We aim to:

• Encourage pupils to study living organisms and processes in a scientific manner
• Balance subject knowledge with the development of investigative skills
• Give pupils opportunities to design, carry out and evaluate practical experiments using a very wide variety of laboratory apparatus
• Emphasise the importance of health and safety in the laboratory setting to ensure the wellbeing of all pupils and staff working there

What staff and facilities are available to the department?

Five newly refurbished dedicated Biology laboratories are available, as well as a Sixth Form teaching room. Each laboratory is extremely well equipped, containing all basic laboratory apparatus and a variety of specialist equipment. Each has audio-visual equipment to allow the watching of videos and DVDs. An increasing amount of our teaching is delivered by PowerPoint computer presentations in the laboratories which all have fixed computer projectors to facilitate this. The staff consists of six full-time teachers, two part-time teachers and three highly qualified technicians.

How much time will I spend on this subject per ten day cycle?

• Lower School: 3 lessons (3 hours) with ½ an hour of homework.
• GCSE: 5 lessons (5 hours) with 1 hour of homework.
• A Level: 10 lessons (10 hours) with at least 3 hours of individual study.

What is Biology in the Lower School like?

In the first three years Biology is taught as a single science. Pupils are introduced to the world of living organisms and cover many of the basic topics that are fundamental to the study of Biology.

First Year topics include: cells, organs and organ systems; plant and animal reproduction and organism diversity.

Second Year topics include: plant transport and water relations; locomotion; nutrient cycles; energy and nutrient transfer and adaptation and competition.

Third Year topics include: basic biochemistry; diffusion and osmosis; digestion; gaseous exchange and respiration.

Pupils are encouraged to study living organisms and processes in a scientific manner. Topics are taught balancing subject knowledge with the development of investigative skills, including opportunities to design, carry out and evaluate practical experiments. These are an integral part of our science teaching and include the use of standard laboratory apparatus as well as more subject specific equipment such as microscopes.

What happens further up the school?

At GCSE we follow the new AQA Syllabus. The range of topics is extended and practical experimental skills are further developed and formally assessed as part of the internal coursework component.

At A Level we follow the AQA Biology B Specification. At any one time, pupils are engaged upon two separate lines of study, each taught by a different member of staff. Practical work is integrated into the theory lessons where appropriate. Ecology is studied partly theoretically in the classroom, but largely on a week’s intensive Field Study Course, run by the Biology staff upon a rocky seashore on the Isle of Anglesey.

Are there any extra-curricular activities?

The Animal Club is principally orientated towards the Lower School pupils. They are taught how to look after the animals in a safe and correct manner. We endeavour to foster responsible behaviour when handling and caring for animals. If parents agree, pupils can put their name down to take one of the animals home during the holidays.

Recent awards – The Good Schools Guide.

The Biology Department were awarded the Good Schools Guide award in 2005 for the best results at A level achieved by Boys taking Biology at an Independent School. This is an award we were delighted to receive and is a testament to the hard work and expertise of staff in the department and also the hard work of those pupils concerned.