BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Biology is the study of living organisms and their environment.  Studying biology stimulates curiosity about the world in which we live and helps to develop an awareness of the contribution biology has made to medicine, industry and our understanding of the environment.   Pupils also gain knowledge of how their body works and how to stay healthy.  Recent developments related to DNA technology, such as DNA fingerprinting and GM crops, are often in the news and pupils learn to question and evaluate the role of such developments in our society.

Study of biology can lead to careers in medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary science, and physiotherapy, as well as in biological sciences such as molecular biology, biochemistry and marine biology. 

KEY STAGE 3
Biology is taught as part of the revised curriculum in years 8 and 9.
In year 10, Biology is taught as a separate science by a specialist teacher.

KEY STAGE 4
Pupils can choose to study Biology as part of Double Award Science or as GCSE Biology along with GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics (Triple Award).

Both routes are suitable for the study of Biology at A level.

KEY STAGE 5/A LEVEL
At A level we offer the AQA specification.  At AS level three modules are studied.  They are examined in May/June of year 13.
Unit 1     Biology and Disease
Unit 2     The variety of living organisms
Unit 3     Investigative and practical skills in AS Biology

At A2 three further modules are studied.  They are examined at the end of year 14.
Unit 4     Populations and the environment
Unit 5     Control in cells and in organisms
Unit 6     Investigative and practical skills in A2 Biology