Science

The department has excellent laboratory and preparation facilities.   There are twelve well equipped laboratories - six on the Upper Site and six on the Lower Site.  On the Upper Site three of the laboratories are designed and equipped for the teaching of Chemistry, Physics and Biology to A-level.   In addition there are currently three General Science laboratories.   The Lower Site has six General Science laboratories where the majority of KS3 Science teaching takes place in addition to some KS4.   Two of these are newly built and one of the laboratories called the ‘Padua Centre’ is a Norwegian style pine building, purpose built as an environmental centre and situated in the pond area of the Lower Site.  The Lower Site also has a new preparation area and Science staff workroom.  All laboratories on both sites have access to laptop computers and ceiling mounted projectors, and most laboratories have been fitted with interactive whiteboards.

At Trinity Catholic High School, our commitment to achieving the best for all is longstanding and well known.   The school sets extremely high standards and regularly exceeds them.   Science is a particular strength, as illustrated by comments from Ofsted 2000.

        “By the end of KS3 pupils’ attainment in Science is well above average.”

        “In the GCSE examinations results in Science were particularly outstanding.”

High expectation and high standards permeate all aspects of school life.   We have already achieved a great deal, but we remain committed to improving even further.   The department enjoys excellent examination success.   GCSE Science results for 2011 were as follows:

        

Core Science	A* - C	85%
Additional Science	A* - C	95%
Biology	A* - C	98%
Chemistry	A* - C	100%
Physics	A* - C	100%

       

With similar high achievement at KS3 and ‘A’-level.

Trinity Catholic High School became a Science College in September 2002.  We believe that as a Science College we are bringing about whole school improvement in performance in addition to raising the educational standards of adults in our community.  Adults can enjoy a half-termly public lecture in addition to short courses in Science.  We have become active partners in a learning society with a family of schools and their communities, sharing resources and developing and sharing good practice.  In addition to outreach teaching in Science and Maths, Year 5 and 6 students are now spending a significant amount of time on site.

We are promoting an educational culture which is scientific, technological, enterprising and vocational.  All Science teaching at Trinity is in mixed ability groups.  At KS4 pupils study AQA Modular Balanced Science.  Here pupils can opt for Core, Core with Additional or the separate Sciences.  Biology, Chemistry and Physics are offered at A-level.  The department has developed detailed schemes of work for all courses.  These are supplemented by numerous worksheets and materials to cater across the ability range.  As a Science College we have been able to extend the curriculum to offer additional GCSE subjects such as Astronomy and Environmental Science in addition to AS-level Geology and Science for Public Understanding.  Open University courses are regularly undertaken by a large number of students in years 11 and 12.  We have also been strengthening links with industry and Higher Education institutions, as noted by Ofsted 2006; “Science College status has led to outstanding links with universities in London and abroad.”  Students now have opportunities to work alongside scientists in the classroom.  They have been involved in real research and have had opportunities to see how learning benefits our community and our environment.  An increasing number of students are opting for A-level Sciences each year, and many go on to further study and eventually Science-related careers.

 

We are particularly excited and motivated by the fact that our family of schools is inspiring young people to become the future generation of scientists.