KS4- GCSE

The exam board is Edexcel (Pearson 9-1) for GCSE Biology and the GCSEs are awarded under the new 9-1

grading system. All assessment at GCSE is by examination at the end of Year 11.

There are two exam papers sat at the end of year 11. There is no coursework but there are 8 compulsory

Biology core practicals that may be assessed in the written exams. For both paper 1 and paper 2:

 

• First assessment: May/June (at the end of year 11).
• The assessment is 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• The assessment is out of 100 marks.
• Students must answer all questions.
• The paper will include multiple-choice, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response
• questions.
• Calculators may be used in the examination.
• Available at foundation tier and higher tier.
• The foundation tier paper will target grades 1–5.
• The higher tier paper will target grades 4–9.

In Biology, at KS4 we teach the topics listed below in order to build on knowledge and fill in the gaps from KS3

Also, these topics are in line with GCSE specification and relevant for subsequent topics at KS5.

They allow pupils to develop key concepts and skills which can be further developed at KS5.

The topics are taught in a particular order to build up knowledge from the key concepts earlier on in the course .

We expect our pupils to gain a good foundation of knowledge ready to build on in their three year GCSE course.

The skills we expect our pupils to gain are  a knowledge of topic specific content,  exam technique, extended

writing skills, core practical skills, collaborative skills, mathematical skills and the ability to make cross-curricular links.

This will help students become well rounded individuals with knowledge and skills that are transferable to everyday

life.

Topics 1-5 will have been covered by the end of year 10—this covers paper 1 of the GCSE. These topics provide

students with a grounding in key biological concepts, such as cell structure which underpins all of biology.

Topics 2 and 3 focus on genetics and requires a solid understanding of cell structure in topic 1

(which is covered in year 9).

Topic 5 brings all these concepts together and looks at health and disease.

Topics 6-9 are covered by March of year 11– this covers paper 2 and leaves good time for revision and past paper

practice.

Each year builds towards pupils gaining a well rounded foundation of knowledge in biology ready to build on or add

to in the following years. The curriculum also builds to formative topic assessments, which take place throughout

the year .

Our curriculum also has other experiences built in for pupils to be a part of such as a Science club and other STEM

challenges and competitions, e.g. Biology challenge, Workshops with the Welcome Collection and many more.

 

Topic 1 Key concepts

Topic 2 Cells and control

Topic 3 Genetics

Topic 4 Natural selection and GM

Topic 5 Health disease medicines

Topic 6 Plant structures and functions

Topic 7 Animal coordination homeostasis

Topic 8 Exchange and transport in animals

Topic 9 Ecosystems and material cycles

For A level , we follow the Edexcel Biology A Salters’ Nuffield syllabus. It provides a context led approach

which suits our students.

Good grasp of key biological concepts

Excellent experimental skills assessed via CPAC– core practical assessment criteria which students have

to demonstrate throughout the course.

Analysis and interpretation of data, application of skills to new data sets

Preparing students for undergraduate study or equivalent which in many cases may be directly linked to the

syllabus or in a related discipline.

Students need to demonstrate understanding of the syllabus and apply their knowledge to new situations

(see above)

Develop transferrable skills which may be required for the world of work or further study eg. practical skills,

teamwork.

Topic 1 – Lifestyle, Health and Risk

Topic 2 – Genes and Health

Topic 3 – Voice of the Genome

Topic 4 – Biodiversity and Natural Resources

Topic 5 – On the Wild Side

Topic 6 – Immunity, Infection and Forensics

Topic 7 – Run for your Life

Topic 8 – Grey Matter

Each class has 2 teachers and the syllabus is spilt  - Two topics are covered in  term one and two topics are

covered in term 2. and 3. Towards the end of term 3, the A2 content begins to be taught. Topics 5 and 6 are

taught in  term 1 of year 13 , 7 and 8 in term 2. The topics are taught in this order because the initial topics

provide students with  the necessary skills ( maths and analytical skills) to tackle the synoptic nature of the exams.

Genetics and Genome is subject which governs all the topics  covered. In the summer term we start topic 5 to

prepare  students for the field trip which takes place in July. Forensics topic coincides with the trip to Middlesex

university to carry out the core practical in this topic.

Each topic also has maths skills which get progressively more challenging - and this is a cumulative skill which

appears in most parts of the syllabus.

 

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