Science Department
Introduction and Philosophy
Science is a compulsory subject for all students with the great majority at Settle College, and across the UK, spending 20% of their curriculum time on science. It is important then, that the science they learn should be relevant to them whether or not they intend to pursue their studies of science to A-level and beyond. We believe that the science our students learn at KS3&4 should provide them with the scientific literacy they will need to be able to engage with scientific issues. Throughout our lives we are confronted with dilemmas involving science and need to be able to make informed decisions.
So what do you need to be “scientifically literate”? We believe that firstly, you need to understand some key scientific explanations for the world around us e.g. the particulate theory of matter, the solar system and its place in the universe, the germ theory of infectious disease. Secondly, you have to have some idea about how science works, the nature of scientific data, how scientists arrive at explanations and be aware that data have limitations and how and why scientific explanations change. Most importantly students should be able then to use their understanding of scientific concepts and how science works to make decisions about controversial issues that involve science such as the building of nuclear power stations or wind farms, whether or nor to have a child vaccinated or take part in drugs trial.
Our philosophy lead us to take part in the pilot of the 21st Century Science course and our adoption of the post pilot suite of 21st Century Science GCSEs. More details of these can be found in the KS4 section.
The Science team S Cox J Dewhurst LEdwards K Garside A Johnson M Harrison B Ketchell J Lodge F Morphet B Scratcher H Williets |
Click on the links to find out more KS5 BTEC National Award Applied Science (Forensic Science)
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