Departments

Biology

"Biology is the only science in which multiplication means the same thing as division. "
We are the only department to wear designer genes. Biologists have also been known to eat yogurt and get cultured.
We unravel life’s mysteries like why a red blood cell walked into a busy restaurant and when the hostess asked, "Would you like to sit at the bar?" the red cell answered, "No thanks, I'll just circulate."

Teaching Staff

Mr. David Gray (HoD)
Mrs R Wilson (Acting Head of DEpartment)
Dr. Karen Napier
Mrs L Henderson

Technical Support

Mr. Michael Rainey

Aims

• To grow in young people an interest and enjoyment of Biological Study and apply this to local and global contexts
• To give young people opportunity to develop principles of Biology and an academic competence to gain success in external examinations.
• To give pupils the opportunity to develop their Scientific method and skills needed to problem solve and apply learning independently to new contexts.

Key Stage 3

Science is delivered in Years 8 & 9 as a unified subject where the skills needed in subsequent years are established and the foundations of each discipline are laid. The subject is organised into modules devised by specialist staff in each of the 3 science departments and assessed formatively and summatively. Biology is taught as a separate science by specialised teachers from Year 10, building depth into the previous year’s topics.

GCSE

Pupils follow the CCEA specification. Most GCSE pupils choose to study Biology in the context of Double Award Science or as a Separate subject. Coursework accounts for 25% of the course and is completed during class time with defined extensions facilitated as required.

AS/A2

Students at AS level follow the CCEA syllabus. Biology is one of the most popular subjects for L6th students with 45-65 starting the AS course and the majority continuing to A2. A field study visit to Portaferry to explore the diversity and abundance of life in our local environment is an integral part of the course.

Facilities & Resources

Our 3 dedicated Biology laboratories are well equipped and resourced with DVD and video projection, microscopes, flexicams and specialist biological equipment. Specimens of fascinating plants are housed in the greenhouse and an interesting mini-collection of geckos and insects are maintained in the department supplementing the preserved specimens and diverse models.

Achievements and Successes

The annual representation of students at the Irish Biology Olympiad has met with some very successful outcomes with Philip Crea representing Ireland at the International Olympiad in Minsk.