Science & Technology

Science

Ynys Hywel Learning Community

Science plays a pivotal role in our everyday lives, builds valuable skills and can lead to some exciting job opportunities. At Key Stage 3, our young people will develop their scientific skills through our selected themes.

At Key Stage 4, our young people will continue to develop their skills covering areas of science relevant to their GCSE qualifications.  Some of our young people may study ASDAN Science where we feel this is more appropriate.

The study of Science will be enriched by external visits and guest speakers to allow our young people to put Science into real life contexts and raise their awareness of scientific careers.

Our themes will help them to:

  • Think critically whilst looking at scientific evidence and methods.
  • Learn and utilise new knowledge and skills.
  • Understand why it’s important to learn Science and its pivotal role in our world.
  • Help us consider whether some of our newest advancements in Science are socially, morally and ethically correct.

Design Technology

Ynys Hywel Learning Community

Design Technology gives our young people the opportunity to express themselves, be innovative and creative.  All tasks are relevant and develop skills in a real-life context. 

At Key Stage 3, learners will study themes. Included in each theme are opportunities to develop their skills:

  • Planning, designing, costing and creating a mobile for an infant’s bedroom.
  • Planning, costing and creating healthy meals.
  • Planning, designing, costing and creating a ‘keep fit stepper’.
  • Planning, costing and creating Valentine’s cupcakes.

At Key Stage 4, our young people will have Design Technology ‘drop-down days’ where they will work with external providers and/or teaching staff to learn valuable life skills embedded in real-life contexts for example:

  • How to build their own coffee table.
  • How to build a toy box.
  • How to build a mobile phone holder.
  • How to use tools safely including kitchen utensils.
  • How to keep themselves safe using electrical appliances.
  • How to minimise the spread of bacteria when cooking.

Information & Communication Technology

Ynys Hywel Learning Community

Developing Digital Competency is crucial in order to keep up with the digital changes in modern society and especially in the working world.

At Key Stage 3, Digital Competency is embedded discretely through our selected themes.

At Key Stage 4, we will continue to build on the skills from Key Stage 3 enhanced with external visits and guest speakers, which will help to put the importance of these skills into the context of the world of work.

Our themes will help them to:

  • Developing an extensive range of ICT skills and knowledge to allow our young people to cope as an adult in the digital world.
  • Developing knowledge and understanding of a range of software packages e.g. Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and Excel among others.
  • Applying their knowledge and understanding of ICT to research, plan and evaluate specific topics relevant to their future lives.
  • Developing an understanding of the positive impact of information systems on our future lives.
  • Undertaking everyday digital tasks crucial for managing your work life, personal life, personal finances etc.