Biology

Course summary

We have a thriving Biology department at King Edward’s. The focus of the subject is the science behind everyday life as it affects us as humans, as well as working to understand how biology affects our environment. Biology is taught by specialist teachers across the whole school curriculum. It is followed as a separate science subject by all pupils up to the end of Year 11 and is chosen by a large number of pupils wishing to continue the subject to A Level and beyond. Among the sciences, Biology has more descriptive content than Chemistry or Physics, which makes it accessible to pupils of all backgrounds. Pupils undertake a wide range of practical work in the subject, right from the start of their careers at King Edward’s School, backed up by technical support and an extensive range of resources. The department makes good use of local opportunities to enrich the subject, making use of the School site for fieldwork, along with visits to Bristol Zoo and We The Curious in Bristol, culminating in an A Level, residential, field course in Pembrokeshire. IGCSE The majority of pupils follow the IGCSE specification, a traditional-style course that covers a range of biological topics such as plant and animal physiology, ecology and cell biology as well as more recent developments in genetic engineering and biotechnology. During the course, pupils explore topics in more detail, such as the working of enzymes and the regulation and control of the body, as well as DNA, genetics and biotechnology. Pupils continue to experience a wide range of practical techniques, further developing their investigative skills. Those who are not natural scientists are still taught Biology as a separate subject but take combined science GCSEs. A LEVEL Biology at A Level gives pupils the opportunity to widen and extend their knowledge and understanding, covering a range of topics, starting with basic biochemistry, cells and physiology, and working towards a detailed study of the way that cells and organisms are controlled by their DNA and nervous systems. Emphasis is given to investigative work; pupils do at least twelve different investigations to gain practical endorsement. Visits to a DNA workshop at We The Curious in Bristol and a residential field course, provides the pupils with the opportunity and resources to widen and further develop investigative skills beyond the classroom.