Faculties

Science and Maths
- Yr 10 Revision
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Current Homework Topic

Science and Maths

Science

Aims of the department

To stimulate an interest and enjoyment in science and to encourage students to pursue the subject allowing them to be confident citizens in a modern technological world and to take care of the environment.

To develop the student's scientific skills and knowledge and understanding of science by delivering courses which meet the demands of the National Curriculum and which are approrpiate to the ability of the students.

To prepare students to sit National Curriculum Tests and public examinations in Science.

Key Stage 3
At KS3 students have three one hour lessons per week. Year 7 have mixed ability classes and years 8 & 9 are set. Students follow the Hodder Science Course which matches the QCA specification.

Key Stage 4
At KS4 students have nine one hour sessions per fortnight and follow the AQA GCSE Dual Science course.

Post 16
At post 16 students may opt to study AQA AS/A2 courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and have five one hour lessons per week per subject or they may choose to study EDEXCEL AVCE science course on ten one hour sessions per week.

Maths

To encourage students of all abilities to improve their understanding of the subject
To enable students to become proficient in the techniques of Mathematics
To provide a challenging but enjoyable environment in which to learn
To provide a context in which Mathematics has meaning and relevance

Key stage 3:
Material and concepts drawn from the areas of number and algebra, shape and space, and handling data are set in the context of using and applying mathematics with a variety of opportunities to develop various mathematical and communication skills. Students are taught in sets to suit their abilities. Assessment takes place throughout each year. There is summative assessment for the end of Key Stage 3, which involves Teacher Assessment and Standard Test Assessments towards the end of the Year 9.

Key stage 4:
All Mathematics courses in Years 10 and 11 cover work from number and algebra, shape, space and measures and handling data. 20% of the final GCSE mark will examine how students use and apply mathematics and will be tested through course work. All students' ability and progress determines the tier of entry and style of course they follow. GCSE groups follow the ULEAC course aiming for the Higher, Intermediate or Foundation tiers. Non-GCSE students follow the Edexcel Certificate of Achievement course.

Post 16
Students following AS and A level courses in Mathematics cover work in the areas of Pure Maths, Statistics, and Decision and Discrete Maths. Pure Maths deals with the methods and techniques involved in solving problems, and forms an important foundation for the other Applied modules which consider practical applications of such techniques into "real life problems. The subject specification is that of MEI (Mathematics in Education and Industry) administered by OCR. Some course work is involved. Some students may choose to broaden their study of the subject by taking Further Maths at either AS or A level. This involves studying more modules, and allows a greater range of topics to be looked at. Other students who wish to improve their GCSE grade are able to do so, either in November or June according to suitability.