Sixth Form Science
Trinity School
Back to Sixth Form Subjects
Welcome to Sixth Form Science
As a department our role is to introduce and promote the study of Science and inspire
students to become the Scientists of the future. Those joining the school at KS5
will inevitably have a wide range of scientific and academic experiences and skills.
It is therefore important that the courses have scope to challenge the most able,
whilst making science accessible to the less able, ensuring that the students develop
cognitive, practical and written skills including ICT. While learning and undertaking
activities at A-level students will be given the opportunity to become:
- Successful learners who enjoy learning make progress and achieve
- Confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives
- Responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.
The Science department currently offers A-levels in Human Biology, Chemistry and
Physics with all three subjects following new OCR syllabi. These new exciting courses
have been chosen for their broad differentiation in line with our commitment to
access courses for students of a range of ability. There is a new component called
“Stretch and challenge” It is designed to allow the brightest students the opportunity
to demonstrate the full extent of their knowledge and skills. The introduction of
Stretch and Challenge questions will support the awarding of a new A* grade at A
Level, addressing the need for greater differentiation between the most able students.
At the same time Schemes of Work highlight a range of activities and resources to
access the courses for less able students. With the new How Science Works component
which spans the 11-19 Science curriculum, the content of these new courses focuses
more closely on everyday applications of Science with concepts that are presented
in real-world, work-related contexts.
The New A Level Curriculum
The aims of these new A level courses are to encourage students to:
- develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for, the subject, including developing
an interest in further study and careers in human biology, chemistry or physics
- appreciate how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences
contribute to the success of the economy and society;
- develop and demonstrate a deeper appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding
of How Science Works;
- develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of human biology,
chemistry or physics and how they relate to each other.
Extra Curricular
A range of extracurricular clubs are available run by members of the department
both Science based and others. Mr Jarrold offers a GCSE astronomy course which has
a 100% pass rate since its inception. Dr Treacy runs a popular Science support group
and Mr Jones an A-level Biology support group. Other activities on offer include
a running group with Mrs Jones and study with Ms. Thompson. In the summer term there
is also a gardening club run by Ms. Thompson and a Green Team run by the technicians
who deal with recycling and school environmental areas.
The department runs a range of educational trips, visits and talks to enrich the
science curriculum. These include trips to the University open days for sixth form
students. A recent trip to the University of the West England to observe electron
microscopes in action. There were also a variety of ecology field trips and visits
from medical students of the Exeter Peninsular Medical School. Year 12 human Biology
students have been treated to a hands on dissection of rabbits prepared and coordinated
by a local parent who is a vet.
Exam Results
A Level
Overall the A-level Science results show a similar pattern with a number of A-level
students who achieve significantly above their predicted grades. It is particularly
noticeable that in all three A-level subjects a number of students have achieved
a grade A when predicted C/D. In 2008 three students achieved grade A in each of
Human Biology, Chemistry and Physics A-levels none of whom were predicted above
a B/C and most below that.
A special mention needs to be made of the physics A-level results where there has
been a 100% pass rate for the last five years with four students achieving 100%
on their cosmology module examination last year, an extraordinary achievement.
Back to Sixth Form Subjects
-
Sixth Form Home
|