What makes our school excel
in Science?
Good facilities perhaps? We certainly have these, with four state-of-the-art,
air-conditioned laboratories complete with a high level of ICT
facilities and interactive whiteboard technology. We have further
invested over £100,000 in new equipment and resources. Our
highly experienced staff have individual subject specialisations
in the three disciplines of Physics, Chemistry and Biology and
really know how to enthuse and stimulate enquiry.
What about good results?
Again we can certainly boast Science results that are exceptional.
At KS3 we have consistently attained 100% at Level 5 and above.
Indeed 75% obtained Level 6 and above. A similar picture emerges
at GCSE and A Level. Physics, Chemistry and Biology rank amongst
the most popular subjects at A level. We achieved a 100%
A-Level pass rate for Maths and Science with 67% of all grades
at A/B..
There is something else that makes the
Science special at Q.E.....
It is the enthusiasm for Science itself. The evidence here is
in the number of students who leave us to pursue degrees in pure
and applied science disciplines at University. In recent years
our students have read Veterinary Science at Cambridge, Natural
Sciences at Oxford, Cambridge and Durham, and combined sciences
at Imperial and UCL. The Science here is infectious even beyond
the classroom. We have set up an environmental project in the
grounds where students can experience real life Science and its
effects on our world. There are Science clubs including a newly
formed Astronomy club. This year our young Scientists will take
part in local and national experiments and competitions. Science
Society meetings take place monthly, bringing in, as they do,
speakers from a range of scientific disciplines. Science, together
with Mathematics, is enjoyed rather than just being another subject
in the curriculum.
Years 7 and 8
- the science syllabus concentrates on teaching through practical
work and discovery
Year 9
- students are prepared for the demands of GCSE courses by introducing
them to the separate sciences of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
GCSEs (Years 10 & 11)
- all students cover the three sciences of Biology, Chemistry
and Physics as the double award. GCSE examination results
are of a high standard.
A-levels (Years 12 & 13)
- Biology, Chemistry and Physics are available as separate subjects
at AS-level (one year) and A-level (two year). Science subjects
are popular and students achieve excellent examination results.
Many of our science students have gone on to read sciences and
related subjects at university including medicine, veterinary
science, environmental science, chemical and electrical engineering,
chemistry, biochemistry and physics. In recent years science students
have progressed to Oxbridge Universities.
