Sullivan Upper

BIOLOGY
Biology is the study of living things, both large and small, plant and animal and how they interact with their environment.

It is taught as part of the Year 8 Science course covering topics such as Cells and Reproduction.

In Years 9 and 10 it is taught as a separate subject by a specialist teacher with one lesson per week. Topics covered in Year 9 include Food, Teeth and Digestion, Brain and learning, Varity of life, Microbiology and How Plants Feed.

In Year 10 topics include Breathing, Circulation, Reproduction and Ecology.
In the Junior school there is an emphasis on using visual material, practical work and active methods to aid learning.

At GCSE the CCEA specification is followed and the subject is taught in 5 periods a week. The topics include those covered at Key Stage 3 plus some additional ones such as Transport in Plants, Excretion and Movement Into and Out of Cells. It is a popular choice by Year 11 pupils, around 100 of the year group choosing it. Regular testing, plenty of practice at past paper questions and coursework which is carried out within class time help ensure the work is spread over the two years and avoid last minute panic. Biology is also a popular choice at AS and A2 level where again the CCEA Specifications are followed. Those topics covered at GCSE are addressed in greater depth. There is an emphasis on practical work at AS level. Coursework in both AS and A2 is carried out in class.
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