Science, Maths & Technology

Maths

• If you want to work out which appliances use most energy?
• If logic puzzles excite you?
• If you want to decide which mobile phone package offers best value?
• If you’ve always wondered why you slide or fall when skiing?
• If the word mathematics strikes fear into the heart of you and you wish it didn’t.

Then our Maths department is the place for you. From Years 7 to 13 we aim to give you the best possible chance at understanding and enjoying mathematics. The subject is enormously popular throughout the school and over half the sixth form study Mathematics, with modules being taught in Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Mechanics or Decision, and some even take Further Maths.

All the girls in the school are entered for GCSE in Mathematics at the level most suited to their ability and at the time when they can achieve their best. Some of the girls also study GCSE Statistics and those who take the exam earlier than the end of year 11 take the free standing mathematics qualification Additional Maths. Our results at both GCSE and Advanced Level are excellent. We expect the girls to work hard but are always willing to help.

We are not only interested in public exam success. Each year we run a Maths Mania morning for Years 7 and 8, which students thoroughly enjoy. Our students, from Years 7 to 13 have the opportunity to take part in the national maths challenge every year with considerable success and we enter a team of four Year 8 and 9 girls for a regional team challenge in maths. In Year 9 able pupils are offered the chance of attending maths masterclasses which take place for at Brighton/Sussex University on Saturday mornings. We run a "Problem of the month" competition to encourage all the girls to think.

The department consists of experienced, dedicated members of staff who enjoy teaching the subject and sharing their knowledge and expertise. We think Mathematics is a great subject and we want you to think the same!

Exams used:

• AQA Modular GCSE Mathematics 4307
• AQA Statistics 3311
• OCR FSMQ Additional Mathematics 6993
• OCR AS level Mathematics 3890
• OCR AS level Further Mathematics 3892
• OCR A Level Mathematics 7890
• OCR A Level Further Mathematics 7892
• Edexcel IGCSE Maths Specification A 4MA0

Science

Science is all around us from the technology we use to the medication we take, so science is tremendously varied, with something for everyone. Ever wondered why DNA is the most exciting discovery of the 20th Century? Why toothpaste cleans our teeth? Or even how microwaves cook food?

At GCSE students study for separate awards in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, or, alternatively Single Science is available. At A Level we offer all three sciences taught by subject specialists. Lessons encourage enquiry, with discussion of concepts plus hands on laboratory based experiments or external fieldwork.

Activities outside of the classroom include visits to interesting events and several major trips such as a nature trail week in Florida, a course at the world famous NASA Space Camp in Alabama, USA and a unique expedition to Costa Rica with its exotic wildlife.

Science at Moira House is interesting, dynamic and fun.

Information & Communication
Technology (ICT)

"Computers are useless. They can only give you answers" (Pablo Picasso, 1881-1973).

We aim to equip our girls with the skills required to ask the right questions and interpret the answers for the rest of us. As well as learning how to use computers and the basic Office programs, we use all types of different software to make web sites, animations, record sounds, and manipulate pictures. The idea is to empower students to be able to work out for themselves how to use new pieces of software to carry out the tasks they need to perform during their everyday lives, and to evaluate whether a task would be better performed using a computer or by using the tried and trusted methods such as paper and pencil.

The GCSE and A level courses have strong practical characteristics, appealing to students who prefer not to sit too many written examinations.