Biology
Rugby School - Warwickshire
01788556216
The Bursary, 10 Little Church Street, Rugby, CV21 3AW
Course summary

The A Level Biology course aims to lay theoretical foundations for students to pursue the subject at the highest level and develop into leaders in the field. An extensive and in-depth practical course designed to develop key laboratory skills from dissection of specimens to molecular techniques. The skills are taught with a focus on data analysis and experimental design ensuring students are more than ready to take the next step on a Biological degree. In addition, the course develops key transferrable skills that are hugely sought after by employers in many professions including: problem solving, with an emphasis on applying numerous unifying patterns and themes in Biology to unfamiliar contexts; critical thinking, through data analysis and evaluation in which students are required to critically analyse data from experimental scenarios; abstract thinking, through the application of theoretical concepts in graphical forms and in examples requiring deduction; and communication skills, through the teaching of concise and precise language to explain complex concepts in the clearest manner possible. The course also develops an appreciation of current scientific issues facing society such as the impact the human population is having on the environment and the emergence of new genetic technologies. Students are encouraged to reflect on these and will leave as scientifically literate citizens, ready to engage with some of the most exciting and important decisions of our time.

Entry requirements

Offers of places at 16+ are conditional on applicants achieving our required grades at GCSE, IB MYP or the equivalent foreign examinations. We ask for three 7 grades (or grade A) and above and another three 6 grades (or grade B) and above at GCSE or for IB MYP we require three 6 grades and three 5 grades. These should include English and mathematics and, where applicable, the subjects chosen for IB Higher Level or A-Level. We allocate places on academic merit, considered alongside the potential to contribute to our co-curricular programme. We recommend at least a Grade 6 at I/GCSE in any subject taken at IB Higher Level or A-level; students will not normally be allowed to pursue a subject in which they have attained less than a Grade 5.

How you'll be assessed

The content is assessed over three written papers at the end of the course with results graded from A*-E. • Paper 1: A two hour examination of material from topics 1-4, worth 35% of the final result • Paper 2: A two hour examination of material from topics 5-8, worth 35% of the final result • Paper 3: A two hour examination of material from topics 1-8 including practical skills, worth 30% of the final result

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionWest Midlands
Local AuthorityWarwickshire
Ofsted Rating
Gender TypeCo-Educational
ISI ReportView Report
Boarding Fee£45,990
Sixth Form Fee£45,990
AddressThe Bursary, 10 Little Church Street, Rugby, CV21 3AW