Overview
Biology is the study of living things. From September 2016 it can be studied within a separate Biology GCSE or as part of a combined course at GCSE called “Trilogy” and the current year 9 and 10 students will follow the AQA GCSE courses. Current year 11 students study a separate Biology GCSE or study Biology as part of Core and Additional Science.
Year 9
From September 2016, all pupils will begin their GCSE studies in science. In all disciplines, this will entail introducing the key concepts and knowledge that will be revisited and built upon as they progress through years 10 and 11.
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
| Cells: microscopy, plant and animal cells, cell differentiation and specialisation. | Genetics: cell division and the cell cycle, mitosis, stem cells and their uses and cloning. | Diffusion, osmosis and active transport and how cells or organisms are adapted for these. |
Homework
Homework is usually set using homework booklets which feature past paper questions. Whenever possible, the questions will focus on prior learning and offer the students regular practise with past paper questions, thus developing their exam technique.
Useful information
The AQA website features most of the past papers, and mark schemes from recent years. Students who use this resource wisely are usually very successful in exams.
5 ways to help my son/ daughter
- Ensure that they complete their homework
- Ensure that they know when assessments are taking place and are doing the necessary revision for them
- Ensure that they use their PLCs (personal learning checklists) in order to self-check what they have covered in the specification
- Ensure that they use their PLCs when revising
- Ensure that they are using the AQA website to download, and complete, as many past papers as possible
Year 10
In GCSE Biology, students start with the basics: cells. By the end of the course, the students will have a comprehensive knowledge of many aspects of Biology including organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics, homeostasis and response, inheritance, variation, evolution and ecology. The students also complete essential practical work which is now a fundamental part of the course. At the end of year 11, the current year 10 group will complete two exam papers, each worth 50% of the GCSE.
Homework
Homework is usually set using homework booklets which feature past paper questions. Whenever possible, the questions will focus on prior learning and offer the students regular practise with past paper questions, thus developing their exam technique.
Useful information
The AQA website features most of the past papers, and mark schemes from recent years. Students who use this resource wisely are usually very successful in exams.
5 ways to help my son/ daughter
- Ensure that they complete their homework
- Ensure that they know when assessments are taking place and are doing the necessary revision for them
- Ensure that they use their PLCs (personal learning checklists) in order to self-check what they have covered in the specification
- Ensure that they use their PLCs when revising
- Ensure that they are using the AQA website to download, and complete, as many past papers as possible
Year 11
The current year 11 group are studying the GCSE Biology (4401) specification, a course that will finish at the end of this academic year. They will complete three units: B1, B2 and B3 and sit an exam on each of these units at the end of year 11. Each exam will count towards 25% of their GCSE. The remaining 25% will come from a piece of coursework or “CAU” that they will complete in class.
Homework
Homework is usually set using homework booklets which feature past paper questions. Whenever possible, the questions will focus on prior learning and offer the students regular practise with past paper questions, thus developing their exam technique.
Useful information
The AQA website features most of the past papers, and mark schemes from recent years. Students who use this resource wisely are usually very successful in exams.
5 ways to help my son/ daughter
- Ensure that they complete their homework
- Ensure that they know when assessments are taking place and are doing the necessary revision for them
- Ensure that they use their PLCs (personal learning checklists) in order to self-check what they have covered in the specification
- Ensure that they use their PLCs when revising
- Ensure that they are using the AQA website to download, and complete, as many past papers as possible