Science is a fascinating and exciting subject that gives us the tools to unlock how the world around us works. A subject that takes you on a journey from simple life processes, to understanding how our universe works.
Pupils at Birchensale Middle School are taught science by a small team of enthusiastic and dedicated teachers, all committed to helping our pupils build a strong love of the subject, whilst at the same time, becoming more scientific in their approach to their work.
At Birchensale Middle School pupils are organised into ability groups throughout the school in order to give them the support they need and to take them forward at a pace that is right for them.
Science at Birchensale
Pupils are taught science in ability set groupings, from Key Stage 2 through to Key Stage 3.
Key Stage 2 science lessons (year 5 & 6) are taught using a combination of standard classrooms and dedicated science laboratories. Pupils in Key Stage 2 receive two – three hours of science per week.
Key Stage 3 science lessons (year 7 & 8) are taught solely in our dedicated science laboratories. Pupils in Key Stage 3 receive three hours of science per week.
Awards and Recognition
The science department at Birchensale have received several external validations for the outstanding work they do, which includes winning a:
- Gold Space Education Quality Mark
- Silver Primary Science Quality Mark
- STEM outreach Ambassador Involvement Award
Community Outreach & the Ogden Trust
Birchensale’s science department have built strong links with the Ogden Trust and have subsequently set up the Redditch & Bromsgrove partnership. An educational hub designed to share ideas and best practice with teachers in the local community.
Our science department strives to get our parents and pupils involved in science opportunities beyond the national curriculum, we therefore offer several afterhours events throughout the year to help raise our science capital throughout our local community.
Programme of Study
We aspire to continue to be an evolving and forward thinking department and want our pupils to have access to up-to-date scientific knowledge and developments to prepare them for their future journey in education.
Key stage 2 Science: We are currently following the switched on science programme of study from the Rising Stars group, which allows our pupils to be taught National Curriculum science content in an exciting and practical way.
Key stage 3 Science: Pupils in Years 7 and 8 are currently following lessons from the Smart Science programme of study, introduced in schools September 2014, which allows pupils to engage with science curriculum through practical and theoretical scientific investigations.
The Science Department has created a unique pathway of learning, which can be accessed through the following links.
Dedicated Science Laboratories
We are fortunate here at Birchensale Middle School to have two well-equipped modern science laboratories supplied by a well-stocked science preparation room. These laboratories allow pupils to carry out real practical investigations using science equipment in a stimulating setting. This gives pupils a significant advantage and prepares them well for science at high school level.
Special Educational Needs
Pupils can sometimes find aspects of science a little challenging at times and so we need to make sure we have support in place for those pupils who come up against these challenges.
To support pupils with Special Educational Needs, we offer small class sizes and Teaching Assistant support to pupils where ever possible. As Key Stage 2 pupils approach their SATs testing, we also offer small group support booster sessions for pupils, who may need that extra support.
Gifted and Talented
Here at Birchensale Middle School we strive to stretch and challenge our pupils, who excel in science and allow them opportunities to progress beyond their level. Our department currently offers a STEM club for Years 7 & 8 after school, which allows pupils to enhance their scientific practical and problem solving skills in a fun exciting hands on way.
Assessing Progress in Science
It’s important in science education to enable all pupils to be assessed in a variety of ways. This ensures we differentiate our tasks to enable pupil individuality and allow pupils to progress using a variety of assessment methods. Throughout the science curriculum pupils are assessed using both formative and summative assessments. These include:
- Interim and end of topic common assessments
- Verbal and peer assessment
- Teacher assessed tasks
- End of topic projects
- Levelled assessed tasks
- Homework tasks