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| Introduction
On behalf of the Faculty of Science and Heads of Departments I bid you a very warm welcome and thank you for visiting the Biology Department web site. We hope you will enjoy browsing through this site and that you will also visit the Chemistry and Physics Department's sites. Not all of our activities are included in this site. Do please feel free to contact myself, Dr. D. R. Hankey, Head of Science or Dr. M. Martin, Head of Biology, for further information. Dr. D. R. Hankey Head of Science Head of Chemistry dhankey@warminsterschool.org.uk
Dr. M. Martin Head of Biology About the Biology Department | Biology is a popular subject throughout the school. The Department has an enviable record of value added achievement at both GCSE and A-level. Pupils undertake a foundation course in Year 7 and 8 based on the National Curriculum and Common Entrance. Pupils commence their GCSE studies in Year 9 and late arrivals to the school are catered for through additional catch-up instruction out of lesson time. The Department prepares pupils for public examinations in AQA GCSE Biology, Science, Additional Science and Applied Science, in conjunction with the Chemistry and Physics Departments. At advanced level students study the well established EDXCEL GCE Biology course. Students in the first year of their sixth form must carry out an extensive investigation on a biological topic, which is assessed and goes towards their final mark. Each set has two teachers for four periods per teacher per week. In addition to A-levels students may alternatively opt to undertake the International Baccalaureate diploma and can choose from either Higher or Standard level Biology. In addition to the core specification, students study neurobiology and evolution.
Pupils are setted according to ability and are taught in relatively small groups. Pupils are taught by subject specialist staff. Pupils in Year 7, 8 & 9 receive two lessons a week biology teaching, which increases to three per week in Years 10 & 11. The Department is proud of all its pupils and believes strongly in catering to the highest standards for their education and their enjoyment of the subject. Our staff are enthusiastic teachers and lessons are viewed as a partnership between teacher and pupils. Lessons are dynamic, interactive, academically challenging and engaging. We employ a wide variety of teaching and learning activities. Practical and investigative work is a strong feature in our teaching. Pupils are taught to use sophisticated pieces of equipment at an early age and to make and interpret accurate and reliable measurements and observations. This, coupled with teacher and pupil use of the latest ICT hardware and software resources, enables students to develop a strong understanding in each topic. The Department caters well for pupils of different ability levels; it stretches and nurtures according to needs. As needs require, lessons are supported by the Department’s technical staff and by learning support assistants. The Department operates regular clinic sessions and out of class activities. Students are taken on trips to develop and enhance their understanding in the subject. The Department also proudly promotes careers within the sciences.  Facilities | The Biology Department is located on the ground floor of the Science Centre. Teaching takes place in two specialised laboratories and in two multi-science laboratories. Each laboratory is equipped with a ceiling mounted digital projector and a coupled interactive whiteboard. There is a wealth of general and more specialised equipment, in addition to access to the latest state-of-the-art animation and simulation computer software. The Department also has a comprehensive intranet-based teaching and learning resource hub.
The Department uses the latest generation of Blue Tooth data loggers as well as other independent machines and has access to its own specialised and general science based sensors. Bench-mounted network points with Internet access coupled with dry research areas and separate computer stations, allow for the expanded incorporation of ICT within the laboratory. Different teaching and learning environments are easily created by virtue of having fixed and moveable benching. Large or small CCTV-coupled demonstration work can be conducted in the middle of a class or at the front of the class. Aims and Objectives | Trips Activities and News | |
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