Science Department
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
KS3 - approximately 20-24.
KS4 - class sizes are usually under 20 and often much smaller.
A level - the maximum number in a class is approximately 14. At present, we have two classes studying Biology and Chemistry at both AS and A2 and one class studying Physics.
Science enjoys very high numbers at A level. Many pupils go on to take science-related courses at University.
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.
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