Biology is a rapidly developing science and very much related to the problems of modern life and the teaching of biology at Queen Anne's reflects this. We aim to provide through the exploration and study of biology, sufficient knowledge and understanding to allow pupils to recognise that its study is relevant to everyday life and to be able to take an informed interest in matters of scientific importance. We aim to stimulate curiosity, interest and enjoyment in biology and promote an awareness of its significance in personal, social and environmental contexts. Practical work is an integral part of learning biology throughout the school and girls experience both prescriptive and open-ended practical investigations. During these the girls are encouraged to make accurate observations and measurements; record systematically and use experimental design experiments to answer questions or investigate hypotheses.
Girls have one double lesson of biology a week in Years 7, 8 and 9. The Biology course in Years 7 to 8 comprises four main themes; broadly, the characteristics and diversity of life, reproduction, human physiology, microbes and variation. The girls take part in a variety of trips. Year 7 carry out field work at Beale Park, during which they carry out a variety of ecological investigations and study adaptations. Year 8 have a trip to the Natural History Museum in London every summer to support the curriculum.
In addition, as part of the Year 7 and Year 8 overall science curriculum, the girls follow a ‘Thinking Science' course during biology lessons, which focuses on developing an understanding of scientific method through a range of practical activities.
In Year 9 the four main areas of the biology course are broadly: circulation and breathing; health and disease; diet; homeostasis; the nervous system and reproduction. This lays the foundation for the GCSE course, which is formally started in Year 10. At the end of Year 9 the girls can opt to study either for AQA separate Biology GCSE or AQA ‘Double Award' GCSE, one third of which covers aspects of biology. These courses lay an excellent foundation for studying biology in the Sixth Form. Students who study biology through to advanced level in the Sixth Form will be well equipped to pursue a higher qualification in Medicine and any Biological science.
Sixth form
The A level biology course in the Sixth Form covers a wide range of topics, from the study of ecosystems and ecology to the working of DNA. It offers a broad range of topics including diet, health and disease and the working of the human body. Important foundation work is covered in the Lower Sixth leading to the ‘AS' examinations, while these topics are taken further and new ones introduced in the Upper Sixth, leading to the ‘A2' exams. We follow the new OCR Biology syllabus. Fieldwork is carried out during two field days to support the ecology module.
A series of written exam papers tests knowledge and understanding of the subject content. All of the AS papers are taken in June of the Lower Sixth and all the A2 papers in June of Upper Sixth.
Every pupil has two teachers and is taught in specialist state-of-the-art Biology laboratories which are very well equipped. An extensive range of resources are available on the VLE, including past papers, exam style questions and interactive Powerpoint presentations.
Biology is a fast moving subject in which many new exciting discoveries are being made all the time. With this in mind, trips to lectures are organised for the sixth form. In addition they can subscribe to a variety of magazines and journals.
Two field days are organised and run by the Biology department in the Summer term of the Lower Sixth. This involves work at a range of ecological sites.
Pupils have been successful in the Biology Olympiad (including winning medals) and several pupils have gained places to read biology at Oxford and Cambridge. In addition pupils are prepared for entry to medical school and we have an excellent track record of pupils gaining places to read Medicine.
Triple Science and Double Award
Girls can study either the AQA Triple Science, gaining three GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics, or the AQA Double Award, gaining two.
The AQA's exciting new courses have an emphasis on ‘scientific literacy' as well as scientific content. In addition to studying a body of scientific knowledge, importance is attached to scientific skills and an understanding of how science works in the world at large, as well as in the laboratory.
The Double Award course consists of two main parts: Core Science and Additional Science. Core Science, the first part of the Double Award course, is studied and examined in the lower five. This is a modular specification with candidates taking modules for biology, chemistry and physics. Additional Science, is the second part of the Double Award course and again covers all three sciences. This section is studied in the upper five.
25% of marks are gained from the assessment of practical skills. This is based on normal practical work and it involves collecting data and a written test. Marks are given for both the practical skills demonstrated in collecting data and the answers to the written test.
Teaching staff
Head of Biology: Mr M Rich
Mrs H Rich
Miss J Robinson
Mrs A Watson