Science at Derwent Lodge

Science is taught in well-resourced laboratories by specialist teachers.

The approach is practical and girls begin to design their own investigations from Year 3.

The extensive grounds support learning in science throughout the year; from the study of fungi, minibeasts or seed dispersal in autumn to pond dipping and rocket launching in the summer.

We have a Science Week every year and the girls have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of field study experiences, visiting lectures and demonstrations during their time here.

The aim is that girls leave Derwent Lodge with an excellent knowledge of the curriculum and as confident, competent problem solvers. There is a thriving Scientrific Club at DL!

Science Week in DL, January 2011:

‘Scientist in a Box’: We had a record breaking response to our science competition this year.  The range was huge, with ingenious entries showing achievements of the great giants like Sir Isaac Newton and Leonardo Di Vinci, more contemporary scientists such as James Dyson, and the less well known Pan Wenshi who does so much work with giant pandas. Winners were very hard to choose but there were prizes in every year group.   

Our Science Week coincided with a Science Week at Sevenoaks School. Year 4 enjoyed a fantastic interactive presentation of animals from all over the world, and then had the chance to stay on for a hands-on session with snakes, toads, geckos and many more!

Year 5 witnessed huge explosions in the Super Cool Show and found out about the incredible effects of the coldest substance they will ever see – liquid nitrogen.

Year 6 experienced a hair raising high voltage demonstration about electricity and magnetism.     

A DL team selected from our thriving Scientrific Club were winners a competition held at Sevenoaks School. They had to design a bridge with a mechanism that would allow it to open and close. The judges declared it ‘an excellent design and very robust’ and that it could actually be turned into a real bridge!