Science

Science should be all about discovery. The philosophy of the S. Anselm’s Science Department is to foster a real enjoyment of the subject and instil an exploratory and inquisitive approach. Science is so much more than the simple pursuit of facts; it is the ability to question and investigate further.

All pupils in S. Anselm’s College study Biology, Chemistry and Physics as core GCSE subjects. These are taught over three years from Year 9 to Year 11 and may be taken as individual subjects or as a combined dual award.

Each subject is taught by subject specialists in small class sizes which allows for very high levels of individual support and mentoring. We have excellent facilities and sciences are delivered with a great deal of hands-on experience – we believe that good practical skills are fundamental to science.

We follow the AQA GCSE syllabus which provides pupils with excellent opportunities to investigate theories for themselves.

Biology

Biology is a natural and rapidly developing science concerned with the study of life and living organisms and very much related to the problems of modern life. Within the course pupils will study;

• Cell Biology
  ·         Organisation
  ·         Infection and response
  ·         Bioenergetics
  ·         Homeostasis and response
  ·         Inheritance, variation and evolution
  ·         Ecology

Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, properties and change of matter. It occupies a central position between Physics and Biology, overlapping with both. Within the course pupils will study;

• Atomic structure and the periodic table
  ·         Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
  ·         Quantitative Chemistry
  ·         Chemical changes
  ·         Energy changes
  ·         Rate and extent of chemical change
  ·         Organic chemistry
  ·         Chemical analysis
  ·         Chemistry of the atmosphere

Physics

Physics is the study of the particles that are the very building blocks of matter and the forces between them, creating physical universe in which we live. The central topics are energy, forces, mechanics, waves, and the structure of atoms. Within the course pupils will study:

• Forces
  ·         Energy
  ·         Waves
  ·         Electricity
  ·         Magnetism and electromagnetism
  ·         Particle model of matter
  ·         Atomic structure
  ·         Space Physics

Outside the classroom the Science Department organises a range of visits including a bi-annual visit to the European Nuclear Research Organisation, CERN.