Subjects: Sciences (Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Psychology)

Science is all around us! By including Science in the curriculum you will gain knowledge of the subject, its principles and skills in a wide context, seeing the place of Science in the everyday world. Studying any Science post-16 course could lead to a wide range of potential careers, including engineering, research, medicine, pharmacy or dentistry as examples among many possibilities.

The Science Faculty aims to provide an excellent standard of education, enabling all our students to achieve their potential in a supportive environment. We aim to make science:

• relevant
• engaging
• challenging
• enjoyable

for all students, whatever your ability, within the constraints of the specification followed.

Our modern Science labs are based in a well resourced, separate building, which provides a delightful atmosphere, conducive to work.

At A Level we offer four courses:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Psychology

At IB Science is opted for within Group 4 or as a Group 6 option. 

The IB group 4 (science) courses aims, among other things, to provide you with opportunities for scientific study and creativity within a global context that will stimulate and challenge you. This will enable you to apply and use a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterise science and technology. 

In the College, you have the opportunity to take a lead in our Y7 Science Club or the Science Investigations club for Y8 and Y9 girls who would like to work towards a CREST award. We provide opportunities for students in the College to take part in extra-curricular activities in school and in the local area. Each year one or two students are successful in applying for a bursary to support a research project at a local University during the summer holiday between Y12 and Y13.

Chemistry

Chemistry is a subject of global impact. It has a profound effect on our planet, is involved at some level in almost every aspect of everyday life and plays a vital role in a technological society.

Years 12 and 13 (age 16-18)

At AS, A Level and IB the importance and demand of Chemistry make a post 16 qualification in Chemistry vital for entering many fields such as dentistry, medicine, veterinary science, chemical engineering, pharmacy and graduate nursing.  However, as with all science subjects, the skills which are learnt make it a highly regarded qualification whatever course of study is chosen.

Many of our Sixth Form Chemists go on to study science based subjects at university. In recent years the school has achieved notable success in getting numbers of girls into medicine courses.

Whether you choose Chemistry at A Level or as a part of the IB diploma you will study very similar ideas. Essentially, Chemistry is studied in three main sections:

• Physical Chemistry considers how matter interacts, why chemical reactions happen and how they can be controlled.
• Organic Chemistry considers the study of carbon-containing compounds. There are an enormous number of organic compounds, many of which are essential to the processes of life.
• Inorganic Chemistry considers the elements of the Periodic Table and their compounds. The study of inorganic chemistry relies on patterns and predicting trends.

AS/ A Level

We follow the AQA specification for AS and A Level. At AS Level you will be given a solid grounding in foundation Chemistry. You will develop your GCSE understanding of the reactivity of atoms and molecules and gain an understanding of atomic and molecular structure. The construction of the Periodic Table is considered and organic chemistry appears in both the assessed units. Coursework makes up the third assessed unit.

At A2 Level you gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the three branches of Chemistry. Unit 4 develops kinetics, equilibria and organic chemistry, while Unit 5 develops energetics, redox and inorganic chemistry (the Transition Metals). Again, coursework will make up the third assessed unit at A2.

In total, coursework makes up 20% of the final A Level grade.

The IB course contains 11 topics studied at Standard Level, with 9 of these extended at Additional Higher Level. These topics cover all three branches of Chemistry. In addition you will study 2 options at either level. The options range from modern analytical chemistry to human biochemistry. There are 7 possible options to choose from. This course is assessed by 3 papers at the end of the second year plus coursework.

Biology

It is an exciting time to study biology. The last 30 years have brought an enormous insight into the dynamic interactions of the millions of species existing on our planet. The field of cell and molecular biology has explored the intricacy of DNA - the molecule of heredity. The human genome has been sequenced giving us the possibility of peering into the molecular machinery of the cell in even more detail. The potential changes in the field of medicine are enormous. An understanding of our own anatomy and physiology combined with an understanding of the recent advances in molecular biology would give you the tools to make decisions in the ever changing field of medicine.

 We live in a difficult and challenging time. The human population level on planet Earth is now approaching 7 billion individuals. More than five children are born every second! For every day that goes by our species puts even more pressure on the species that we share the planet with. The glaciers and ice fields of our poles are breaking up contributing to the evidence that global warming is a fact.  Wildlife habitats on the continents are disappearing at an alarming rate. Even the great Amazonian rainforest is predicted to be depleted within the next few decades. Life on Earth is under great pressure and many species are becoming extinct. The fields of ecology and organismal biology would give you an awareness that could lead to a change in your perception of these problems. The environmental challenge of this century is a difficult one that we all need to meet with hope and energy.

The staff of the department aim to make all the wide and varied opportunities of Biology accessible to all who undertake either the A-level or IB route. The range of expertise in the department covers all areas from microbiology to ecology. We are looking for keen enthusiastic, self-motivated learners. If you are naturally curious, have an analytical and enquiring mind coupled with good grades in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Core Science and Additional Science you are sure to be given a warm welcome.

Physics

If you are an inquisitive student, fascinated about why the world around you is like it is, then Physics is the course for you. A physics qualification post-16 opens the door to degrees and careers with superb prospects, good salaries and a high level of job satisfaction.

You can study physics A-level where we follow the AQA specification A. We also intend to introduce the International Baccalaureate Diploma as an alternative to A levels, with physics offered at both standard and higher level.

A-Level

The A level is assessed in six units. Four of these are theoretical and two practical, although there is considerable cross over of the practical work through the teaching. Two theoretical units and one practical unit is assessed at the end of the first year, and the same after the second.

At AS you will study subatomic structure to include an understanding of electricity in unit one. In unit two, you will develop some of the skills necessary for engineering and architecture when you study mechanics and materials. The A2 course deals with electric, gravitational and magnetic fields and the way they interact with the world around us. And in unit five you will gain an appreciation of thermodynamics, with an option to study Astrophysics, medical physics, engineering or quantum mechanics.

The IB Diploma

Essentially the same topics are studied for the IB. The difference is that they can all be studied at either standard level, or continued in more depth at higher level. The topics are mechanics, thermodynamics, waves, fields, and atomic and nuclear physics. Options are available in astrophysics, medical physics and quantum mechanics to name a few.

Both courses will collaborate on certain aspects. A trip to Thorpe Park is run at the start of year 13. Whilst this is great fun, serious scientific measurements are taken with state of the art data logging apparatus. This reinforces work done on dynamics and circular motion.

You will be expected to submit answers to problems of a mathematical nature, and to write up experimental practical work on a weekly basis. You will also be expected to work together to submit a presentation about an aspect of Physics that will videoed and edited and entered into a national competition run by the Institute of Physics.

The Physics department also runs a photographic competition open to all of the school, where images must have a particular theme. In the coming year the theme will be 'The Heat Is On'.

Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and the mind. The aim of the psychology course is to encourage students to develop a sense of wonder about the behaviour of the people they come across in day to day life. You will gain an awareness of yourself and others, how they behave, feel and think. By examining research that relates to everyday issues and events, students of psychology naturally become curious about themselves and the world they live in. During the course you will be given the opportunity to study how people act in groups and as individuals. Over the two years, you will have the chance to listen to outside speakers and attend conferences.

This subject is accepted by universities and colleges for appropriate courses. Previous students have progressed to study degrees in psychology, sociology and criminology. Current students are planning to pursue careers in educational psychology and clinical psychology. It will also benefit you if you choose a a career  in teaching, the police, law, health care or social services.

You will need to be able to handle scientific concepts, to be numerical and have good writing skills. Useful subjects are biology, maths and English.