KS5 (A Level) Curriculum

Overview

We elucidate the core ideas with practical work that goes well beyond the core GCSE practicals and builds their skills for A level and beyond.

At A level the main thrust is detail. Students dive down to a cellular and subcellular level and get to grips with the fascinating mechanisms that underpin the working of their cells, their immune system and much more.

At the same time students use real scientific data to evaluate conclusions and carry out sophisticated and detailed practical work, presenting their data with all accepted scientific conventions.

Course Content

Our students will follow the A-level AQA Biology course (7401/7402) which is divided into 8 units:

Year 12 topics:

1. Biological molecules

2. Cells

3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment

4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

Year 13 topics:

5. Energy transfers in and between organisms

6. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments

7. Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems

8. The control of gene expression

Assessment

3 written examination papers, all taken at the end of Year 13.
- - - Paper 1: 2 hours with 91 marks worth 35% of the final A level
    - Paper 2: 2 hours with 91 marks worth 35% of the final A level
    - Paper 3: 2 hours with 78 marks worth 30% of the final A level
Paper 1 and 2 are a mixture of short-answer, extended-response, data analysis, comprehension and essay questions, with practical skills assessed throughout.
Paper 3 is a synoptic paper that assesses knowledge from across the course and includes a 25-mark essay.
Students complete 12 required practicals, leading to the separate Practical Endorsement (Pass/Fail), with practical knowledge also examined in the written papers.
No coursework – the A-level grade is awarded entirely from the three written examinations.

Career Opportunities

Studying A Level Biology opens the door to an exciting range of university courses and careers. Each year, many of our students progress to competitive degrees including Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Pharmacy, Biomedical Science and Neuroscience.

Beyond university, Biology provides a strong foundation for careers in healthcare, research, biotechnology, environmental science, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, sport and education. Whether your ambition is to become a doctor, vet or scientist, or simply to deepen your understanding of the living world, A Level Biology is a challenging and rewarding subject that develops knowledge and skills valued by universities and employers alike.

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