Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science
- Edwin Powell Hubble
The Science Department is an extremely vibrant, dynamic and exciting area of the school. From Year 7 to Year 13, we work with students to foster and develop their innate curiosity in the world around them; we encourage them to be inquisitive and confident to explore the unknown and push the limits of their understanding.
Students begin their studies of Science with our bespoke, integrated Year 7 science course. This course aims to introduce and enthuse students to the wonders of the scientific world and develop confident young scientists with a real sense of exploration and curiosity.
From Year 8 onwards, students are taught each science subject in separate lessons delivered by a highly qualified subject specialist. All girls then are entered for separate Edexcel IGCSE qualifications in each science subject, with lessons beginning in September of Year 9, and all three subjects offer a programme of post-16 study which includes either the IB Diploma programme (at both Higher and Standard level) or an A-Level or Pre-U pathway.
Science is one of the most popular areas of study in the school. In 2016-17, almost 60% of students in the Sixth Form were studying at least one science subject, and large numbers of our students go on to study science-based courses, including Medicine and Natural Sciences at top institutions including Oxford and Cambridge, when they leave us. Students looking to apply to science based courses receive extensive support from the Science Department, including weekly subject enrichment sessions, focused preparation for University entrance tests and ongoing, one-on-one interview preparation.
The extra-curricular life of the Science Department is extremely exciting and varied. The student-led Science Society organises an extensive range of activities and events, including:
- Science Café, our in-house program of weekly after-school events, most of which involve invited scientists addressing the students on their work. Recent events have included speakers from Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial College and the University of Michigan in the USA, as well as research scientists from the ICR, MRC and Public Health England.
- The Science Society publishes three regular magazines, which are written entirely by the students and which cover recent advances in science and medicine.
- Sixth Form students plan and deliver the weekly Middle School Science Club, during which students in Years 7-9 have the opportunity to further explore the sciences with fun, extending activities such as growing crystals, dissecting specimens and extracting DNA.
- The Science Society organises various discussion groups throughout the year, including the Science book group and Medical Ethics Discussion Group.
- Sixth Form students coordinate a program of peer support for students throughout the year