Success in Science

John Naylor, Assistant Headteacher

Brinsworth Comprehensive School, A Science College

bcsnaylor.john@rgfl.org

Context:• 3rd year, first phase of Science College status•Ofsted Dec 07, ‘Outstanding’•Successful redesignation May ’08 as HPSS, invited to adopt second specialism from Sept. ’08•2008 5A*-C 58%, 45% incl. En/Ma, 5A*-G 95%•2008 CVA: 2-4:1006.6 3-4:1005.3•20% Pakistani intake mainly from another authority

Science Department:• 2002 A*-C 38%, L5+ 62%• 2007 A*-C 62%, 19% A*/A, L5+ 74%• Predicted A*-C for 2008 68%

– Core Science (75%), Additional (89%), Additional Applied (43%)

– Redesignation May 2008, HPSS• Y12 uptake from 4,3,1 in 2002 to 36,24,18 in 2008• “The science specialism has been used most

effectively to drive up standards and to lead the way in teaching and learning. Many students gain top grades at GCSE in science and go on to study science subjects in the sixth form”, Ofsted Jan 2008

Teaching & Learning• THE key to success.• Investment in quality staffing & retention (20 staff)• SciMT monitoring of quality of T&L etc.• IWB developments• Good Practice Triangle • ASE• ‘Webman’!• ‘Try this…’ item at meetings (teacher toolkit)• Priority on scientific literacy – key terms through to

discussion and extended writing • ‘ELF’ • Rewards & Celebrations• Student interviews – led to ‘peer champions’

Intelligent Data• How well do you know your students?

• Spreadsheet of all information regularly updated and discussed by SciMT

• Intervention (incl. speed dating revision)

• Zero tolerance of coursework incompletion (winter programme)

• Accountability – one teacher one group (CPD)

• Progress meetings – support & ideas

target unit 1 can do sci news total

Daniel 2 S1 C 58 D 24 27 51

Samantha 2 S1 B 65 C 24 28 52

Holly 2 S1 B 71 B 24 25 49

Jodie 2 S1 B 72 B 24 26 50

James 2 S1 C 60 C 14 22 36

Leanne 2 S1 B 81 A 24 28 52

Adam 2 S1 C 63 C 24 23 47

Joshua 2 S1 B 24 24 48

Jennifer 2 S1 C 61 C 24 26 50

Reece 2 S1 C 45 E 17 23 40

Natalie 2 S1 B 68 C 24 26 50

Frances 2 S1 B 74 B 24 25 49

Megan 2 S1 B 60 C 24 23 47

Georgina 2 S1 B 60 C 24 25 49

Jodie 2 S1 C 57 D 24 ####

Laura 2 S1 C 62 C 24 20 44

Ambar 2 S1 E 60 C 24 27 51

Leanne 2 S1 C 52 B 24 23 47

Marie 2 S1 C 67 C 24 26 50

Rebecca 2 S1 B 67 C 24 26 50

Ben 2 S1 B 79 B 24 27 51

Jodie 2 S1 C 24 25 49

target unit 1can do

sci news

total ums

Daniel 2 S1 C 65 C 24 27 51 147 E

Samantha 2 S1 B 70 B 24 28 52 154 D

Holly 2 S1 B 71 B 24 25 49 149 E

Jodie 2 S1 B 72 B 24 26 50 152 D

James 2 S1 C 60 C 24 22 46 132 E

Leanne 2 S1 B 81 A 24 28 52 165 D

Adam 2 S1 C 63 C 24 23 47 137 E

Joshua 2 S1 B 71 B 24 24 48 147 E

Jennifer 2 S1 B 61 C 24 26 50 141 E

Reece 2 S1 C 69 C 24 23 47 143 E

Natalie 2 S1 B 68 C 24 26 50 148 E

Frances 2 S1 B 74 B 24 25 49 152 D

Megan 2 S1 B 60 C 24 23 47 134 E

Georgina 2 S1 B 60 C 24 25 49 138 E

Jodie 2 S1 C 57 D 24 24 48 133 E

Laura 2 S1 C 62 C 24 22 46 134 E

Ambar 2 S1 E 60 C 24 27 51 142 E

Leanne 2 S1 C 69 C 24 23 47 143 E

Marie 2 S1 C 67 C 24 26 50 147 E

Rebecca 2 S1 B 76 B 24 26 50 156 D

Ben 2 S1 B 79 B 24 27 51 161 D

Jodie 2 S1 C 55 D 24 25 49 133 E

Enrichment• Visits• Competitions• Curriculum based workplace visits/visitors• Keep a record of any business/HE contacts &

what they can/will do/have done for you• All students involved in Science Week• Residential visits – Y12 induction• Science Club (45 students)• Generate a buzz and excitement about the

subject and build upon it • Start in the Primaries!• Involve other departments…

spread the word!

Choice of Courses

• Listen to the students! What do they want?

• New KS3 developments, involve students

• Applied learning at GCSE and A level

• Science and Society v Gen. Stud.

• Dual Science for All

• Triple Science

• Module choice/coursework at A level

Where next…• Exciting, relevant KS3• TLR development programme• A level improvement in LA• Links with SHU & ShUni• Creativity in feeder schools (progression)• BTec/OCR Nationals• HLTA specialist – lead intervention• Listen to the learners to find out how to improve their learning diet.