Report from Clapton Girls’ Technology College
Allana Gay writes ...
In September when books and resources were delivered I predicted disaster. Teachers would not be well prepared and the resources seemed of little help. But having taught C21 over the past year and witnessed how it has brought Science alive for my students, I know that this is the best way forward.
C21 is not limited in its cross-curricular appeal.GCSE Science teaches the skills which, as future scientists or not, will allow students to become sound decision-makers of the future.
My students, even those at the lowest learning level, can now make informed choices. They can read through articles, analyse the source, cross-reference with others of the same or differing opinion, and draw their own conclusions. The most talented of them can even persuade the most established opinion to their way of thinking. It has led to discussion in the home, and a rising interest in science-based issues in the media.
Applied Science and Additional Science allows students to think about their future endeavours.
Additional Science will lead to traditional scientists with a higher level of social awareness.
Applied Science gives students the opportunity to examine the world of Science in a more practical sense. They can bear witness the significance of these jobs and skills in a more critical manner. C21 has brought relevance to a subject area where ideas are generally abstract. Its purpose is clear to students. They relish the fact that they can excel not because the ‘tests are dumbed down’ but because the subject has a greater relevance and is now readily applied throughout their everyday lives.
That is how you know it is real learning.
