The Science department at DHS is successful and well - resourced. All staff are enthusiastic, committed and enjoy working as part of a forward-thinking team.

Staffing

• Head of Science.
• Heads of Biology/Chemistry/Physics.
• Three full time and two part time staff.
• Technical support – full time Lab manager and laboratory technician and two part time assistant technicians.

Facilities (new in 2003)

• Six (two per science) modern, fully equipped laboratories, designed by the department.
• Prep. room.
• Greenhouse/project room.
• En-suite accommodation for the storage of academic materials and resources in each department.
• Science work room.
• Networked computer in each laboratory with a range of specialist software.
• The science department is in the same building as the new library resource centre and ICT facilities and therefore has easy access to these facilities.
• Nature reserve.

Curriculum

• The sciences are taught separately from Year 7 by subject specialists. National Curriculum programmes of study are followed at KS3, although pupils do not take SATS in Year 9.
• At the end of Year 9, pupils choose between Science + Additional Science and Separate Sciences at GCSE and continue to be taught the three sciences separately by subject specialists.
• We follow AQA syllabuses at GCSE and A Level.
• Where possible we ‘set’ pupils from Year 8 upwards, although in Separate Sciences at GCSE the groups are decided according to the option blocks.
• Class sizes

Extra-curricular

• Junior and Senior Science clubs
• Environment group
• Science Sparks ‘Gifted and Talented’ project for pupils in Year 6 from feeder schools.
• Puzzle club
• Debates and Quizzes
• Science week activities
• A full range of trips throughout the year
• ‘Fun’ science activities run across the department at the end of term or when the opportunity arises.

Results

• Results across the department are well above the National average at both GCSE and A level.