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Biology

Year 9 (Block 3)

In Block 3 we concentrate on some of the basic biological topics. As well as the content, we stress the development of scientific thinking (hypothesis formulation and testing); facility in report writing and presentation; observational skills (including use of the microscope and field work in the school estate), IT skills (including data-logging) and number skills, including graph plotting.

The topics covered are:

• Cells, Tissues and Organs – a study of the organisation of plants and animals.
• Ecology, including work on the characteristics of life, classification and the use of keys, adaptations to habitat and feeding relationships.
• Nutrition, including diet and digestion.
• Respiration, the chemical processes going on inside living things.
• Ecology, an introduction to biology out of doors.

Assessment is by regular marking of weekly preps, a test at the end of each topic and an end of year examination. In addition, lessons are conducted in an enquiry-based manner, as befits science, seeking evidence, preferably from our own observation, and using experimentation (where possible) to verify hypotheses.

Years 10 & 11 (Blocks 4 & 5)

All Block 4 and 5 students study a Dual Award IGCSE. The aim of this course is to provide a good grounding in the sciences for anyone who is a citizen of the twenty-first century, and also to do the same for those who wish to continue with the sciences to AS level and beyond. The students are set according to their performance in Block 3 tests and exams, though these sets remain flexible.

We use the following examining boards, depending on the set:

• Examining Board: Edexcel 'Double Award' IGCSE 4437/4325/4335/4420

Sixth Form

AS Level

The A Level Biology course is taught in four topics at AS Level and four topics at A2 Level. There is also a coursework component that makes up 20% of the marks at each level. The course content is as follows:

Topic 1: Lifestyle, health and risk

Topic 2: Genes and health

Topic 3: The voice of the genome

Topic 4: Biodiversity and natural resources

A2 Level

This is an essential course for those wishing to study medicine or veterinary medicine and can lead to a wide range of Biology related degree courses. It is also a fascinating “fourth option” for those non-specialists who are interested in scientific developments and want to broaden their A Level studies. Topics are as follows:

Topic 5: On the wild side

Topic 6: Infection, immunity and forensics

Topic 7: Run for your life

Topic 8: Grey matter

• Examining Board: Edexcel
• Head of Department: Richard Sinclair

Download a guide to the Sixth Form Curriculum.

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