Friday 9th March 2012
Congratulations to Sarah Gardner who was crowned classical winner of Next Brit Thing 2012 earlier t...
Read full news story...Thursday 2nd February 2012
Charlie Vasiliou has reached the final of the Young Drummer of the Year competition, after fighting...
Read full news story...Tuesday 31st January 2012
The Department for Education published the school performance league tables this week....
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Life inspires many questions as it is such a fascinating and complex phenomenon. In the Biology department at Yarm, we believe it is the questions that count, whether they come from a fresh-faced 1st Year pupil or a towering Upper Sixth former, we encourage pupils’ curiosity about the living world around us as an integral part of their learning experiences. Whatever the age, interest or background, there is something in Biology to inspire, fascinate and absorb those who have open eyes and an open mind.
Within the Biology Department we have three well-equipped laboratories with access to a fourth teaching lab shared between all three sciences. We also have five dedicated and enthusiastic teaching staff, a prep room managed by an experienced biology specialist technician plus a conservatory full of plants and a small menagerie of animals - all of which add up to a diverse, stimulating corner of the school. Biology features a lively extra-curricular club, one of the largest A Level groups in the School, a strong results record at both GCSE and A Level, and an undeniable air of excitement and intellectual challenge.
Biology Department Staff
Dr Keith Perry (Head of Department)
Mr Simon Crabtree
Mr Chris Mulligan
Mrs Penny Clarke
Mr David Woodward
Mrs Jackie Dunn (Technician)
Lower School
All 1st Year pupils study science in two lessons a week introducing the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The Biology course in 2nd Year is designed to stimulate interest in biology, allowing pupils to develop a broad basic knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject.
All pupils continue with Biology to GCSE level in 3rd though to 5th Year. From September 2011, the majority of pupils will take the internationally recognised IGCSE Biology (Edexcel 2009) course. This course is examined in the traditional manner by two end of course exam papers: Paper 1, a two hour core paper which comprises 66.6% of the total marks, and Paper 2, a one hour extension paper which comprises 33.3% of the total marks.
With no coursework in this course, extra lesson time is available to enable pupils to gain a wide experience of practical work which enhances the pupils’ understanding of the key concepts studied. This is invaluable for both their IGCSE course per se as well as equipping them well for any further studies in science subjects.
Practical and Investigative skills usually covered in GCSE coursework are examined on the written papers in IGCSE.
A small proportion of the GCSE cohort will take (AQA) GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science.
Sixth Form
At A Level, a large proportion of our sixth formers choose to study Biology.
The AQA A Level course, includes:-
at AS Level:
Biology and Disease,
Cells; Pathogens, Lifestyle and Disease;
Immunology; Respiratory System
Circulatory System;
Digestion, Enzymes and Biological Molecules
Variety of Living Organisms:
Classification, Adaptation & Biodiversity
Variation
at A2 Level:
Measuring abiotic factors in a sand dune succession study
Populations and Environment
Populations & Ecosystems; Photosynthesis;
Respiration; Energy Transfer & Nutrient Recycling
Control in Cell & Organisms.
Stimuli & Responses;Homeostasis;Genes and proteins;Genetic engineering.
Both AS and A2 courses include two examined theory units and an externally assessed ‘practical assignment’.
A Level biology is taken by many of our students as a natural route into University to study medicine, dentistry or biological sciences such as genetics and environmental science; for some it provides a bridging subject between the Arts and the Sciences.
For more information, please contact Dr Keith Perry (Head of Biology)
[e.mail - kwp@yarmschool.org].
