Science

Introduction

Sciences are ever popular at Halliford School with all students studying them up to the end of Year 11 and many choosing to study them at A Level and beyond.

The department consists of six teachers, with subject specialists in each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The teaching staff are supported by three technicians. Practical activities are at the core of our teaching as we believe that experiencing practical’s first hand not only develops an understanding, but also promotes enjoyment of the subject and prepares pupils for studying Science at a higher level.

The Halliford School Science Department strives to use a range of teaching and learning activities to produce scientifically curious, enthusiastic, independent learners and thinkers ready for 21st Century life. We aim to help pupils develop skills needed for a range of STEM careers.

Years 7 – 8

An accelerated Science course is taught in Years 7 and 8 covering the fundamentals of knowledge in all three disciplines. This is supported via the use of practical work and demonstrations to enthuse and challenge pupils at all levels. There is scope within the course to allow for group work and individual projects to promote independent learning. The Year 7 Science Club is also very popular and a great way to extend learning beyond the classroom.

GCSE

Our aim is for all students to be able to use their scientific knowledge and understanding to achieve high examination grades but also to be able to make their own decisions about social, moral and ethical issues.

Boys start their GCSE programme in Year 9. They are set and taught in one of the six dedicated laboratories. They cover a huge range of topics and the use of innovative and interactive techniques including practical work and internet technologies are used to engage pupils throughout their lessons.

Students take either the individual Science route and Trilogy Science, both provided by AQA.

Outside of the classroom, students are offered support in both lunchtime clinics and revision sessions and the teachers give up a lot of time to help those finding Science challenging and to inspire those who have a real passion for it.

A Level

Science is thriving in the Sixth Form.

We have had a large uptake of all three subjects in recent years and our pupils have achieved places in some of the country’s best STEM universities.

Students have 8 periods a week, with additional sessions in the lead up to exam season, which allows pupils to reach their potential. In addition, pupils are also encouraged to push themselves and compete in the British Physics Olympiad, complete an EPQ on a STEM topic, apply for the Head Start programme and many more.

We study the AQA syllabus for all three A Levels. These qualifications focus on building practical skills which will be assessed along with the knowledge based problems in the end of year examinations.

Tours and Trips

In addition to the Science Club we also offer trips and visits ranging from the Natural History Museum, Kew Gardens and the A Level Physics trip to the Large Hadron Collider at Cern, Geneva.

We also keep up to date with lecture programmes offered by societies and universities and alert pupils of any that may be of interest to them.

Science Club

Science Club runs once a week during lunchtime and is open to Years 7-9. The club is run by teachers and sixth formers, and provides an opportunity for students to explore a range of fun and intriguing experiments. Pupils from Years 10-11 also volunteer to help as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. Recent activities have ranged from synthesising slime and magnetic fluid, to a “Mission Impossible” style task of crawling under lasers and cracking safe codes. The club also incorporates STEM based projects such as the “Single Pringle Challenge” whereby students use their understanding of Physics and D&T to create packaging for the sage passage of a single Pringle through the Royal Mail postal system.

We have also run Science Book Club and have just introduced Science Meets Art Club.