The Science Faculty at Harlington are vibrant and energetic. There is a friendly and supportive working atmosphere within the department and it is an environment for nurturing ECTs as well as developing talented and experienced teachers for positions of responsibility. There are also departmental social events, which go towards creating good working relationships. 

At present there are 11 full time and 2 part time teachers led by an experienced Curriculum Leader. In addition, the department is supported by a team of two full time science technicians, including a senior technician. The current structure of responsibility in the department is a Curriculum Leader and a Subject Leader for each discipline (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) respectively all of whose responsibilities will run through all three Key Stages.

The Science department offers a comprehensive and strong academic pathway in all three key stages, where, many of our highest achieving students opt for Separate sciences at KS4 and follow onto KS5 (A-Level), where all three disciplines (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) are popular. As a result, a successful candidate will have the opportunity to teach to their specialism at KS4 as well as AS/A level.

The faculty offers committed, passionate, energetic and enthusiastic teachers an ideal start to, or continuation of, their career in a school with a caring atmosphere.  Colleagues will be offered extensive support in their professional development and will contribute to a strong team aiming to raise the standards of achievement across the science curriculum.

Curriculum overview

In years 7 & 8 pupils are taught in mixed ability groups, all other years 9 through to 11 are set according to ability. At KS3 we offer a practical course supported by the Activate Science series. From September 2022, we have revised the KS3 curriculum structure to offer a 3-year course, where students start KS4 in year 10. During which, they follow either the AQA GCSE Combined Science “Trilogy” course or “Separate” sciences. Teaching is shared between two teachers for Combined science and three teachers for Separate science, each of whom teaches within their discipline to ensure the depth, expectations and attainment of students.

In the Sixth form, “AS and A” Levels are offered in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, all of which follow the AQA course. We have an extensive range of textbooks which cater for all three of the A levels, including course specific textbooks. In addition, we have extensive online as well as our own teaching resources. We are also very well resourced in terms of investigation and practical requirements. We have healthy numbers of pupils taking up A levels in all three disciplines where a significant number go onto study sciences at degree level.

Resources and rooming

The Science Department has a suite of nine purpose-built labs. Each lab with a PC connected to the intranet and the internet which can then be used in conjunction with SMART projectors and boards. In addition to desk computers we have a class set of mobile lap tops. The Science department is well resourced with an extensive and fully equipped preparation room to service the nine labs, staffed by three full time technicians.