Science
Dr. A. Wilson (Head of Science)
Mr. N. Roberts
Mrs. A. Riley
Ms. D. Muir
Mrs A Paull (Technician)
Mrs S Sitch (Curriculum Support Assistant)
From September 2007, Sancroft was awarded Specialist Status for Science and Maths, and as a result have had two laboratories refurbished, as well as investing in some modern up to date data logging equipment. The Science curriculum now includes a programme of community events, visits and competitions for all pupils. See the section on Specialist College for more information.
At Sancroft we hope Science is about doing practical work, to develop scientific skills and have fun at the same time.
In Year 7 science is taught in forms, and then in later years the groups are set according to ability.
We do very well in science at Sancroft, and science is very popular. The reasons for our success is that we try and offer interesting and relevant science courses, and science is taught as separate sciences by experienced subject specialists from year 9 onwards.
This forms an excellent basis to study sciences at GCSE and beyond. As well as obtaining excellent examination results, lots of our students go on to study sciences at sixth forms and colleges.
KS3
From September 09 we started using the WIKID science scheme which is devised by the ASE and tries to make science more exiting and relevant, by using contemporary settings to study science. Currently year 7 study WIKID, and from September 2010 it will be for years 7 and 8.
WIKID Yr 7 - Forensics, Electromancer, A and E, Alien, Cook, Extinction
WIKID Yr 8 - Alive and Kicking, nViz, Catastrophe, Studio magic, Species at war, Pyrotechnics
The course involves formative assessment tasks as well as topic tests, and is designed to develop thinking skills in science as well as being exiting and engaging.
Year 9
Since the demise of the SAT tests, Sancroft like most other secondary schools has devised a new course for year 9. For our students it means we finish the KS3 course and then begin the GCSE courses. This means that as we start the GCSE course earlier we can manage to offer most students Triple science at KS4, without losing a GCSE option.
From the start of year 9 we teach separate sciences using subject specialists
KS4
We follow the AQA Sciences suite, which includes, Science, Additional Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics at GCSE level. All of our students from September 09 study at least two GCSE Science subjects, and a large portion of the more able students will study separate sciences and achieve 3 science GCSE’s. Coursework is worth 25% of the final qualification, and is done in class during normal science lessons.
A synopsis of the courses available listed in the next column.
BIOLOGY
Human Biology - Co-ordination and control, Healthy eating, Drug abuse, Controlling infectious diseases.
Biology - Cells, How plants produce food, Energy flows, Enzymes, Homeostasis, Inheritance
Evaluation and Environment - Adaption for survival, Variation, Evolution, How people affect the planet
PHYSICS
Energy and Energy Resources - Heat transfer, Using energy, Electrical energy, Generating electricity
Physics - Motion, Speeding up and slowing down, Work energy and momentum, Static electricity, Current electricity, Mains electricity, Nuclear physics
Radiation and the Universe - Electromagnetic waves, Radioactivity, The origins of the Universe
CHEMISTRY
Products from Rocks - Rocks and buildings, Rocks and metals, Crude oil.
Chemistry - Structures and bonding, Structures and properties, How much?, Rates of reaction, Energy and reactions, Electrolysis, Acids alkalis and salts.
Oils, Earth and Atmosphere - Products from oils, Plant olis, The changing world.
TRIPLE SCIENCE
Biology - Exchange of materials, Transporting substances around the body, Microbiology
Chemistry - Development of the periodic table, More about acids and bases, Water, Further Chemistry
Physics - Turning forces, Light and sound, Electromagnism, Stars and space.
To make science more interesting and engaging we do the following:
- Science days where a year group studies a science topic for a whole day involving lots of staff in a cross curricular way.
- Science visits, trips to other schools, UEA for exhibitions
- Science shows, Dr Ken and his amazing science shows, Mad Science shows
- Competitions, Salters Chemistry competition, Science Olympiad, High Energy Quiz, Institute of Physics Quiz.
- Outside speakers Scientists from UEA and beyond giving an insight into their work
- Researcher in Residence, a PHD student assigned to the school to develop links and encourage students to study science beyond Sancroft.
