Lathallan offers a true all-round education and the provision of the arts is central to that ethos.
Inside our Science Centre
Our Science Centre includes a Junior Science Laboratory, specialist labs for physics, chemistry and biology and a working greenhouse lab for environmental science.
Other features of the Science Centre include an eco-garden, treehouse classroom and outdoor teaching area. S6 pupils have their own prep area exclusively for Advanced Higher study.
With lots of light and glass panelling, it is a bright and airy building to inspire young minds of the present and the future.
Junior Science
Science begins in J3, with pupils given lessons in Biology, Physics and Chemistry. They are given lessons twice-weekly in J3 but this progresses to five per week in J7.
Junior Science helps our younger pupils explore engaging experiments and develop essential lab skills across all three subjects with the opportunity to use the Bunsen burner, the Van de Graaff generator and to learn about organs by dissecting a pig’s heart.
Biology
Our pupils learn about the living world, from microscopic cells to entire ecosystems.
From S1, pupils develop an understanding of a wide range of topics in Biology as a discrete science. They benefit from significant lab experience in our new with pupils independently designing and carrying out experimental work on a weekly basis.
In S4, pupils look at the wider picture of living organisms interacting together in their environment. Our unique coastal location and extensive grounds allows for sampling and identification in a wide variety of habitats.
Pupils begin Higher Biology with a focus on DNA and its’ importance for life. They will also learn about the importance of metabolism and the metabolic pathways, interdependence of living organisms and the importance of sustainability.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of matter. Anything that can be touched, tasted, smelled, seen or felt is made of chemicals.
Although there are countless types of matter all around us, this variety is composed of various combinations of only 118 chemical elements.
We aim to help pupils develop analytical and critical thinking skills to equip them to deal with whatever science they will encounter during their lives.
Pupils are encouraged to take an active part in lessons and we put a high value on the inclusion of practical experiments and demonstrations wherever possible and relevant.
Physics
Understanding the mysteries of the Universe is what physics is all about. Physics is an incredibly powerful science, capable of explaining a massive range of phenomena, from the Big Bang (where time and space began) to gravity, electricity, magnetism, radioactivity and the nature of light.
At Lathallan the physics curriculum is designed to challenge, to inspire, and to develop a deeper insight into the inner workings of reality.
Environmental Science
The unique location of Lathallan makes it ideally situated to deliver an exceptional Environmental Science curriculum.
The National 5 and Higher courses both follow the topics of The Living Environment, Climate Change, The Earth’s Resources and Sustainability, with Higher pupils building on the knowledge gained during Nat 5.