The A Level Biology course provides students with an excellent overview of the subject whilst also preparing them for further study at university and beyond. The course that we have chosen covers the main areas of Biology but also addresses the issues of independent study and research as well as collaborative work, skills that are important for further study. The course builds on the knowledge gained in IGCSE Biology and deepens your understanding of many biological concepts and how they relate to each other. You will learn how many of these concepts have elements from Chemistry and Maths. Therefore, to study the subject not only requires the highest grade in Biology but in these subjects as well. Biology is a subject where new findings are occurring almost daily and through our extra-curricular offerings, IGEM and BioSoc we can take your level of knowledge to a higher level than the course expects. Biology A-level will give you the skills to make connections and associations with all living things around you. Being such a broad topic, you’re bound to find a specific area of interest. These topics include the following, but for more information speak to either Dr Pattison or one of the Biology teachers: • Biological molecules • Cells and their ultrastructure • Biochemical pathways including respiration and photosynthesis • Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms • Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments • Genetics and control of gene expression The role of practical work Biology, like all sciences, is a practical subject. Throughout the course, you will carry out practical activities including: • using microscopes to see cell division • dissection of animal or plant systems • aseptic technique to study microbial growth • investigating activity within cells • investigating animal behaviours • investigating distributions of •species in the environment. These practical activities will give you the skills and confidence needed to investigate the way living things behave and work. It will also ensure that if you choose to study a Biology-based subject at university, you will have the practical skills needed to carry out successful experiments in your degree. The exam board require us to assess each student for a ‘Science Practical Endorsement’. Although this does not contribute to the overall grade, it is recorded on the student’s certificate as a pass/fail. We expect that all CLS pupils who carry out the practical tasks will gain this endorsement.
A pupil should have at least a 7/A grade at GCSE to take the subject at A Level, even though in some subject areas, an 8 or 9 at GCSE is a stronger indicator of subsequent success at A-Level.
There are three exams at the end of the Senior Sixth, all of which are two hours long. At least 15% of the marks for A-level Biology are based on what you learned in your practical lessons.
About School
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | City of London |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender of School | Boys |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £22,635 |
| Address | 107 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 3AL |
The A Level Biology course provides students with an excellent overview of the subject whilst also preparing them for further study at university and beyond. The course that we have chosen covers the main areas of Biology but also addresses the issues of independent study and research as well as collaborative work, skills that are important for further study. The course builds on the knowledge gained in IGCSE Biology and deepens your understanding of many biological concepts and how they relate to each other. You will learn how many of these concepts have elements from Chemistry and Maths. Therefore, to study the subject not only requires the highest grade in Biology but in these subjects as well. Biology is a subject where new findings are occurring almost daily and through our extra-curricular offerings, IGEM and BioSoc we can take your level of knowledge to a higher level than the course expects. Biology A-level will give you the skills to make connections and associations with all living things around you. Being such a broad topic, you’re bound to find a specific area of interest. These topics include the following, but for more information speak to either Dr Pattison or one of the Biology teachers: • Biological molecules • Cells and their ultrastructure • Biochemical pathways including respiration and photosynthesis • Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms • Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments • Genetics and control of gene expression The role of practical work Biology, like all sciences, is a practical subject. Throughout the course, you will carry out practical activities including: • using microscopes to see cell division • dissection of animal or plant systems • aseptic technique to study microbial growth • investigating activity within cells • investigating animal behaviours • investigating distributions of •species in the environment. These practical activities will give you the skills and confidence needed to investigate the way living things behave and work. It will also ensure that if you choose to study a Biology-based subject at university, you will have the practical skills needed to carry out successful experiments in your degree. The exam board require us to assess each student for a ‘Science Practical Endorsement’. Although this does not contribute to the overall grade, it is recorded on the student’s certificate as a pass/fail. We expect that all CLS pupils who carry out the practical tasks will gain this endorsement.
A pupil should have at least a 7/A grade at GCSE to take the subject at A Level, even though in some subject areas, an 8 or 9 at GCSE is a stronger indicator of subsequent success at A-Level.
There are three exams at the end of the Senior Sixth, all of which are two hours long. At least 15% of the marks for A-level Biology are based on what you learned in your practical lessons.
