Science

Head of Department: Barry Berndes

Head of Biology: Naomi Cameron

Head of Chemistry: Graham McIsaac-Hall

Head of KS3 Science: Dr. Graham Elliott

 

Department Background
 The Science department is the largest department in the school and is made up of 16 teachers and 5 technicians. We are fortunate that we have subject specialists teaching all of the 3 science disciplines. The department is housed in 12 modern laboratories, where almost all lessons are taught. All laboratories are equipped with interactive whiteboards which are widely used. The focus of our lessons, as far as possible, is learning from practical work and then seeing how that Science is then applied to ‘everyday life’. Students benefit from a science enrichment programme of arranged lectures from outside speakers, competitions and lunchtime activities. Many pupils leave Latymer and pursue careers linked to Science.

Year 7 - 9
 Pupils in years 7 and 8 follow a scheme of learning that follows the National Curriculum, and in year 9 embark on the GCSE courses in the separate Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In years 7 and 8 they are taught all their Science lessons by one teacher, but in year 9 they have a subject specialist for each Science. A key aspect to their introduction to Science in these years is that the pupils enjoy learning in an organised and safe environment, discovering many concepts through practical work. There are also opportunities to use many aspects of ICT including the use of dataloggers.
Year 10 - 11
 The department follows GCSE courses in the 3 separate Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, using the AQA specifications. The pupils are taught by subject specialists but are in the same groups for all 3 Sciences. Practical work is again a focus in this Key Stage and is assessed by ISA tests. The pupils do a number of these and the best results are submitted as their GCSE assessment. Pupils will attend lectures by visiting speakers, some will attend various extracurricular activities, and a number take part in the Mayors Award and other competitions.
 Sixth Form

 The Physics department follow the AQA Physics A specification at AS and A2 level with approximately 65 pupils in year 12 and 55 in year 13. This offers the pupils course which builds on the practical skills obtained at GCSE, a common core content course and also the opportunity to select an optional course in year 13.
There are a number of extracurricular opportunities that take place. There is a Physics society which is run at lunchtime by a group of sixth form pupils, they look to provide activities and demonstrations that are not covered in the taught courses. We welcome visiting speakers and encourage pupils to attend lectures at the Royal Institution, UCL and other London Universities. A Group of pupils enter the Physics Olympiad competition each year and a number are usually successful in obtaining awards and progressing to the final round. During the summer term some pupils attend Headstart courses which offer an experience of Physics and Engineering courses at University, and others might spend some time working on a University research project under the Nuffield Bursary scheme.

 Activities and Recent Highlights
 There are a number of extracurricular opportunities across the science department, individual subject societies, Medical society, various competitions and clubs, and visiting speakers. In summer of 2011 there is a trip for 30 pupils to Honduras to work on a research project with a University department in the Rainforest.  

One of the highlights of the school year is the Science Fair held in the Summer term, where all year 8 pupils research and display a project in the Great Hall. This is attended by many parents and visitors, and prizes are awarded for the best projects.

The Chemistry department follow the EDEXCEL Chemistry specification at AS and A2 level with approximately 80 pupils in year 12 and 65 in year 13. This offers the pupils course which builds extensively on the practical skills obtained at GCSE and upon the content of GCSE Chemistry. It also considers the wider application of Chemistry in society.

There are a number of extracurricular opportunities that take place. There is a Chemistry Club which is run at lunchtime by a group of sixth form pupils. They provide activities and demonstrations for lower school students that are not covered in the taught courses. We have enrichment classes for students in Years 12 and 13 and a number of these students will go on to enter the Chemistry Olympiad competition each year. During the summer term some pupils attend Headstart courses which offer an experience of Chemistry and Engineering courses at University, and others might spend some time working on a University research project under the Nuffield Bursary scheme.