Welcome to the Science Department! Science is taught at Sir James by six enthusiastic specialist teachers (two for each of the three sciences) supported by two resourceful technicians. Students are given the opportunity to explore scientific concepts through experimental investigation wherever possible.
Aims
We are dedicated to making our science lessons not just interesting but relevant and fun too! It is our aim that students become sufficiently scientifically literate so as to be able to take part in everyday scientific debate, regardless of their future career ambitionsResources and Facilities
The science department works in five purpose built and well equipped laboratories, designed to modern standards and decorated with eye-catching displays. Safe experimental and investigative work is at the core of all science teaching at SJHS. Information technology is also widely used with computers in every room plus data-logging equipment, data projectors and an interactive whiteboard.Courses
- KS3 Science: In Year 7 and 8 students follow a general science course with one teacher (teaching the British
National Curriculum). This is taught over five periods (two doubles and a single). In year nine students study Physics,
Biology and Chemistry as separate subjects with three science specialists. In January of year nine an internal mock SAT exam
is undertaken and at the end of year nine students take the external key stage three SAT exam.
Students currently use Eureka
textbooks in all three years. In September 2010 year seven will be following a new scheme of
work and using a new textbook.
- KS4 Science: In year 10 and 11 all students follow the
Edexcel, IGCSE
separate science courses. Students are obliged to follow at least one science GCSE although it
is recommended that at least two be chosen. Students considering studying medicine or veterinary
science in the United Kingdom must choose all three separate sciences. Each science is taught
over two double lessons per week. Students may be required to undertake coursework for their science
GCSE. Alternatively they may sit a practical theory paper.
- Sixth Form Science: All sixth form students in the school follow the international baccalaureate (IB) diploma. This program consists of six subject groups plus a compulsory core study area. All students are required to study a science in group 4 and will have the option of studying a second science in group 6. The chosen sciences may be studied at either standard level (SL) or higher level (HL). The IB sciences place a large emphasis upon practical work; students must complete a minimum of 40 experimental hours for the SL courses and 60 hours for the HL courses. Part of this requirement is fulfilled by the ‘group 4 project’. This is undertaken at the end of year twelve. In 2009 students were given the general topic ‘water’ and were taken to a rural environment near Lago di Como where they took measurements on rivers and lakes, working in mixed discipline groups. Back at school they presented their findings to each other. In total, 24% of the final grade is determined by (internally assessed) practical work. This presents a large challenge to students but prepares them well for the demands of university science courses.
Field Trips and Activities
CERN Trip. Every March year twelve physics students take a weekend trip to Geneva.
Friday evening is spent at the Geneva motor show before spending Saturday visiting the
CERN particle physics
research laboratories. Sunday offers time for sightseeing before returning to Milan in the afternoon.
Read report for March 2007 Trip
Year Eight Field Trip to Montevecchia. In September, Year 8 students undertake a science field trip to Val Curone near Montevecchia, north of Milan. They are taught about the local fauna and get to search for creatures in the streams and ponds nearby. Read report for September 2009 Trip. Read report for September 2009 Trip
Open Evening. The school hosts an annual open evening. The science department takes this opportunity to demonstrate some of the more unusual experiments and equipment including our high voltage Van de Graaff generator which is always a firm favourite.
Linking to KS2. As well as taking part in the annual year six "taster" day, in June upper school science staff invite year five students to experience two science lessons in the laboratories. This gives the younger students a chance to try out some experiments that are not possible in lower school and thus to enhance their science understanding.
KS2 Link
Resume of the year, 2008-2009. Another busy year in the SJHS science department. In November the science department took part in the school open evening, entertaining parents and students with a variety of demonstrations, talks and hands on practical work. In the new year sixth form physics students got to visit the CERN particle accelerator in Geneva and were treated to the usual grand tour before letting their hair down during a visit to the Geneva Motor Show in the evening. Towards the end of the year classes from year five were invited up to lower school to investigate solids, liquids and gases (including making oxygen from cow’s liver!) In the last week of term all IB year twelve students spent a day near Lago di Como undertaking their ‘Group Four Project’ on the theme of water.
Links
| KS3 Science |
| Eureka Textbooks |
| iGCSE - Edexcel |
| Physics - IGCSE in Physics (course code 4420) |
| Biology - iGCSE in Biology (course code 4325) |
| Chemistry - iGCSE in Chemistry (course code 4335) |
| International Baccalaureate |
| The IB System |
| IB Group Four (Sciences) |
Visit Upper School Photo Gallery