Science department
The Science department have been holding a whole host of activities to inspire their pupils, including:
Science, Art and Writing - a cross-curricular experience
Students prepared and stained microscope slides to observe different yeast cultures and then set up an enzymatic reaction that enabled them to compare engineered with wild type yeast cells. The art session took inspiration from an image that showed E.coli strains engineered to produce different plant carotenoids. The writing session focused on poetry taking a lead from science. Comments from students who took part in the day included: “It was interesting to see the links between the subjects. I liked the creative side as it was out of my comfort zone, as I knew less about poetry & art than I did about science.”
Three students from the school went on to win a science writing competition run by the University of Cambridge.
Coming face-to-face with the Leviathan
Students recently had the unique opportunity to experience a day in the life o
f an offshore professional on board Leviathan, one of Seajacks' jack-up vessels. Whilst on board, the group saw state of the art equipment, met the crew and learnt about their career progression, in addition to learning about their roles and responsibilities on board Leviathan. One BTEC engineering student said; “It was a real eye opener for me and I gained a greater understanding of the local energy industry, particularly Seajacks’ involvement in both renewables and oil and gas.”
University of Cambridge Masterclass
A2 Physics students attended the HEP annual Masterclass at the world famous Cavendish laboratory, which is held to highlight some of the latest developments in Particle Physics research. The day consisted of 3 lectures on “Into the Unknown – What Next for the Large Hadron Collider”, “Seeing what’s not there — Discovery 
with invisible particles” and “Quantum Mechanics & the Meaning of Planck’s Constant” There were also Laboratory Sessions on Particle Tracks, Theory Hunt the Higgs Card Game, Cosmic Rays and Ring Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) Detectors. Comments from students included “The activities and lectures provided great experience to the world of particle physics and has motivated me to continue my A2 Physics to the best of my ability”
Celebrating women in engineering
To raise the profile and celebrate the achievements of women in engineering, and encourage more girls to consider engineering as a career, EN organised two events for year 12 girls studying science A levels. The first involved a visit to Adnams in Southwold to find out more from Belinda Jennings, the Adnams Quality Manager, about the importance of chemical engineering in the Food and Drinks Industry. The second event comprised of a visit to the John Innes Centre, part of Norwich Research Park, organised in partnership with Dr Dee Rawsthorne, to find out about genetically modified crops and microbes and learn of the positive economic and social impact the research carried out there has globally, whether it be with regard to increased yield and resistance in crops or the production of new antibiotics.
Inspiring budding scientists
Over 200 young scientists descended on East Norfolk Sixth Form College for a two day science event ‘Bringing Scientists to You’. Students from 12 local high schools were invited by academics from the UEA to complete some inspiring practical work to illustrate what a career in science may hold. The academics guided the eager year 8 and 9 pupils through a range of exciting activities and demonstrations including the science behind slime, making hand cream and programming LegoTM robots. Biology and Applied Science teacher Gary Hurd said “It is a fantastic opportunity for students to see the next steps where science can lead. Hosting the event at the college gets to show these students what is available at A level the college with a view to go onto broader areas of science after that."
Hunting for the Higgs boson at CERN
Students from East Norfolk Sixth Form College have been inspired by a visit to CERN, home of the Large Hadron Collider, and they gained an appreciation of the technical and engineering challenges that the multinational experimental collaborations at CERN face. Students said the highlight of the visit was being able to actually go underground at CMS and see the immense workings and infrastructure that needs to be in place for experimental research.
English department
There are currently 400 students studying Level 3 courses in English Literature and English Language, with 230 students taking Level 2 English courses. AS Creative Writing is being introduced in September 2014 to continue to enhance provision for students, and is already recruiting well.
Poetry reading near Ypres
We are continuing to build links with the UEA and students attended the 6th form conference in December, with a creative writing workshop planned for the summer term, and students apply for top universities across the country. We are also running a trip to Denmark in the summer term to visit Helsingor – the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet which students will study at A2. This will further enrich students’ experience of studying literature and provide lifelong memories that bring to life such a well known text.
The English department was a focus of the college’s recent OFSTED inspection, which praised the good work going on in the department. ‘Teachers and their students have a very high regard for one another. They are passionate about learning, and see it as an enjoyable, shared, lifelong experience.’ ‘The staff form a good, specialist team and continually seek to improve provision through a range of activities.’ Staff value the input from the PTI programme which allows them to look beyond the curriculum and to continue to share their passions for learning.
