Science
Gifted Year 7 and 8 students follow our Key Stage 3 course at levels 6, 7 and 8, with cross-curricular and phase enhancement activities. For example they can learn about the structure of cells and organelles beyond the normal content. Gifted students are regularly challenged with personalised learning pathways to respond to each student’s talents and interests.
During Key Stage 3 students are often given the opportunity to add breadth and depth to their science by completing challenging optional independent study which of course counts towards the credit system. One example of this is the Rubber Band Powered car project during which students develop skills in problem solving and resilience by building, testing and refining a rubber band powered car. At the end of the project the students race their cars.
Our gifted Year 9 learners in the 9T class follow the International GCSE specification leading to separate GCSE qualifications in biology, physics and chemistry.
Each year some of our gifted Year 7 are invited to an Aim Higher event held at Cornwall College Newquay. The event encourages gifted students and students who come from families where there is not a history of higher education to consider the option of going to university.
Gifted students are encouraged to get involved with Animal Club and to study GCSE Astronomy as part of extra at Treviglas.
In Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) we advise our gifted students to study the triple science option. This means that at the end of Year 11 they have 3 separate GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics. By following this course students gain a broader overview of the sciences and how they link together. The course also sets them up well for A levels and careers in science. We are very fortunate at Treviglas to have strong links with the Peninsula Medical School. The ambassadors deliver sessions to our Year 10, 11 and 12 gifted students as part of the Widening Access to Medical School scheme. They worked in small groups discussing diagnosis and the ethics of medicine.
In Years 12 and 13 (Key Stage 5) gifted students are stretched both in lessons and in their independent study, as this is the nature of A level courses. We also play a very active role in supporting students to apply for university courses in the sciences if they so wish, particularly supporting students in applications to Oxford and Cambridge. For example we are very proud of our ex-student Ben Farrel who gained a place at Cambridge University to study Chemistry.
How you can support your child in science.
Parents can support learning by encouraging their children to read magazine or newspaper articles about science. (See useful website list below). It's also great for students to watch any science programmes on TV for example Inside the human body, nature programmes etc. There's always a new science series so keep your eyes peeled!
