Science
Message from the Head of Department:
"Welcome to the Science Department!
Science at St James is aimed to develop and encourage a 'can do' mindset in learners by ensuring that the curriculum is relevant and accessible to all. We provide the appropriate stretch and challenge at every stage. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, we encourage students to recognise the power of rational explanations and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. Students are taught to understand how science is used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, analyse causes, encourage creativity and problem solve "
-
Dr. E Yamoah Otchere
Assistant Headteacher
Meet the Department
Science Teachers
Dr. A Bahar
Lead Practitioner
Mr. J Awuah
Lab 6
Ms. A Campbell
Lab 2
Ms. L Cascos
Second in Department
Lab 7
Mrs. S Fluss
Lab 1
Mr. R Buragay
Lab 3
Ms. T Zarpa
Lab 10
Mr. C Tateh
Lab 9
Mr. M Ashfaq
Lab 8
Mr. S Dunbar
Lab 8
Mr. J Mallorca
Lab 5
Science Technicians
Mr W Waters
Chief Technician
Mrs F Bonner
Science Technician
Ms M Novakova
Science Technician
Science Curriculum Rationale
Science is the search for objective truth through critical thinking.
- Holistic
Allows the students to find their place in the universe and fosters a sense of self.
- Developing mastery
Practical skills are built on from KS1-KS5 as the students learn to apply the scientific method with decreasing amounts of scaffolding.
- Knowledge based
The ‘Big Ideas’(organisms, genes, ecosystems, matter, reactions, universe, forces, energy, waves) introduced at KS1 are the foundations for all learning in science.
- Student as a scientist
Allows the students to shed the fear of being wrong and encourages them to take risks.
The students learn to be critical and question everything and consider the origin of the information.
In addition, they learn to recognise patterns, work systematically and learn the importance of peer-review.
- Literacy and Oracy
New vocabulary is taught with purpose to allow the students to understand its meaning.
Students learn to use reliable sources in order to have informed conversations where the goal is to find objective truth.
"I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full"
The Science Department at St James takes pride in their work as part of this Catholic educational community led by the motto "I have come so they may have a life and have it to the full" John, 10.
Everything we do in Science here, at St James, is underpinned by our core 'Veritas' values where:
VERITAS - We teach and study Science in our search for an objective truth.
EXCELLENCE - We teach and study Science aiming for not less than doing one's best, supporting curiosity and growing mindset.
RESILIENCE - We teach and study Science to overcome challenges, to not give up, to keep ourselves and our students always determined to face adversity.
INTEGRITY - We teach and study Science to show integrity and objectivity when working scientifically, to be able to maintain professional values and practices avoiding bias.
TRUST - We teach and Study Science to promote students to observe and to question themselves and others.
ASPIRATION - We teach and study Science to set high expectations for our future scientists who may change the world.
SERVICE - We teach and study Science from the importance of collaboration, compassion and team work that this field requires to grow and make the world better.