Science
Science today is part of all our lives; it produces the medicines we need, the clothes we wear, the technologies we use and even the food we eat. Where would any of us be without the Internet or our mobile phone or electricity!? Scientists change lives and Britain has a long standing tradition of scientific development. We encounter Science constantly in the written media and it forms the basis for many of the most entertaining television programmes.
Many scientific developments, though capable of changing our lives for the better, come with a range of “controversial baggage”; nuclear energy and the genetic modification of animals and plants are perhaps the best examples of this. Citizens of the future therefore, must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to judge scientific developments on their relative merits. The Science Department at WGSG believe passionately in equipping the young people of the future with the skills they will need to make these judgements, enjoy science as life long learners and actively participate in science in the work place or university.
KS3
Students follow an in house course leading up to the KS3 assessment. They are taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics as discrete subjects, by specialist staff, with a strong emphasis on the acquirement of practical and evaluative skills. Scientific literacy and numeracy are paramount in building a foundation for the upper years. We believe that knowledge and understanding of Science is most deeply acquired by an Investigative, discover science for yourselves approach and therefore try to incorporate practical work where ever possible.
KS4
All Students follow EDEXCEL 360 Science and Additional Science leading to two GCSE qualifications, one accredited in Year 10 and the second in Year 11. We also run triple award science leading to separate qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The course is relevant and stimulating, allowing students to develop the investigative skills acquired during KS3, become more skeptical in the way they challenge “accepted scientific fact” and become increasingly aware of how science impacts in their everyday lives. Once again they are taught the separate sciences discretely by subject specialists.
KS5
In both AS and A2 numbers are very strong and many of our students go on to study science or related subjects at university. The emphasis continues to be on the application of science to our lives and we have a range of visits, field trips and links with local industry.