The Science Department's mission is to develop sophisticated scientific understanding through first-hand experience. Teaching and learning programmes challenge pupils' preconceptions about Science and aim to establish the links between Science in the curriculum and Science in everyday life. Class sizes of between 12 and 16 children, in Years 5 to 8, ensure that learning experiences remain successful and enjoyable in the run up to Common Entrance and Scholarship examinations.

Pupils are encouraged to work together in co-operative, problem-solving teams, whereby the teacher is a catalyst rather than an instructor. Considerable time is devoted to encouraging pupils, of all ages, to articulate their ideas, observations and explanations. Expectations are high, but a careful balance is maintained between fun and academic rigour, between listening and reading and between investigation, discovery and communication.
 

The Science Department is fortunate in having four specialist Science teachers and a full-time laboratory technician. Their ultimate goal is to bring meaning and excitement to the teaching of Science and to prepare pupils for entry to the senior school of their choice. Scholarship and Common Entrance results continue to be excellent and Key Stage 2 Science results are outstanding.

Although government expectations are that children should gain a Level 4 by the end of Year 6, this year at Danes Hill, 71% achieved a Level 5 or better. Further more, 21% gained a level 6, surely the best performance of any school in the country.

"We don't really need to turn pupils on to Science, but we do need to ensure that we don't turn them off."

Preparing Children for the age of information
Will the children of the future need teachers?
What new skills will children need for the 21st Century?
To what extent do computers extend our appreciation of the modern world?
Will the work place of the future be in people's homes?
 

The children of today live in a world where the pace of change is unprecedented in human history and, as the adults of tomorrow, they will be expected to have a considerable understanding of Information and Communication Technology. ICT has already had a profound impact on the world of work. In the market place of today and tomorrow its presence will clearly continue to dominate and dictate the pace of change.

The central aim of the ICT Department is to develop in all pupils the skills and confidence necessary to make independent use of computer technology. Basic computer literacy is not seen as a hobby or a novelty, but as an essential life skill.

The ICT wing with its network of PCs and full-version applications is used by pupils from the age of six. With the support of structured teaching sessions they explore the main strands of ICT learning:
 

• Communicating information
• Organising information
• Control
• Applications and effects

They experience a full range of ICT applications including: word processing, desk-top publishing, spreadsheets, databases, Logo programming and research tools.
 

All Year 7 & 8 students (and teachers) work towards OCR CLAIT assessments with some pupils achieving a full Stage 1 Certificate before they leave Danes Hill.

ICT is used to help promote the development of logical thinking and problem-solving skills, so that pupils can learn independently. The modelling power of contemporary computer software is also used to simulate real and imaginary situations, which would have been well beyond the scope of classroom experience a decade ago.

Cross-Curricular Links
Opportunities abound for using ICT across the curriculum, not in place of first-hand skills but to complement them. For instance, the technology can be used to underpin a school visit. After visiting Hampton Court as part of their History curriculum, Year 5 downloaded pictures taken with a digital camera and used desk-top publishing software to produce an estate agent's Bill of Sale.

Hobbies
A hobbies club exists for those children who wish to extend their skills by trying new activities and projects.