Science: Biology at KS4

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If you require any further information about the curriculum we are following in this subject, please contact the Head of Department.

Course ID

AQA 8461

Faculty

Science

Department

Biology

Level

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

Head of Faculty

S. Owen

Head of Department

K. Gohil

Students build on their KS3 knowledge and skills to enhance their understanding of Science.

Students follow either the AQA GCSE (9-1) Combined Science course, or the AQA GCSE (9-1) Separate Science course in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We aim to capture the student’s imagination and develop their scientific curiosity through contextualised lessons that develop five key skill areas (knowledge, experimental, analysis, math, literacy). Theses skill areas are central to the mark, plan teach ethos of the faculty and are emphasised to support the students to success in GCSE and beyond.

Curriculum Termly Breakdown by Year

Year 10

Term	Unit of Work	Assessment
Autumn 1	B3: Organisation and the digestive system. B4: Organising animals and plants.	B3: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment. B4: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment.
Autumn 2	B5: Communicable diseases. B6: Preventing and treating diseases.	B5: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment. B6: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment.
Spring 1	B7: Non-communicable diseases. B8: Photosynthesis.	B7: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment. B8: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment.
Spring 2	B9: Respiration B10: The Human Nervous System	B9: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment. B10: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment.
Summer 1	B11: Hormonal Coordination	B11: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment.
Summer 2	Finish chapter B11 and revision on chapters 1 – 11 for the mock exam.	Year 10 mock exam.

Year 11

Term	Unit of Work	Assessment
Autumn 1	B12: Reproduction.	B12: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment.
Autumn 2	B13: Variation and evolution. B14: Genetics and evolution.	B13: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment. B14: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment.
Spring 1	B15: Adaptations, interdependence and competition.	B15: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment.
Spring 2	B16: Organising an ecosystem. B17: Biodiversity and ecosystems.	B16: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment. B17: End of chapter test and continuous teacher assessment. Paper 2 mock exam.
Summer 1	Revision on chapters 1-17 for the combined science GCSE exam. Support for Triple Science candidates.
Summer 2	GCSE Examination.	GCSE Examination.

Extended Learning

Year 10

Websites	Read	Visit or Watch	Extra
Kerboodle; BBC Bitesize Science; Free Science Lessons; Seneca Learning Science; Kahoot!; Focus eLearning.	AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy textbook; AQA GCSE Biology Trilogy revision guide.	Science Museum; Natural History Museum; Epping Forest; Science Documentaries on BBC.

Year 11

Websites	Read	Visit or Watch	Extra
Kerboodle; BBC Bitesize Science; Free Science Lessons; Seneca Learning Science; Kahoot!; Focus eLearning.	AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy textbook; AQA GCSE Biology Trilogy revision guide.	Science Museum; Natural History Museum; Epping Forest; Science Documentaries on BBC.