Biology is the study of life. It ultimately provides us with an understanding of our own bodies and how they work, how life began and how it continues to sustain itself and the variety of interactions that occur between different organisms in the environment. It also enhances our awareness and appreciation of a variety of important issues for general life, including the cellular communication that occurs in organisms and the links with medicine, how we inherit features from our parents, the importance of good health and the spread of disease and immunity.
Biologists learn not just the rapidly increasing knowledge base of life, but the methods by which we can experiment to learn more about organisms and ethical issues surrounding various aspects related to biology. The department aims to teach by combining the content with practical opportunities, thus developing good practical and lateral thinking skills. This involves developing good communication skills as well as the ability to research, analyse and critically evaluate.
Biology is still seen as a core academic subject due to its complexity and detail, as well as its numerical and written skill base. As a Sixth Form subject, it is regarded as essential for entry into medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, physiotherapy, nursing and most aspects of biological science, including biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, zoology, marine biology, genetics, cell biology, ecology – the list is endless!
- YEAR 9
Pupils in Year 9 begin the GCSE Biology programme by completing the first two of the required nine units, including core biological concepts which are regularly revisited throughout Years 10 and 11. They begin to develop some of the skills that are essential for the GCSE course, including practical skills and the use of subject specific terminology. They will learn about different types of cells and how these cells can obtain materials via different processes as well as studying the importance of enzymes in cellular reactions. In addition, we learn about cell division and stem cells (including the ethical consideration surrounding the use of these cells) and cover the role of the nervous system in organisms. The brain and how the eye works are also taught as part of the first year. These are all key concepts that are essential for the final exam and also help develop key skills and understanding that will be helpful in the remaining two years.
- GCSE BIOLOGY
Exam board: Edexcel
Pupils at Gresham’s can either complete GCSE Biology alongside separate GCSE qualifications in Chemistry and Physics, or they can choose to complete the Edexcel Double GCSE in Combined Science – you can read more about this option here.
Pupils put the skills learnt from Year 9 to good effect by learning about a variety of different areas of Biology. These include topics involving Genetics, Evolution, Biotechnology, Immunity, Microbiology, Plant Science, Physiology and Ecology. Throughout the course the pupils continue to complete practical work and develop their practical skills in a variety of different contexts, which is also useful for studying Chemistry and Physics. In learning about a variety of topic areas, the pupils can develop a greater sense of the world around them and be more aware and knowledgeable regarding the huge amount of biological science they are presented with in today’s modern society.
At the end of the course in Year 11, the pupils complete two exam papers to determine the grade they are awarded. There is no coursework element to GCSE Biology but pupils must be able to complete a range of practical tasks successfully as part of the course.
- A LEVEL BIOLOGY
Entry requirements: Grade 6 in Biology GCSE or 6:6 in Combined Sciences
Module 1 – Development of practical skills in Biology (covered through practical work throughout the
course)
• Module 2 – Foundations in Biology (including Cell Biology, Cell Division, Enzymes and Biochemistry)
• Module 3 – Exchange and Transport (including gas exchange and the lungs, the heart and circulatory
system and transport of materials in plants)
• Module 4 – Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease (including measuring biodiversity, conservation,
classification and the immune system)
• Module 5 – Communication, Homeostasis and Energy (including the biochemistry of respiration and
photosynthesis, the nervous system, the liver and kidneys and hormonal communication in animals
and plants)
• Module 6 – Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems (including genetic inheritance, the control of gene
expression, populations and ecosystems and biotechnology).
- IB BIOLOGY
Entry requirements: Grade 6 in Biology GCSE or 6:6 in Combined Science
For the IB Biology course, pupils have the option to cover Biology to standard level or higher level.
In standard level Biology, pupils will cover modules in cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, ecology, evolution & biodiversity and physiology.Pupils who opt for higher level will also complete these modules, but in addition will complete units that build on these earlier topics and provide more detail regarding genetic inheritance, the control of gene expression, physiological processes in plants and the human body and also the variety of biochemical reactions in organisms (including reactions involving DNA, respiration and photosynthesis).
Pupils studying for higher and standard level must also complete an additional optional unit from a choice of Ecology, Biotechnology, Neurobiology and further Physiology, and this is voted for by the students. The IB Biology course is assessed via 3 written exam papers (80%) as well as a coursework component (the IA). The IA is a practical investigation designed and carried out by the pupil and mirrors the sort of format used for research papers at a university level. This contributes 20% of the final mark and is completed at the start of Year 13.
- ACTIVITIES AND SOCIETIES
As pupils progress through Biology at the school, they are encouraged to attend the Hodgkin Society meetings. Named after Sir Alan Hodgkin (former student and Nobel Prize Winner) the Hodgkin Society is a pupil-centred society, where those involved are encouraged to do presentations of whatever format they wish to enrich their peers’ understanding, interest and knowledge of biologically-related matters. Pupils are consistently encouraged to read material and articles that will enrich their knowledge of the subject and these are what are often shared during the society talks.
The department runs a field course around the North Norfolk Coast for all Sixth Form biologists. This focuses on zonation, succession, biodiversity, habitat management, adaptations and distribution. Habitats include dune land, saltmarsh, rocky shore, heathland and rivers. This enables our sixth form biologists to develop the practical ecology skills needed for their courses, whilst experiencing the beauty and biodiversity of the North Norfolk coastline.
Our top A Level and IB students annually enter the national Biology Olympiad. This is an annual competition run by the Royal Society of Biology, in which schools all over the world compete by answering challenging questions related to the whole breadth of subject areas in Biology. Gresham’s has had a lot of success in this competition in previous years, including students recently who have won Gold awards for finishing in the top 5% of all competitors!
The Biology department at Gresham’s is also part of the AMGEN Biotechnology Experience, in association with the John Innes Centre, Norwich. As part of this the school is loaned a variety of complex biotechnology kit and is able to run practical experiments with students in Years 10 to 13 on DNA profiling (including extraction of DNA and gel electrophoresis) and PCR (amplifying DNA for gel electrophoresis). These are advanced practical experiments that enhance the pupils’ understanding of genetic technology and it’s importance in society and give pupils an experience of practical genetics that many other schools are unable to offer.