aspirin) and Bath University (DNA workshop) and we invite other specialists to give presentations or run workshops for our other KS4 pupils - these include astonomers, health professionals and GCHQ, At Key Stage 3 we offer Gifted and Talented opportunities within school and extra-curricularly, and run a Science Club for Year 7 and a STEM Club for Year 8.
KS3 Science
Each KS3 pupil receives six hour-long lessons each fortnight (12% of their curriculum time).
All pupils will follow the Exploring Science Scheme. The scheme is based on 36 different units, each covering a key concept. We have enhanced each unit with our own practicals and demonstrations.
Pupils will be assessed using Assessment of Pupil Progress (‘APP’) criteria. Every pupil will be assessed a number of times each year on their ability to:
- think scientifically
- understand the applications and implications of Science
- communicate scientific material and consider the value of scientific data
- use investigative approaches
- and work with scientific evidence in a critical way.
There are also end of unit assessment tests to rigorously assess pupils’ understanding of scientific content and concepts.
KS4 Science
We offer four different KS4 courses to allow every pupil to pursue a course that is suitable for their ability and learning style. Two of the courses follow a ‘traditional’ pattern. Scientific content is taught in a series of short modules. Assessment is based on examinations (67%) and teacher-assessed coursework (33%). Pupils have a choice of either
‘Core and Additional’ Science (two GCSEs) in 10 lessons a fortnight (20% of curriculum time), or:
‘Separate Sciences’ in which Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught as individual subjects (three GCSEs) in 15 lessons a fortnight (30% of curriculum time)
The other two courses that we offer are Applied Science courses. Pupils in both Applied courses receive 10 lessons each fornight (20% of curriculum time):
‘BTEC First Applied Science' is assessed solely through coursework – there are no examinations. Those pupils achieving coursework of a suitable standard are awarded the equivalent of two GCSEs.
‘Child Development’ is assessed partly by coursework (60%) and partly by examinations (40%). Those pupils achieving coursework of a suitable standard are awarded the equivalent of one GCSE. Child Development is taught alongside 'Core' Science to achieve two separate GCSEs.
