Science

Science at Notton House

Nurturing curiosity through scientific discovery

Vision and Aims

At Notton House Academy, our Science Department is committed to developing a natural curiosity about the world around us, encouraging pupils to ask "how" and "why" at every opportunity. We believe that science education should be accessible, engaging, and meaningful for all our learners, regardless of their starting point or individual challenges.

Our approach embodies the school's core values of Safety, Kindness, and Respect by creating a supportive learning environment where pupils feel secure to explore, make mistakes, and grow. We understand that many of our pupils have experienced educational trauma, so we focus on building confidence through practical, hands-on investigations that celebrate discovery and progress at every level.

How We Teach Science: Science content is taught through the distinct disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, organised into topics that build upon each other. Knowledge is introduced carefully, ensuring pupils have the foundation they need to understand new concepts. Ideas are revisited regularly to improve learning and long-term retention.

Lesson Structure: Our lessons follow the EPIBA model to maximise learning:

Engage - Hook pupils into the lesson
Prior learning/Retrieval - Check understanding from previous lessons
Introduce new knowledge - Present new concepts clearly
Build knowledge - Develop understanding through activities
Apply knowledge - Use learning in different contexts

Each lesson also includes language development and a plenary to showcase learning.

Our curriculum is structured around "the 5 big ideas" in each science discipline (University of York, 2018):

Biology:

The cellular basis for life
Heredity and life cycles
Variation, adaptation and evolution
Organisms and their environments
Health and disease

Chemistry:

Substance and property
Particles and structure
Chemical reactions
Earth atmosphere
Dynamic Earth

Physics:

Matter
Forces and motion
Sound, light and waves
Electricity and magnetism
Earth in space

Challenge and Differentiation: To ensure all pupils are appropriately challenged, we develop both substantive and disciplinary knowledge from the national curriculum. Tasks are clearly labelled as "prior learning", "core learning" and "extend and challenge" to help pupils extend their knowledge beyond the standard curriculum expectations.

Our commitment is to ensure that all pupils:

Develop a sound grasp of the big ideas in science and can apply them in both familiar and unfamiliar situations
Learn to use the scientific approach to solve real-world problems
Build resilience and problem-solving skills that will serve them throughout life
Gain qualifications that reflect their true potential and open doors to future opportunities
Experience the joy of scientific discovery in a trauma-informed, nurturing environment

What Qualifications are on offer?

We provide a range of qualifications to meet every pupil's needs and aspirations, ensuring multiple pathways to success:

Entry Level Certificate (ELC) Science

Foundation skills in scientific thinking and investigation
Perfect for building confidence and establishing core concepts

STEM Technical Award (Level 1, 2)

Practical science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills
Develops employability skills highly valued by modern employers

GCSE Qualifications

Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

All qualifications are carefully matched to individual pupil needs, prior attainment, and future aspirations.

How are Pupils Assessed?

Our assessment approach is designed to support learning rather than simply measure it, reflecting our trauma-informed practice and commitment to individual growth.

Ongoing Assessment for Learning:

Every learning goal is differentiated with learning, mastering and extending outcomes
Pupils are formatively assessed against each outcome weekly through teacher questioning and classwork
Regular feedback celebrates achievements and identifies next steps

Progress Tracking:

Pupils working at 'mastering' level are meeting age-related expectations
Progress is measured through improvement from learning → mastering → extending
Individual learning journeys are celebrated, recognising that progress looks different for every pupil

Formal Assessment:

Pupils following formal qualification routes will experience exam-style questioning to prepare for their chosen pathway
Assessment methods are matched to individual pupil needs and qualification requirements
Stress management and exam technique support provided through regular THRIVE sessions, key working and therapeutic support

Pathways and Life Opportunities

Science education at Notton House Academy opens doors to a wide range of exciting and rewarding career paths, directly supporting our mission to improve life chances for all pupils.

Recent Year 11 Destinations: Our pupils have successfully progressed to:

Further education colleges studying A-Level sciences
Apprenticeships in engineering and healthcare sectors
Employment in local businesses and services
Specialist SEMH provisions for continued development

STEM Technical Award graduates often progress to:

Engineering apprenticeships
Further education

GCSE Science qualifications provide pathways to:

Engineering and technology careers
Further education and apprenticeships in STEM fields
Accessing post-16 college opportunities

Science education develops critical life skills including logical thinking, problem-solving, and understanding of the world around us - skills that benefit every aspect of adult life regardless of career path chosen.

How Can You Support Your Child?

Encourage your child to ask "how" and "why" about the world around them. Discussing science in the news - such as extreme weather, space missions, new technology, and medical developments - can help develop their natural curiosity and understanding.

Notton House Academy is part of Midsomer Norton Schools' Partnership