Biology

Key Stage 3

In Years 7 – 8 boys Biology is taught as part of Science to allow greater understanding of the key principles which link the three strands together.

GCSE

All boys follow the Biology Modular course, from the start of year 9, which has exams for unit 1 in the summer of Year 10, and unit 2 in January and unit 3 in the summer of Year 11. The boys undergo continuous practical assessment called PSA (practical skills assessment) and ISA (investigative skills assignment) coursework.

Boys are supplied with their own textbook.

AS and A2

Uptake at both AS and A2 is very high. Boys follow the AQA Biology course. This is divided into 6 units: Unit 1 (Biology and Disease) and Unit 2 (The Variety of Living Organisms) are undertaken in AS (Year 12), Unit 4 (Populations and Environment) is started in Year 12 and completed in Year 13 with Unit 5 (Control in Cells and Organisms). Unit 3 (AS) and Unit 6 (A2) are the coursework components which are delivered as ISAs and PSAs. Coursework fulfils 20% of the total A Level marks (10% at AS and 10% at A2).

Extra-curricular

The Biology department provides a range of different activities to extend, educate and even entertain.

Beast Club is the Zoology club dedicated to exotic creatures. It involves members coming face to face with many weird and wondrous specimens: from Atlas Beetles to Hermit Crabs, from Whip Scorpions to Caecillians, and many more! The aim is for boys to see creatures which they may never have seen before and are unlikely to see again! There is the opportunity to visit zoos and enjoy events such as the National Insect Week every two years in June. The club is open to boys of all ages.

The Anatomy Club (junior and senior) is devoted to fostering more interest in how bodies work in a whole range of animals from invertebrates to vertebrates. This involves dissection and examining bones. The club is open to all but numbers are limited - it is ideal for those boys in Years 11 – 13 who wish to pursue a career in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine.

The club extends boys in the lower years with many practicals being AS, A2 and university based.

MM Club (Microscopy and Microbes) is a club dedicated to all things microscopic or microbial with fun practicals ranging from making ginger beer to designing "agar art" to genetically engineering bacteria.

The department enjoys getting involved with the British Biology Olympiad in which Year 13 boys have achieved silver & bronze medals and certificates and junior boys have achieved success in the poster competition.

The department supports boys who wish to pursue a career in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine by organising mock interviews and experience of medical life via 'taster sessions'.

The department celebrated Darwin Day in 2009 with a series of events to mark the bicentenary and regularly celebrate key biological events and memorials.