Biology
Head of Department
Dr D Egan
Qualification
A Level
Exam Board
Edexcel
Entry Requirements
7 in Separate Science Biology or 77 in Combined Science, plus 6 in English and 6 in Mathematics
Why study this course
Biology is the scientific study of life, a rich and diverse field of study. Biology is versatile and ever-changing making it a subject that is full of excitement and wonder. Our students study life at various levels, from the tiniest of cells and organisms to entire ecosystems. Studying biology promises students an exciting and rich curriculum with a wide array of opportunities to develop their investigative skills. Students are offered a mixture of theory and practical lessons, and a challenging and dynamic syllabus. This leads to many potential career and higher education pathways including popular courses such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and biomedical science.
Course Overview
For A Level, we follow the Edexcel Biology A Salters’ Nuffield syllabus. It provides a context-led approach which suits our students as they are able to see the applications of their learning to real life situations. For example, understanding the science behind genetic disorders.
Students will develop a good grasp of key biological concepts and excellent experimental skills assessed via CPAC– core practical assessment criteria which students have to demonstrate throughout the course.
Students need to demonstrate understanding of the syllabus and apply their knowledge to new situations. All assessment is by examination at the end of Year 13.
Students interested in studying A level are very welcome to ask their current biology teachers any questions, or come to see Dr Egan.
Our outline scheme of work including topic titles is given below:
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YEAR 12 |
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Teacher 1 |
Teacher 2 |
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Autumn Term |
Topic 1- Lifestyle health and Risk
Topic test before half term
First mock exam in December |
Topic 2- Genes and Health
Topic test before half term
First mock exam in December |
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Spring Term |
Topic 4- Biodiversity and Natural resources
Topic test before half term
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Topic 3- Voice of the Genome
Topic test before half term
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Summer Term |
Revision and consolidation
Statistics
Field trip to Juniper Hall
End of Year mock exam |
Revision and consolidation
Ecology from Topic 5 in preparation for Field Trip
Field Trip to Juniper Hall
End of Year mock exam |
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YEAR 13 |
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Autumn Term |
Topic 6- Infection, immunity and forensics
Mock in October
Topic test in December |
Topic 5- On the wild side
Mock in October
Topic test in December |
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Spring Term |
Topic 7- Brain and Mind
Topic test in February
Revision and consolidation
Preparation for pre-release part of exam
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Topic 8- Run for your life
Topic test in February
Revision and consolidation
Preparation for pre-release section of exam
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Summer Term |
FINAL EXAMS |
FINAL EXAMS |
Exam specification
Edexcel A Level Biology Specification
SoW
Enrichment
All students attend a three day residential Field Trip to at the end of Year 12. This is to Juniper Hall, run by the Field Studies Council, experts in ecology.
Year 12 students also take part in the Intermediate Biology Olympiad.
We run outside workshops where possible, for example we hosted a workshop from Moorfields Eye Hospital.
Students are encouraged to participate in wider reading and there is a reading list provided, plus an Independent Work team where recommended news articles and documentaries are added.
Students are also invited to help younger students, for example running activities at Science club.
Future Pathways
Every year, many of our students choose undergraduate courses related directly to Biology. Others use their transferrable skills to study other courses at university.
Claremont alumni have gone on to study for degrees in:
- Biomedical Science
- Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacy
- Environmental Science
- Optometry
- Dentistry
- Biology
- Psychology
- Radiography
- Physiotherapy
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Public Health… and many more.