Biology
We aim to give pupils an appreciation of the diversity of the natural world and to inspire them to develop an intellectual curiosity into the structure and function of living organisms.
The Biology Department has a wealth of resources, including three teaching laboratories and four dedicated, inspiring, and experienced teaching staff to make excellent use of these resources. A-Level pupils also have access to the Baker Suite, where they can complete practical reports or work collaboratively. To support every pupil, the department hosts weekly workshops to support anything from prep completion to revision.
We deliver a curriculum aimed at developing pupils’ practical and problem-solving skills. This is extended outside the classroom through the STEM enrichment activity where students are encouraged to put their questions and ideas to the test by designing, planning, and conducting an enquiry-based project. These experiences prepare them well for the start of their GCSE studies in Third Form (Year 9).
All pupils study Biology up to GCSE and are taught by specialist teachers. This journey begins in Third Form, when they complete topics including cell biology, transport, cell division and the circulatory system.
At the start of Fourth Form, each pupil will select whether they wish to obtain a standalone qualification or study biology as part of the Combined Science GCSE. Both courses follow the AQA exam board syllabus.
In Sixth Form, we follow the Edexcel Biology A (Salters Nuffield) course in which pupils will study the cardiovascular system, disease and the immune system, exchange surfaces, DNA and inheritance, biological molecules, respiration and photosynthesis, ecology and biodiversity, uses of plants, and forensics and the brain to name a few topics.
In addition to the theoretical content, a significant amount of time is spent developing pupils’ practical skills, working towards the practical endorsement for A-Level. Pupils are expected to complete eighteen practicals, which range from measuring the heart rate of daphnia to investigating the effect of temperature on the hatching rate of brine shrimp. These practicals develop a number of key skills, such as microscopy and dissection, providing a good opportunity for pupils to develop the skills required to study science at university and to help consolidate their understanding of key biological principles.
