About our Science Specialism

The aim of the Science Faculty is to support pupils in gaining their full potential in examinations. Alongside this we ensure that our pupils develop into scientifically literate citizens who are able to appreciate and understand the impact of science and technology on everyday life.

The Science Specialism is enabling us to offer our students more in terms of choices eg we are able to continue to offer the Applied Science option to a small number of students at GCSE and AS Human Biology has been introduced as an additional option in the sixth form. It has allowed us to purchase resources to enable us to offer a greater variety of approaches in lessons such as improved ICT facilities and the introduction of the CASE scheme in KS3.

In particular the Specialism has enabled us to offer a much greater selection of enhancement and enrichment activities in Science across all year groups. 

Science and Art naturally overlap. Both are a means of investigation. Both involve ideas, theories, and hypotheses and collaboration between art, science & technology facilitate the creation of innovative, creative, multidisciplinary initiatives to further enhance the learning opportunities available to students at Sale Grammar and members of the wider community.

The Science Faculty has 11 well equipped laboratories. One was newly built two years ago and the six oldest laboratories have recently been extensively refurbished. The Faculty also benefits from a PC laptop trolley, three interactive whiteboards and there are computers and projectors in the majority of laboratories.

All 15 Science teachers are specialist teachers of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics and all are involved in teaching Science at Key Stage 3.

Pupils in Years 7 and 8 are taught Science as a combined subject in their form groups, usually by one teacher and in Year 9 they are taught in sets. We are now using the CASE (Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education) scheme in Years 7 and 8.

At GCSE, pupils at Sale Grammar School may choose to do:
• Science plus Additional Science (AQA courses)
• Science plus Additional Applied Science (OCR courses)
• Three separate sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics (AQA courses).

All three Sciences are offered at A Level, along with AS Perspectives on Science in Year 12. AS Human Biology is being offered for the first time from September 2009.

The science subjects are popular at A Level, with many opportunities for enrichment and enhancement. Our A Level students therefore develop an enthusiasm for and deep knowledge of their subjects which also results in successful candidates for Oxford and Cambridge entrance in all three sciences.