St Mary's School Calne

The Science Faculty - An Overview

We are an eleven-strong department including three technicians and one part-time member of staff.

General Science in LIV Form

General Science is taught to the girls in the LIV Form where they are inculcated with a mixture of fun, awe, wonder, and a myriad of basic scientific practical skills that will stand them in good stead in the following years.

Separate Sciences in MIV Form

Separate sciences are taught to girls in the MIV Form, again following a unique in-house curriculum that will be fully operational from Autumn 2006.

GCSE Separate Sciences in UIV Form, LV Form and UV Form

The GCSE curriculum for each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics is begun in the UIV Form, following the AQA specifications. Please see the Biology, Chemistry and Physics Departments’ own websites for further details.

Science in the Sixth Form

In the Sixth Form, the following science subjects are offered: Biology, Chemistry, Physics (all OCR), Astronomy GCSE (Edexcel). Please see the Biology, Chemistry and Physics Departments’ own websites for further details.

Breaking news!

Perspectives on Science (Edexcel) is a brand new AS Level for which candidates are required to examine a science-related question from historical, philosophical and ethical  perspectives. It will be on offer at St Mary’s from Autumn 2006. Candidates only require a GCSE level of science knowledge and do not have to follow a science A Level course. There is no written examination and candidates are assessed on a 5000-7000 word essay and an oral presentation. This course has grabbed the interest of admissions tutors at all of the top universities. They feel that the communication and thinking skills that Perspectives on Science AS develops in students is an excellent way to prepare for the demands of tertiary education.

Mrs Pamela Maitland (Head of Faculty)