Science
Vision of the Science Curriculum
The most powerful method we have for understanding the world is Science and the science curriculum lay the foundations of that understanding. Scientific literacy is critically important to being an informed citizen. One of the keys to social mobility is science education. Science qualifications open the doors to many rewarding and interesting careers. Science is a compulsory subject for all students, therefore all students follow a 5 year pathway.
Facilities
The Faculty has a full range of facilities at its disposal. It is equipped with ten science Laboratories, of which six have double space teaching and practical areas. One room is dedicated to use as a 6th form teaching laboratory. The faculty also has at its disposal three computer rooms which can hold classes of 28, 16 and 15 pupils. Other rooms include a lecture theatre which can hold 50 pupils and is equipped with a 3D projector. Finally, there are two regular teaching classroom. These varied and modern teaching environments ensure that our learning environments are ready to meet the needs of any curriculum.
Future Careers
Common jobs in Science include: Doctor, Veterinarian, Engineer, Pharmacist, Biomedical Scientist, Forensic Scientist, Pharmacologist, Geneticist, Environmental Scientist and Nurse.
Top 10 future jobs in Science:
- Environmental scientists research issues relating to natural resources, plants, animals and humans. They use their findings to spread awareness about pollution and how it can be prevented.
- Hydrologists study bodies of water and rainfall throughout the world. Their research helps other scientists, governments and businesses understand what pollutants are affecting the water supply.
- Geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) study the characteristics of the Earth in an attempt to understand its origins and how it has evolved.
- Medical scientists (not including epidemiologists) study human health and diseases in order to develop treatments and discover preventative measures.
- Biochemists and Biophysicists study how chemistry and physics affect living organisms, respectively.
- Atmospheric scientists monitor the behaviour of the Earth's atmosphere in order to understand its role in the environment. Their work is gaining more visibility as they learn more about global warming, which has become a media and political focal point.
- Materials scientists attempt to learn about the composition of natural and synthetic materials in order to enhance them or develop new ones. These materials, such as metals or plastic, can be found in everyday items or in large structures.
- Physicists study the properties of matter and motion. This includes researching the universe's origin or developing new scientific tools, depending on their specialisation.
- Astronomers study the characteristics and behaviour of the sun, stars, galaxies and planets of the universe.
- Biological scientists observe and study all forms of life, from microscopic organisms to humans, in order to better understand how these organisms develop and interact with their surroundings.
Useful web links
http://www.scibermonkey.org/
General Science resources for all key stages
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education
General Science resources for all key stages
http://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/science/
Test yourself quizzes for KS3
http://www.docbrown.info/
General Science resources for all key stages
http://www.knockhardy.org.uk/sci.htm
PowerPoints and notes for new A-level Chemistry specifications
http://www.darvill.clara.net/mydown.htm
Links to lots of useful physics information
http://www.dontstoplearning.com/learn.htm
Lots of useful chemistry resources
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/
General science resources for all key stages
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/
A-level chemistry notes
https://www.khanacademy.org/
Video tutorial for all subjects
http://www.biologymad.com/
biology website designed for AS and A-level biology students.
http://www.biology-innovation.co.uk/
A revision site written by a student.
http://www.arkive.org/
This website provides detailed audio-visual profiles of animal species
www.revision-notes.co.uk
Come here for a-level revision notes on atoms, energetics, periodicity, transition metals and organic chemistry.
www.physlink.com
This site allows you to post physics questions for experts to answer.
www.revisionworld.co.uk
A wide range of topics covered on this site and details of how the exams work, as well as techniques for getting the grade you want.
www.purchon.com/biology
This site covers a wide variety of topics from GCSE biology
www.pbs.org
Become a virtual brain surgeon and map out the brain's motor cortex on this animated patient.
www.urbanext.uiuc.edu
A series of pages takes you through the parts of a plant in a lively style complete with animated graphics and photographs.
www.visembryo.com
A simple but effective site showing the development of the foetus from conception to birth.
www.gcsechemistry.com
This site is used in schools and is also great for home studying.
www.gcse.com/physics
Here you can go through all the main theories covered by your GCSE Physics course.