Science

Science at All Hallows is taught to all pupils.

Aims

At All Hallows we feel that Science is a dynamic and stimulating discipline, which is of an extreme relevance to everyday life. Science is the ideal means by which to inspire our pupils and to stimulate their interest and imagination.

The aims of our Science curriculum are to develop:

• An awe and wonder of Science.
• A deep a meaningful knowledge of the world within all of the Science specialisms.
• A confident recall of scientific knowledge and an ability to apply scientific concepts.
• The ability to question the credibility of reported science.
• Confident and independent scientists through individual and collaborative work.
• A sense of responsibility for our planet and the knowledge to be able to best care for it.
• Knowledge and experience of the multitude of careers opportunities linked to the world of Science
• Literacy and Numeracy skills.

Rationale

Our KS3 & KS4 sequences provide a journey through the key scientific principles highlighted within the curriculum. The implementation and delivery have been specifically designed to ensure all of our pupils engage with, and experience, each of the key scientific strands throughout each academic year; building upon their previous knowledge and working scientifically skills gained during each academic year and previous key stages.

Our schemes of work have the development of the whole pupil at heart. The personal development focus within each scheme ensures that all of our pupils:

a. Have a sense of responsibility for our planet and the knowledge to be able to best care for it.

b. Develop a curiosity for what else we can learn about the world through science.

c. Develop transferable and employability skills.

Staffing

We have 6 full time members of staff and 3 part time members of staff who deliver the Science curriculum to all pupils at Key Stage 3 and Key stage 4.

• Miss G. Conlon – Head of Science (Biology / Chemistry)
• Mr C Ringrose – Second in Science (Biology / Chemistry)
• Mrs E. Burns – Science Teacher (Physics / Chemistry)
• Mr A Case – SENDCO (Biology / Chemistry)
• Ms B. Clancy – Cover Supervisor and Science Teacher (KS3)
• Mr A. Clitheroe – Assistant Headteacher (Biology / Chemistry)
• Mr T. Hallsworth – Science Teacher (Physics / Chemistry)
• Mrs J. Melling – CoPE and Science Teacher (KS3)
• Mrs J. O’Brien – Mathematics and Science Teacher (KS3)
• Miss L. Shirley – Science Teacher (Physics / Chemistry)
• Ms E. Tasker – Science Teacher (Biology / Chemistry)
• Mrs M. Simm – Senior Lab Technician

Accommodation

The Science Department has 6 purpose built Laboratories, 5 of which contain interactive white boards and wireless internet connections for the use of computers. We have 32 tablet computers that are used to enhance learning within the department. We have several specialist software applications that are accessible by all pupils. The Science office is located in the Phase 2 building.

Curriculum

Substantive Knowledge

Using a ‘big ideas’ approach, our curriculum builds increasingly sophisticated knowledge of the products (substantive knowledge) of science. Our curriculum explores links and provides multiple interactions with each ‘big idea’. We connect less sophisticated ideas to more abstract ideas throughout the five-year curriculum. This approach enables our pupils to be prepared to apply these concepts in new learning. The big ideas include: Forces, Energy, Waves, Magnets, Matter, Reactions, Earth, Organisms, Ecosystems and Evolution.

Click here to see our Big ideas curriculum

Disciplinary Knowledge

Built within our KS3 and KS4 schemes of work are multiple opportunities for pupils to develop their disciplinary knowledge of science. These opportunities allow pupils to develop the skills and knowledge about the diverse ways that science develops and grows knowledge through scientific enquiry.

To view aspects of our disciplinary knowledge curriculum please click this link.

Practical Work

Practical work forms a fundamental part of learning Science at All Hallows because it connects scientific concepts and procedures to the phenomena and methods being studies.

Practical work forms part of a broader teaching strategy within Science. Practical work develops the substantive knowledge and disciplinary knowledge within our curriculum.

The aim of practical work is shared with the pupils before a practical takes place. For example, is it to help learn new substantive knowledge or learn how to carry out a specific type of scientific enquiry?

Practical work can help pupils learn substantive knowledge:

1. To help pupils identify objects and phenomena e.g. Materials such as glass, wood and metal; two magnets moving apart.
2. Learn a fact e.g. pure water boils at 100ºC or salt dissolves in water.
3. Learn a concept e.g. Osmosis
4. Learn a relationship e.g. Hooke’s Law
5. Learn a model or theory e.g. Brownian motion as evidence for the particle theory of matter

Practical work and disciplinary knowledge:

Pupils need to carry out their own scientific enquiry, so they can learn about the dynamic and unpredictable aspects in which scientists work. Pupils complete several scientific enquiries throughout the five-year curriculum, focusing on each enquiry processes (Analyse, Communicate, Enquire, Solve) every year.