Holden Park recognises and values the important role Science plays in supporting our students to explore and understand the world.  Science in Holden Park is intentionally designed to arouse children’s natural curiosity. We achieve this by creating an enabling environment for learning to take place by ensuring our students enjoy specialist facilities including a well-equipped Science laboratory, extensive grounds for fieldwork, and teaching that is presented in a practical relevant way; this allows for a more systematic and analytical approach to learning. There are also sufficient opportunities for children to put into practice their core Maths and English skills, as cross-curricular are linked together. We aim for students to leave Holden Park with a good footing regarding science and the ability to apply this knowledge when faced with new challenges at secondary level and beyond.

Curriculum

In Year 7, 8 and 9, the students are taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics, in an integrated fashion. They are taught three additional strands of study; working scientifically, science in context as well as earth and space; this is in alignment with the Cambridge lower secondary curriculum. It also features elements of the ‘Activate’ teaching course which meets the needs of the National Curriculum and is fully supported with electronic resources for both pupils and teachers. Students will explore many topics in depth through practical experimentation. The skills gained allow students to make an early start on the IGCSE courses. They will also be sitting for the Cambridge Checkpoint examinations in year 9. In addition, towards the end of Year 9, learners will be asked to consider an option of these subjects for their IGCSEs:

Separate Sciences (9-1):
Biology (Single Award), Chemistry (Single Award) or Physics (Single Award)

This option is likely to favour the higher ability students who wishes to pursue any of the Sciences at A Level or International Baccalaureate (IB). A successful student will end up with an individual IGCSE in each Science. The learners will be entered for both terminal exam papers in each Science at the higher tier. Controlled assessments from the previous specifications have been replaced with a series of set experiments that all students must complete. Aspects of these practical experiments will be examined in the terminal exam papers.

Educational visits and extra- curricular activity

For pupils who wish to explore Science further, there are separate Science clubs for Years 7, 8 and 9, which take place on a weekly basis. Educational trips/ visits will also be a regular part of learning.

Fun STEM Fair

An annual opportunity for students at all levels to engage hands-on problems, science projects, quizzes, to challenge their ability to think and work scientifically. The fair will feature activities from Art, Maths, Design and Technology, and ICT.

Rooms and resources

The Science department includes three purpose-built laboratories. There are also a preparation room. The laboratories are fully equipped with modern resources for their learning. ICT provision for the laboratories includes departmental wireless P.Cs, data projectors, interactive white boards, Smart TV and data logging equipment. The laboratories are supported by highly experienced and enthusiastic staff members.