Biology at King Charles I School:

The Biology department currently offers the new AQA specification which builds on concepts and skills that will have been developed in the new GCSE Science specifications. It presents biology as exciting, relevant and challenging. The specification presents essential principles in contexts that we know students find interesting. The specification emphasises the way in which scientists work and the contributions of science to modern society in a way that underpins the specification but is never intrusive. Unit 1 is smaller than Unit 2 to allow more time to develop skills alongside understanding of concepts and principles.

The scheme of assessment allows for stretch and challenge for the most able but still allows for the less able to show what they know and what they can do. Assessment will involve the study of four modules, each to be examined separately and a piece of internally assessed coursework at both AS and A2 levels. There is also a compulsory field course in May of Year 12 to support the teaching of the Populations and Environment module. Aspects of the A level Biology course are well suited to students studying both PE and Psychology and thus compliment these courses well.