Biology
Introduction
Biology is a subject that affects many aspects of our lives, such as the food we eat, our health and interactions with the environment. We aim to foster a keen interest in human body systems and natural history and an awareness of the exciting developments occurring in biotechnology, microbiology and medicine.
An investigative approach, through practical work, is encouraged in all year groups which, together with project work and presentations, develops a broad understanding of scientific principles.
Lower School
The course for First Year pupils includes an introduction to using investigative methods, the use of a compound microscope, cell structure, variation amongst living organisms, reproduction in animals and plants, ecology and the skeleton and movement.
The course for Second Year pupils revolves mainly around human life processes, including photosynthesis, nutrition and health, feeding and digestion, respiration, movement and exercise, effects of smoking and alcohol on human health and genetics.
The course for Third Year pupils continues to develop the pupils' investigative, mathematical and graphical skills, with a great deal of practical work being incorporated into the curriculum. Topics include plant transport, human heart and circulation, microbes, disease, and food chains and evolution.
Middle School
Biology
Board: AQA
Biology is taught as a separate subject to all pupils, with examinations being taken at the end of the Fifth Year for those studying for (combined science) trilogy or biology. The practical element of the course is delivered through the requirement to undertake a range of practicals throughout the two year course which will be assessed through the examination at the end of the course. The key stage four course includes cell biology, organisation of living things, infection and response, bioenergetics, homeostasis and response, inheritance, variation and evolution and ecology
Senior School
Biology
Board: AQA
The Course
A Level qualifications are linear which stipulates that pupils will sit all the A Level examinations at the end of their A Level course.
A Level comprises the following core content:
- Biological molecules
- Cells
- Organisms exchange substances with their environment
- Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
- Energy transfers in and between organisms
- Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
- Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
- The control of gene expression.
In addition to the above content, students are required to demonstrate competency in a range of scientific skills in the 12 practicals stipulated by the AQA board. To support the Ecology unit in the A Level, all pupils are required to attend a field course to develop their analytical and numeracy skills using both quantitative and qualitative data they have collected. Pupils will explore a range of habitats and put into practice the scientific investigative skills they have acquired throughout the course.
Co-Curricular
First Year – Blackpool Zoo Trip
First Year – Biology Bake Off
Second Year – Three day Biology Tour to London
Third Year – Biology Challenge
Sixth Form Ecology Field Trip – Rhyd-y-creuau
Lower Sixth – Biology Live
Upper Sixth – Biology Olympian
Upper Sixth – Revision Day
Upper Sixth – Revision Webinars
Upper Sixth – Mathematics for Biologists Day
Science Week – A range of activities
Biology Week – Junior/Senior Quiz
The development of new techniques in genetic engineering, biotechnology, microbiology and medicine have led to exciting changes in the content of A Level Biology. It is a subject that affects many aspects of our lives, such as the food we eat, our health and interactions with the environment. Biology combines well with many other subjects such as PE, geography, psychology, mathematics, chemistry and physics. Careers in dentistry, medicine, veterinary science, biochemistry and microbiology will require A Level biology.
The Course
The A Level qualifications are linear. Linear means that pupils will sit all the examinations at the end of their A Level course.
A Level
Subject content
Core content:
- Biological molecules
- Cells
- Organisms exchange substances with their environment
- Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
- Energy transfers in and between organisms
- Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
- Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
- The control of gene expression
Assessment
Three papers each of 2 hour duration. Content from topics 1-8 are examined along with relevant practical skills. There are 12 required practicals undertaken throughout the two years and a range of skills are assessed within those practicals leading to a certificate of competency.
Field Course
Upper Sixth Form pupils attend a field course to develop Ecology practical skills and to study many of the Ecology topics. The three day field course, at a Field Studies Centre, normally costs about £220 and includes full board accommodation, transport, fieldwork led by specialist Ecology tutors and use of laboratories and specialist equipment. Attendance on the course is a compulsory component of the course.