Frameworks for the syllabi have been developed from the UK National Curriculum programmes of study and with reference to the main exam board syllabi (OCR, AQA, EDEXCEL).
The Mathematics and Science syllabi have been developed in conjunction with a selection of leading UK educationalists. In Science, particular reference has been made to the approaches exemplified by the Wikid science curriculum at Key Stage 3 and the OCR 21st Century Science GCSE syllabus at Key Stage 4 since these syllabi were developed specifically to promote scientific literacy and thinking skills and use context-based scenarios to introduce scientific ideas. Key Stage 5 content has also been developed using the more context-based A-level specifications including OCR A-level GCE Chemistry B Salters Specification, OCR A-level GCE Physics B Advancing Physics Specification, Edexcel Salters Nuffield Advanced Biology specification.
The programme aims to embed subject knowledge across Key Stages 3-5 and beyond to ensure that trainee teachers are fully equipped with the range of knowledge and skills they will need in the classroom. The constructivist approach encourages trainees to form a deeper understanding of the concepts behind the issues under discussion and to form an appreciation of their wider context.
In the case of science, trainees study sessions in all of chemistry, physics and biology in order to build subject knowledge across all three scientific disciplines.
Maths
- Subject-based lectures are grouped into the following topics: Number and Algebra, Geometry, Probability and Statistics, More Algebra (functions, simultaneous equations, quadratic equations, and complex numbers), Calculus, Mechanics, Trigonometry, Transformations, Vectors and Matrices.
- Pedagogy lectures include the following: Reflective Practice, Lesson Planning, Historical Approaches to Teaching and Learning, Constructivism, How Do We Learn Mathematics?, Structuring Learning, Rich Mathematics Lessons: using a variety of teaching strategies.
Science
- Subject-based lectures focus on Physics and Chemistry but also cover some Biology because to teach Chemistry or Physics effectively – to link concepts and gain a deep understanding of how the different disciplines overlap and interact – an understanding of all three scientific disciplines is needed. Chemists and physicists follow the same course to allow for an exchange of ideas.
- Physics lectures include the following: What is Physics?, Let’s Experiment, Who Needs Equations?, Common Misconceptions, Earth and Space, Space, Stocks and Flows: Equilibrium, Stocks and Flows: Decay, Growth, Wholes and Parts, Solids, Liquids and Gases, Applications of Fundamental Physics, Fields, Waves in Media, Wave Fields.
- Chemistry lectures include the following: Air and Water Pollution, Global Warming, Materials, Forensics, Patterns of Atomic Structure, Bonding and Structure, Energy Transfers in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Kinetics, Equilibria, Inorganic Chemistry
- Biology lectures include the following: You and Your Genes, Reproduction and Growth, Ecology, Health and the Body, Communication and Coordination, Plant Biotechnology, Plant Nutrition, Disease and Health, Movement in and out of Cells, Respiration and Exercise.
- Pedagogy lectures include the following: Reflective Practice, Lesson Planning, Historical Approaches to Teaching and Learning, Constructivism, How the Scientific World View Has Changed Over Time, How Do We Learn? Misconceptions, Questioning Skills and Scientific Enquiry.
