A theme running though The PTI and DDP has been widening access to all pupils, regardless of background or means. The KS3 Science Extension Awards encourage pupils to engage their parents and carers in their science projects, whether that be interviewing them for a podcast on their favourite element, or engineering a working projectile weapon. Southend's departmental displays highlight scientists whose backgrounds match our diverse pupil intake - and do not shy away from highlighting the reasons behind their long-overlooked work. They proudly display Classic Kit from the past in our living ‘museum rooms’ – barometers, Soxhlet extractors and the famous Millikan Drop experiment. When dusting off this vintage kit from the past, there is a sense that there has been a 'dumbing down' of lab work as its reach has expanded. Instead, they hope to celebrate and utilise the subject expertise of their teachers to bring them back to life and into the classroom - for example using the Soxhlet extractors to extract capsaicin from chilli peppers and limonene from orange peel.
Teachers in the department are encouraged to develop their passion. Especially with the extension tasks, science awards and displays, it really has been a case of 'pick what you're interested in and run with it'. Their team of teachers and technicians work together, often voluntarily and in their own time, to unlock opportunity and challenge for every pupil. Their Science Department offers every Challenge, Competition, Olympiad and runs a plethora of day-trips, lecture visits to the RI, ecology field studies in Sussex and international trips to Amsterdam, Geneva and the European Space Camp in Belgium.
Whilst there is still work to do, Southend High School for Boys' work with The PTI has provided not only the framework but also the support, resources and networking opportunities to help us make this goal of providing opportunity and challenge for every pupil a reality.
