Science

"The most incomprehensible thing about our universe is that it can be comprehended."

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

The Science department at Tonbridge aims to provide a scientific education that is enjoyable, interesting and intellectually challenging.

Whilst the skills developed through the study of the sciences are similar, there are significant differences between the three main branches, and so all pupils are taught by specialists within each department.

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics

Studying science is more than just learning a collection of facts and understanding ideas which may seem unrelated to modern life: it is rather a way of thinking. Pupils are taught to understand scientific principles and are then encouraged to apply them in new situations.

"Science is an imaginative adventure of the mind seeking truth in a world of mystery."

Sir Cyril Herman Hinshelwood (1897-1967)

Throughout the first three years (leading to IGCSEs) the pupils develop a range of cognitive, intellectual, practical, experimental, presentational and written skills that will help them in all areas of study. We also hope to develop pupils who can think creatively and independently.

The courses offered include a considerable amount of practical work: this is to develop experience of the scientific method by evaluating explanations through experimental evidence. Pupils normally perform practical work or see demonstrations at least once per week.

We also want our pupils to be scientifically literate in the widest sense, and so we emphasise the social importance of scientific developments, and the factors that influence them. Historical and modern developments are studied so that pupils have an understanding of the role of scientific discovery in different cultures and of its moral, ethical and financial limitations.

Head of Science
Richard Brookes (rmb@tonbridge-school.org)