Over the past 150 years what Michael Behe has called the “black box of Darwin’s time” has changed enormously. The mysteries of ” .. the cell, or the eye, or digestion, or immunity ” and a world in which ” ..no one could explain how biological processes occurred” has gone. Many of these mysteries have been unfolded and Biology is now truly at the cutting edge of 21st Century science. It is a subject with a profound ability to beneficially impact mankind.
It is this excitement and promise which the Biology department at NHEHS loves to communicate to students throughout the school.
In Years 7 and 8 the girls develop a firm grasp of the fundamentals of Biology. They begin by studying cell structure and how the major organs systems underpin the characteristics of life. This nature of variation is explored alongside the role of reproduction in providing this. They go on to study skeletons, leading into a topic about insects, followed by the nature of microorganisms and how organisms adapt to the varied environments provided by nature.
Throughout Years 9-11 the girls follow a carefully structured course which builds upon these principles in a logical manner and progresses towards the most challenging concepts in Year 11. Wherever possible practical approaches are taken to give hands-on experience and help develop independence. When suitable the ‘discovery first’ approach is employed to encourage independent insight. The Edexcel IGCSE qualification deals with the most significant biological facts, principles and concepts, and provides an excellent foundation for those wishing to pursue Biology at A level.
Our A Level students are following the Edexcel Biology B specification This coherently tackles and assesses the advanced level content dealing very clearly with the higher level principles and concepts required and effectively preparing girls for related university courses, such as biological science and medicine.
There’s Biology in everything, even when you’re feeling spiritual