English National Curriculum - Science
Mission Objectives
Describe how new medicines are discovered and developed
Explain the stages of drug testing
Explain why double-blind trials and placebos are used
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Words and meanings to learn
double blind trial
a type of clinical trial where neither the patients nor the doctors know who is receiving the real drug and who is receiving the placebo
efficacy
how well a drug works to treat or cure a disease
preclinical trials
testing a drug in laboratories using cells, tissues and animals to check if it is safe and effective before it is given to humans
clinical trials
a series of tests on healthy volunteers and patients to check a drug’s safety, effectiveness and correct dose
placebo
a fake treatment that looks like the real drug but has no active ingredient; it is used to compare results and make trials fair
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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