Science
"You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself."
- Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Italian physicist and astronomer
The English National Curriculum forms the basis of science teaching at BST Secondary School. In Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 there are four major areas of study:
- scientific enquiry
- life processes and living things
- materials and their properties
- physical processes
Scientific enquiry is a major strand of the science curriculum and one we place great emphasis on at BST.
In Key Stage 3 pupils are taught by a subject specialist in a modern and thoroughly equipped science laboratory. Key Stage 3 is taught in Year 7 and 8. We follow the QCA scheme of work as it ensures continuity and progression across the school. Ever increasing emphasis is placed upon the investigative process and being able to apply their subject knowledge in imaginative ways to seek answers to questions. Hypothesising, analysing and interpreting results and evaluating are skills that are further developed as pupils progress through Key Stage 3.
Key Stage 4 Science is taught as individual science disciplines and focuses on the AQA GCSE syllabus. Pupils are again taught by subject specialists. At the end of Year 11 pupils either finish with 2 GCSEs in Science and Additional Science, or 3 GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
At Key Stage 5 we currently deliver AS Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and 'Science in Society' and A2 Levels in all three Sciences. We follow the AQA specifications for Biology, Chemistry and ‘Science in Society' and the Edexcel specification for Physics; all our AS and A2 Levels are taught by subject specialists in our well resourced Science labs. At Key Stage 5 we place a large focus on nurturing practical investigation skills to develop our students' understanding of scientific theory; an understanding of 'how Science works' through providing context is also key to our students' learning. The skills and knowledge we develop in our students will ensure that they are fully prepared for entrance into globally recognised university institutions around the world.
The use of ICT in science is an important aspect of preparing the children of tomorrow for the 21st century. Computers, data-logging equipment, simulation software, digital sensors, mass spectrometers, etc. are being increasingly used in all aspects of science from forensics to forecasting climate changes. Data-logging or the use of digital sensors allows pupils to observe and capture rapid changes in real time with a computer. Pupils leave BST Secondary School highly skilled in the use of ICT in a scientific context.
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Hannah Kwaszenko has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Leeds, a PGCE in Science from Goldsmiths College, University of London and is currently on an MSc in Immunology and Immunogenetics from Manchester University. She is an Associate Member of the Society of Biology and a Member of the Association of Science Education. Before working at the British School in Tokyo Hannah worked in an inner-city London school and has also worked on a project with the Teacher Learning Academy. She is a Deputy Faculty Leader and a Science Teacher. |
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Mark Grimshaw
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Necitas Tolentino
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Ryan Van Loh
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