BIOLOGY

AS and A2 Teaching Schemes

Introduction

The new Edexcel course was introduced in 2000. It follows on well from the Edexcel GCSE course currently being followed at LSS but also ensures that any AS students new to the school are able to follow the material and its format effectively. It is demanding enough for students wishing to continue on to study biologically based subjects at University but is still an excellent choice of subject for those who wish to just study to AS or A level.

Timetabling

Most cohorts will have six periods of Biology split between two members of the Biology Department. Where the timetable allows, double periods are allocated as often as possible. The cohort is split into two groups on most occasions. Where the timetable allows a double lesson to be split between the two teaching staff then these sessions will be used to follow a timetable of practical lessons. Coordination between teaching staff is managed as a result of regular informal departmental meetings.

Teaching and Learning

All students in year 12 are issued with an induction booklet which informs them about what the teaching staff will expect from them and what they can expect from us. This is of particular benefit to students who are new to the school. Various sources of information are included in order to encourage private study and a copy of the complete specification is provided. Most work will be completed on file paper or worksheets which will be placed into the students’ files. The students are responsible for the maintenance of their Biology files but teaching staff will periodically inspect them to ensure that private study and the rewriting of notes etc is being done.

If a member of staff is allocated both groups within a cohort then they will teach the same material to both groups. In most circumstances teaching staff are expected to rotate around the various aspects of the specification but regular discussions are held about allocating the topics to staff.

Assessment

Common end of section tests are being developed for use with all groups. Mock exams will either be held during the School’s internal examination season or at the end of the relevant module of study. It is hoped that a common mark book will be able to be held on the School’s admin. Network once Biology becomes fully networked. This should hopefully help the teaching staff to communicate and assess students more easily. For now, all end of section test and mock exam marks are passed onto the Senior Biologist.

Students sit all 3 AS unit exams in the summer examination period. A2 students will also sit Units 4, 5, and 6 in the summer. Resits are allowed during the spring and summer examination periods following discussion with the Senior Biologist.

Coursework is still a compulsory component of Unit 3 at AS level and is usually completed during the first half of the spring term. The coursework is marked by the teaching staff and internally moderated before external moderation occurs.

At A2 level there is the option of doing a written alternative to coursework in Unit 6. This is in the form of an exam based upon the ability to design an investigation and analyse data. The 2002-2004 cohort have been trialling this as an alternative to the very demanding coursework involved at A2 level. A review will take place once the results have been released but the current opinion seems to be that this change has allowed more time to complete the course, prepare students for synoptic assessment and still have a few revision lessons.