Biology

Biology is taught within a combined science course in Year 7. Students will build upon their primary education by learning more about the minutiae of living systems, human health and disease, and reproduction.

A blend of explicit teaching of powerful knowledge, and application of research, experimentation and critical thinking allows students to become increasingly competent scientists.

They learn how to describe their observations of the world around them in a scientific way, and to evaluate their own thinking.

Term 1

Living Systems:

Using microscopes, investigating plant and animal cells and looking at their specialisation, how cells are used to build up organ systems and the musculoskeletal system.

Term 2

Diet & Health:

Evaluating healthy lifestyles and how this can go wrong through abuse of drugs or obesity including dietary requirements, the digestive system and how to ensure a balanced diet.

Term 3

Reproduction:

The male and female reproductive systems, fertilisation in mammals, and understanding changes in the human body during puberty and the menstrual cycle. Also, a look at pregnancy and birth.

Homework aims to support classroom learning through a variety of tasks linked to key learning objectives and outcomes.

Biologists must work hard to learn and remember the powerful knowledge that underpins the study of life. For this reason, we will frequently ask students to work on remembering key information as part of their home learning. They should do this by using their class notes and knowledge organisers to self-quiz.

Term 1

Bioenergetics:

How organisms generate energy. The role of leaves in photosynthesis and gas exchange in plants, the need for the minerals from the roots; aerobic and anaerobic respiration in animals and the roles or the respiratory and circulatory system plus the risks associated with smoking.

Term 2

DNA and Variation:

The role and structure of DNA, linked to genes, inheritance of genes, and variation with a population. An overview of evolution and extinction, and issues surrounding genetic engineering and selective breeding.

Term 3

Ecosystems:

Food chains and webs, populations and impact of pollution and climate change on habitats and ecosystems.

As our students move into Year 9, they are increasingly competent biologists, and our programme of study reflects their burgeoning skillset. Students are encouraged to become more reflective and competent practitioners through studying national curriculum topics in greater depth, and the increased complexity in task-setting means that they move towards higher level study with confidence.

Year 9 content includes cells, genetics and osmosis, setting students up to embark upon either Trilogy or Separate Science courses with confidence in year 10.

Term 1

Cells: microscopy, plant and animal cells, cell differentiation and specialisation, diffusion

Term 2

Genetics: cell division and the cell cycle, mitosis, stem cells and their uses and cloning.

Term 3

Osmosis and active transport and how cells or organisms are adapted for these.

Biologists must work hard to learn and remember the powerful knowledge that underpins the study of life. For this reason, we will frequently ask students to work on remembering key information as part of their home learning. They should do this by using their class notes and knowledge organisers to self-quiz.

Homework is often set using homework booklets that use a range of question types. These questions tend to refer back to prior learning as a way of enabling students to regularly rehearse and revise previously taught content. As many of these tasks require longer written answers, students are encouraged to think hard about how to best express and apply their knowledge.

All of our students will study biology at GCSE level for the duration of their time with us, because it is vital that we all understand the fundamentals of how living things function and thrive. The year 10 course builds upon the national curriculum content delivered at key stage 3, starting with cells and organisation of living things through tissue and organs.

By the end of the course in year 11, students will have a comprehensive knowledge of biology, including organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics, homeostasis and response, inheritance, variation, evolution and ecology.

Students also complete essential practical work, a fundamental part of the course, which enables them to go on to any further study with confidence in their research methodology.

At the end of year 11, students will complete two exam papers, each worth 50% of the GCSE.

Homework continues to be an important learning tool. Year 10 biologists will usually complete their home study by working through booklets comprising GCSE past paper questions. These packs are a helpful revision tool, and give students chance to deepen understanding and apply the knowledge acquired in class. As with other subjects studied across school, there are knowledge organisers attached to each scheme of learning, and students should be proactive in self-quizzing after lessons to ensure that taught content is committed to memory.

Students’ learning throughout year 11 reflects the culmination of their five years’ study of biology, and until the spring of the school year, students will work to complete the final elements of the AQA GCSE specification. Throughout the year, students also continue to complete their required practical work, an important and exciting element of the course.

Having completed the taught content, we devote as much time as possible before the GCSEs to structured in-class revision. This is quite different to the independent revision that students will be doing themselves, as we work hard on not only fundamental knowledge, but also on practical skills, links between topics, and exam technique, meaning that students can go into their final GCSE examinations with confidence.

At the end of the course, there are two external examinations. The first exam reflects units 4.1 to 4.4*   and the final exam primarily reflects units 4.5 to 4.7* but by this stage, students are expected to be able to answer questions on any aspect of the course.

*  Please see the AQA specification for the specific details of each component

Homework continues to be an important learning tool. Year 11 biologists will usually complete their home study by working through booklets comprising GCSE past paper questions. These packs are a helpful revision tool, and give students chance to deepen understanding and apply the knowledge acquired in class.
Homework will reflect students’ learning from across the two year GCSE course. As with other subjects studied across school, there are knowledge organisers attached to each scheme of learning, and students should be proactive in self-quizzing after lessons to ensure that taught content is committed to memory. We also ask that Year 11 students use Tassomai to help them to revise. This is an excellent app that supports learning through setting quizzes for learners, but because it is an intelligent programme, it works out what a student knows and what they don’t, continually adapting the content for each learner. Sometimes, the programme suggests a short tutorial video when it identifies that students need to address a particular knowledge gap or misconception.

At this level students will study many areas of Biology in detail and be working towards the three exams at the end of year 13. In addition to the grade that the students receive at the end of the course, they will also receive a “pass” or “fail” for their practical work throughout the two years.

Term 1

Students study 3.1, where they learn about Biological molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. They also learn about the structure and function of both DNA and RNA. In addition to this, they also study 3.2, where they learn about cells, their structure, movement of substances in and out of cells and the immune system. The students will cover at least three required practicals this term.

Term 2

Students study 3.3, where they learn about how Organisms exchange substances with their environment. This includes studying how gas exchange occurs in plants and animals, detail on gas exchange in humans and movement of substances in plants and animals. In addition to this, they also study 3.4, where they learn about genes and how they code for the production of proteins within organisms, the synthesis of these proteins, the effects of mutations, cell division and diversity in species and communities. The students will cover at least three required practicals this term.

Term 3

Students will sit and end-of year exam of a standard similar to an AS. They will use this time to prepare for this exam and also move on to units from year 13, such as ecology field techniques, photosynthesis and respiration. There will be opportunities in this term for students to catch up with any required practicals that they may have missed and we also run our field course to Tynny Felin during this term.

Homework is usually set using homework booklets which feature past paper questions. Whenever possible, the questions will focus on prior learning and offer the students regular practise with past paper questions, thus developing their exam technique.

Term 1

In this term they will learn about photosynthesis and respiration in detail in unit 3.5. In 3.6 they will learn about how organisms respond to their environment. During this term they will also complete at least three of the required practicals. At this stage, we expect students to be developing excellent practical skills as they work towards being awarded their practical competency.

Term 2

In this term the students learn about genetics and populations in unit 3.7 and about the control of gene expression in unit 3.8. The students will complete the remaining three required practicals this term and will work on any areas of their practical skills that still need to be developed before a “pass” can be awarded for this section of the course. Exam preparation and technique will feature more prominently this term

Term 3

This term focuses on developing exam technique through revision of topics and past paper question practise. Any students that still need to develop practical skills can work on these during this term. The students will sit three exams at the end of the course.

Homework is usually set using homework booklets which feature past paper questions. Whenever possible, the questions will focus on prior learning and offer the students regular practise with past paper questions, thus developing their exam technique.