When asked to describe school science, one pupil replied :"If it smells it's Chemistry, if it wriggles it's Biology and if it doesn't work it's Physics!"

It may not be an accurate statement ( I find that Physics experiments usually work - but then as a physicist, I would say that, wouldn't I!) but  it does give you the information that school science involves all three of the sciences mentioned above. National Curriculum science also includes elements of Geology.

Science is a practical subject. It involves suggesting ideas, planning experiments to test these ideas, carrying out the experiments, drawing conclusions from the results obtained, checking to see if the results support or disprove the ideas suggested and possibly extending the experiment to pursue other ideas. Science is also about facts, formulae and relationships. These must be ordered and remembered.

In Key Stage 3, the National Curriculum  Programme of Study has been split up into a number of Units of Physics, Chemistry and Biology; seven in Year 7, six in Year 8 and six in Year 9. At the end of each unit, pupils take an examination. Several times a year, practical assessments take place.

In Year 7, pupils are taught in mixed ability groups, but at the end of the year they are placed in sets. The sets are determined using marks obtained through the year from end-of-unit tests and homework marks.
In years 8 and 9 pupils are setted in two half-year blocks. There is the possibility of movement within the sets at several stages throughout these two years.

At the end of Year 9, pupils take National Curriculum tests in Science. Using the results from these tests and also the results of our own internal tests, pupils are placed in sets for Key Stage 4. Approximately 75% of pupils will take Double Award Co-ordinated Science administered by NEAB(AQA). The remaining 25% of pupils take Single Award Co-ordinated Science again administered by the NEAB. Although this leads only to a single GCSE award it takes up a double timetable slot. Both syllabuses involve assessment of practical work - this can be regarded as the coursework assessment.

In the Sixth Form, the department offers 'A' levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The courses are popular, and usually there are two groups of each.

Science at Christleton involves more than just turning up for lessons. There is a flourishing Science Club for junior pupils through which they can aim for CREST awards in science. In recent years some of the Science Club students have been successful in regional and national science competitions. There are organized science trips for pupils in most years, and, in the Sixth Form, field work is organized for the Biology students. Many Sixth Formers also get involved with the local SATRO organization and take summer jobs in industry.

To summarise, the department is a pleasant place in which to teach and study, with plenty of opportunities for pupils to follow their scientific interests.