Science Department
The Science Department at Sutton Centre consists of 7 full-time members of staff and 1 part-time.
Science is taught in mixed ability groups across years 7-11, in seven laboratories, in which there have been recent refurbishments. On laboratory has an attached computer suite containing 10 PCs.
The Department is serviced by excellent technicians. The Department is reasonably well equipped and in particular has a large range of catalogued video resources.
At present Key Stage 3 Science is delivered in small subject modules which allow attainment targets to be revisited giving pupils opportunity for progression. Assessment relies on a combination of teacher assessment and end of module tests. Pupil involvement in the process is assured through the use of a tracking document which enables target-setting to be implemented. The Department has developed its own scheme of work, modules in years 7 and 8 generally take a holistic approach, encompassing aspects of all the key scientific areas.
In years 10 & 11 all students follow the AQA Modular Science GCSE Course, with BTEC National and Science Plus available as alternatives. The schemes of work supporting the teaching of these courses are presently being updated. The department has achieved amongst the best value-added KS4 results in Nottinghamshire schools, this year’s being particularly good. This has led to a sound ‘A’ Level uptake in Science subjects, and now at BTEC Level 3 in Forensic Science.
‘A’ and ‘AS’ Level students follow either the Cambridge or AQA Modular Science schemes in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Pass and Retention rates are generally good.
The last OFSTED report described the department overall as very good. Relationships between students and staff within the Science Department and the quality of teaching were described as good, and sometimes very good.
