Science

 

At Kent College, a dedicated, well-qualified staff work towards providing our girls with a positive and stimulating experience of Science.  As a team, we believe that all girls should have access to all areas within the science curriculum, irrespective of their ability. We use a variety of teaching methods and have an excellent academic record.  Girls will often achieve above and beyond their expected potential.   Science is taught in purpose-built science laboratories. 

Girls study a Key Stage Three curriculum that concentrates on teaching through practical work and discovery.  The course includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics and is designed to make girls aware that as well as being fun, there’s also an investigative focus.  

 

Throughout Key Stage Three, the attitudes and skills developed are used to build a platform of knowledge and understanding, based on key scientific concepts.  Practical experiments and investigative skills are used to encourage girls to develop their own understanding of the world around them and of the relevance of science in their everyday lives.

 

Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught separately by subject specialist teachers in Years 8 and 9.  

At Kent College, each discipline is taught as a separate subject by specialist teaching staff. Girls begin their GCSE work in the autumn term of Year 9.  We follow the universally recognised Edexcel International GCSE Science syllabus. The course is well designed, practical and has a strong theoretical foundation. It is used by many UK independent schools and is an interesting as well as an inspiring modern specification.  At the end of Year 11 girls studying for the Double Science Award will receive a dual grade such as A*A*, whilst the Triple group will be awarded three separate IGCSE Grades.  Assessments of investigative skills are integrated within the exams and are not assessed separately. Click here for further information about the course.

At Kent College we offer linear, two year Advanced Level qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, following the OCR A Specification for each discipline. Science subjects are popular and each year, girls have achieved well above the national average in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Many of our girls go on to read sciences at university. 

 

Advanced Level Biology is a popular A Level subject at Kent College.  It provides girls with an opportunity to study topics ranging from cellular biology to ecosystems and molecular biology to biotechnology. Click here for further information about the course.

 

Advanced Level Chemists gain a developing insight into "the meaning of life, the universe and everything". Concepts covered at GCSE level are expanded and emphasis is placed on the understanding and application of principles. Click here for further information about the course.

 

Advanced Level Physicists study the main themes covered at GCSE to a greater depth. The relevance of the course is stressed by looking at the applications of the theory to their everyday lives. It is both stimulating and challenging for any girl who is keen to gain a real understanding of the physical world as well as the technological society in which we live. Click here for further information about the course.

 

Where can you go after studying A Level Sciences at Kent College?  Take a look at some of our recent destinations:

Subject	Destination
Astrophysics	St Andrews
Biochemistry	York
Biological Sciences	Exeter, Washington USA, Edinburgh
Biology	Newcastle, Bristol
Biomedical Sciences	Edinburgh, Greenwich, Southampton
Chemistry	Bath, Imperial
Civil Engineering	Imperial
Global Health & Social Medicine	Kings College
Mechanical Engineering	Sheffield
Medicine	Bristol, Southampton, Liverpool
Molecular, Cellular and Development Biology	Santa Barbara USA
Natural Sciences	Durham
Pharmacy	UCL
Physics	Manchester
Veterinary	Cambridge

Whilst the 75 acre school site provides magnificent grounds for environmental work, Science at Kent College is enhanced through a variety of clubs. Girls from all year groups are able to participate in various activities offered by each department.  For example, our STEM club is enjoyed by pupils and staff alike. Girls also get the opportunity to take part in external activities such as trips to learn about current advances in Science, workshops and exhibitions such as the exciting Big Bang Theory. Study support by staff is a regular feature of life at Kent College and all ages are welcome.

 

KC girls have successfully competed in both national and local competitions, such as the UK International Chemistry Olympiad, organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry.