SCIENCE
Welcome to the Thurstable School Science department. Here you will find all the information you need to get to know our team, our curriculum and our facilities. We hope you enjoy what you see.
Department Staff
Mr S Lane - Senior Leader for Science
Miss H Bond - Second in Science
Mr C Gay - Head of Chemistry
Mrs H Watling - Science Teacher and Assistant Headteacher
Mr E Turner - Science Teacher And Assistant Headteacher
Mr M Higgins - Science Teacher and Assistant Headteacher
Miss M Greenwood - Science Teacher
Mrs Y Fox - Science Teacher
Mrs C Diggins - Head of Biology
Mrs R Rose - Science Teacher
Mrs C Beech - Science Teacher
Mrs A Etherington - Senior Science Technician (Chemistry)
Mrs S Cook - Science Technician (Physics)
Mrs L Wood - Science Technician (Biology)
Curriculum Intent
We have a curriculum which aims to provide students with a secure broad knowledge of the main concepts which underpin all scientific phenomena. In addition to the National Curriculum set out by the DfE, we also plan to develop units unique to our KS3 curriculum which are current and even more relevant to a modern world. Students will join us as novices and leave as accomplished scientists. They will be able to use scientific enquiry appropriately to question their environment and design suitable experiments to prove or disprove their theories. They will be able to accurately use domain specific language and make sense of scientific information out of context. Students will develop analytical and reasoning skills and be required to think hard.
GCSE
Biology Topics
Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology,
Topic 2 – Cells and control, Topic 3 – Genetics,
Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification,
Topic 5 – Health, disease and the development of medicines
Topic 6 – Plant structures and their functions,
Topic 7 – Animal coordination, control and homeostasis,
Topic 8 – Exchange and transport in animals,
Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles
Triple Biology Additional Topics
No additional major topics. Additional content within the previous 9 topics which distinguishes Triple science from Combined.
Chemistry Topics
Topic 1 – Key concepts in chemistry,
Topic 2 – States of matter and mixtures,
Topic 3 – Chemical changes, Topic 4 – Extracting metals and equilibria
Topic 6 – Groups in the periodic table
Topic 7 – Rates of reaction and energy changes
Topic 8 – Fuels and Earth science
Triple Chemistry Additional Topics
Topic 5 – Separate chemistry 1
Topic 9 - Separate chemistry 2
Physics Topics
Topic 1 – Key concepts of physics
Topic 2 – Motion and forces, Topic 3 – Conservation of energy
Topic 4 – Waves
Topic 5 – Light and the electromagnetic spectrum
Topic 6 – Radioactivity
Topic 8 – Energy - Forces doing work
Topic 9 – Forces and their effects
Topic 10 – Electricity and circuits
Topic 12 – Magnetism and the motor effect
Topic 13 – Electromagnetic induction
Topic 14 – Particle model
Topic 15 – Forces and matter
Triple Physics Additional Topics
Topic 7 - Astronomy
Topic 11 – Static electricity
Papers
Biology Paper 1
Combined: Topics 1-5
Triple: Topics 1-5
Chemistry Paper 1
Combined: Topics 1-4
Triple: Topics 1-5
Physics Paper 1
Combined: Topics 1-6
Triple: Topics 1-7
Biology Paper 2
Combined: Topics 1, 6-9
Triple: Topics 1, 6-9
Chemistry Paper 2
Combined: Topics 1, 6-8
Triple: Topics 1, 6-9
Physics Paper 2
Combined: Topics 1, 8-10, 12-15
Triple: Topics 1, 8-15Facilities
Biology - OCR A
Chemistry - OCR A
Physics - OCR A
Facilities
The science department has 9 fully equipped teaching laboratories which have all recently been upgraded to include the latest technology required for effective teaching and learning. This includes dual screens in many rooms so that students all have a good view of teaching materials, a staff visualiser for modelling and sharing good practice, graphics tablets allowing staff to draw digital diagrams and interact with content in new ways and state of the art high resolution projectors.
Each room has its own set of basic laboratory equipment and the prep rooms are stocked with up-to-date equipment to provide students with access to excellent practical work and limited sharing.
Enrichment
The science department runs an exciting STEM club for students. The club is split into two phases to suit each Key Stage. KS3 STEM focuses on VEX Robotics. KS4 STEM have access to a range of exciting competitions and events, including rocketry, engaging in local projects such as those with Colchester Zoo and going on trips to STEM based events such as The Big Bang Roadshow and STEM events at Colchester University Centre Braintree.
In addition, the department aims to enrich student experiences by offering a range of visits and trips to all students. In previous years we have taken students to visit CERN, the International Body World’s exhibit, lectures from key figures including Professor Robert Winston and much more.
Useful Links
Educake - https://www.educake.co.uk/my-educake
Kay Science - https://www.kayscience.com/
Youtube Channels
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBHqVPDozD6Dg3tRN1-JSgg
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqbOeHaAUXw9Il7sBVG3_bw