The AQA Biology curriculum has been designed to prepare students for a wide range of occupations and further study, assessing a wide range of competencies. The subject criteria included have been assessed to see if any of the skills or knowledge required present any possible difficulty to any students, whatever their ethnic background, religion, sex, age, disability or sexuality.

We anticipate that there will be significant variation in GCSE knowledge and skills which underpin the programme of study following an unsettled few school years during the pandemic. This will be continuously checked and key concepts & skills reinforced as we progress.

We recognise the range of different families, backgrounds and religions our students may have experienced. We will be sensitive to this when exploring topics such as inheritance and evolution; the use of stem cells and the importance of research; use of DNA technologies.

We aim to create the very best Biologists. We challenge students to think, act and speak like those working in the field would.  We do this through quality first teaching, encouraging the pursuit of knowledge and facts; and applying these to unfamiliar contexts.  We teach content from basics through to advanced concepts spiralling back and building on previously taught work.  We explore the most challenging biological concepts of their school career, and develop the fundamental biological principles and skills developed gradually throughout the two-year course.

We will focus on the application of knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures in a variety of theoretical and practical contexts to develop for AO2.

Students will develop confidence in applying knowledge and understanding when handling qualitative and quantitative data.  We will challenge students to analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence in relation to issues, to make judgements and reach conclusions as well as developing and refining practical design and procedures (AO3). Students will be taught, and develop competency in the full range of apparatus & techniques expected of level 3 scientists. They will experience the full range of practical opportunities required at advanced level to ensure they can be endorsed as university / laboratory ready scientists.

We ensure that SEND and disadvantaged children are given the necessary support in class to fully access the Curriculum and that equal opportunities are given to all.

We aim to make subject relatable, by linking what is taught in lessons to real life situations and current developments in Biological understanding.  We consider historical developments in Biology and explore the scientists responsible for furthering our understanding through technical innovation

We provide opportunities for students to evaluate the moral and ethical complexities of biology such as stem cell research, embryology and gene technology.

We ensure Kagan collaborative learning strategies are embedded throughout our teaching to develop high level social skills, develop oracy, facilitate the respectful sharing of opinions; and support spiritual development.  We use thinking hard techniques to support knowledge acquisition & retention of the large volume of content covered. We provide opportunities for students to develop competency in a range of practical skills, use of apparatus & techniques. We will use the Saint George's spiritual development strategy to highlight WINDOW, MIRROR & DOOR opportunities, particularly relating to sensitive topics such as inheritance, embryology and gene technologies for example.