St Mary's School Calne

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Why Choose St Mary's?

Biology

Image'Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius.'     E. O. Wilson

'The human mind evolved to believe in the gods. It did not evolve to believe in biology.'  E. O. Wilson

There are three members of staff from a combination of human physiology, biochemistry and zoology backgrounds teaching this subject at St Mary's. In LIV Form girls are taught Biology within the General Science curriculum and from MIV Form Biology is taught as a separate Science. All classes are small, and except for the Fifth Form, are of mixed ability.

Our motto is: ask questions. For example:

  • Why is the biology of cells so similar, yet why is every living thing so utterly unique?
  • What are the curses and blessings of biotechnology?
  • How does your body control the internal environment so precisely?
  • How important are two completely physical processes – diffusion and osmosis – to all living things?
  • Why should we exercise?
  • Does the Greenhouse Effect actually occur in a greenhouse?
  • What’s the difference between a vaccination and a booster?
  • Why do petunia seeds need a flash of light before they grow, but bean seeds do not?
  • How is the life cycle of a locust so radically different from that of a painted lady butterfly?

GCSE

Currently the Biology Department is in a lively state of transition. Since September 2005, St Mary’s girls have been offered the chance to study for the separate Science AQA 3411 Biology GCSE or the traditional AQA 3462 Dual Award Science GCSE.

As of Autumn 2006 all girls will study for the new separate science AQA 4462 Biology GCSE. 

AS and A Level

This is an extremely popular A Level option and we follow the OCR Biology 3881 and 7881 specifications.

 

Mrs Pamela Maitland (Head of Faculty)