Biology

Biology is part of the core curriculum and is taught as a separate subject from Year 9 onwards. It is a popular subject and we typically have in the region of 100 students studying Biology across Y12 and Y13 each year. Many of these students go on to study biology related courses at university, the most popular being medicine and dentistry.

As a department we are passionate about what we do. We believe everyone has an interest in living organisms and the natural world around them, whether it be a fascination with how the human body works or a desire to know the true impact of man's activities on the biodiversity of our planet. Our aim is to share this passion through our teaching, enthusing and engaging students about the complexity and variety of life and the importance of interdependence.

We seek to place their learning in context, making links with relevant topical issues and instilling confidence, such that all students can fulfil their potential. It matters to us that we equip our students with the ability to make their own informed decisions and judgements, about future scientific issues that will impact them.

Practical work is an important part of students learning and we actively seek opportunities to extend the student experience beyond simply, the core practical work of specifications. Our expectations are high and we embrace creativity and innovation.

Our Staff

Dr Cook (Head of Department)
Miss Henry
Mr McLaughlin
Miss Park
Mrs Sylvester

Key Stage 4

Our Y9 students follow the Edexcel (9-1) Biology specification at KS4. We seek to develop all subject knowledge to Grade 9 standard, delivering challenge through both breadth and depth. Students are introduced to a wide variety of interesting biological contexts in their learning that are selected for pertinence and topicality, in order to develop their ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding. We seek to engage students using a context-based approach that makes learning meaningful through relevance, prepares students for KS5 and helps to inform their future decision-making about how they live their lives.

There are two examinations in Biology and all of these are taken at the end of Year 11. The topics taught in each year group are as follows:

Year 9

• Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology
• Topic 2 – Cells and control
• Topic 3 – Genetics

Year 10

• Topic 5 – Health, disease and the development of medicines
• Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification
• Topic 6 – Plant structures and their functions
• Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles

Year 11

• Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles
• Topic 7 – Animal coordination, control and homeostasis
• Topic 8 – Exchange and transport in animals

Paper 1 (1BI0/1H) Written Paper – 1 hour 45 minutes – 100 marks – 50% of the qualification. The paper assesses content from Topics 1 - 5.

Paper 2 (1BI0/2H) Written Paper – 1 hour 45 minutes – 100 marks – 50% of the qualification. The paper assesses content from Topics 1, 6 - 9.

Both papers comprise a mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.

Students complete a minimum of the eight mandatory core practicals. Their knowledge and understanding of these practical techniques and procedures is assessed in the written exams.

It is expected that the majority of students will follow the separate science route, receiving a separate 9-1 grade for each of the subjects Biology, Chemistry and Physics. However, in circumstances where a student may benefit from studying a narrower specification, they will be entered for the Combined Science qualification, receiving two 9-1 GCSE grades.

Key Stage 5

At A Level, our students follow the Edexcel Biology (Salters Nuffield) specification. Salters Nuffield Advanced Biology provides background to the SNAB approach that the school uses to teach biology through context rather than concept.

Practical skills are developed throughout the course. Students will be given the opportunity to use relevant apparatus and techniques to develop and demonstrate these specific practical skills, by completing the 18 core practicals prescribed as a minimum. Practical skills are assessed indirectly via the exams and directly by teacher assessment of students' competency. There is no longer a coursework component to the course.

The A Level is split into 8 topics that are taught over two years. Topics 1-4 will be taught in Year 12:

• Topic 1: Lifestyle, Health and Risk
• Topic 2: Genes and Health
• Topic 3: Voice of the Genome
• Topic 4: Biodiversity and Natural Resources

Assessment at AS Level
Paper 2 Development, Plants and the Environment - Topics 3 & 4 (1hr 30, 50%)

Students that progress on to complete the full A Level are taught Topics 5-8 in Year 13:

• Topic 5: On the Wild Side
• Topic 6: Immunity, Infection and Forensics.
• Topic 7: Run for your Life
• Topic 8: Grey Matter

Assessment at A Level
A Level examines all specification content (first examined in June 2017):

• Paper 1 The Natural Environment and Species Survival - Topics 1-6 (2hr, 33.33%)
• Paper 2 Energy, Exercise and Coordination - Topics 1-4, 7 & 8 (2hr, 33.33%)
• Paper 3 General and Practical Applications in Biology - Topics 1-8 (2hr, 33.33%)

Study Skills at A Level
It is important that students learn to develop effective independent study skills and take responsibility for their own learning. It is expected that they undertake 5 hours per week of independent study, to complete both set tasks, as well as supplementary notes and additional reading, in order to consolidate and extend their learning. The department offers two opportunities for such independent work. On the shared area they are able to access more than 300 Biology Factsheets, written by experts to take students beyond A level Biology. Subscription to snabonline opens up opportunities to counter areas of weakness through 'Skills Support', e.g. for students not studying Chemistry there are support sections to help understand some basic chemistry ideas. There are also tailored links to web sites that expand on the activities that have taken place in class and include current research. Students will be provided with usernames and passwords to access the site both in school and at home. Independently, students are encouraged to update their knowledge by reading journals such as New Scientist or Biological Sciences Review. They are also provided with reading lists which suggest books that would be of interest for particular parts of the specification. Other ways of keeping in touch are through the science columns of the former 'broadsheet' newspapers, as well the diverse array of programmes available on Radio 4 and quality documentaries broadcast on television.

Enrichment

• Medical Society takes place weekly.
• KS4 & KS5 support sessions take place throughout the year.
• Entomology club takes place weekly during the summer term.
• Journal Club.

Competitions

• Y9 & 10 students participate in the Biology Challenge
• Y12 students participate in the Intermediate Biology Olympiad
• Y12 & 13 students participate in the Biology Olympiad

Medical Society

Our mission statement:

Empowering aspiring medics to understand the current medical climate, adapt to changing times and build a profile fit for tomorrow's Doctors.

The school Medical Society meets weekly throughout the year and is open to students from Y11 to Y13. Attendance is compulsory for Y13 students applying for medicine/ dentistry and we encourage Y12 students to attend who are considering these degree courses, or who take a keen interest in issues related to medicine and healthcare. The society is predominantly student-led and the Chair and senior members of the society take a leading role in planning and coordinating content for meetings.

Activities include: topical debates, student presentations, book reviews, interview practice, UKCAT/ BMAT practice, presentations from external speakers and former students. Interview practice includes both a mock panel interview and MMI experience for students.

Each year, a Medicine Information event is held in the spring term for Y11 & 12 students and their parents, to provide more information about the application process and what the life of a medical student/ doctor entails.

Medicine is a popular choice and typically between 12-18 students go on to study medicine at university each year.

Medicine University Preparation Programme (summer term) – our three day programme in the summer term of 2021 included:

• A workshop delivered by a MRC Clinical Research Training Fellow and Specialist Registrar in Medical Oncology from the Institute of Cancer Research
• A talk by Dr Ahmed, Academic Clinical Fellow in Psychiatry with King's College London and Senior Research Fellow with the Centre for Mental Health Research in Association with Cambridge University
• A historical walk titled Pox & Plague, Leeches & Quacks guided by a London Public Health Physician; and a visit to the Old Operating Museum and Herb Garret