About
the Science Department
The Science Department at Northgate
High School has responded positively and successfully
to the National Curriculum, where science is a core
subject.
All pupils are taught by specialist teachers.
|
 |
Northgate
High School science department is fortunate to possess
a suite of newly refurbished, well resourced laboratories,
including two new, purpose built rooms. Our laboratories
are served with excellent technical support.
All
laboratories are equipped with interactive whiteboards, linked to the school computer network,
with access to the internet and to a collection of specific
science software, as well as the basic school facilities
such as word processing and spreadsheets. Science staff
each have laptop computers, used for delivering many
aspects of the curriculum.
Materials are differentiated to allow individual pupils to progress at appropriate rates and extra staff are often provided to help pupils with learning difficulties.
| All
pupils study science for the government recommended
time periods: |
Yr.
7 |
6
periods per fortnight |
Yr.
8 |
6
periods per fortnight |
Yr.
9 |
6
periods per fortnight |
Yr.
10 |
10
periods per fortnight |
Yr.
11 |
10
periods per fortnight |
Key
Stage 3
Science
at Northgate is taught in accordance with the National
Science Curriculum, utilising the National Scheme of
Work. Staff at Northgate High School have worked together
to develop their own version of the scheme which reflects
all the recent changes, whilst building on years of good
practice.
Courses
and teaching materials have been reviewed as a response
to the KS3 Strategy and an in-depth review will take place this year, to satisfy the new requirements for September 2008.
An
excellent range of alternative texts are used in KS3
including books to extend the brightest and others to
support the less able pupils.
All
pupils are tested regularly using questions related
to the National Curriculum; this allows staff, and pupils,
to be aware of progress and to provide useful information
to parents.
Key
Stage 4
Year 10 pupils are following a new course 'Science for the 21 st Century' examined by OCR. In 2007 this was very successful, with over 70% of the year group averaging C or above in their examinations.
In year 11 there is a choice of courses to cater for pupils who want to pursue an academic route, or to take a more 'work related' learning approach.
Our
pupils’ efforts have been highly
praised in recent years, with many gaining high marks.
