The Science department
The science department consists of 11 fully equipped laboratories, one prep room, outside chemical store and an ICT room. There is a total of 15 staff (not including learning support) delivering lessons from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5, intervention lessons, clubs and trips.
Key Stage 3
Students in years 7 to 9 follow Oxford University Press’ Framework Science with sections of the Upd8 Wikid Science course, created by the Association of Science Education. We have also added Badger tasks to the course as well as parts of Spotlight Science.The course is designed to inspire students, as well as prepare them for Key Stage 4.
Every science lesson, whatever the topic, gets students motivated to learn. Units are taught in themes and cover dozens of relevant contexts. The engagement then gets converted into real understanding. The course is built from the ground up on the best learning research. A short test is given at the end of each unit and feeback given to the pupils.
Course outline
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Year 7
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Year 8
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Year 9
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Cells
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Food and digestion
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Inheritance and selection
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Reproduction
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Respiration
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Fit and Healthy
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Environment
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Microbes and disease
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Plants and Photosynthesis
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Variation and Classification
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Ecology
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Plants for food
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Acids and alkalis
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Atoms and elements
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Reactions of metals and metal compounds
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Chemical reactions
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Compounds and mixtures
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Reactivity
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Solids, liquids and gases
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Rocks and weathering
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Environmental chemistry
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Solutions
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The rock cycle
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Using chemistry
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Energy resources
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Heating and cooling
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Energy and electricity
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Electrical circuits
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Magnets and electromagnets
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Gravity and space
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Forces
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Light
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Speeding up
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Solar system and beyond
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Sound and hearing
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Pressure and moments
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Key Stage 4 Science Pathways
Year 9 (2011 onwards)
From Easter students start their Key Stage 4 courses. The results from their end of topic tests inform whether the students will follow the vocational (BTEC) route or the GCSE Science route. Pupils can also use an Option to study Triple Science.
In year 10
Students study Edexcel Science A and Additional Science, BTEC Certificate of Applied Science or Triple Science. For all the GCSE Science courses there are Controlled Assessments. This is basically coursework set by the Examination Board. It is worth 25% of the final grade. The other 75% is based on final written examinations.
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GCSE Science A
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GCSE Additional Science
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Classification, variation and inheritance
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The building blocks of cells
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Responses to a changing environment
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Oransims and energy
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Problems and solutions to a changing environment
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Common systems
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The Earth's sea and atmosphere
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Atomic structure and the periodic table
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Materials from the Earth
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Ionic compounds and analysis
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Acids
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Covalent compounds and separation techniques
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Obtaining and using metals
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Groups in the periodic table
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Fuels
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Chemical reactions
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Visible light and the Solar System
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Quantitative chemistry
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The electromagnetic spectrum
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Static and current electricity
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Waves and the Universe
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Controlling and using electric currents
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Waves and the Earth
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Motions and forces
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Generation and transmission of electricity
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Momentum, energy. work and power
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Energy and the future
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Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
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Benefits and drawbacks of using radioactive materials |
Students who study the above course will achieve two GCSE qualifications.
GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science.
Students can also use an Option Choice in Year 9 to study Triple Science. This builds upon the work studied in Science A and Additional Science and will result in the students achieving 3 GCSE'S.
GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry, GCSE Physics
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Control systems
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Behaviour
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Biotechnology
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Qualitative analysis
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Quantitative analysis
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Electrolytic processes
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Gases, equilibria and ammonia
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Organic chemistry
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Radiation in treatment and medicine
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X-rays and ECG's
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Production, uses and risks of ionising radiation from radioactive sources
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Motion of particles
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Kinetic theory and gases
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We also offer a vocational course in Science which is the BTEC First Certificate in Applied Science. This is equivalent to 2 GCSE's. Students are grades as Pass, Merit or Distinction. There are no exams in this course - it is 100% classwork/coursework based on assignments.
| BTEC Grade |
GCSE Equivalent grade |
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Pass
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C
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Merit
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B
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Distinction
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A
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The topic covered are:
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Unit
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Topic
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1
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Chemistry and Our Earth
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2
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Energy and our Universe
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3
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Biology and our Environment
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7
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Practical Investigative Project
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13
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Investigating a crime scene
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A Levels
JRCS is part of the Southern Consortium. This means that, between the four schools, students have the option of studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics to from AS to A2 level.
A Level Biology
We study EDEXCEL Salters-Nuffield Advanced Biology in AS and A2 Level. This is a context-led approach where Biology is studied through real-life contexts. The following is studied at AS Level.
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Topic
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Content
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Assessment
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Marks
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1
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Lifestyle, transport, genes and health
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1hr 15min exam
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80
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2
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Development, plants and the Environment
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1hr 15min exam
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80
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3
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Practical Biology and Research Skills
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1500/2000 word project
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40
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and in A2 Level
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Topic
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Content
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Assessment
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Marks
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4
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The natural environment and species survival
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1hr 30min exam
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90
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5
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Energy, exercise and co-ordination
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1hr 30min exam
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90
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6
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Practical Biology and Investigative Skills
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Experimental investigation
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45
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We study OCR Advanced Chemistry in AS and A2 Level. This is a very practical approach to learning about Chemistry.
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Topic
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Content
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Assessment
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Marks
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Unit 1
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Atoms, bonds and groups
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1hr exam
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60
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Unit 2
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Chains, energy and resources
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1hr 45min exam
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100
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Unit 3
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Practical skills in Chemistry 1
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Practical tasks / coursework
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40
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and in A2
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Topic
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Content
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Assessment
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Marks
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Unit 4
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Rings, polymers and analysis
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1hr 15min exam
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60
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Unit 5
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Equilibria, energetics and elements
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2hr exam
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100
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Unit 6
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Practical skills in Chemistry 2
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Practical tasks / coursework
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40
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We also study Edexcel Physics in AS and A2. We use the Salters-Horners Physics program which teaches the content based on real life contexts.
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Topic
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Content
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Assessment
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Marks
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Unit 1
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Physics on the go
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1hr 20min exam
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80
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Unit 2
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Physics at Work
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1hr 20min exam
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80
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Unit 3
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Exploring Physics
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Coursework
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40
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and in A2
| Topic |
Content |
Assessment |
Marks |
| Unit 4 |
Physics on the move |
1hr 35min exam |
80 |
| Unit 5 |
Physics from Creation to Collapse |
1hr 35min exam |
80 |
| Unit 6 |
Experimental Physics |
Coursework |
40 |
Clubs
We also run a Science Club every Tuesday 3.30 -4.30pm.
Astronomy Club is held every Monday 3.30 - 4.30pm. Pupils will have the opportunity to sit GCSE Astronomy.
The Staff:
Mr J Glover BSc (Hon), PGCE - Head of Science
Mr N Agyapong - BSc (Hon), MSc, PGCE - Leader in Science for Gifted and Talented
Mrs S Shahin - Head of Biology
Ms A Tachauer BSc (Hon), PGCE - Head of Chemistry
Mr M Tizzard BSc (Hon), PGCE - Head of Physics
Mr A Masters - BSc(Hon) - Leader in BTEC Science
Mr W Custerado - BSc(Hon), PGCE - Teacher of science
Ms K Ochwat BA, MA, MA, BSc(Hon) - Teacher of Science
Mr R Godfrey BSc (Hons), PGCE - Teacher of Science
Mrs S Jamil BSc (Hons) - Teacher of Science
Ms S Osborne BSc (Hons), MA, PGCE - Teacher of Science
Mrs L Keane BSc (Hons) - Deputy Headteacher
Mrs A Davis - Senior ScienceTechnician
Mr J Ruddy - Science Technician
Mr K Darkins - Science Technician