Biology
Our Aims-
To stimulate and maintain pupils curiosity, interest and enjoyment in Biology whilst illustrating its implications both locally and globally
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To help our students develop sound biological principles, knowledge and vocabulary in preparation for their assessments and examinations
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To encourage pupils to work independently or as part of a group
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To afford pupils the opportunity to develop their skills of investigation and science method – an approach of problem solving applicable in many contexts
Curriculum
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Key Stage 3
Biology is taught as a separate science by specialised teachers from Form 1, each year building depth and width across the topics so that understanding and problem solving skills can be gained.
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GCSE
Pupils follow the CCEA specification. Approximately 60% choose to study Triple Award with the remainder opting for the Double Award Science specification. Coursework accounts for 25% of the total examination mark.
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AS/A2
Pupils continue to follow the CCEA specification with approximately 120 opting to take Biology at advanced subsidiary level with at least 75% of these progressing to A2.
Facilities & Resources
Our laboratories have been completely refurbished in the past few years and are now state of the art with interactive white boards, DVD and video projection as well as a live link Flexicam allowing pupils to view magnified images through the data projector. Live specimens of plant and animal life also fill our laboratories adding illustration to our wide variety of book, specimen and 3D model collections.
Pupil Destinations
Biology at BRA affords our young people many options for the future. The majority of our pupils progress to tertiary level education at a wide range of Universities including Oxford and Cambridge to study:
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Medicine
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Dentistry
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Veterinary Medicine
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Biochemistry
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Biological Science
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Biomedical Science
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Food Science
These courses represent some flavour of the career our pupils typically move toward, but often they are used as stepping stones to final career choices.