Science Specialism

Science as a second specialism for the school celebrates students’ success in this area and aims to promote excellent opportunities for young scientists both in and outside the classroom.

Science is part of the core national curriculum and over the last few years, Great Baddow High School have achieved exam results in the sciences over and above the national average

The sciences are popular subjects at Great Baddow High school.

We are fortunate to have an excellent team of teachers supported by experienced lab technicians.  All the expertise of our teaching staff is also used to support local primary schools. Primary schools are also invited to attend enrichment activities at GBHS (e.g. Forensic science workshop)

We are also proud that one of our physics teachers, Dr Ghoneim, has been recruited by the institute of Physics to support the development of physics teaching in our locality.

We have 11 teaching laboratories, several of which have been recently refurbished. Every pupil has access to a rich programme of enrichment including clubs such as the Lego club and opportunities to participate in science week activities, trips and visits.

Teachers are always ready to provide information, advice and guidance so that pupils can progress further onto university courses such as Medicine.

Following A Levels many of our students choose science-based courses at university and Great Baddow High School promotes many vocational and enrichment opportunities, including STEM projects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to enrich learning experiences. 

Destinations for some of our students include:

Chemistry - Durham University,

Biomedical Engineering - Kings College London,

Medical Biochemistry - Royal Holloway London,

Forensic Psychology - Kingston University

Zoology - Nottingham University.

STEM Activities

STEM projects (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) are all run on a regular basis where students work with members of a large multi-national or local organisation over a period of time to produce a project.   

Working closely with large multinational companies such as Ford, Bertrandt and BAE Systems and maximising opportunities to get involved with national events such as The UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge and the Big Bang Young Scientists and Engineering Fair, Great Baddow High School are looking to develop the scientists of the future. 

PhysicsFest 

Sixth Form Physics students volunteer at the annual PhysicsFest event in the Autumn, hosted by Great Baddow High School and organised by the Institute of Physics. 

First Lego League 

By entering a team in this international competition, we are able to stretch and challenge our students by engaging them with real-world scenarios and developing their problem-solving skills and ability to work as a team. Hopefully many of them will be inspired to follow a career in engineering after this experience. 

British Science Week 

The school celebrates British Science Week each year with a number of different activities.  

The activities include: 

Inter-house poetry competitions, poster competitions and quizzes (STEM).   

Author visit in the library for students and local Primary schools. 

Annual trip to the Big Bang Fair. 

World Space Week 

Great Baddow High School looks forward to the annual World Space Week with a variety of activities and themed assemblies. Activities have included model building, stories and space themed posters. 

A Level visit to the radiotherapy department at UCLH in London 

At the end of January our A Level physicists visit the radiotherapy department at UCLH in London. The trip gives them the opportunity to learn more about medical uses of physics, giving them a better understanding of the topic and hopefully inspiring some to choose careers in that area. 

Anglia Ruskin University Event 

In February, all Sixth Form students interested in careers in health care or social care attend an event jointly run by Anglia Ruskin University and Essex Employment and Skills Board. They learn more about the type of careers available and have a chance to network, hopefully providing inspiration and opportunities for the future. 

Bloodhound Rocket Car Challenge. 

Students regularly enter the Bloodhound Rocket Car Challenge where they are tasked to design, build, test and race a model car. 

UKAYRoC build a rocket competition. 

Students design, build and test a rocket to see how high it can go! GBHS have experienced a lot of success in this competition in the past. 

Bridge Building Competition. 

Another competition in which we have experienced success in the past, a group design and build a bridge with limited resources, the aim being to use their physics and engineering knowledge to make the bridge as strong as possible.