Sciences
Welcome to the Science Department
Dartford Grammar School was awarded the highest level for provision for science from the Specialisms Quality Mark in October 2012. We are proud of the opportunities that our students have to develop their knowledge and interests in science across an extremely wide range of scientific disciplines and extra-curricular activities on offer.
The Science Department has recently undergone a full refurbishment and now consists of fourteen new laboratories and a state-of-the-art Lecture Theatre with capacity for one-hundred and twenty people. This allows us to continue to deliver a practical based seven year IB curriculum to the highest level.
The Science Department is passionate about providing the highest quality of learning experiences for our students. We currently have sixteen science specialist teachers and a team of five experienced technicians to facilitate this.
The Curriculum
Each lesson is 50 minutes long and all Year 7 classes have six periods of science per week and four periods in Year 8. Students follow a carefully designed curriculum that lays the foundations for their GCSE studies. Key Stage 3 science is focused around a balanced practical scheme of work where students develop their subject knowledge across biology, chemistry and physics.
All students in Years 9, 10 and 11 follow the new AQA GCSE science specifications in biology, chemistry and physics providing a broad, balanced science education. These tell a coherent and logical story through science, with exciting and relevant topics such as cloning, nanoparticles and space science.
In Year 9 and 10 pupils have two periods of biology, chemistry and physics per week. Students will be internally examined on Year 9 and Year 10 learning in their end of year examinations. High performance in these examinations will guarantee entry into the separate science qualifications in biology, chemistry and physics. Those students who do not perform well enough to be entered for separate sciences will study GCSE combined science in Year 11 leading to a double award of two GCSE grades in science. A good performance in combined science is adequate preparation for further study of science in the IB Diploma.
In the Sixth Form, the Science Department offers higher level biology, chemistry, physics and sports, exercise and health science (SEHS) at IB Diploma level, in addition to standard level biology, physics, environmental systems and societies (ESS) and SEHS.
The Science Co-Curriculum
The Science Department offers a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities for our students to develop their passion and interests in science. This begins in Year 7 and 8 with Junior Science Club, where students attend after school every Tuesday for an extra helping of practical science. Students in Key Stage 4 have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of events, these include; The Biology Challenge, Biomedical and Ethical Society events, the Intermediate Physics Olympiad, Engineering Club, CREST Silver Award and several gifted and talented workshops. When studying the IB Diploma, students have many opportunities to extend their knowledge through study visits in the UK and abroad.
In addition, the Science College offers high quality science lectures each year including the Christmas Lecture and the annual Stephenson Lecture.
The Science and Language Specialisms combine each year to offer the International Careers fair, which focuses on science and languages with an international aspect. All students have the opportunity to speak with our guests, and Year 11 and 12 attend key note talks and mini sessions relating to careers.
Please see the Science College Specialisms and Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 subject links for more details on all extra-curricular opportunities in science at Dartford Grammar School.
We hope you take full advantage of the unique opportunities the Science department offers you.
