SCIENCE AT MEOPHAM SCHOOL
Science is part of the Process Curriculum Alliance along with mathematics.
Present Department Resources/Staffing
The Science Department is located in a self-contained block together with specific
resources for Environmental Science. The building is part of the original structure of
the school and dates back to 1975. The main teaching area comprises of seven
laboratories; six of which are arranged around a central preparation room, with an
associated work room area and a Head of Department’s office. It is fair to say that
the buildings and rooms are looking tired and well used!
Two part-time laboratory technicians provide support for all practical tasks and are
always prepared to discuss new ideas for lessons with staff. Pupils are also
supported by a part time departmental teaching assistant.
Of the seven science laboratories, six have interactive whiteboards. There are ten
laptops in the department for pupil use.
At present the staffing of the department consists of six full-time science teachers
and two ‘part-time’ science teachers. The department works as a team of ‘science
teachers’, rather than individual specialists, but the current Head of Department
considers it vital to respect skills in different areas of the National Curriculum when
timetabling teaching groups to teachers above year eight.
KS3 results are excellent, certainly at present; Meopham School is consistently
performing as one of the top performing High Schools in Kent. GCSE results are
currently significantly above National Averages. At KS5, benchmarking our students
using the Kent predictor tool, demonstrates clearly that our students are successful
at both AS and A2.
Key Stage 3: In Years 7 and 8, the members of staff have responsibility for
delivering all aspects of the National Curriculum for Science to a specific group. The
course is taught on a unit basis using ‘in-house’ schemes of work based on Catalyst
and Badger APP resources. In year 9, pupils are divided into teaching groups
according to ability.
Key stage 4: All pupils study Core and Additional Science Edexcel
GCSESCIENCE2011. Staff are expected to teach the whole Science Curriculum. In
this way, continuity of class/staff is maintained.
6th Form: Currently, the department is offering AS/A2 Level in Applied Science
(AQA). From September 2012 there is a plan to introduce OCR Human Biology and
Applied Science will finish. This will form part of our consortium (common block) offer
to other Gravesham schools.
Extra-curricular Activities: Meopham School Young Farmers is an out of hours
school club open to students of all ages. There are between 25 – 30 members who
meet at lunchtimes and after school to look after rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and
sheep. During the summer term we borrow calves from local farmers to prepare for
shows. Meopham School Young Farmers belongs to Kent Rabbits clubs, Kent Cavy
clubs and regularly take part in all their shows. The club members also join Kent
Young Farmers for training days, competitions, outings and other events. We are
always well represented at the Kent County Show and have a very strong team that
has attained an excellent reputation.
After school revision classes are also offered to pupils in years 10 and 11. This is
backed up by Easter Revision where the focus is getting coursework up to a C
grade. Every science teacher is committed to realising the full potential of every
child.