Rainham Mark Grammar School

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Science Department

The Biology Department at Rainham Mark Grammar School celebrated the work of Charles Darwin. Darwin's 200th Birthday was on February 12, 2009; it was also the 150th Anniversary of the publication of his famous book, On The Origin of Species. Together, the Department evolved a Celebration to express gratitude for the enormous benefits that scientific knowledge, acquired through human curiosity and ingenuity, has contributed to the advancement of humanity. A member of the department attended a PTI event at Down House which focused on the work of Darwin. She returned enthused and co-ordinated a range of activities. These included a birthday party on the day, hand painted maps in the corridors, of the Galapagos Islands, (this teacher then visited the Galapagos Islands in the Summer of 2009), display material/ a competition showing what staff members' faces may have looked like as they evolved over thousands of years and, in general terms, raised the profile of Science throughout the school.

Working with my Medway LA Science Advisory, a School Science Technicians' Forum was established. Two of the three sessions were held at Rainham Mark Grammar School. The purpose here was to allow the sharing of best practice amongst all of the 19 secondary schools in the Medway LA area. We held sessions here for Chemistry Technicians and then Biology Technicians. These took place in an afternoon of school time and 15 unusual practicals were setup, where staff could try out ‘kit’ for themselves to explore. We then had sessions of swapping ideas and resources. We think that we were the first LA nationally to do this and we aim to do it again this year.

History Department

The History department at Rainham Mark Grammar School prides itself in the breadth and challenge it offers through its schemes of work. Key Stage 3 students look at aspects of English, British, European and World History through a series of linked depth studies, which allow them to develop an understanding of key themes such as the development of Britain’s parliamentary system and the growth of the British Empire. Key Stage 4 students follow a SHP course whilst at AS and A2, they study totalitarian dictatorships and the development of constitutional democracies in Britain, France and the USA. The department also runs a Classical Civilisation AS / A2 for Gifted and Talented students in Years 10-12.

The department has helped to pioneer the use of the Interactive Whiteboard in the school and History teachers have been actively involved in the delivery of in-house INSET. It also works closely with Christ Church University, Canterbury, in the training of teachers.

The department has, over recent months, been developing local history components within KS3 and is exploring ways to establish links with feeder schools and the local community. It is also in the process of organising a Year 13 visit to Washington DC in the autumn of 2010.

Rainham Mark Grammar School is a Secondary School with Sixth Form, based in Gillingham, Kent.