Most of the day to day science teaching at Brownsville College Ikoyi is concerned with helping pupils to understand ‘accepted scientific theories’ and in teaching the skills and techniques needed for experimental investigation. Science at Brownsville College Ikoyi is taught as General Science at KS3 and is taught by dividing its study into the three traditional disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics at KS4 as options.

 

Science Department Aims

The Science Department aims to:

• Provide an excellent, enjoyable, broad and balanced science education for all pupils.

• Encourage pupils to become independent learners at a level suitable for their ability.

• Develop knowledge, skills and experience of scientific methods in order to allow pupils to evaluate scientific issues in the real world.

• Allow pupils to explore the ethical, economic and environment implications of scientific discovery.

 

Principles of Teaching and Learning Science

 

The Science Department aims to give students opportunities to:

• Derive enjoyment and satisfaction from studying Science.

• Develop knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and principles.

• Develop experimental and investigative abilities.

• Understand the nature of scientific ideas and activity and the basis for scientific claims.

• Understand some technological and environmental applications of science and to think about the economic, ethical and social implications of some of these applications.

• Provide opportunities to use and develop ICT skills.

• Work independently.

• Provide a suitable basis for higher education and/or employment.

 

Curriculum Summary

 

KS3
The curriculum follows Spotlight Science published by Nelson Thornes supported by other materials. Using the text books, teacher resource books and suggested test questions, the end of unit assessments are differentiated. At the end of KS3 students will take Cambridge Checkpoint examinations.

 

KS4
Students choose between one and three of the disciplines Physics, Chemistry and Biology and are entered for the IGCSE exams. The content will be delivered by specialist teachers in that area of expertise. Students use the Nelson Thornes range of text
books:- New Biology for You New Chemistry for You New Physics for You

 

Strategies for Teaching Science

 

Setting/time Allocation
Students are not set according to any initial entrance exam or any subsequent assessmentsbut are taught in mixed ability form groups. The initial entrance exam results and assessments throughout the course are used to monitor the progress of the students through KS3. KS3 students will have 9 lessons timetabled for each 2 week session. KS4 students will have 4 lessons timetabled for each Science subject in a 2 week session.

 

Teaching Methods

It is important that a variety of teaching methods and learning strategies be used as appropriate to the age, abilities and aptitude of the pupils. Pupils must be engaged in a variety of activities to cater for their wide range of individual learning styles. These activities include – answering questions, note taking, group work, practical work, investigations, teacher demonstrations, peer mentoring, research (including the use of ICT), presentations (including the use of ICT), role play, problem solving, audio visual presentations, data logging and the use of spreadsheets for mathematical modelling. Students are academically supported and stretched through the provision of differentiated resources.