Department Vision
Our department philosophy is rooted in the belief that each scientific discipline – Biology, Chemistry and Physics – offers unique skills and perspectives that ignite curiosity and inspire students in distinct ways. Biology is a dynamic, relevant and fascinating subject. Studying Biology equips students with the skills to make connections and associations with the natural world. Biology literally means the study of life! Given Biology’s broad scope, students are bound to find a specific area of interest, opening doors to a fantastic range of exciting careers. We encourage curiosity and reasoning, and develop skills such as observation, analysis, investigation and interpretation. We provide students with frequent opportunities to participate in a wide range of experiments, both in our well-equipped school laboratories and during field days and trips.
Main Aims
Students not only gain an understanding of biological concepts but also acquire crucial hands-on practical skills. They learn to present their findings using technical language and up-to-date IT tools. By exploring the biological world, students are empowered to make informed choices that positively impact their future and those around them.
Years 7-8
Biology is taught as a separate science to Year 7 and 8 students. Subject specialist teachers facilitate students’ understanding of the core topics of the Key Stage Three National Curriculum. However, the Queen’s Gate Biology course is bespoke, including many topics that go beyond the National Curriculum, challenging students and providing an insight into exciting and emerging biological issues. We aim to foster confidence in handling scientific apparatus, and in analysing and communicating experimental results and conclusions.
Topics taught in Year 7 include cells and microscopy (including digital microscopy), reproduction, variation, classification and ecology.
Topics taught in Year 8 include food and digestion, breathing and respiration, healthy living, bones and the skeleton, microbes and disease, and photosynthesis.
IGCSE (Years 9-11)
Exam board: Edexcel IGCSE
The single science Biology course we offer allows students to explore the subject in greater depth than the double award or combined sciences courses. This level of detail equips students with a stronger foundation for further studies in science. It develops advanced practical and analytical skills, such as precise experimentation, data interpretation, and problem-solving – all invaluable for careers in STEM fields. Students who take single science Biology IGCSE are better prepared for science A levels, gaining confidence and familiarity with the subject’s demands, making the transition to higher education smoother. Single science is often taught by subject specialists, providing students with a richer, more passionate learning experience. These teachers bring deeper knowledge and enthusiasm, inspiring students to engage with Biology on a deeper level.
By studying single science Biology, students gain a more comprehensive and enriched experience, opening doors to academic and career opportunities that go beyond what combined science offers.
- At Queen’s Gate the Biology Edexcel IGCSE course (course code 4BI0) begins at the start of Year 9, with students having the option to continue into Years 10 and 11.
- Students will cover material from five key areas: the nature and variety of living organisms, structures and functions in living organisms, reproduction and inheritance, ecology and the environment, and the use of biological resources.
- Students experience not only the core laboratory experiments detailed in the specification but also additional hands-on experimental work and challenges.
- Throughout the course, students gain an understanding of biological principles and an appreciation of Biology’s importance in our modern lives. The course provides a sound foundation for further study of Biology at A level or, alternatively, a crucial awareness of the workings of biological systems and their role in our world.
QG Super Curriculum
Includes: Medical Society, Science week, Biology Olympiad competition, Zoological Society of London trip, Natural History Museum trip, Biology in Action lectures, Field Day, Biological Sciences Review magazine, and Core practical research training sessions.
