Biology

Please apply for all courses via Help You Choose. Applications will open on October 21st.

In order to ensure success in the Sixth Form, we have designed different pathways to suit your individual needs. Please see below for the specific entry criteria. In addition to this, students will need to check the specific entry criteria for their chosen subjects by checking each course descrpition.

The General Pathway

This pathway is for students who are unsure about which way their future will take them and therefore would like to keep their options as open as possible by gaining UCAS points with their Module Two Option.

Module One: three A Levels

Module Three: Enrichment Course

Module Four: Academic Coaching

You will need English and Mathematics at Grade 4 or above and at least four other GCSE subjects at Grade 4 or above.

The Combined Pathway

This pathway is for students who are unsure which way their future will take them and therefore would like to keep their options as open as possible.

Module One – either one of the three below options:

Two A-levels and one specialist qualification (equivalent to one A Level)

One A-level and two specialist qualifications (equivalent to one A Level each)

Three specialist qualifications (equivalent to one A Level each)

Module Two: Enrichment Course

Module Three: Academic Coaching

You will need English or Mathematics at Grade 4 or above and at least four other GCSE subjects at Grade 4 or above.

The Specialist Pathway

This pathway is equivalent to three A Levels and is designed for students who already know which career path they would like to take. Please refer to our on offer to view the range.

Module One: Advanced Specialist Qualification

Module Two: Work Placement

Module Three: Enrichment Course

You will need English or Mathematics at Grade 4 or above and at least four other GCSE subjects at Grade 4 or above.

The Extended Pathway

This pathway is for students aspiring to study at Oxbridge or one of the Russell Group Universities or who want to follow a high-demand course such as Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Law or Engineering.

Module One: Three A Levels

Module Two: One Advanced Subsidiary Level

Module Three: Enrichment Course

Module Four: Academic Coaching

You will need English and Mathematics at Grade 5 or above and at least four other GCSE subjects at Grade 5 or above.

The T Level Pathway

This course is equivalent to three A Levels and is designed for students who already know which career path they would like to take.

Module One: T Level Course

Module Two: Industry Placement

You will need English or Mathematics at Grade 4 or above and at least four other GCSE subjects at Grade 4 or above.

Advanced Level (A Level): Biology is the scientific exploration of the vast and diverse world of living organisms; an exploration that has expanded enormously in recent years to reveal a wealth of knowledge about ourselves and about the millions of other organisms with whom we share the planet. The Biology course encourages students to read widely and think constructively. The following units will be covered on this course:

Year 12:

Biological molecules. All life on Earth shares a common chemistry. Despite their great variety, the cells of all living organisms contain only a few groups of carbon-based compounds that interact in similar ways.

Cells: All life on Earth exists as cells with basic features in common. All cells arise from other cells, by binary fission in prokaryotic cells and by mitosis and meiosis in eukaryotic cells.

Organisms exchange substances with their environment. The internal environment of a cell or organism is different from its external environment.

Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms. Biological diversity - biodiversity - is reflected in the vast number of species of organisms, in the variation of individual characteristics within a single species and in the variation of cell types within a single multicellular organism.

Year 13:

Energy transfers in and between organisms. Life depends on continuous transfers of energy. In photosynthesis, light is absorbed and this is linked to the production of ATP.

Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments. A stimulus is a change in the internal or external environment. A receptor detects a stimulus. A coordinator formulates a suitable response to a stimulus.

Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems. The theory of evolution underpins biology. All new species arise from an existing species. Physiological pathways, cell structure, DNA as the genetic material and a ‘universal’ genetic code.

The control of gene expression. Cells are able to control their metabolic activities, the transcription and translation of their genome. Although the cells within an organism carry the same coded genetic information, they translate only part of it.

Coursework/Examination Requirements:

AS Assessment Two written examinations each worth 50%

A Level Assessment Three written examinations each worth 33.33%

Entry Criteria:

You will need to achieve the pathway criteria, please see the prospectus for further information

You will need to achieve a Grade 5 or above in GCSE Mathematics

You will need to achieve a GCSE Science with a significant Biology component (for example, Core and Additional Science) at Grade 6 or above

Progression: Any career that requires qualities such as adaptability, creativity, curiosity, tenacity and analytical skills. Former students have studied the following degrees at Higher Education: Medicine, Pharmacy, Oceanography, Zoology, Dentistry, Paramedic Science, Sports Science, Natural Science, Business, Midwifery, Geology, Law, Forensic Science, Genetics, Biochemistry, Biology Chemistry and many more.