Science

The Science Department at PGHS aims to:

• 
  To develop pupils’ understanding of science around them that affects them in everyday life.
• To develop pupils’ questioning, analytical and evaluative approach to scientific problems and issues.
• To promote enthusiasm about science leading to continued study at advanced level.

Objectives:

• Encourage pupils to make cross curricular links between science and other subjects in the national curriculum.
• Ensure students learn through well organised practical activities.
• Promote good attainment and ensure continued progression for every pupil.

KS3

Pupils follow the wiki science course in conjunction with the Association of Science Education (ASE). Wiki science engages pupils, who are not only inspired by the Science taught, but its applications in their everyday lives. Pupils are taught using the six E’s; Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Extend and Evaluate. Pupils follow a two year course in Years 7 & 8, enabling them to start their GCSE Science in Year 9.

Year 7

Year 7 are taught six modules Forensics, Cook, Electromancer, Extinction, A & E and Alien. Pupils cover big ideas such as particle theory, energy transfer, electricity & magnetism, universe, forces, reproduction and cells. The ‘How Science Works’ component is integrated into each module. Pupils learn about: scientific models; how to plan an investigation; collecting and presenting evidence as well as other skills linked to the KS3 strategy framework. The upd8 Science website provides additional online resources.

Year 8

The six modules taught in the second year of the course are; Design a Home, Species at War, Studio Magic, Catastrophe, Pyrotechnics and Live & Kicking. Some of the big ideas taught are energy, respiration, patterns in reactions, biodiversity and light. Some of the issues looked at in the ‘How Science Works includes working with evidence, scientific argument and decision making.

Year 9

All girls in Year 9 study Physics, Biology and Chemistry. From September 2010, girls will start their GCSE Science, which should enable them to take Additional Science in Year 10 and progress to Triple Science in Year 11.

KS4

GCSE Science

GCSE Science provides a knowledge and understanding of science that’s relevant to students’ everyday lives. Our aim is to engage pupils and stimulate excitement about how science works. The course helps students develop their questioning, analytical and evaluative skills alongside core practical skills which is essential preparation for A-level science.

From September 2011, girls will take GCSE Additional Science in Year 10 which should enable them to progress to Triple Science and take GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics in Year 11.

GCSE Results

Students attained 100% pass rate at A*-C in Science and Additional Science in 2011 with 74% in Science and 78% in Additional Science attaining A* or A grades in 2011.

Many of the girls go onto study Physics, Chemistry and Biology at A level and also at degree level where past students have studied Medicine at Imperial, Chemistry at Oxford and Optometry at City.

Extra Curricular Activities

A twice weekly Science Surgery allows the girls to develop their interest in this subject. Various educational visits take place throughout the academic year and have recently included GCSE science live and trips to the Weller Astronomy Gallery in Greenwich.