Curriculum Leader: Miss Amanda Ritchie
Our vision
Our vision is to create lifelong learners of Biology. To engage and enthuse our students in the world around us. To learn how biological concepts are applied in medicine and industry and how Biology improves our quality of life. We support our students through a wide range of practical and investigative work allowing them to gain practical skills, be creative and gain confidence whilst providing new opportunities for learning. We encourage our students to work together as a team whilst also teaching them how to work independently. Our students learn to solve problems and make informed judgements becoming knowledgeable and responsible citizens. In Biology, we encourage and develop resilience, hard work and enable all our students to achieve their maximum potential.
Key Stage 3 Topics
Junior Science will be taught beginning Year 8 2024-2025
Year 8
Booklet 3 Living Things, reproductive system and respiratory system
Booklet 6 Cells, Microscopes and the sensory system.
Year 9
Booklet 1 Photosynthesis
Booklet 2 Heredity and Genetics
Booklet 3 Immunity and Health
Booklet 4 Breathing
Year 10
Booklet 1 Food and Diet
Booklet 2 Digestion and Health
Booklet 3 Circulation
Booklet 4 Ecology
GCSE Specification and Summary
Students follow the CCEA NI GCSE Biology specification.
Students can also study Biology as part of the Double Award Science and Single Award Science specifications.
Unit 1 Cells, living processes and biodiversity (35% of GCSE). One hour 15-minute external exam sat at the end of year 11.
Unit 2 Body systems, genetics, microorganisms and health (40% of GCSE). One hour 30-minute external exam sat at the end of year 12.
Unit 3 Practical skills (25% of GCSE). Composed of Booklet A a two-hour internal practical examination worth 7.5% of total GCSE and Booklet B a one hour external examination worth 17.5% of total GCSE, sat at the end of year 12.
A level Specification and Summary
Students follow the CCEA Biology Advanced level specification.
AS
Unit 1 Molecules and Cells. 1 hour 30 min External examination 37.5% AS. 15% of A Level
Unit 2 Organisms and Biodiversity. 1 hour 30 min External examination 37.5% AS. 15% of A Level
Unit 3 Practical Skills in AS Biology. 1 hour external examination and internal practical assessment (teacher marked) 25% AS. 10% A level
A2
Unit 1 Physiology, Coordination and Control, and Ecosystems. 2 hour 15 min External examination. 24% of A Level
Unit 2 Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary change. 2 hour 15 min External examination. 24% of A Level
Unit 3 Practical Skills in Biology. 1 hour 15 min external examination and internal practical assessment (teacher marked). 12% A level
Independent learning opportunities
- BBC Bitesize https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z4882hv
- All resources are on class teams
- Kahoots and Quizzes available on class teams
KS4
- CCEA GCSE Biology specification https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-biology-2017
- https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-biology-2017/support
- CCEA Biology Fact Files BBC Bitesize https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zyqmv4j
- All resources are on class teams
- Kahoots and Quizzes available on class teams
KS5
- CCEA specification https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/subjects/gce-biology-2016
- CCEA Support https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/subjects/gce-biology-2016/support
- A level Biology Animations Amoeba Sisters https://www.youtube.com/@AmoebaSisters
