Year 7 Science lesson - theme of exploration. As they enter the classroom there are an array of items spread out on their desks. I used opera glasses, a fossil collection, a meat thermometer, heart rate monitor, etc. The aim is to get them to brainstorm their thoughts, which focus on what we already know, rather than asking questions and concentrating on the unknown. Prompt them to consider this and develop their questioning! In groups they take a research topic where much doubt remains. They look at what people used to think, what scientists now believe and what we may find out in the future. Then present their findings to other groups, I used a carousel activity. Amazing results - one group looked at subatomic particles down to quarks! Could be spread over more than one lesson. Worked really successfully with my group, as children realised that science is evolving and many questions must be asked if we are to enhance human understanding.

Year 7 Science lesson, focus on forces, building considerations, and developing collaboration skills. Students to consider compression and tension as forces that affect building stability. Students to think about the factors which affect your building design. Students to design and create their own structure using spaghetti and marshmallows. Students to update the 'Leaning tower of learning'. Extension activity

Year 7 Science lesson, could be adapted to use with other year groups Students work in groups, each group is researching a different type of plate boundary (conservative, constructive, destructive, collision). They then move around the room and teach other groups about what they have learnt. Focus if the Nepal Earthquake, and students use their learning from the lesson to explain what plate boundary there is in Nepal and why the Earthquake occurred.

Year 7 Science lesson with cross-curricular themes. Practical where students are given a sample of muddy water and need to consider how they would clean this. After having an initial brainstorm, then give them the equipment and see if they can use this to draft their method. Link to citizenship, as students consider the work of Water Aid, and the global issue and consequences that arise from lack of clean drinking water. Very thought provoking lesson, and encourages students to think deeply on the subject matter. Students really enjoyed the challenge of this lesson. Was rated outstanding by observer.

Year 9 - iGCSE Biology, higher ability. Lesson on human populations and limiting factors which affect population growth. Cover bacterial sigmoid curve (to be printed for students). I used an old sheet of exam questions (not uploaded) to test their understanding of growth curves. Next lesson: to look at population pyramids.

Biology lesson on theme of Conservation Starter: images printed on the tables.Students to link these to previous learning (human impact on the environment, population) and try to decipher the topic of the lesson. True/false activity - students write 1-6 in the back of their books and decide whether each statement is true or false. At the end of the session, revisit this task and allow them to change answers. Then go through altogether and see who has improved their understanding since they first did this.Amazing way to show progress! Main: group activity, each group given information pack on a species, and they work to answer the questions in the presentation and design a conservation program. Comprehension activity to consolidate learning. Plenary: conservation loop game to be completed in small groups, good competition! This lesson was graded as OUTSTANDING.

Lesson designed for Year 9 iGCSE class, high ability. Lesson plan and worksheets all included. Starter: As students enter the room, pictures laid out on the tables. Can they work out the lesson topic? Main: 4 stations set up around the room for students to consider the causes, effects, solutions to acid rain and an intro to Indicator species. Plenary: Used a word loop on acid rain and the greenhouse effect, found on Tes. Graded Outstanding

Lesson on the heart and blood vessels with high ability Year 8 class. Can be adapted to work with different groups.

Used with high ability iGCSE Chemistry class. Notes on Diamond, Graphite (and Buckminster Fullerene) and Silicon dioxide. Students highlight and annotate this whilst looking at models of these structures and discussing them as a class. Use the information sheet as a comprehension activity by setting key questions [e.g. why does graphite conduct electricity but diamond does not?]

Made for the iGCSE Biology course - Human Impact on the Environment

Science and history of disease lesson. Focus on John Snow and cholera. Used with a high ability and creative Year 7 class.

KS3 Density - could be used with lower ability KS4

Year 9 OCR GCSE Biology. Practical - stomach acid contents made by science technicians so students may complete a Benedict's test, Sudan (III) stain and Biuret reagent

Year 9 iGCSE chemistry.

Year 9 iGCSE - human impact on the environment.

Carousel activity: pictures, equation and general info to be spread around the classroom, depending on level of ability. Demo: Yeast and glucose solution, with layer of oil on top. Delivery tube to limewater.

Used with a high ability GCSE class. Years 9,10, 11