Curriculum Guide | Key Stage 5
Curriculum Guide | Key Stage 5
12
SUBJECT: BIOLOGY
YEAR: 13
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Miss E James GROUPING POLICY: Mixed Ability COURSE CONTENT: Students will follow the OCR Biology Specification. At A2, two units (F214 and F215) are assessed through written examinations and a third unit (F216) is assessed through internal assessment. F214: Communications, Homeostasis and Energy (Written exam 15% of the total Advanced GCE) • Communication • Nerves and Hormones • Excretion • Photosynthesis and Respiration F215: Control, Genomes and Environment (written exam -25% of the total Advanced GCE ) • Cellular Control • Biotechnology • Ecosystems and Sustainability • Responding to the Environment F216: Practical Skills in Biology 2 ( Internal assessment – 10% of the total Advanced GCE ) Students conduct a series of tasks under controlled conditions which assess qualitative, quantitative and evaluative skills in biology. What will homework look like? Students will be expected to do additional reading, review ideas covered in class, work on biological problems and complete exam questions at home. At the beginning of the course students are issued a course booklet that contains the learning outcomes for each unit of study. This should be used as a ‘checklist’ to identify misconceptions and gaps in knowledge. What enrichment opportunities are available? Teachers arrange visits and invite speakers into school. How will my child’s work be assessed? F214 is externally examined in June. F215 is externally examined in June. F216 is internally assessed and externally moderated. How can I support my child in this subject? Many key biological ideas and concepts are covered in a short period of time and it is really important that students keep up to date with classwork and homework tasks. You can support in the following ways:
Quality, Partnership, Success
Page 1
Curriculum Guide | Key Stage 5
12
Help your child organise their notes/assessments in a folder and manage their time to ensure that they do not fall behind. Prompt your child to catch up on any missed lessons. Have regular conversations about what they are studying in class and if you feel that your child is struggling prompt them to seek help and support from their teachers. Encourage your child to learn all the key terms in Biology that can be found in the glossary in the text books. Making flash cards of these would help them improve their word power which is vital for success in this subject.
How can I support my child with exams? Encourage revision for the Pre-Public Exams (mocks) and the June examinations which must include lots of past paper practice. Past papers are available from the OCR website: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/gce/science/biology/documents/ Encourage attendance at revision sessions.
Quality, Partnership, Success
Page 2
12
SUBJECT: BIOLOGY
YEAR: 13
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Miss E James GROUPING POLICY: Mixed Ability COURSE CONTENT: Students will follow the OCR Biology Specification. At A2, two units (F214 and F215) are assessed through written examinations and a third unit (F216) is assessed through internal assessment. F214: Communications, Homeostasis and Energy (Written exam 15% of the total Advanced GCE) • Communication • Nerves and Hormones • Excretion • Photosynthesis and Respiration F215: Control, Genomes and Environment (written exam -25% of the total Advanced GCE ) • Cellular Control • Biotechnology • Ecosystems and Sustainability • Responding to the Environment F216: Practical Skills in Biology 2 ( Internal assessment – 10% of the total Advanced GCE ) Students conduct a series of tasks under controlled conditions which assess qualitative, quantitative and evaluative skills in biology. What will homework look like? Students will be expected to do additional reading, review ideas covered in class, work on biological problems and complete exam questions at home. At the beginning of the course students are issued a course booklet that contains the learning outcomes for each unit of study. This should be used as a ‘checklist’ to identify misconceptions and gaps in knowledge. What enrichment opportunities are available? Teachers arrange visits and invite speakers into school. How will my child’s work be assessed? F214 is externally examined in June. F215 is externally examined in June. F216 is internally assessed and externally moderated. How can I support my child in this subject? Many key biological ideas and concepts are covered in a short period of time and it is really important that students keep up to date with classwork and homework tasks. You can support in the following ways:
Quality, Partnership, Success
Page 1
Curriculum Guide | Key Stage 5
12
Help your child organise their notes/assessments in a folder and manage their time to ensure that they do not fall behind. Prompt your child to catch up on any missed lessons. Have regular conversations about what they are studying in class and if you feel that your child is struggling prompt them to seek help and support from their teachers. Encourage your child to learn all the key terms in Biology that can be found in the glossary in the text books. Making flash cards of these would help them improve their word power which is vital for success in this subject.
How can I support my child with exams? Encourage revision for the Pre-Public Exams (mocks) and the June examinations which must include lots of past paper practice. Past papers are available from the OCR website: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/gce/science/biology/documents/ Encourage attendance at revision sessions.
Quality, Partnership, Success
Page 2
