Science Key Stage 3 Courses

2006 was the last year where our year 9 students took Key Stage 3 SATS exams.  In 2007 emphasis on assessment was placed on the teacher and performance in the laboratory.

In the Science department, we have designed many different methods of assessing students' knowledge and ability.  This includes both the traditional formal tests and open ended questioning.
  
Often we see students who are very bright but aren't necessarily that good at formal tests. This method of assessment allows us to see what a student knows, rather than what they can write for a structured exam question.

A new KS3 national curriculum was introduced for September 2008.  The new programme of study is a lot less prescriptive.  As a result, our school will be able to tailor our course to:
      . Staff specialisms
      . Laboratory equipment
      . Current affairs
      . Interests of our students.

At the end of the key stage, students will be given 4 levels. The levels will be for Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Investigative skills.  These will then be averaged to produce a final KS3 level that will be reported to parents at the end of year 9.