Science | Sjfhs

Science Department

Staffing

Mrs A Kirkpatrick - Head Of Department

Mr C Beaney - Second In Department

Mr A Wright - Lead Teacher Of Science

Mrs L Dewsnip - Teacher Of Science

Mrs K Donlon - Senior Deputy Headteacher, Teacher Of Science

Miss S Foster - Teacher Of Science

Mrs L Morris - Teacher Of Science

Mr J Percival - Teacher Of Science

Mr P Robertson - Teacher Of Science

Mr J Winter - Teacher Of Science

Miss S Evans - Senior Science Technician

Mr P Taylor - Science Technician

Vision

Science is critical in developing pupils’ understanding of the world around them and beyond. It enables them to explain everyday processes and facilitates the acquisition of key problem solving, teamwork and critical thinking skills required to prepare for their life beyond SJF.

The mission of the SJF Science department is to develop inquisitive and knowledgeable problem solvers, who are numerate and mathematically literate. We aim to do this through a broad and balanced spiral curriculum, where fundamental principles are revisited regularly to embed learning and understanding. We offer a variety of extra-curricular activities, to engage pupils with their Science education and develop Scientists of the future.

Learning and Teaching

The Science department aims to educate our pupils to become citizens of the 21st century, who can engage in some of the most pressing issues facing our planet. We want to inspire our pupils to become the scientists and engineers who are tasked with solving some of the current threats to our world.

We hope to motivate students to consider the social, cultural and moral issues related to Science, particularly by equipping them with knowledge around such issues as Stem Cell research and Nuclear Power Plants. We aim to teach them to use scientific knowledge and understanding with fluency and accuracy.

The science curriculum is planned to ensure the delivery of the KS3 National Curriculum and the KS4 AQA Specification in a 5-year programme of study that follows a conceptually progressive order for all pupils. Our curriculum spirals, building on prior knowledge and skills, revisiting key concept areas from Years 7-11.

At GCSE, we offer two courses:

1. Triple Science

We follow the AQA GCSE specifications. Pupils will end the course with three separate qualifications of GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics. The courses are assessed using two examinations in each subject, of length 1 hour and 45 minutes, at the end of Year 11.

2. Combined Science (Trilogy)

We follow the AQA GCSE specifications. Pupils will end the course with a Science qualification comprising two GCSE grades. Pupils will still be taught in the individual subject disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The course is assessed using six examinations (two in each subject discipline), of length 1 hour and 15 minutes, at the end of Year 11. These six examinations are combined together to give a qualification called GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy).

Enriching learning

The Science Department at SJF comprises eight teaching laboratories and one classroom with ten teachers and two technicians. Pupils have the opportunity to take part in a range of extra-curricular activities to further develop their understanding of the subject, including trips to Chester Zoo, Manchester City FC, London and CERN, Switzerland. To enhance pupils’ understanding of where studying Science can lead to, pupils learn about a different career in each topic studied.

Assessment

In Year 7 and Year 8, pupils are assessed at the end of each topic. These assessments test pupils understanding of the key aspects of each topic. Each assessment is followed by a feedback lesson, where pupils reflect on their strengths and weaknesses for that topic and complete therapy tasks to improve their understanding.