Five years ago, Kingsbridge Community College was one of the first cohorts of schools nationally to be granted Science College status. Science and maths are at the forefront of College achievement.

The Science department has focussed on providing a first class science curriculum for Kingsbridge and its feeder primaries and to share good practice in dynamic learning at a national and even international level. This innovative practice is shared across the College with co-operative learning being the thrust of an SSAT science project in autumn 2007. Innovative practice in CASE and a NESTA project for underachieving Year 9 students have been developed with our partner school Ivybridge. KCC was one of the first schools in Devon to have a Science and Maths HLTA (Devon Champion) who acts a valuable link between Maths and Science. Science themes underpin recent performing arts festivals and an exhibition on pinhole photography and there are close ties to geography for fieldwork and beach cleaning for the Marine Society. The isolation and the rural idyllic setting of Kingsbridge have led to vocational science being taught with a marine theme and links made via videoconferencing to companies such as AstraZeneca and the National Marine Aquarium. Sixth formers are provided with opportunities to make links with the University of Plymouth and Nottingham.

There is very strong primary liaison. The wider community has benefited from high profile Science week activities such as Lip Smackin’ Science in 2006. Links were made with local businesses and farmers along with food technology. Other connections have been made with such organisations as the Rotary Club, Agenda 21, Community Garden Group, Bantham Surf Club and doctor’s surgeries.