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There have been a number of significant developments and strategies initiated with regard to the curriculum offered in Science and Mathematics, all aimed at enhancing pupil enjoyment, attainment and experience.
To this end, new curriculum maps have been written for key stage 3 and 4. Girls entering the school study an accelerated programme designed to utilise specialist teaching in year 9 in preparation for the SATs examinations. In year 10 and 11 pupils are offered a range of three different GCSE Science routes, including the separate Sciences.
New resources to support these changes to curriculum have also been introduced. These include books, experimental equipment and on line testing and e-materials designed to enhance the ICT offered within science.
Science status projects
A strong cross curricular link has been established between the Maths and Science departments. Science day is an annual event and planning is already taking place to ensure an exciting range of enrichment activities will be offered, covering not only these two subjects, but lots of other including the Arts and Humanities areas.
As part of a wide range of recent experiences, the British Ecological Society have visited school to work on a pilot KS3 project with a group of pupils. Other such enhancement activities that will be available to your daughter include BAYS projects, which are now fully embedded into the curriculum at key stage three, and the opportunity to work towards CREST Science awards.
A CREST conference day occurred in June this year, with University Professors, Doctors and old Loreto girls as well as primary pupils being invited in to school to look at project work produced by our learners. The most successful pupil groups form this event went on to be involved in a Science communicators project at the University of Manchester. It was such a success- every girl involved qualified for her Bronze certificate - that CREST awards are now a part of our curriculum.
Links have been established with the National Association for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY) with a view to both pupil activities within school and visits to workshops aimed particularly at our identified advances learners.
The Science College is working as part of the "Researchers in residence" programme, accommodating Science graduates and academic researchers to establish working links with the school, involving visits to work in Science classes as well as to present lessons and organise trips and visits to Universities and beyond.
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Refurbishment
One of our most exciting developments is the refurbishment of three laboratories to a very high standard, including interactive whiteboards, ICT facilities and full experimental capability. All pupils have the opportunity to work in these labs.
All in all, it can be seen that the Science Specialist College status afforded to our school is allowing us to provide a whole range of experiences to our learners. It is sure to continue to be an exciting and challenging time of great opportunity.
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