THE NEW SCHOOL

Policy for BTEC Science.

Science is a core subject of the National Curriculum and this status is reflected throughout our alternative education school. The policy reflects current practices within the building and will identify any areas for development.

Aims.

• To provide an appropriate and stimulating science curriculum which encourages pupils to be interested in, and make sense of the ever changing world around them.
• To deliver activities that meet the requirements of the National Curriculum, in a way that meets the individual needs of all our students and challenge their full potential.
• To develop student’s scientific knowledge, understanding and investigate further skills.
• To provide a safe environment allowing students to take responsibility for managing their investigations and solve problems safely and independently.
• To develop student’s ability to communicate and explain their learning and findings to other members of the group using scientific language
• To develop an awareness and understanding of the scientific world around them and promote a positive attitude towards the environment.

Teaching and Learning.

• BTEC Science is taught within the guidelines of the National Curriculum regarding KS3 and KS4.
• Teaching staff aim to develop the student’s knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts by encouraging the use of scientific processes and skills
• When required The New School may have access to a science lab at a main stream school whereby our young people may conduct experiments using the schools equipment.

Teaching staff will use the following strategies:

First hand experience - observing, classifying, measuring, collecting and sorting

Discussion - Predicting, describing, reasoning, questioning and communicating ideas

Planning

The New School has adopted the BTEC Level 2 Applied Science Certificate scheme of work. The students may be enrolled to complete the qualification at the Diploma level if the teacher identifies this need.

Assessment and record keeping.

• To ensure continuity the assessment should consider pass, merit and distinction criteria for each unit using the following strategies:

Observation of and discussion with students carrying out successful research.

Written evidence that may be pictorial or diagrammatic responses

Oral responses

Portfolios containing all assignment brief and work to evidence

Online tracking document that is updated on completion of each assignment criteria.

Inclusion and SEN.

All students will come from differing backgrounds and have different abilities to learning and will have individual and varied experiences to the world we live in. By observing their developing understanding of scientific knowledge and by building on any previous learning experiences. The New School works closely with parents and previous schools to make sure each individual student may reach their full learning potential within our alternative environment.

Safety.

The New School has its own policy regarding health and safety that can be found in company policy documents.

Resources.

Resource booklets are located within the training room and we have access to our partner school for any practical experiments. All students have internet access that can aid the learning process.

This BTEC Applied Science policy was agreed and approved by the TCHA Board of Directors on behalf of Tamworth Cornerstone Housing Association and will be reviewed by The New School’s Board every three years.

This policy was agreed and approved by The TCHA Board of Directors

on behalf of Tamworth Cornerstone Housing Association

was reviewed ................2011...........................

next review due..............2013.........................