Biology
Contact Teacher: Mr G King, Head of Science Faculty
Exam Board: AQA
Vision
The Science Faculty aims to help students to become knowledgeable, scientifically literate, and technologically capable problem solvers. We foster a spirit of inquiry, nurture our students’ curiosity and aim for all to have an appreciation of the beauty and wonder of science. We bring in current, relevant and real-world science into the classroom, to allow our students to become educated citizens capable of engaging in public discussions, comprehending and analysing global issues.
Science is taught at KS4 and KS5 by subject specialists as far as possible, with students having different teachers for their biology, chemistry and physics lessons. This allows for greater expertise in curriculum delivery, providing a rich experience for our students.
Biology Learning Journey
This is a visual representation of how students' knowledge and skills develop through the Biology Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 curriculum:
Bishop Luffa KS4/5 Biology Learning Journey
Why study Biology?
Knowledge of Biology is fundamental to understanding ourselves, our environment and the interrelations between all the living organisms within it. Biology is the fastest growing of the sciences, with many of the problems we face as a society requiring a biological solution, ranging from the destruction of the rainforest to the treatment of inherited disease. The importance of the biological sciences in the modern world is reflected in the large number of places and the wide range of courses available for further study at university such as medicine, biotechnology, food production and environmental protection. In addition the skills you will learn and develop whilst studying biology will also be beneficial to you when you enter the world of work in any field. These valuable skills include; research skills, investigative skills and critical analysis.
Course details
Core content:
Topics 1-4: Biological molecules; Cells; Organisms exchange substances with their environment; Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
Topics 5-8: 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
How the course is taught and assessed
The A-level course is taught by a team of two teachers who split the specification between them, as recommended by the exam board. Each module is taught sequentially i.e. both teachers start with unit 1, followed by unit 2 and so on.
Paper 1
What’s assessed? - Any content from topics 1–4, including relevant practical skills
Written exam: 2 hours (91 marks 35% of A-level)
Paper 2
What’s assessed? - Any content from topics 5–8, including relevant practical skills
Written exam: 2 hours (91 marks 35% of A-level)
Paper 3
What’s assessed? - Any content from topics 1–8, including relevant practical skills
Written exam: 2 hours (78 marks 30% of A-level)
Entry requirements
Grade 6 or above in both Core and Additional Science at GCSE. Those who have followed the Triple Science route should have at least two 6 grades, including Biology. Grade 6 or above in GCSE Maths. Good communication skills are important. If you wish to pursue some of the biological sciences at university you will need to take A-level Chemistry as well.