Queen Elizabeth's School
Application to the PTI has seen the science department developing its approach to enrichment both within and outside of its curricula frameworks. The Extended Project was delivered to its first cohort of year 12 students in the academic year 2009/2010 and has succeeded in encouraging the ethos of independent and rigorous academic study that the school aims to foster in all of its students.
The success of the Extended Project has filtered down to lower years with year 9 students engaging in a lunchtime science club which derives its origins very much from the Extended Project philosophy. Students were given two terms to research and produce a 1500 word dissertation on a scientific topic of their choice which they then presented to an audience of students and teachers. Alongside sessions in scientific writing and discussion, students enjoyed participating in practical work which was off syllabus and usually only available to an older cohort.
PTI membership has also encouraged links with other schools, namely Henrietta Barnett Girls School, where a joint engineering competition was held in July 2010. This involved our students working in mixed sex groups with the girls to solve a series of engineering problems and it is hoped this will be the first of many such collaborations. There has been a lot of interest in the science’s department’s work within the school and it is hoped that in 2011 the English, Geography and History departments will also gain the Institute’s Mark.
Queen Elizabeth's School is a state school for boys aged 11-18, based in Barnet.