English National Curriculum - Science
Mission Objectives
Describe the body’s first and second lines of defence against pathogens
Describe and explain how vaccinations work
Explain how vaccination reduces the spread of disease in a population, including the concept of herd immunity and the prevention of epidemics
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Words and meanings to learn
antigens
substances on the surface of a pathogen that are recognised as foreign and cause the immune system to produce antibodies
antibodies
protein molecules produced by white blood cells (lymphocytes) that are specific to a particular antigen on a pathogen
vaccine
a substance containing dead or inactive pathogens that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and protect against disease
epidemic
when an infectious disease spreads quickly and affects many people in a population at the same time
herd immunity
when enough people in a population are immune to a disease, making it difficult for the pathogen to spread and protecting those who are not immune
Samantha is an accomplished science educator with over 15 years of leadership experience and a strong background in scientific analysis. She has a proven record of leading departments effectively, improving practice, and working collaboratively with stakeholders.
In her current work, Samantha embeds evidence-informed pedagogical principles such as retrieval practice, clear modelling, and effective sequencing to support high-quality curriculum design and professional development. She draws on assessment insight and common misconceptions to help teachers secure strong student understanding.
She is a former Head of Chemistry and Sixth Form Tutor at Ilkley Grammar School, with extensive Key Stage 4 and 5 experience, and an AQA examiner, giving her valuable insight into assessment standards and exam requirements.
In her spare time, Samantha enjoys playing the accordion with her local orchestra and has recently taken up cricket.
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