SCIENCE COLLEGE
A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
For more information go to the school's Science College Website - www.kegscommunity.org.uk
'SPARK' Science College Newsletter
Issue 17 - Spring 2010
Issue 16 - Autumn 2009
Issue 15 - Summer 2009
Issue 14 - Spring 2009
Issue 13 - January 2009
KEGS became a specialist Science College in September 2004 and KEGS Science Community, which consists of KEGS and our partner schools in and around Chelmsford - was formed at the same time. Our Science Collge status has enabled us to promote our engagement with Science in an increasingly changing world. However, Science College status is more than just ‘doing more Science’. The emphasis has been on using our specialism as a catalyst for innovation and as a hub for collaborations across a range of subjects such as the Future Worlds and Frankenstein projects with the English Department, Rhapsody in Blue with Art and Global Warming with Geography.
Specialist status has afforded us opportunities to become a showcase for 21st Century Learning. The Director of Maths has summed up our vision in the phrase: “We want to bring the fun and beauty of Maths to as wide an audience as possible – the emphasis has long been on using our specialism as a catalyst for innovation and as a hub for collaborations across a range of subjects.” We have collaborated with the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) to gain the distinction of becoming a ‘Lead ICT in Science School’ which will enable us to refine our own skills further in these areas as well as sharing expertise with other schools.
Science
Our ambition is to establish ourselves as a high-quality brand in the field of staff development and we have made a splendid start on achieving this through our collaborations with the East of England ‘Science Learning Centre’ and other organisations by hosting a wide range of courses designed to train both teachers and technicians alike.
Science status has increased the range of opportunities we have to form partnerships with industry and we have been delighted to have worked with GlaxoSmithKline who have kindly sponsored events such as the Breath of Life Challenge (in association with the PE Department) and the Microbes and Disease workshop which formed the centrepiece of our recent Science Week. Our friends at the Sanger Institute have been similarly generous in sharing their time and resources with us. We have formed closer links with the scientific professional bodies and local Science, Engineering and Technology Organisations (SETPOINTs) and this has resulted in increased participation in Olympiads and Award schemes – as well as subsequent successes by our students! Our commitment to Science has been rewarded as we are now entitled to use the 'Ri’ logo of the Royal Institution.
Maths
As a Science college we work closely with the community; Science acts as a focus to share experiences, resources and expertise through joint collaborations with our partner schools and the wider community. A team of Sixth Form Science Mentors has enabled sixty Year 2 children from Hatfield Peverel Infants to gain their ‘British Association First Investigators’ award. Science status would be impossible without the involvement of this team, which forms the backbone of our ‘Outreach Team’ that regularly visits our partner institutions to share our passion for Science. Team members are actively involved in project work and field courses, and on all occasions make excellent role models for younger children.
A recently formed Science Focus Group (soon to be our Science Council) adds a similar student voice to our work and will shape the future of KEGS as a Science College. The Outreach part of the specialism has enabled us to open our doors to a wider, local audience, and through our dedicated Community Technician, Alison Hallam, we can enable our partner schools to be more creative and adventurous in their teaching styles. A dedicated resource and a range of Outreach providers have enabled students to be thrilled by events such as Mission to Mars, Big Bug days and Chocky Rocks. Our community ‘Science shows’ have enthralled children with Exploding Custard to name but one.
Science has developed through our specialism not just as a subject but as a hub through which other curricular areas have been enhanced and has allowed collaborations (with appropriate resources) well beyond our own school gates. Science College status has benefited our students, with more resources, an increased range of courses on offer, more support, and state-of-the-art technology. There have also been increased opportunities for staff to enhance their teaching styles and to deliver to a wider audience. Our status has allowed us to become ‘can do’, rather than ‘if only we could…’.
