The award of Specialist Status for Thurston Community College was as a result of a successful application, submitted in 2004 to what is now the DCSF.  The Specialist Status as a science college remains current until the College is invited to apply for redesignation.

Throughout the period of designation as a Specialist College there has been a planned programme of refurbishment of the science accommodation, including the laboratories, private study areas, preparation rooms and offices.  The resources, provision of courses and fabric of the building continue to be updated and improved for students in science.

The science team are always focussed on improving and expanding the resources available for practical work in lessons.  The practical work is designed to support the understanding of the concepts taught and encourage the application and development of scientific skills.

Year 9 students follow a programme of study which builds upon the common content taught the first two years of Key Stage 3.  The aim is to continue to enthuse our students, spreading the awe and wonderment of science whilst simultaneously preparing them for their future studies.  The year is peppered with stimulating talks, invited speakers, science competitions and activities.

Year 10 and 11 students are given the opportunity to study science in greater detail through their GCSE qualifications. Student may study for 2 GCSE qualifications (Science and Additional Science) or for 3 GCSE qualifications (Biology, Chemistry and Physics).  Students are given the opportunity to take part in events and enrichment activities which vary year on year; it may be that they experience a full day in the field studying Biology at a local field study centre or a day at the Cavendish Laboratories in Cambridge.  The students listen to visiting research students and openly discuss the opportunities available to career scientists and technicians.  Students debate areas of controversial practice in science.

The provision for post-16 students at AS and A2 is reviewed annually.  Students can elect to undertake an extended project in Perspectives on Science which complements a suite of AS and A2 qualifications which also include Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Applied Health and Social Care.

Specialist Status is enabling the College to provide and develop further cross curricular links.  To date the science team have worked alongside:
• The food technology department to promote healthy eating and the chemistry of food and cooking.
• The drama and dance departments to reinforce the practical application of scientific principals in the field of the performing arts.
• The art textiles department to develop understanding of the physics of photography and printing onto materials.
• The media and drama departments to secure improved lighting and sound facilities for school productions.
• The PE department to monitor healthy exercise programmes for professional athletes and to study methods of detecting the use of and analysing the impact of performance enhancing drugs.
• The Modern Foreign Languages and Food Technology departments to deliver a series of lessons on diabetes in which the instructions and content were in part given in spoken and written French.  A DVD of the lessons and catering experience was made and sent to Lycée Jean Monnet in Montpellier. This school will show the DVD to students in their lessons during the French National Science Week.

Thurston Community College was successful in being awarded £10,000 to promote STEM subjects in year 9.  STEM involves Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.  We are really looking forward to working alongside colleagues from the mathematics and technology departments in the exciting new project funded by the Pathfinder STEM Programme.     The funding has been used in part to fund the flexi-days for year 9 who experienced a carousel of activities including a CSI forensic science experience, an interactive lecture on the breaking news in science and technology, a competition involving 'K-nex' to lift a shoe and the construction and testing of hearing defenders.  The funding will also be used on a cross curricular project which will be delivered through year 9 mathematics, technology and science lessons as a part of the activities which take place during 'National Science Week'.

Involvement and promotion of such cross curricular projects continues to opens doors for a vast area of imaginative ideas and innovative suggestions to flourish.

The mathematics department continue to improve their facilities for the teaching and learning of mathematics.  Each year combined INSET and meetings are offered for teachers of the maths department and the family of schools to aid in the smooth transition from year 8 into year 9 and beyond.

Dr J Wheeler, Assistant Principal Enrichment through Specialist Status