Biology

Staff in Department

Head of Dept: Mrs K Barnett

Mr P Laird, Mrs L Steen, Mrs N McDonagh, Mrs S Shields (Technician), Mrs R Bonnan (Technician)

A Level

A level exam board: CCEA

Module % of AS or A2 grade How is it assessed? Module Title
AS Module 1 37.5% of AS 15% of A level External written exam 1 hour 30 mins at the end of Year 13 Molecules and Cells
AS Module 2 37.5% of AS 15% of A level External written exam 1 hour 30 mins at the end of Year 13 Organisms and Biodiversity
AS Module 3 25% of AS 10% of A level External written exam assessing practical skills 1 hour + Internal practical assessment Practical skills
A2 Module 1 24% of A level External written examination 2 hours 15 mins at the end of Year 14 Physiology, Co-ordination and Control, and Ecosystems
A2 Module 2 24% of A level External written examination 2 hours 15 mins at the end of Year 14 Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary Trends
A2 Module 3 12% of A level External written examination assessing practical skills + 1 hour 15 mins Internal practical assessment Practical skills

GCSE

 
GCSE % of GCSE grade How is it assessed? Unit title
Unit 1 35% External written exam Foundation Tier: 1 hour 15 mins. Higher Tier: 1 hour 30 mins Cells, Living Processes and Biodiversity
Unit 2 40% External written exam Foundation Tier: 1 hour 15 mins. Higher Tier: 1 hour 30 mins Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health
Unit 3 25% Booklet A: Students carry out two pre-released practicals
Booklet B: External written examination
Practical Skills

Alternatively, students may opt to study Biology as part of the Double Award Science or Single Award Science.

KS3: Brief topic overview

Year 8
Taught as Junior Science. Biology topics involved are Classification, Cells and Respiration, Reproduction, Working as A Scientist.
Year 9
Taught as Junior Science. Biology topics involved are Plant and Animal Nutrition, Nervous System and Ecology.
Year 10
Food and Energy, Circulation, Enzymes, Microbiology, DNA, Applied Biology

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