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The science department aims to develop pupils that exceed their potential by delivering an inclusive, engaging and challenging curriculum. We strive to foster a spirit of enquiry, nurture our pupils’ curiosity and bring relevant real-world science into the classroom with the purpose of creating practically minded problem solvers that go on to make the world a better place.
OVERVIEW OF COURSE
The last four centuries have seen an explosion of scientific understanding and discovery, exploration and revision of theories. Only through assimilation of knowledge can we 'stand on the shoulders of giants' and see the world with biological clarity.
As future-makers, our learners are in the privileged position of shaping future societies’ ability to make sense of the world around them through biological processes. Pupils will discover that experiments are not just for fun, they are for embedding their understanding. This will give an insight into the need for scientific process and exploration. The beauty of biology is seeing how everything links together. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance as subject experts that we make the links explicit within a topic, and between topics. The more links a pupil has, the more ways they have of accessing and applying the knowledge.
At Key stage 5, all students will follow a balanced and broad curriculum. As well as developing our students’ knowledge and understanding of scientific theory, our curriculum has integrated working scientifically with a clear focus on literacy and communication that seeks to develop students’ confidence in articulating their ideas. Through our curriculum, we can help pupils build a schema; a narrative that means they have true mastery of biology, within the web of science.
Schemes of work and resources have been developed by specialist teachers within the department. Students will be encouraged to develop the curiosity they need to discover new concepts for themselves.
PROGRAMME OF STUDY
ASSESSMENT
AS and A-level Biology is assessed purely on exams taken at the end of Year 13. At the end of A level, there are three, 2-hour exams. Although there is no coursework, there are assessed practicals which will give students the confidence and skills needed to investigate how things work. At least 15% of the exams will assess knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to practical work.
Students are assessed regularly at KS5 Biology through a combination of formative and summative assessments. Students receive timely written and verbal feedback after each assessment. This allows students to reflect and act upon the feedback and complete an improvement and/or challenge tasks to improve and make further progress in their knowledge, skills and understanding.
We will use a range of assessments:
Formal assessments at end of each unit
PR Assessment during each term
Non-written feedback that can take the form of verbal, peer, and self-assessment.
The PR Assessments will contribute to the data published on Progress Reports
All formal assessments will be kept at School in assessment folders to build archaeology.
HOW PARENTS / CARERS CAN HELP
Establish a daily routine of mealtimes with time for homework, chores and bedtime.
Monitoring of subject folders/notes in terms of the content, presentation, and organisational skills.
Reinforce learning at home and show your child the skills the are learning are applicable to everyday life.
Model the habits of a lifelong learner. The students feel more motivated to learn, and their grades improve. It also helps improve student behaviour in the classroom.
Having parents and teachers communicate more helps students feel more motivated in their classes; their self-esteem and attitudes in class improve.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
CERN Trip- Available to all scientist
QMUL- Available to all scientists
Biology Olympiad
Virtual talks by University
Masterclasses and Webinars hosted by Universities.
EPQ support
Medical society
RECOMMENDED READING / OTHER RESOURCES
Physics and Maths Tutor
Science Shorts on Youtube
CGP A-Level Biologists for AQA
Collins AQA A- level Biology
Oxford AQA A- Level Biology
http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/VL/GG
Richard Leaky: The Origin of Humankind
Bill Bryson: A Short History of Nearly Everything
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