Science - John Hanson Community School

Pauline Rees—Head of Faculty
pauline.rees@jhanson.hants.sch.uk

Racheal Adams — Acting Head of Faculty
Dan Lloyd—Science teacher & Primary Coordinator
Robbie Earle—Science teacher & Head Year 9
Andrew Freethy –Science teacher
Alison Simpson –Science teacher
Amy Beale - Science Teacher
Martin Evans—Science teacher & Senior Science Technician
Alison Williams–Science Technician
Mercedes Wedel-MacDonald - Technician

The modules develop the key ideas of Energy, Particles, Forces, Life and Survival and Interdependence, and their application in everyday life. In addition to the enhancement of scientific knowledge and understanding, the development of kinaesthetic skills and those of planning, recording, analysing and evaluating are key areas on which we focus throughout the course. Assessments occur throughout the two years in the form of formative APP and summative exam style assessments.

The Family Learning Logs provide parents with the opportunity to work, with their children, on specific tasks which later form part of the assessment process. Homework is varied and its nature is dependent on the module being studied. The duration of the homework is expected to last 30—45 minutes.

Currently the Science department is in receipt of an award from ROLLS ROYCE.

Students will be developing a Blog discussing a range of issues and developments in science. This will be accessed by all KS3 students. Furthermore the students will be involved in the production of a Science magazine for the whole school.

Selected KS3 students visited Romsey School in September to give a presentation to a group of Judges which included STEM Ambassadors as part of a Competition designing an APP for the Olympics. The department is actively working with STEM Ambassadors to support the delivery of an innovative and stimulating Science curriculum.

KS3 students will be able to examine rocks collected from the Moon and meteorites which will come to the school, later this year, as part of the Space module for KS3. Students will be timetabled to visit a planetarium which will be based in school during this time.

Science is a Core subject at KS3 and therefore, there are 7 lessons over the two week timetable . At John Hanson, KS3 follows a three year course delivered in an enquiry focused, modular style. Triple scientiests start their KS4 course in Year 9

At Key Stage 4, students attend 8 lessons over a two week timetable. Students have two science teachers who teach, as far as possible, within their expertise. Students are guided towards the options available, namely an AQA Double Science, giving two GCSE’s—Science A and an Additional Science, or an AQA Triple Science qualification giving three GCSE’s— Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students studying the latter commence their KS4 studies in the September of Year 9, whereas those studying Double Science will begin KS4 at the start of Term 3 in Year 9.
Science A involves the study of a Biology B1, Chemistry C1 and Physics P1 unit, each 1 hour examination having a value of 25%. The final 25% is made up of a Centre Assessed Unit (CAU) which replaces the coursework component. The CAU involves the planning of an experiment to solve a problem and its execution. Data gathered is recorded, analysed and evaluated. These skills are examined in two examination papers—one of 30 minutes and the second of 45 minutes.

The Additional Science qualification follows the same pattern of examination and CAU.

Homework is designed to consolidate and develop deeper scientific knowledge and understanding of the required concepts. Furthermore it enhances student thinking about the application of such concepts in everyday life. Homework is expected to take 1 hour for each of the subject teachers.

The department offers an ‘Open House’policy to students who require support at any time and workshops and revision sessions are timetabled in preparation for the external examinations. Individual and small group support is provided when requested by the student.

Triple Science provides students with three Science GCSEs. Students studying this option commence the course at the beginning of year 9 and so follow a three year KS4.

At Key Stage 4, students attend 8 lessons over a two week timetable. Students have two science teachers who teach, as far as possible, within their expertise.

Biology at KS4 is made up of three modules. The first module is common to the Science A Biology (B1), the second, common to Additional Biology(B2) and the third module is an extension Biology (B3)module. Similarly Chemistry and Physics follow this sequence of modules. Each module for each qualification is examined in a 1 hour written examination, each with a value of 25%. The final 25%, for each qualification is made up of a Centre Assessed Unit (CAU) which replaces the coursework component. The CAU involves the planning of an experiment to solve a problem and its execution. Data gathered is recorded, analysed and evaluated. These skills are examined in two examination papers—one of 30 minutes and the second of 45 minutes.

Homework is designed to consolidate and develop deeper scientific knowledge and understanding of the required concepts. Furthermore it enhances student thinking about the application of such concepts in everyday life. Homework is expected to take 1 hour for each of the subject teachers.

The department offers an ‘Open House’Policy to students who require support at any time and workshops and revision sessions are timetabled in preparation for the external examinations. Individual and small group support is provided when requested by the student.