<p> ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL VISUAL ARTS COLLEGE PROFILE OF THE SCIENCE FACULTY</p><p>This post arises following the decision of our long-standing Head of Science to retire.</p><p>Staffing The Faculty consists of 7 full-time teaching staff, an Assistant Headteacher who teaches 0.5 F.T.E. The Faculty leadership structure has recently been re-structured and now comprises of a Head of Science, (TLR 1b) ,a Second in Science (TLR 2b) and a Coordinator of KS3 Science (TLR 2b) There are two full time Laboratory Technicians to support the Department.</p><p>Accommodation/Resources The Science Faculty has a suite of 8 laboratories and a Science Preparation room divided into 3 areas: one for storage, one for Laboratory Technicians’ preparation and another which is comfortably furnished and carpeted for teaching staff’s preparation and marking. From September 2016 it is planned to re-locate the 8 th Laboratory from its current location in a mobile classroom to the main Science area in school. </p><p>The faculty is also well resourced in terms of apparatus, equipment. Each permanent Laboratory has an interactive whiteboard and a range of software to support KS3 and KS4 courses.</p><p>Curriculum Pupils receive 3 Science lessons each week in Y7 and Y9, and 4 in Y8. Classes in Y7 and Y8 are mixed ability with a small SEN group. Pupils are set at the end of Y8 and are taught by subject specialists in Y9. Pupils start studying GCSE Science in Y9 and follow the AQA Core Science syllabus.</p><p>Y10 pupils are following AQA Science GCSE with the top 2 sets on each side of the Year (approx. 60 pupils) studying for Triple Science. </p><p>It is envisaged that the vast majority of pupils will go on to study additional Science in Y11. The current Y11 pupils are following the AQA Additional GCSE Science Course.</p><p>A key decision for the faculty to take, along with the new Head of Science will be the choice and planning for the new GCSE, once the specifications are confirmed, as it stands the faculty are inclined to follow the AQA GCSE courses. </p><p>2015 Exam Results. Core Entries A* A B C D E F G U x Q Total 180 3 44 61 48 18 5 1 0 0 0 0</p><p>Additional Science Entries A* A B C D E F G U x Q Total 169 7 44 53 37 24 4 0 0 0 0 0 Further Additional Science Entries A* A B C D E F G U x Q Total 54 22 17 10 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0</p><p>Pupils are taught in discrete subjects by subject specialists in Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11. In each of these years the pupils are placed in sets based on examination results but subject to frequent reviews which may enable pupils to move between sets depending on progress made. In Years 7 and 8, the teaching groups are mixed ability. Additional staffing is provided in all year groups in order that the needs of pupils with special needs can be catered for in smaller classes.</p>