Science is a core subject, along with English and Mathematics, at the centre of the formal curriculum offered by West Island School. All students in Y7 – 11 experience a broad and balanced Co-ordinated Science programme. All senior school students (Y12-13) must study one IB group 4 subject. Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are offered by the department at Standard (SL) and Higher (HL) level. The Science and Humanities departments jointly offer the trans-disciplinary group 3/4 Ecosystems and Societies course. The Technology/ICT faculty offers Design & Technology at SL and HL. Students may study two Experimental Science subjects at this level if the show evidence that it is needed for their chosen University course.

 

Young people are naturally curious about the world around them. As an academic discipline Science provides students with the knowledge, understanding and skills in order to interpret natural phenomena. Biology, Chemistry and Physics contribute equally to this understanding and the department firmly believes that the three subjects should be available to all students in a balanced programme at least until Y11. Although some of the skills are specific to learning in Science, many of the skills developed in Science are generic and can be applied across the whole formal curriculum. Therefore Science makes an important contribution to the development of the holistic learner.

 

West Island School adopted the IB diploma programme in August 2007, originally alongside UK GCE Advanced levels. The vast majority of our students complete the full diploma programme. A small number take certificates in individual subjects

 

Science subjects are studied in group 4. All students must sit at least one group 4 subject at HL or SL. Many chose to do two subjects. In addition to Biology, Chemistry and Physics the department offers with geography the group 3/4 trans-disciplinary Ecosystems and Societies. The Technology/ICT faculty offers Technology at SL and HL. All group 4 subjects share the same aims, objectives, external assessment and internal assessment (IA) patterns (Technology is slightly different). Specific details of these may be found in the Diploma Subject Guides. These are available on the Online curriculum centre (OCC), http://occ.ibo.org/ibis/occ/guest/home.cfm,  along with teacher support material (TSMs), additional resources and teacher forums.

 

The Group 4 subjects develop the material at IGCSE and provide rigorous courses which prepare students for university. They build on the knowledge and skills from KS4 and develop independent learning. All students work in mixed subject groups on the Group 4 project for three days in June. The focus is on the process rather than the final product. The project develops the skills of hypothesis, planning and implementing as well as analysis and communication. The project is assessed for the ‘personal skills’ criteria of the IB Diploma Program Group 4 Internal Assessment.