The biology department works to develop scientifically able and literate young people who can go on to contribute their vision of biology to the world through, a career in biology, if they so wish or simply enjoy, appreciate and understand the biological world around them. Educating people about biology will lead to the biological world being treated more kindly, our students are ambassadors for this.
There are so many questions still unanswered about the biological world, the content of the course is therefore used to develop scientific thinkers who can pose a question and develop a method to explore that questions. Students will become numerate biologists and develop a wide range of biological vocabulary to describe and explain the world around them.
In KS3 students visit the central concepts in biology including: cells, variation and inheritance, reproduction, ecology, evolution, digestion and enzymes, microbes, respiration, photosynthesis and the muscular and skeletal system.
In KS4 students revisit these concepts, developing a deeper knowledge and more importantly making links between these concepts that lead to an understanding of the functioning of a whole organism and ecosystems. The students add to this knowledge, studying genetics, disease, the nervous system and endocrine system. The examination results for 2022 showcased the students ability to synthesise information and think holistically with 90 percent achieving grade 7 to 9. Students are given the opportunity to attend GCSE Science Live, an opportunity to see five eminent scientists communicate their passion for their specialism
KS5 involves delving even further into these concepts, cementing further their holistic understanding of life on earth. During A biology students have the opportunity to attend an ecological residential course. This gives a hands-on appreciation of this aspect of biology which is difficult to establish in the classroom. Students also have the opportunity to enter the Biology Olympiad. A considerable number of students go on from A level biology to pursue biology related careers.
Supporting all three key stages is the biology Google site which contains a wealth of support materials, enabling and encouraging students towards an independent study mind set. In addition there are lunch time support sessions, when tailored help is offered, as and when judged to be needed, and equally students can drop in when they feel they need extra help