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1996-1997 PARTNERSHIP TRUST AWARD FOR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS

GREENHEAD COLLEGE
Chemistry and Physics Department

TO IMPROVE THE STATUS AND STANDARD OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSES

The Planning: Purpose and Process

Chemistry and Physics are exciting subjects in the forefront of society's development, yet it is nationally recognised that:

students perceive these subjects as difficult
there is a steady decline in the numbers of 16 year olds opting for these subjects at A level
there is a low retention rate for students starting these A levels
there is a drop in the uptake of physical science at University level.

In order to redress these trends, the chemistry and physics departments at the College recognised the necessity to review their teaching and learning strategies.
These departments are commonly faced by students who are from as many as twenty different schools in the area and who have GCSE qualifications ranging from 4 grade Cs to 10 grade As.
With the introduction of the National Curriculum it was essential that the College liased even more closely with its feeder schools. They monitored the GCSE science courses taught by studying the relevant syllabi and visited many of the schools' science departments for discussions with staff. This gave an insight into the prospective students' background in chemistry and physics.

Planning into Practice

The chemistry and physics departments changed some of their existing courses and the new syllabi were chosen to best suit the students. The first six weeks of the A level courses were carefully tailored to fit the varied GCSE backgrounds of the students with arrangements in place to constantly review progress.
It was found that many students found the linear approach to learning, culminating in a course examination, too intimidating. The College therefore adopted a modular system which allows sections of the syllabus to be taught and examined throughout the two years and gives the opportunity for students to receive feedback during the course.

Over the last 6 years the following A level courses have beer taught at the College:
Chemistry - Salters, NEAB (Linear), NEAB (Modular), Nuffield Modular)
Physics - NEAB (Linear), NEAB (Modular) Cambridge (Modular)

The Salters course appeals to students who prefer to have their chemical concepts placed in a modern text. It gives students opportunities to develop a variety of skills via project work, preparation of summaries/presentations and group work.
Both departments have been using IT facilities on a daily basis for the last 4 years. Students are required to produce one piece of word processed work each term. This has presented opportunities for cross-curricular activity, since classes can be taught by IT specialists at appropriate intervals in the courses.
The Physics department especially tends to use simulation packages where students can simulate experiments with the advantage of being able to change variables such as mass, charge. refractive index at will and allows errors to lead to nuclear explosions with no real harm done'.
The College's Science Resource Centre, which was set up 1990 allows students to have access to at least one chemistry or physics teacher at all times of the day. It also acts as a focal point for all science students and staff.

Continuing Development

As part of the College monitoring and guidance system, each student has a 10-15 minute interview with their teacher on a termly basis. This provides a formal occasion during which:

teachers discuss with their students whether they are working to and reaching their full potential. Their GCSE results are used as a guideline which is the basis of the College value added system
staff discuss the learning techniques used by the student and suggest improvements where appropriate
students are encouraged to assess the teaching of the subject and suitability of resources
discussion of careers and suitable higher education courses takes place.

The College pastoral system plays an important role in the departments' support and monitoring system. If a student is felt to be underachieving the tutor can make an assessment as to what the problem is and contact the student. Depending on the situation, the tutor will organise meetings with the student and staff and/or parents if required.
The chemistry department was one of four in the country involved in the 'Sharing Good Practice' project (March 1997), where newly qualified teachers in science visit the department for lesson observations and discussions with staff. In 1998 the College will be the Northern Centre for this project.
The physics department will be offering the Salters A level physics from September 1998.
A resource based help centre in the chemistry department opened in September 1997 which is designed to help students in their first term after GCSE.
The College offers in-service training days for colleagues in other educational institutions.

Outcomes/Benefits to Date

In the most recent FEFC Inspection, both departments were Awarded a Grade 1.
The demand for places to study A level chemistry and physics currently exceeds supply. In 1992 there were 250 students studying chemistry and physics courses, in 1997 there were 710 - a rise of 184%.
Retention rates on the physical science A levels is now nearly 90%, the national average being approximately 70%. Examination pass rates are been in excess of 95% in both chemistry and physics.
The Award money has been used 10 purchase:

Relevance and Replication

The College has been contacted by Leeds University Department of Education, York University Department of Science in Education and various sixth form colleges since winning the Award.

This project is relevant to any college wishing to improve the Status and standard of physical science courses.
1997

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