Science

First Form

RGS First Form pupils study Science in their first year at the School rather than Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Our main aim is to promote enthusiasm and enjoyment in Science as a subject and to give pupils an outlet for their natural curiosity in the world around them. We achieve this aim through hands-on practicals in nearly all lessons.

We are teaching them an approach and to be good practising scientists, as well as the skills they need to successfully take on Biology, Chemistry and Physics further up the school and for public exams.

We have a dedicated junior science laboratory and glassware and equipment and specialist science technicians to support this. Anything we don’t have in junior science can be borrowed and supported by Biology, Chemistry and Physics technicians and resources. Pupils are very much hands-on, but occasionally a teacher might demonstrate something more complex.

Key Stage 3

Separate lessons in Biology, Chemistry and Physics start in the second year; each discipline gets a double period allocation and so the focus on science continues into the second year curriculum.

Teachers from the Biology, Chemistry and Physics departments teach First Form alongside their single science teaching.

Facilities and Resources

The entire Chemistry area has been completely refurbished and features five impressive laboratories, a spacious office and three preparation rooms. Laboratories have data projection facilities and separate areas for practical and theory work.

Biology teaching takes place in five well-resourced classrooms equipped with projectors, interactive whiteboards, microscopes, and all other equipment needed for Biology teaching.

The Physics department is extensively equipped with six dedicated Physics and Electronics laboratories, alongside a small projects room, two prep rooms and a spacious departmental office. The department has an excellent range of practical apparatus and resources, including class sets of dataloggers which can be interfaced with pupil devices to facilitate experimental work, as well as liquid nitrogen apparatus to offer particularly spectacular experiments.

Departmental and School Ethos

Despite our fine exam results RGS is not a pressurised “exam factory”. We value learning and enjoyment far more than statistics and trophies. The ethos of the school is to help the students develop self-belief and a “can-do” attitude.