Biology

Biology at Northallerton School & Sixth Form College develops students’ understanding of living systems – from cells and molecules to ecosystems and evolution.

The curriculum is carefully sequenced from Year 7 to Year 13 to build:

  • Secure scientific knowledge

  • Practical investigative skills

  • Analytical thinking

  • Application of biological concepts to real-world contexts

Students develop an understanding of how biological systems are structured, how they function and how they interact.

Key Stage 3

Curriculum Intent

At Key Stage 3, students build strong foundations in:

  • Cells and organisation

  • Human body systems

  • Ecology and biodiversity

  • Genetics and variation

  • Energy transfer in living systems

Year 9 acts as a transitional year into GCSE, introducing key GCSE concepts and scientific language to prepare students for either Combined Science or Triple Science pathways.

KS3 Curriculum Overview

Term Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 (GCSE Transition)
Autumn Term 1 DIG: Nutrition & Digestion PLANTS: Ecology & Plants BIEN: Bioenergetics
Autumn Term 2 MSS: Musculo-Skeletal System GE: Gas Exchange BIEN: Bioenergetics
Spring Term 1 CT: Cells & Tissues RESP: Respiration BIEN: Bioenergetics
Spring Term 2 CT: Cells & Tissues RESP: Respiration CELLS: Cell Biology (GCSE content)
Summer Term 1 VR: Variation & Reproduction GEN: Genetics CELLS: Cell Biology (GCSE content)
Summer Term 2 VR: Variation & Reproduction GEN: Genetics CELLS: Cell Biology (GCSE content)

Year 9 introduces AQA GCSE specification content to ensure readiness for Key Stage 4.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE Biology)

Students study either:

  • Combined Science (Trilogy)

  • Separate Biology (Triple Science)

Movement between pathways is informed by assessment evidence at KS3 as part of the option process.

Year 10 & Year 11 Curriculum Overview

Term Year 10 (Combined & Triple) Year 11 (Combined & Triple)
Autumn Term 1 ORG: Organisation HR: Homeostasis & Response
Autumn Term 2 ORG: Organisation HR: Homeostasis & Response
Spring Term 1 IR: Infection & Response IVE: Inheritance, Variation & Evolution
Spring Term 2 IR: Infection & Response IVE: Inheritance, Variation & Evolution
Summer Term 1 ECO: Ecology Bespoke QLA-informed Intervention
Summer Term 2 ECO: Ecology Bespoke QLA-informed Intervention

Triple Science includes extended depth within:

  • Homeostasis & Response

  • Infection & Response

  • Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

  • Ecology

Year 11 becomes increasingly responsive, with curriculum time directed by Question Level Analysis to maximise examination outcomes.

Sixth Form (Key Stage 5) 

The curriculum builds sophisticated understanding across:
  • Biological molecules
  • Cells
  • Organisms exchange substances with their environment
  • Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
  • Energy transfers in and between organisms (A-level only)
  • Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (A-level only)
  • Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems (A-level only)
  • The control of gene expression (A-level only)
Year 12:
  • Autumn 1 - 1A - Biological Molecules /  2A - Cell Structure and Division
  • Autumn  2 - 1A - Biological Molecules / 2B - Cell Membranes
  • Spring 1 - 1B - More on Biological Molecules  / 2C - The Immune System
  • Spring 2 - 3A - Exchange and Transport Systems/  4A - DNA, RNA and Protein Synthesis
  • Summer 1 - 3A - Exchange and Transport Systems / 4B - Diversity and Selection
  • Summer 2 - 3B - More Exchange and Transport Systems / 4C - Diversity and Classification
 
Year 13:
  • Autumn 1 - 6A - Stimuli and Responses / 8A - Mutations and Gene Expression
  • Autumn 2 - 6B - Nervous Co-ordination /  6C - Homeostasis / 8B - Genome Projects and Gene Technologies / 7A - Genetics
  • Spring 1 -5A - Photosynthesis & Respiration / 7B - Populations and Evolution
  • Spring 2 - 5B - Energy Transfer and Nutrient Cycles / 7C - Populations in Ecosystems
  • Summer 1 - Bespoke QLA-informed Intervention
  • Summer 2 - Bespoke QLA-informed Intervention

KS5 Curriculum Overview

Term Year 12 Year 13
Autumn Term 1 1A - Biological Molecules
2A - Cell Structure and Division		 6A - Stimuli and Responses
8A - Mutations and Gene Expression
Autumn Term 2 1A - Biological Molecules
2B - Cell Membranes		 6B - Nervous Co-ordination
6C - Homeostasis
8B - Genome Projects and Gene Technologies
7A - Genetics
Spring Term 1 1B - More on Biological Molecules
2C - The Immune System		 5A - Photosynthesis & Respiration
7B - Populations and Evolution
Spring Term 2 3A - Exchange and Transport Systems
4A - DNA, RNA and Protein Synthesis		 5B - Energy Transfer and Nutrient Cycles
7C - Populations in Ecosystems
Summer Term 1 3A - Exchange and Transport Systems
4B - Diversity and Selection		 Bespoke QLA-informed Intervention
Summer Term 2 3B - More Exchange and Transport Systems
4C - Diversity and Classification		 Bespoke QLA-informed Intervention

Literacy, Careers and Personal Development

Across all key stages:

  • Tier 3 scientific vocabulary is explicitly taught

  • Knowledge organisers support retrieval and precision

  • Practical investigations develop analytical and evaluative writing

  • Ethical issues (e.g. genetic engineering, antibiotic resistance, biodiversity loss) are explored

  • Careers in medicine, research, environmental science and biotechnology are embedded

Students develop scientific literacy alongside critical thinking about health, sustainability and global challenges.