Biology
Years 7 and 8
In the first two years Biology is taught using the Framework Science course which is published by Oxford University Press. This is a well respected course covering all three sciences at Key Stage 3. Framework lessons are lively and imaginative and involve pupils in a range of activities to develop their scientific knowledge and understanding of How Science Works.
The course includes many practical activities and pupils will develop a full range of skills including the use of data capture using sensors connected to a computer. Each topic is made up of about eight lessons followed by a test to monitor progress. Lessons have clear objectives and weekly homework is set to test pupils understanding.
Year 7
Topics include:
Cells
Reproduction
Environment and food webs
Variation and classification Year 8
Year 8
Topics include:
Ecological studies
Food and digestion
Respiration
Microbes
Plants and photosynthesis
We follow the AQA Science specifications. The courses on offer are: Core Science (1 GCSE), Additional Science (1 GCSE) or Biology and Chemistry and Physics (3 GCSEs).
The early start to GCSE Sciences enables the department to offer the opportunity for all pupils to gain a minimum of two GCSE science qualifications over three years of study.
Pupils in year 9 begin by studying the biology, chemistry and physics units, sitting their first round of GCSE Core Science objective tests in March. The GCSE qualification in Core Science is completed by November of year 10.
All pupils will then study GCSE Additional Science which will gain them a further GCSE Science qualification by the end of year 11.
Those pupils who have a keen interest in science, and who have shown talent in the subject will be also encouraged to study GCSE Extension Science. This, together with the Core and Additional Science modules, leads to GCSE qualifications in the separate disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
6th Form
The department enters candidates for the AQA examinations at AS and A Level.
AS Level consists of three modules: Biology and Disease, Variety of Living Organisms and Practical and Investigative Skills. The second year leads to a full A-Level and again comprises three units: Populations and Environment, Control in cells and in Organisms and Practical and Investigative Skills. The practical and Investigative skills component builds upon the How Science Works component of GCSE and constitutes 20 per cent of the total A-level marks.
