Biology
Mrs. N.
Bailey
Head of Subject
Biology
“In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.”
Biology is the study of life itself. By exploring the living world around us, we uncover the incredible diversity of species that share our planet and gain insight into how they function, evolve, and interact with one another and with us. From life-saving medical breakthroughs to advances in agriculture and biotechnology, biology continues to transform the way we understand and improve the world. Through genetics and evolution, we unlock the story of our past, and through ecology and conservation, we are learning how to protect and shape a sustainable future for our planet.
At FUS, the Biology Department is committed to delivering a broad, balanced, and engaging curriculum that sparks curiosity and inspires discovery. Guided by a passionate team of experienced biology specialists, we aim to nurture critical thinking, curiosity, and a love of learning—empowering our students to become the biologists, innovators, and environmental stewards of the future.
Meet the Biology Department
Mrs. N.
Bailey
Biology Teacher
Mr. O.
Timmis
Biology Teacher
Miss. S.
Lewis
Biology Teacher
Miss. A.
Whitehead
Biology Teacher
Miss. S.
Rymer
Biology Teacher
Miss. A.
Dearlove
Biology Technician
Curriculum Overview
Please rotate your device to landscape to view the Curriculum for years 9, 10 and 11.
Autumn 1
Autumn 2
Spring 1
Spring 2
Summer 1
Summer 2
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Cell Biology
Organisation and the Digestive System
The Circulatory System
Plant Organisation
Bioenergetics and Photosynthesis
Bioenergetics and Respiration
Infection & Response
The Nervous System
Homeostasis 1
Homeostasis 2
Ecology 1
Ecology 2
Inheritance
Evolution and Selective Breeding
Human Impact on Environment
Revision
Revision
Extra-Curricular Opportunities & Enrichment
In Year 9 our students experience Bugman.
In Year 10 we take students to London to experience GCSE Live Science where our students get the chance to see and hear five of Britain’s top scientists, all working at the cutting edge of their specialisms. Year 10 students also get a chance to experience cells and evolution in the Planetarium.
In Year 11 students are invited to participate in our medicine talks – in 2025/2026 our students got the chance to see and hear from a GP, a theatre nurse and a radiologist and they also got some real hands on experience.
With the GP pupils were able to find out about work experience and use a selection of GP devices to measure heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure and test reflexes. With the radiologists pupils were able to find out about allied healthcare professionals and take a quiz identifying parts of the body and fractures in x-rays.
With the theatre nurse pupils and had the chance to intubate a teddy bear, practice keyhole surgery by moving sweets around a box and hold hip and knee replacements.
Careers Links
Studying Biology provides a strong foundation for a wide range of career pathways. These include healthcare professions such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy; scientific research roles including biomedical scientist, microbiologist, geneticist, and biochemist; and environmental careers such as ecologist, conservation scientist, marine biologist, and environmental consultant. It also supports opportunities in agriculture and food science, education, science communication, biotechnology, and forensic science.
Students studying Biology develop a strong foundation of scientific knowledge alongside valuable transferable skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, data analysis, and practical laboratory techniques. These skills are highly sought after by employers and prepare students for a wide range of careers in healthcare, science, environmental sectors, and beyond. As a result, Biology students are well equipped for further education, training, and future employment in an increasingly science-driven world.
Useful Information for Parents
Students will sit two papers, both worth 100 marks, at the end of year 11. More information can be found on the AQA website at the link below.
Parents will be given the option to purchase CGP Revision Guides through the school at a discounted rate during Year 9. Homework booklets are issued to students for each topic. Knowledge organisers are given to students at the start of each year which give students all the knowledge they need to learn in that academic year. To be successful students need to be able to recall this knowledge and parents can help students to do this using flash cards. Pre-made cards can be found on many websites including Physics and Maths tutor for free or the questions in the knowledge organiser can be used to make these. Past paper exam questions will allow students to practice applying their knowledge to a different context and can be found on Cognito and Physics and Maths tutor.
All students have access to Seneca and Sparx Science through school. Homework will be set through Sparx each week alongside the homework booklets.