This week in tutor time, your child will be learning about the virtue 'Neighbourliness'.
The Science Department at Thurstable is dedicated to fostering a deep curiosity and understanding of the natural world.
Offering a broad curriculum across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, we provide students with the skills to explore scientific concepts through hands-on experiments, theoretical lessons, and critical thinking. Our team of experienced teachers are committed to supporting all students, whether they are discovering basic scientific principles or preparing for exams. We aim to create an engaging learning environment where students develop not only their knowledge, but also a lifelong passion for science.
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 have also developed units unique to our KS3 curriculum which are current and even more relevant to a modern world. They will be able to use scientific enquiry appropriately to question their environment and design suitable experiments to prove or disprove their theories. We teach them to accurately use domain specific language and make sense of scientific information out of context. In doing so, all students will develop analytical and reasoning skills and be required to think hard!
GCSE Edexcel - Topics
GCSE Edexcel - Exams
All papers are available at foundation and higher tier. Foundation tier papers are for students who are aiming at grades 1-5. Higher tier papers are for students who are aiming at grades 4-9. Practical assessments are worth 15% of the marks in each exam. We have 8 core practicals in each separate science GCSE and 18 core practicals in combined science.
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, 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.
Enrichment
The science department runs an exciting STEM club and forensic science club for students as part of Thurstable’s elective programme. 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 Worlds exhibit, lectures from key figures including Professor Robert Winston and much more.
Useful Links
GCSE Combined Science Specification - https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/Specification/gcse-combinedscience-spec.pdf
GCSE Biology Specification -
GCSE Chemistry Specification - https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Science/2016/Specification/gcse-chemistry-spec.pdf
GCSE Physics Specification -
Educake - https://www.educake.co.uk/my-educake
Youtube Channels
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBHqVPDozD6Dg3tRN1-JSgg
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqbOeHaAUXw9Il7sBVG3_bw
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaGEe4KXZrjou9kQx6ezG2w
https://www.youtube.com/user/minutephysics