Science

By participating in exciting and interactive experiments, Oakfield pupils are able to develop a keen scientific interest.

Head of Science : Mr Matthew George

KS2 Science Teachers:

Mrs Rachel Gardner, & Mr Nick Ward

KS3 Science Teachers:

Miss Helen Curtis & Mr Curtis Shaddick

Science Technician & KS3 Science Teaching Assistant:

Charlotte Hughes

Aims:

To enjoy Science.
Promoting that it is fine to get things wrong as long as we do this safely and learn from our mistakes.
Understanding of key concepts to help solve problems in unfamiliar situations.
Using scientific skills to solve problems in a disciplined way.
Appreciating the contribution Science makes to society and realise that applying Science can lead to moral and ethical issues having to be addressed.

In Key Stage 2 children are taught Science in their tutor groups and most lessons take place in their Year Block. All Key Stage 3 lessons are taught in spacious, well-equipped laboratories.

The skills of Science are taught during each topic. Our students learn how to be scientists by developing skills in predicting, planning investigations, measuring, observing, recording results, displaying results, analysing results and evaluating the success of their investigations.

The Science Department has strong links with Frome College. We are currently adapting and improving our schemes of learning to ensure that our students continue to have an excellent grounding in Science concepts and skills.

Science Department Raising Attainment Plan

The Raising Attainment Plan is the development plan for the Science Department. It is a pupil-friendly method of raising attainment in Science skills using coloured tabs. For the past two academic years it has been used in KS3. It was introduced in KS2 during the 2017-18 Academic Year so that a whole-school system can be used to raise attainment in the essential Science skills.

Science Documents

Science Intent

Updated: 12/12/2022 556 KB

Science Topic Overview for all Year Groups

Updated: 08/09/2022 17 KB

Bunsen Burners

Stem Links and Careers in Farming

On Thursday as party of Enrichment, Y5&6 had an assembly from local Somerset Apple and Sheep farmer Niel Macdonald on addressing misconceptions, STEM links and Careers in farming. The visit was arranged in co-ordination with the NFU as part of their schools' outreach program. 1 brilliant question from each tutor group was fielded and further questions sent via email. Lot of positive etiquette and engagement was shown by the students, well done.

Farming

Spotlight on Science Nov 23

To conclude the Cells topics 7R,N&S were challenged over half term to create a 3D model of an animal or a plant cell. I was amazed by how many brilliant and scientifically accurate models were created- so much pride and creativity were shown. A particular well done to the following pupils who received head teachers awards from Miss Wilkes for their model.

Dylan MacDonald- for his mind blowing spherical & detailed cake model

Jessica Lauder-Shortman- Labelled plant cell using cake icing.

Farah Merhin- Ceramic clay model. Romilly Squirrel-Bowman- Well presented Red Blood cell & interesting facts.

Lily Sherborne- Multimedia 3D Painting. Dylan Bell- 3D Printed cell model which took 50 hours to print!

Good effort as well from: Kiara Collett, Sophie Coles, Genny Conway, Oleander Diniz Sanches, and Rocco Mitchell.

Keep on pushing your self in Science! 6S were also set a super challenge over half term to draw out a classification tree sorting 42 different organisms using Yes/No questions including species from the Mammalia, Bacteria, Protists, Cnidarians, Echinoderms and Annelids classes. Up to 42 achievement points were up for offer due to sheer amount of time and effort required for this challenge (it took Mr Shaddick 4 hours to do himself!) and 5 of the form absolutely smashed the challenge (and the time putting Mr Shaddick to shame).

Very well done to Mila Peet, Sofia Peet, Tyler Amphlett, April King and Charlie Tolcher-Jones all in 6S for this stellar effort, with a special mention to Zac Sherborne for his attempt as well. Keep on impressing!

Y7 R, N & S Cells Topics

Visit to Hinkley Point

On Wednesday, Year 8 went on a trip to Hinkley Point. We had lots of fun and we learned a lot about electricity production using nuclear power. We were first taken to the Cannington Court, where we explored the visitors centre. In the visitors centre we explored the South West energy demand with interactive tables, looked at 3D models of Hinkley & the reactor core, and tried on PPE used for work on the site. Then we had an informative talk about how nuclear energy works and the alternative methods of meeting the UK energy
demand, and we prepared for our tour with a safety and security briefing (no phones allowed, so sadly no photos of the site). We also learnt about the careers of nuclear Physicists, Chemists and Biologists. Finally we had an amazing tour on a coach of the Hinkley Point C construction site - we learned about what different hard hats mean, all about the different buildings and the forest of cranes, how they pump seawater to cool the
reactor core, and how many sausages they make per year in the canteens (750,000!). We also learned about life working there as there are over 25,000 jobs at the moment and 900 jobs in the future. We also saw “Big Carl” which is the world's largest crane, 250 m high which has been used to place the reactor core and turbines in place and will be used to place the massive roof on top.