Fosse Way 4
Fosse Way 3
Fosse Way 2
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Intent:
At Fosse Way School we believe that a high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world.
Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, pupils will be taught essential basic aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.
Pupils will be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, analyse causes, encourage creativity and problem solve.
Through the curriculum, pupils study all aspects of science from the minute parts of their own bodies in DNA and cells, to the effects of massive celestial objects. Pupils are taught that science contributes to everyday aspects of life, such as looking at the correct use of electricity and how recycling and the sensible use of resources are vital to modern society.
Through building up a body of key basic knowledge and concepts, pupils will be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about the natural world.
Implementation:
One of the greatest aspects of the science curriculum is the push to understand through doing. Experimental procedure and practical lessons are integrated into the curriculum across the school. Pupils are given the opportunity to try to come to their own conclusions based on the work set. Pupils are often asked to work together to produce novel solutions to scientific problems. Instillation of these skills are vital in science but also in the wider world.
Pupils following the Exploring Independence Pathway study from the Equals Curriculum which is tailored to their specific needs and covers topics from basic care of their health, such as cleanliness, to the phenomena they experience in their daily life, like the seasons.
Other pupils follow the National Curriculum science units of work, and then move on to study the BTEC level 1 qualification in science in KS4.
The school has a well-equipped and spacious specialist science room which most secondary aged pupils access for their lessons. Pupils in KS4 following the BTEC qualification, and some KS3 classes are taught by the secondary trained science teacher.
Impact:
The impact of science can be seen in daily use in all aspects of life. Critical thinking skills can be applied in all works of life to solve both work based and social problems.
Science can contribute to developing resilience as pupils learn that in science a wrong answer is often just as important as a correct one.
Science enables pupils to have the knowledge to make critical judgements in their lives. It also supports the learning of skills to critically analyse information.
Science encourages curiosity and a passion for understanding, and taking care of our world. Furthermore, the curriculum helps to prepare students for independent living as they learn about dangers found in the environments around them. Positive relationships are also discussed in topics such as The Living World, helping to foster a sense of caring.
Numeracy also permeates the science curriculum. Pupils learn about standard units for measurement and some pupils explore data and how this is presented – a vital skill for students to be able to understand information in our modern society.
Careers:
Scientific study has a role in a wide range of subjects. Skills such as problem solving and team work are of benefit in many jobs. Careers such as animal management and lab technician are studied throughout the syllabus and in KS4 the pupils spend a topic interacting directly with scientists through the ‘I’m a scientist…’ program to further discuss career pathways.
The numeracy skills learned in science are also of added benefit in the world of work where future employment is often linked to the ability to manipulate numbers.
Each year, some of our Post 16 students go on to study at our Project SEARCH site at the RUH Hospital in Bath where they complete three work-based internships over the year. Many of the internships are in scientific settings within the hospital and require STEM skills. These include working with the pharmacy robot and in the sterile services department.
The Project SEARCH course has a high success rate of getting our young people into employment at the hospital and in other organisations. There are now 40 young people employed full time by the NHS and working at the RUH following the Project SEARCH course, as well as 8 others in part time and bank positions. The retention rate over five years is 87%