Science - Secondary

What is happening in Science ....

• supporting the introduction of new science GCSEs
• facilitating the implementation of the National Curriculum orders for science and the specifications for post-16 science
• supporting the implementation of the science strand of the Secondary Strategy
• improving pupil performance in scientific enquiry and conceptual understanding of science
• supporting the professional development of NQTs
• supporting continuity and progression between Year 6 and Year 7
• supporting the development of literacy in science initiatives
• continuing the development of current and aspiring heads of science as middle managers with a particular emphasis on improving pupil performance and teaching quality
• target-setting in the context of a process of continuous improvement.

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Follow the links on this page to view more detail about any of the courses or meetings listed.

Secondary Science Network Meetings
Subject network meetings will include:

• an update on national, local and regional developments in the subject
• professional development in a topical subject-related issue
• sharing of effective practice with colleagues from other schools.

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Summer Term 2008

Creating a Science Department Website for Pupil Use - CANCELLED
The Science Department at Idsall School has produced an interactive website for students. The website contains science activities, resources and homework tasks that can be accessed by students at home or in school. This course will demonstrate to teachers how such a website can be designed and created.

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Autumn Term 2008

Teaching the New Key Stage 3 Science Curriculum
September 2008 sees the introduction of a new Key Stage 3 science programme of study. Subject leaders will already have amended their schemes to take account of the changes. This course, however, will focus on teaching the new curriculum. It is an opportunity for teachers to reflect on their teaching methods and refine these in the light of the modifications to the programme of study. It will also be an opportunity to consider the changes to National Curriculum levels and scientific enquiry.

Science For More Able Pupils
This course is intended for teachers who would like to develop their teaching skills to support the learning of more able students at Key Stage 3. It consists of two half-days the first of which will explore teaching strategies and set up the gap task. The second half-day will be used to review the gap task and draw out key points.

Using Group Work to Improve Students' Science Learning
New programmes of study at both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 emphasise the need for students to collaborate in their learning. Research indicates that students enjoy learning more and learn more effectively when they engage in meaningful dialogue with each other. However, group work has to be carefully planned and structured if students are to get the most out of the experience. This course looks at how teachers can achieve this.

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Summer Term 2009

Thinking Skills to Develop 'How Science Works'
The requirement to teach 'How Science Works' at Key Stage 4, together with changes to the programme of study at Key Stage 3, have necessitated that teachers review the way they teach science. At the same time there has been a lot of research into the effective deployment of thinking skills in science learning. This course will look at what teachers can do to assist students' thinking and learning in the science classroom.

Leadership Skills For New & Aspiring Heads of Science
An exploration of the skills required to lead and manage people to get the best out of your departmental team.

Health & Safety Management for Heads of Department
This one day course is intended for Heads of Science, their deputies, and those aspiring to such posts. The main emphasis is on management issues and risk assessment.