Ripon Grammar School

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Biology

Biology is the study of living organisms and how they work. The news is often full of exciting developments in this science. Modern biology, based on genetics and DNA is, and will be, important for our future.

Aims of the Department

Simply stated, we aim to encourage students to enjoy the subject, develop thinking skills, encourage an awareness of and respect for the environment, lead a healthy life and have a good foundation for a biological career if desired. Most importantly we encourage students to feel part of the department through field trips and revision weekends which help to foster shared learning goals.

Biology image - Fieldtrip

Lower School or KS3

All pupils are taught Biology, by specialist Biology teachers, as a separate science. We teach the full range of topics needed for a good grounding in basic human and plant biology as well as the study of micro-organisms and disease and ecology. We aim to stretch the students and encourage them to see the relevance of biology to everyday life. We also contribute to an understanding of How Science Works and Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS)

We aim to begin study towards the GCSE specification mid-way through Year 9.

Upper School or KS4

At GCSE most students take Biology, Chemistry and Physics as three separate sciences and are taught for 3 periods a week by specialists. A small number of pupils study GCSE Science (Core) and Additional Applied Science instead of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, again taught by specialists in each subject. We are following the AQA specifications. Coursework makes up 25% of the final mark for GCSE Biology and is done entirely in lessons through the completion of Investigative Skills Assessments (ISAs) from which the students can choose their best mark.

Timing of exams for GCSE Biology:
Module B1a	Year 10 (March)
Module B1b	Year 10 (June)
Module B2	Year 11 (June)
Module B3	Year 11 (June)

Sixth Form or Post 16

The Biology department is incredibly successful at this level with around 70% of students typically obtaining A/B grades. Many students, both from within our school and entering from other schools in the sixth form, choose this popular subject. We use the OCR GCE Biology specification. Coursework makes up 15% of the final mark for A level with two written exams being taken in each year, typically the first in January and the second in June.

Results reflect the excellent standard of teaching and the commitment of staff and students to effective collaborative study. Large numbers of our sixth formers go on to study biology-related subjects at university.

Timing of exams for A level Biology external exams:
AS Unit 1	Lower Sixth (January)
AS Unit 2	Lower Sixth (June)
AS Unit 3 (Practical Skills)	Lower Sixth (during lessons, Spring Term)
A2 Unit 4	Upper Sixth (January)
A2 Unit 5	Upper Sixth (June)
A2 Unit 6 (Practical Skills)	Upper Sixth (during lessons, Spring Term)

Student Comments :

“Biology is a very popular subject at Ripon Grammar School. This is partly due to the excellent results gained by the department and partly due to the enthusiasm of the staff who teach it. The teachers really know their subject and have a real passion for it. You can guarantee that any question you ask will receive an in-depth answer. The Biology library is a useful resource, filled with extra reading books and revision materials. I think this gives students a taste of the learning style at university.”
Madeleine Wivell (Upper Sixth)

“Biology is a very interesting and challenging subject. The teachers provide good support and the subject is taught well. Background reading is essential so Biology requires commitment. I’m going to study nutrition at university so Biology is essential to my future career.”
Sadie Baskind (Upper Sixth)

“Biology is my favourite subject and I am so glad I chose to study it for A level. It is really interesting and well taught. If you enjoy the subject at GCSE level I don’t think you will find the step up too difficult. There are many different words to remember in this subject however the exercises that we do in class and the target homeworks really help you to remember the facts and definitions.”
Emily Roberts (Lower Sixth)

Career Opportunities

There is a tremendous breadth of opportunity available to student studying biology including to careers in medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, environmental and ecological work, genetic engineering and related topics, biochemistry, forensic science, etc