KS3
Key Stage 3 students at Chelmer Valley study Science for six periods per fortnight on a range of diverse topics, drawn from the different specialisms of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The recent reforms to the KS3 curriculum have enabled us to tailor the course specifically to students’ needs and orientate it more towards developing important scientific enquiry and data analysis skills. Lessons are comprised of a wide range of activities, designed to help students improve their critical thinking skills, such as student- and teacher-led discussions, open-ended practical investigations, rigorous and involving research activities, projects considering how scientific concepts are presented to the general public, and many others. ICT is also used extensively within the Science department, in order to explain difficult scientific concepts, promote engagement and examine more exotic concepts in closer detail. Students are set according to ability, but should the regular assessments show otherwise, students can be moved if necessary.