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Biology

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2011 Examination Results

Biology, as with the other two sciences, is taught as a separate subject from Year 7. Girls therefore have one hour and 20 minutes of tuition per week for the first three years. This provides an excellent foundation in all three Science subjects which it is felt contributes towards the large uptake of Science subjects in the Sixth Form. The average number of girls studying Biology at Advanced Level over the past five years is thirty three, taught in three teaching groups.

At GCSE the AQA specification is followed and girls take Biology either as a separate science or as part of a Double Award. The average class size is eighteen. At AS, AQA, Specification B is taught and module 1 is taken in January of Year 12, with modules two and three in the Summer. Girls have eight 35 minute periods per week at AS and A2, with module four being taken in January of Year 13. One module is chosen by negotiation with the students from the following choices: Applied Ecology, Microbes and Disease or Behaviour and Populations. Traditionally Special Biology has always been taught, but since this is no longer available, the new Advanced Extended Award is being offered.

Girls leaving this school with Advanced level Biology have gone on to study a range of subjects including Medicine, Veterinary Science, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Dietetics, Food Technology, Nursing and Plant Sciences.

Biology is taught in three very well equipped laboratories with practical work being carried out at every opportunity. We have been especially pleased that in the past few years the Sixth Formers have successfully carried out gel electrophoresis on lambdaphage DNA.

Fieldwork forms an important part of A2 coursework with practical work in the past being carried out locally in Formby (studying the sand dune ecosystem) and at the Field Studies Council centre in Betws-y-Coed, North Wales.

The aims of the Biology Department are:

• To promote in pupils an enjoyment and enthusiasm for Biology.
• To encourage pupils to have an appreciation, care and concern for animals and plants and the environment in which they find themselves.
• To develop pupils' natural curiosity about their world and develop their ability to investigate and explain their observations.
• To encourage pupils to design and conduct investigations and solve problems in a logical way.
• To enable pupils to appreciate the relevance of the subject to every day life, its importance to the economy and its contribution to the quality of life for themselves and the community at large.
• To enable pupils to fulfil their academic potential and to gain the best possible grades of which they are capable in examinations.