Academy science teacher juggles love for teaching with Olympic dream

BBC Oxford came to the Academy earlier in the week to see how science teacher, Caroline O’Connor manages her time between the pressures of training as the coxwain for the GB Rowing Team and teaching at The Oxford Academy. Caroline will be competing next week at Henley.

Caroline has been teaching Science three days a week at the Academy since October 2008 after competing in the Beijing Olympic Games, mainly at Key Stage 3 and was judged to be outstanding by Ofsted. Caroline started rowing at Oxford Brookes University in 2001 and is now the most successful British female coxwain. Caroline is currently preparing for the Henley Regatta next week, training every morning.

During the BBC visit, Caroline delivered a lesson to a Year 7 mixed ability class about the physics of motion, force and energy through the Key Stage 3 module titled “The science behind Theme Park rides”.  

The students in the lesson were asked to investigate 'What variables affect the log flume ride?' The class was split into three groups to find out how the depth of the water, the height and gradient of the slope affected the distance a car would travel. The challenge was to make the car travel exactly 50cm by altering these three factors.

During their investigation, each group had to write two statements to describe their findings and then ask the other students two questions which would either be true or false.

Caroline was then interviewed by three students who have been nominated by the PE department for the Academy’s Sports Personality Award Evening next month. Students quizzed her on rowing and competing on a world stage at major sporting events whilst also having a career. 

The BBC will follow Caroline at Henley next week and will return to the Academy for the Sports Personality Award Evening in July to celebrate the sporting achievements of our students during the academic year.

 To view the BBC clip of Caroline's lesson, please click here.