Biology

Studying Biology

We introduce Lower School pupils to the world of living organisms with a view to balancing subject knowledge with the development of investigative skills. Opportunities to design, carry out and evaluate practical experiments are plentiful. 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. Our approach to curriculum-building is to acknowledge the general philosophy of the National Curriculum yet to also delve further.

A variety of scientific skills are introduced and developed during the first three years. Principally, these revolve around perfecting practical skills in experiments: measurement and observation, experimental design and the identification and control of variables. In addition, pupils must be able to interpret correctly the results their experiments have yielded. Hence we concentrate on presenting, analysing and interpreting data. Present throughout is the message of safe work practices in the laboratory.

Biology in First Year

Subject areas include: Characteristics of Life; Microscope and Cells; Tissues, Organs, Systems; Human Reproduction; Plant Reproduction; Classification and Keys. Skill areas developed through the year include safety in the laboratory, accurate measurement and scaling, and the construction of graphs. Also key is the use of microscopes.

Biology in Second Year

In their second year of Biology, pupils focus on Green Plants as Organisms; Transport and Water Relations in Plants; Nutrient Cycles ('C' cycle) and Decay; Energy and Nutrient Transfer; Movement; Adaptation and Competition; Health. Skill areas for Second Year studies continue to focus on data analysis: representation by drawings and diagrams, tabulation of results and graph drawing. Also central are recognition of variables and design of 'fair' tests, including systematic recording.

Biology in Third Year

We cover basic Biochemistry; Enzymes; Diffusion, Osmosis and Active Transport; Nutrition; Digestion; Breathing and Gas Exchange; Respiration. These areas of study hone pupils' grasp of data analysis and interpretation, control of variables and the construction and interpretation of graphs.

Clubs and Activities

Animal Club is principally orientated towards Lower School pupils. They are taught how to look after the animals in a safe and correct manner and 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.