Garforth College

 Curriculum: Science - Biology

Biology - Chemistry - Physics

Contact Name:  Mrs N Drewett (Dr)

Who's who: (list of staff) Include areas of responsibility e.g. 2nd in Department

Mrs N Drewett (Dr) Head of Biology/Science
Mrs E Howard (Hw) Science (Biology)/ G&T, SEN coordinator
Mr D Hufton (Ht) Science  (Biology)
Mrs J Hunt (Hn) Science (Biology)
Mrs S Lowe (Lo) Science (Biology)/ITT mentor/coordinator/intervention coordinator
Mrs D Mackrell (Mk) Science (Biology) / Key stage 4 coordinator

Details of KS3:

Year 7: Taught 3 lessons of Science per week in mixed ability form groups. Topics covered are:

  • Unit 7A. Tissues and Transplants
  • Unit 7B. Sex and Science 
  • Unit 7C. Ecology Matters
  • Unit 7D. Classification

Year 8: Taught 3 lessons of Science per week in mixed ability form groups. Topics covered are :

  • Unit 8A. Food and digestion
  • Unit 8B. Respiration
  • Unit 8C. Microbes and disease
  • Unit 8D. Ecological relationships

Year 9: Taught one lesson each of Physics, Chemistry and Biology in set groups. Topics covered are :

  • Unit 9A. Inheritance and selection
  • Unit 9B. Fit and healthy
  • Unit 9C. Plants and photosynthesis
  • Unit 9D. Plants for food

Details of these schemes can be found at:

www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/schemes2/secondary_science/?view=get

 
Details of KS4:

Year 10: Students study one of the following courses according to their aptitude:

  • AQA GCSE Science A (4461)
  • AQA GCSE Biology (4411), Chemistry (4421) and Physics (4451)

All students complete Core Science in Year 10 which is the equivalent of one GCSE. Six multiple choice examinations take place in Year 10 (Possible examination sessions are in November, March and June) with parents and students being notified of exactly when particular groups will be examined.
The six module tests make up 75% of the GCSE with the remaining 25% coming from internally assessed coursework.
More able students are given the opportunity to follow the Biology, Chemistry and Physics syllabuses so study additional content which will be examined in Year 11.

Year 11: Students will study one of the following courses according to their aptitude and performance in Year 10:

  •  AQA GCSE Additional Science (4463) (Awarding a second GCSE in Science)
  • AQA GCSE Biology (4411), Chemistry (4421) and Physics (4451) (Awarding 3 Science GCSE's in total)
  • 75% of the marks will be awarded from structured examinations taken in January or June of Year 11. The remaining 25% will come from internally assessed coursework.
  • AQA GCSE Additional Applied Science

This course is assessed by a combination of examination (40%) and portfolio (60%) work.

Details of all of these courses can be found at:

www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse.html

Details of KS5:

Year 12 and 13

A Levels offered in:

  • Biology (AQA 5/6416)

All courses are taught in 5 hours of lessons per week with 2 of the 5 hours set aside for practical work in Year 12 and 4 hours of lessons in Year 13. In Biology students complete practical assessments during the course. The remaining work is assessed by structured examinations taken in January and June.
(N.B. If students chose to terminate their course at the end of Year 12, an AS level is awarded. This AS counts as 50% of the final A level if the students chose to continue to A2 in Year 13. Students should be aware that AS levels are easier than A2's and it is therefore of paramount importance that they earn as many marks as possible at AS)

Details of all of these courses can be found at:

www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gceasa.html

Forthcoming Events:

Examination dates:

Year 10 GCSE Exam (Objective tests  all students) Wednesday 4th March 2009  (am) Monday 22nd June 2009 (am).


Key Stage 4: Details of all relevant examination dates can be found at:

www.modernisationonline.org.uk/comptimetable/search.aspx

Key Stage 5: Details of all relevant examination dates can be found at:

www.modernisationonline.org.uk/comptimetable/search.aspx

Look out for:

  • Science Homework Club! (Wed 2.30-3.30pm in Lab 49)
  • Chemistry Club
  • Physics Club

Web Links:

Key Stage 3:

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/
www.samlearning.com/
www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/H/homeworkhigh/index.html

Key Stage 4:

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/
www.samlearning.com/
www.s-cool.co.uk/default.asp

Key Stage 5:

Biology:

www.examstutor.com
www.mrothery.co.uk
www.biologymad.com
www.s-cool.co.uk/default.asp
www.bbc.co.uk/education/asguru/biology
www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gceasa/biob_assess.html