Desborough School
Membership of the PTI Schools’ Programme has resulted in a number of activities that have extended and enhanced the Science teaching being delivered at Desborough.
Master class for Gifted and Talented Students in the Borough
A year 8 Master Class on the theme of ‘Air’ was held after school in the late autumn of 2008. A group of talented and gifted students invited from each of the local secondary and middle schools attended the four sessions. A range of topics were covered and students investigated wind turbines, made hot air balloons and even met a live bat! An exciting final lecture included an excellent demonstration of liquid air by members of the Chemistry Department from Reading University. Feedback was very positive and the Master Class is planned to run again this autumn. Resources from the Master Classes are available from the PTI website.
University links with Royal Holloway University of London
Links have been forged with Royal Holloway University of London – and the department has established contact with one of its researchers, Ms. Safina Khan. Utilising her help and contacts, the department has secured a number of pieces of expensive specialist scientific equipment such as a PCR machine that was donated from a laboratory that was closing down. Ms. Khan was then able to visit the school and run an A level practical for upper sixth Biology students, using PCR and electrophoresis techniques. This was a wonderful opportunity for the students and a number of other activities are planned.
Desborough School is a comprehensive boys' school, based in Maidenhead.