The vision of the Physics Department at Lawrence Sheriff School is ‘to develop a curiosity and understanding of the universe and the laws that govern its behaviour’. We want to foster an environment where students are encouraged to ask challenging questions, investigate interesting phenomena that they discover in lesson and look beyond the curriculum to understand how the world around them works.

In the last twenty years, the number of students taking demanding A Level courses such as Physics has decreased steadily. In comparison, Lawrence Sheriff has seen growth year on year as more students have joined us on their A Level Physics journeys. We have also expanded our teaching department to three full time Physics teachers with a range of different specialisms between them, giving us a breadth and depth in teaching that is difficult to find elsewhere.

Our results are excellent, with 70-80% of students at GCSE achieving Grade 7-9 each year and many of our A Level students going on to prestigious universities like Cambridge, Imperial College and UCL to study STEM-related courses.

Years 7-8

Year 7 and 8 students are taught all three sciences by the same teacher, a Science specialist, with three week blocks of each science taught at a time.

The Physics components of the course aim to provide a broad foundation from which students can go on to succeed at GCSE. Year 7s are taught about Energy, Waves and Electricity, whilst Year 8 are taught about Motion, Forces and Space.

Years 9

Year 9 is a transition year for our students. This is the first year that they are taught by dedicated Biology, Chemistry and Physics teachers for each of the three sciences.

In Physics, we have handpicked appropriate topics from the GCSE Course that allow our students to develop the foundational skills needed to succeed at GCSE. This includes the study of Energy, Particles and Waves, all of which are taught with the rigour of GCSE but adjusted to meet the needs of the National Curriculum for Science.

Students then start being taught their full GCSE at the end of Year 9 / start of Year 10.

Year 10-11

Course: Physics GCSE
Board: Edexcel
Specification Code: 1PH0
Website: https://qualifications.pearson.com
How course is assessed: Two 1 hour 45 minute papers.

Years 12-13

Course: Physics A level
Board: Edexcel
Specification Code: 9PH0
Website: https://qualifications.pearson.com
How course is assessed: Three examination papers (Paper 1 30%, Paper 2 30% and Paper 3 40%)

Students’ views …

“Inspired greater interest in the subject” “A variety of visual aids and experiments were used to explain theories” “Supported me, answered my questions, and helped me when I was stuck!” “Opportunity for lunchtime and after school advice and revision was invaluable”

Sixth Form Prospectus - please click here 

The chemistry department has two main goals. Firstly we aim to facilitate a love of Chemistry for the students, based on a want to learn about how the natural world works and secondly we work to develop future Scientists, Engineers, Medics and others involved in these fields.

To achieve these goals the chemistry department makes use of a combination of theoretical and practical work. These are combined in a way to promote independence of learning and intellectual rigour.

Our success is built upon the work of our specialist chemistry teachers, all of whom work hard to achieve the best outcome possible for every single pupil. The department is well resourced with three well-equipped chemistry laboratories. Expectations and levels of commitment from staff and pupils are very high. However, the principal reason for our success is the department’s ability to share its enthusiasm for chemistry in such a way that every pupil believes they have the ability to succeed and is motivated to do so.

Years 7 and 8

Year 7 and 8 are taught in Science classes by one teacher. They rotate between Chemistry, Biology and Physics topics. The Chemistry Topics they cover during this time include:

Year 7: Particles and their Behaviour, Elements & the Periodic Table and Separation Techniques.

Year 8: Chemical Reactions, Acids & Alkalis and the Earth & Resources.

Year 9: The Foundation of Chemistry

During year 9 students will begin to develop the knowledge and skills required to make them successful in their GCSE studies. They begin by studying topics that have strong links with later content during year 9 and into years 10 and 11. They also complete practical work during these topics and there is a focus on the required skills needed during practical work.

The topics covered in Year 9 include: States of Matter & Mixtures, Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table, Bonding & Types of Substance, Fuels and Earth Science, Hydrocarbons and Polymers and Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids. 

GCSE Course offered: GCSE Chemistry Board: Edexcel Specification code: 2CH01 Website: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/sciences-2016

Topics covered in Years 10 and 11 include:

Year 10: Calculations involving Masses, Groups in the Periodic Table, Transition Metals, Alloys and Corrosion, Acids, Testing for Ions and Electrolysis. Year 11: Obtaining and Using Metals, Quantitative Analysis, Rates of Reactions, Heat Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions and Reversible Reactions, Equilibria and Cells.

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Click here for the sixth form prospectus

 

The Art department consists of two specialist rooms and a small Foundation studio. There is a central store, and facilities for ceramics and hand printmaking.

There are currently three Art teachers who teach across the age range from Year 7 to Year 13, and have responsibility for teaching the art curriculum.  

The department is well resourced for consumable materials, books, and equipment, including IT facilities in the design technology department of computers with a range of printers and scanners.

Artwork is exhibited out of the Department in a central display area in June, and is opened to members of the public, and staff and students. Artwork can be seen on display throughout the school

Lawrence Sheriff School also offers an excellent art foundation course.

If you are interested please click on the link below for more details.

Link to the Foundation Course Details

In year seven and eight students receive three blocks of art as part of a rotation system with other subjects. In year seven and eight students receive separate units of work investigating a variety of art materials and techniques. Each block is approximately six weeks in length, four lessons a fortnight.

Year seven

Block one

Students are introduced to basic drawing skills and techniques using pencil, biro, and chalk pastel. Using the grid method to transfer an image accurately and carefully. They are introduced to a variety of artists and produce work in response.

Block two

Students continue to develop their skill set, reviewing and applying their knowledge from block one. The second block is topic based; Shoes. Students look at the development of shoe design, shoes as still-life and how artists have used shoes in their work. Students produced a drawings and paintings in response to art practitioners. They use a variety of materials within the work including pencil tonal work, line drawing and watercolours to create washes and fine details.

Block Three

In the third block students continue to develop their drawing and painting skills and techniques in a graphics-based project. Colour theory, by painting a colour wheel. Students create a watercolour response to the work of Charles Damuth using colour, tints and shades.

Year eight

Block one

Students investigate masks and mask-making to produce their own mask influenced by their research and design work. Students work from both primary and secondary sources to develop their ideas and final design. Students begin to understand how artists develop their work from similar sources. Students use a variety of materials in the project to widen their knowledge and understanding of art materials and techniques; including water-soluble pencils, watercolour and acrylic paints and Papier-mâché techniques.

Block Two

In the second block students re-visit drawing techniques and materials used in year seven. The theme for the second block is Fish. Students produce work in pencil, biro and chalk pastel and respond to the work of artists. The students are set a homework challenge to design and make a fish sculpture.  

Block Three

In the third block the theme for the students is buildings. Students produce tonal drawings in response to an artist deepening their understanding and application of pencil techniques to convey three-dimensional and surface qualities. Students design their own buildings in response to artists and use water colour and collage techniques.

Year 8 student artwork

Years nine, ten and eleven art option.

All students start work towards their BTEC Art from year nine and continue their studies in years ten and eleven. The BTEC consists of two units of work 60% coursework (Pearson Set Assignment) and 40% externally set assignment concluding with an eight hour practical exam.

Course: BTEC Tech Award Art and Design Practice Level ½.

Code: BDA01

Website: www.edexcel.org.uk

In year nine students follow a general art course to expand their knowledge and understanding of the application of art materials and techniques, research and respond to art designers and practitioners and are introduced to working in response to a brief in preparation for year ten.

Year 9 Student artwork

BTEC Student artwork

Year 10 and 11

Pearson set assignments are brief based. Students are encouraged to engage in a personal response allowing for freedom with the use of materials and techniques that best suits the individual.

In year ten, Autumn term students work towards their first Pearson Set Assignment (60% of total grade) The assignment is a vocational scenario in which students research their client, respond to the needs of the client, produce an outcome to fulfil the brief and present their work as a portfolio. The assignment is internally marked and externally moderated. Students have a second opportunity in year eleven to re-take the set assignment in the Autumn term. In the spring and summer terms of year ten, students will continue expanding their knowledge of materials and techniques and researching art and designers in preparation for possible re-take of the Pearson set assignment and the externally set assignment in year eleven set in January of year 11 (40% of total grade).

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Sixth Form prospectus - Please click here

Music at Lawrence Sheriff School is a compulsory subject in year 7 and 8 and is taught by two teachers: Mr Watson-Tate and Mrs Welch. We are also a popular subject at GCSE with two GCSE classes in years 9, 10 and 11 and an enthusiastic A Level class. We have our own building: Penhros House with lots of practice rooms, a dedicated IMac suite and a wide range of equipment. We are proud that the music department is a loud, busy and welcoming department before and after school and at break and lunch with a strong community across all year groups.

Within in the Music department at LSS we believe that everyone can learn to perform, compose and listen critically to music. We challenge all students regardless of whether or not they learn a musical instrument. Our lessons are practical and fun whilst also ensuring that students understand the building blocks of music and how music is constructed. Students will also learn a range of transferable skills such as team work, creativity and performance.

In year 7 and 8 students have 1 lesson a week in classes of 15. We complete 4 projects a year, which allows us to explore each topic in depth and enables the students to all feel a sense of achievement.

In year 7 the students learn to perform ‘Minuet in G’ by J.S. Bach on the piano, whilst also learning about notation and how melody is constructed. They also learn how to play the ukulele, how chords are constructed and perform the pop song ‘5 Years Time’ in a group. We also focus on composing skills and the students complete two projects in our IMac suite learning how to use both Logic and Sibelius by composing a fanfare and a classical piece for the piano, whilst also learning about notation, dynamics and rhythm.

In year 8 we develop these skills further performing ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’ on the piano, whilst also learning about the Romantic period and accidentals and chromaticism. The students then perform ‘Stand by Me’ in a group creating their own version and gaining important performance skills. Students develop their composing skills further; learning how to compose a pop song, using Rick Astley as inspiration. We then build on their skills from year 7 composing a more sophisticated piece for the piano looking at a range of piano accompaniment styles and what makes an effective melody.

At GCSE we follow the Edexcel course (https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/music-2016.html). In year 9 we continue to build up their composing, performing and appraising skills by looking at a range of styles, composing in lots of different genres and having regular opportunities to perform, both as an ensemble and a soloist. One of the requirements of the GCSE course is that students must have regular instrumental lessons and we would advise that student be at grade 1 standard or above at the start of Year 9 to enable them to achieve strong results once in year 11. However every year we have enthusiastic and hardworking students who love their year 7 and 8 music lessons and begin learning a music instrument at the start of year 9 and many of them have achieved a grade 9 in Music.

In year 10 and 11 we study the 8 set works from the Edexcel specification:

• Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto
• Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Pathetique: movement I
• Purcell’s ‘Music for a While’
• ‘Killer Queen’ by Queen
• ‘Defying Gravity’ by Stephen Schwartz
• Star Wars: Episode IV by John Williams
• ‘Release’ by Afro Celt Sound System
• ‘Samba Em Preludio’ by Esperanza Spalding.

Students will learn about to analyse these set works in the context of their period and genre.

Students will also complete their coursework (60% of the GCSE) by composing 2 compositions and performing as a soloist and in an ensemble.

Extra-Curricular Music at Lawrence Sheriff School

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Sixth Form Prospectus

Religious Studies is taught across all years and abilities. It is compulsory up to and including Year 11.

There is the required teaching of Religious Studies in Year 12/13 also but only those taking the AS or A Level will sit an examination in the subject. We teach about belief and faith but there is no expectation of such on the pupil’s behalf. All faiths and belief systems are treated with respect and courtesy so theists, atheists and agnostics may feel comfortable and valued within the lessons.

Year 7 and 8

We seek to enable pupils to make links between religious and secular thought, to interpret and express insights, to show coherent and understanding of faiths and evaluate them, to analyse belief and justify their views. The top pupils will be able to show in depth analysis, give independent, well informed and highly reasoned insights and provide well-substantiated and balanced conclusions. We use the Warwickshire agreed syllabus for Religious Studies for assessment. This enables us to review and enable pupil progression effectively.

Year 7 (2 full lessons per week).

Topics: Big Questions, Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism), Judaism, Islam, Sikhi, and Thematic Study

Year 8 (3 full lessons per fortnight).

Topics: Buddhist traditions and Christianity

Year 9, 10 and 11

We follow the AQA examination board GCSE in Religious Studies. This compares issues within society and Life with Religious beliefs. We consider the beliefs and practises of the Christian and Buddhist faiths as a matter of course. Pupils learn how religious believers consider such things as crime, relationships, life and death, human rights and justice. We consider secular concepts too to try and ensure a balance of view and understanding. Each class has three lessons over two weeks in years 9, 10 and 11.  They will sit the examination at the end of year 11.

Religious Studies GCSE (full course) Specification: Specification A (8062)

Website:http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-a-806  

Textbook: AQA GCSE (9-1) Religious Studies Specification A

Exams: There are two examinations. Component 1: A Study of Religion (Christianity and Buddhism) Component 2: Thematic Studies

Current Year 9. Year 9: A Study of Christianity (beliefs, teachings and practices). A Study of Buddhism (beliefs and teachings)

Current Year 10 & 11. Year 10: A Study of Buddhism (practices). Thematic Study. Year 11: Thematic Study. Revision and exam work on all units.

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Sixth Form Prospectus - Please click here

PE Dept.

The PE Department is made up of 4 specialist teachers;
Mr Orford Head of PE and MiC of Football. 
Mr Sellers Head of House and MiC of Hockey. 
Mr Gregory Head of House and MiC of Cricket. 
Mr Barton MiC of Rugby.

Our curriculum is designed to offer breadth and range whilst affording plenty of time to traditional sports. We aim to give all students the opportunity to learn and enjoy a variety of physical activities whilst educating them about the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.

Sports covered as part of the PE Curriculum include; Rugby, Football, Hockey, Cricket, Basketball, Fitness, Gymnastics, Cross-Country, Athletics, Badminton, Tennis, Rounders, Softball, Ultimate Frisbee, Dodgeball, Handball, Volleyball, Table Tennis.

Typically students benefit from 6 PE lessons per fortnight, 2 x Singles, 1 x Double and 1 x Double Games.

- Single PE lessons are based at school and are 45 minutes long.

- Double PE lessons are usually delivered at Hart Field and are between 60-90 minutes long.

- Double Games lessons are delivered at Hart Field in the afternoons are 90 minutes long.

Students have the chance to represent the school and compete in both extra-curricular sport and inter-house competitions.

A-Level PE

So that we may play our part in helping students with a passion for our subject follow a career in sport we offer a two year A-Level PE course overseen by the exam board OCR. It is a thorough and rigorous programme of study where students are expected to be assessed practically in one sport, complete a verbal analysis examination as well as written exams covering; Applied Anatomy & Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Skill Acquisition, Sports Psychology, Contemporary Issues in Sport, Sport & Society, and Biomechanics.

Typically students will be taught in small groups utilising the expertise of 3 different teachers across 6 lessons per week.

Our students go on to study courses such as Sport & Exercise Science, Sport, Physical Education & Coaching Sciences, Physiotherapy, and Sports Management Studies at some of the top academic institutions.

PE Uniform

• Gilbert House Rugby Jersey – the reversible colour depends upon the House the student is associated with.
• Gilbert Navy blue rugby shorts
• Gilbert Navy blue socks
• Rugby/football boots
• Shin pads – COMPULSORY (Football& Hockey)
• Mouth guard – COMPULSORY (Rugby& Hockey)
• Scrum Cap – COMPULSORY (Rugby)

• Gilbert White T-Shirt with the LSS Griffin – the colour depends upon the House the student is associated with.
• Gilbert white shorts
• Plain white socks
• Trainers – no mixed footwear or ‘barefoot’ is permitted in PE for any activity.
  
  No student will be allowed to partake in any activity without the correct physical education uniform.  All kit must be labelled or marked with the students name.
  We have a range of Gilbert training gear that is available to purchase (see the school shop website).

Illness or Injured Policy

If a student is ill or injured and feel that they need to be excused from physical education then they will need to bring in a letter from their parent or guardian.  This will have to be handed to the physical education teacher at registration of that lesson.  Students are still required to attend this lesson as this letter will excuse them from physical activity but not from the lesson.

Furthermore students will be required to bring their physical education kit and get changed. This means students are still taking part in the lesson in another role. We expect All students to get changed even if injured and take part in the lesson in another capacity (coach/leader/official). Students should attend the lesson with extra kit to keep warm and dry etc. This ensures that everyone is taking an active role in the lesson.

For long-term absenteeism, a doctor’s note will be requested.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about PE at Lawrence Sheriff School.