Science at Ampleforth
The Science department is housed in the Bamford Centre – a purpose-built facility which was opened in September 2000. The department has three main teaching areas; Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each area has its own suite of three major teaching laboratories and a sixth form project room. All laboratories are served by a large central preparation room. In addition, there is comfortable office space for science staff, a large lecture room and a science library and computer suite. All laboratories have computing facilities linked to the College network and internet and all benefit from data projectors and interactive whiteboards.
The Director of Science and Technology (who is also Head of Chemistry) works with the Heads of Biology and Physics to develop an overall strategy for science teaching at the College. There are currently thirteen full-time science teachers, three full-time technicians and one part-time technician. All students are taught by subject specialists.
Science forms part of the core curriculum for all students in the first three years. In our Middle School Science course students learn about contemporary scientific developments and their benefits, drawbacks and risks. They examine some ethical and moral implications of scientific developments and consider how and why decisions about science are made. They also explore how uncertainties in scientific knowledge and ideas have changed over time and the role of the scientific community in validating these changes. There is a strong emphasis on developing practical skills and learning through experimental work.
In the Sixth Form, courses are available in A level Biology, A level Chemistry and A level Physics. All in are context-led courses which build on the skills and knowledge learnt at GCSE level.