Science at Purbrook Park aims to engage, interest, and challenge pupils to think about the world around them.
Pupils discuss ideas and theories, investigate problems and conduct research in order to explain phenomena. |
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The OCR Gateway suite of courses is followed at key stage four (http://www.gcse-science.com/index.php ). They are designed to stimulate interest in science-related issues and provide pupils with a broad knowledge and understanding of science. Pupils also learn about the impact of science on society. We teach the following courses:
- GCSE Gateway Science;
- GCSE Gateway Additional Science;
- GCSE Gateway Biology, Chemistry and Physics; and
- Gateway Science Entry Level Certificate.
Each of the GCSE courses comprises six teaching modules which are assessed as follows:
- Two written papers of 1 hour each worth 66%; and
- Internal assessment worth 33%.
GCSE Gateway Science is examined mostly during year 10 with examinations being sat in January and/or May/June; GCSE Gateway Additional Science is sat in year 11, again in January and/or May/June.
The internal assessment consists of different components depending on the course: pupils perform 'can do' tasks to demonstrate competency in practical skills and procedures; they conduct a 'science in the news' task about a topical science-related issue and they carry out research and analyse and evaluate sources of data. Some pupils may opt to study the separate sciences: biology, chemistry and physics - and additional curriculum time is available to study these.
Science is taught in six modern laboratories, four of which have been recently refurbished to a very high standard. The department is well equipped, including a data projector in each room and access to a computer suite. To stimulate interest and motivation, the foyer in the department is a dedicated display area, with science-related news articles and examples of pupils' work.
Pupils are offered extra curricula activities. This year there will be a rocket club, study support for revision, a forensic science presentation for year 10, an astronomy trip for year 9 and a science trip to Southampton University for year 10 'separate scientists'.
Pupils receive the following amount of lesson time in Science:
- Year 7&8 - 6 hours over 2 weeks
- Year 9 - 7 hours over 2 weeks
- Year 10&11 Science - 8 hours over 2 weeks
- Year 10&11 Separate Science - an additional 5 hours over 2 weeks
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