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Science College

Hurstmere School Science College

Hurstmere School as a High Performing Specialist School was granted Science as its second Specialism in February 2009 for 1st April 2009. This enables us to develop opportunities for pupils to study Science beyond the school curriculum encouraging them to consider higher education and Science related careers.
 
Excellent, innovative and inspiring education in Science can lead to a better knowledge of how Science works and builds the responsible citizens our society requires. We seek to further utilise the impact of our sports Specialism to improve learning across the curriculum and to build upon the cross curricula links between Sports and Science.
 
By encouraging a broader understanding of Science through extended and enhanced enrichment opportunities, we hope to raise achievement. Links with partnership schools, local industry and parents would be part of our strategies to extend the impact of the Science Specialism beyond the classroom.
 
Hurstmere Science Department together with the Innovations Team organised three Launch Days for Year 7,8 & 9 in the Summer term of 2009:
 
Thursday 25th June ~Year 9:  Community & Science project  
Friday 26th June ~ Year 7: Sustainability & Science project
Monday 29th June ~Year 8: Cross curricular Science & PE Forces project
 
Each Year group had their normal lessons suspended and they were involved in their project for the school day. Each project had a range of activities & events planned for the day including guest speakers and some tasks that involve prizes for the boys.
 
These projects are examples of how we plan to utilise the additional funding to improve the quality of Science lessons and raise attainment by making Science a priority in school.
 
The Impact of the Science Specialism
 
The Science Specialism began its first year by doing the following:
 
  • To continue with and extend our existing Year 7 & 8 science clubs – a new sustainability club began at lunchtimes in Dec 2009.
  • The final preparations for our new STEM club were being arranged.
  • The Science ICT room became available to Year 10/11 pupils everyday at lunchtime to complete coursework.
  • Science and Technology departments continued to take a group of pupils to Greenwich University for the Bexley Science & Technology challenge day in March 2010 where they participate in activities relating to their subjects and looking at different pathways to degree courses
  • In January 2010 meetings were arranged with Mike Prior (Triple Science consultant) to begin the implementation of Triple Science to pupils currently in Year9 for when they reach Year10/11.
  • 40 Additional Science Yr10 pupils visited Science Live in December 2009 and 40 Additional Science Yr11 pupils are visiting Science Live on the 12th March 2010 in Westminster. Year 10 boys enjoyed their day out listening to inspirational scientists and the GCSE Chief examiner giving valuable tips about the Exams.
  • In Dec 2009 the science & geography departments teamed up to take 30 Year 9 pupils to Kew Gardens for the day.
 
The Impact of the Science Specialism since September 2009
 
  •  To continue and extend our existing Year 7 & 8 STEM club. The polytunnel is almost complete, thanks to Mr East.
  • In April 2010 (15 Year 11s) & May 2010 (18 Year 10s) we elected Science Prefects with Science Ties (see criteria below) to develop a positive ethos around Science    
 
Criteria for Science Tie
 
  • Self motivated
  • Enthusiastic
  • Exceeds target grades in science
  • Working with the community as Science Leaders
  • Positive Role model
  • Research / inquisitive pupil
  • Represented school at science challenges / quiz
  • Helps with science club
 
In May 2010 two Medical Days were organised at Kings College, London University for:
 
  • 30 Year 8 G & T / aspiring future scientists
  • 30 Year 10 Btec Students.
Both trips involved live hands on medical dissections.
 
In June 2010 we were invited to attend a Careers Fair for Scientists and we took 25 Year 9 pupils.
In July 2010 we represented Hurstmere School at Dartford Grammar School’s Science Olympics and out of 5 other schools we came second.
 
During Activities week we organised two Science days, one of which was in conjunction with the Mathematics Department looking at making a catapault, and the second was about Digestion in which pupils had to reproduce the stages in the digestive system.
 
The Science department has plans to do the following during 2011:
 
  • Boys will be boys/Brilliant project.
  • Elect Science Prefects in the current Year 9 with Science Ties.
  • Activities week July 2011: two Science days, one of which is to take pupils to the Greenwich Observatory.
  • The Sustainability Club continues at lunchtimes until Mr East leaves the school.
  • In March 2011 40 Year 8 pupils attended the ‘Big Bang’ conference.
  • In April 2011 we attended a STEM Conference for pupils interested in a career in STEM.
  • We have been invited back to the Science Olympics at Dartford Grammar school. This is in July and we hope to attend with some of the current Year 7 pupils.
  • In March 2011 the ‘Boys will be Boys/Brilliant’ project started an on-going project. Every Thursday and Friday 6 pupils from Year 10 walk to Sherwood Park Primary School and help Year 5 & 6 pupils with their reading. This is an extremely good experience for both Hurstmere boys and the Primary School pupils.
  • On the 15th of March 150 Year 7 pupils were involved in a live webcast for Science week. The topic was on “Coal, Steam and Electricity" and is based on the power station at Rugeley in Staffordshire. This was an unusual lesson in the hall for Year 7 and apart from the technical hitch all went well.
  • Triple Science lessons began after Easter for our current Year 10 pupils.
 
Science Specialism Objectives
 
  • To raise standards in science
  • To increase numbers of pupils studying Additional Science GCSE from 25% to 35% - 2011 60%
  • To increase the number of pupils gaining A & A* grades – 2011 Yr10 57% Yr11 50%
  • To offer Triple Science to all pupils gaining level 6 at KS3 - April 2011
  • To promote the uptake of Double Science to 100% - BTEC Sept. 2009
  • To introduce Science Leaders/Ambassadors – Sept 2010
  • To promote STEM within the school
  • To improve pupil attainment in partner primaries/ To set up a Science Academy – Boys will be Brilliant Project

 

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