The Crypt School - Biology Department KS4 PoS with endpoints (2025-2026) (*Teaching order and assessments may change during the year) Updated July 2025
Vision: Our primary aim is to instil a genuine love of the sciences and the confidence to question our understanding of the natural and physical world. The programme of study aims to develop inquisitive minds into critical thinkers through acquiring theoretical knowledge, practical skills and scientific literacy Students will understand how science continuously builds upon previous advancements and understanding; linking the topics studied with real-world application ensures that our pupils develop key investigative, analytical and evaluative skills to prepare for their life ahead.
9
AQA GCSE Biology (common content for GCSE Biology and GCSE Combined Science)
Module: Cell Biology
Topics: Microscopy, cell division and cell Structure.
Module: Transport in Cells
Topics: Diffusion, exchange surfaces and osmosis.
Key Skills: Biological drawings, research Skills, microscopy calculations, use of key terms.
Key Skills: Planning and completing investigations, graph drawing, comparing structures and functions, precision of language, exam skills
Module: Enzymes
Topics: Enzymes
MP: Biological drawing RPA
MP: Cells Test
Key Skills: Planning, completing and analysing investigations, making and recording observations, revision skills.
MP: Mid year exam
Module: Digestive System
Topics: Structure and function of the digestive system and chemical tests.
Key Skills: Knowledge acquisition, interpreting results of investigations.
Module: Ecology
Topics: Adaptations, competition and food webs and food chain efficiency, sampling.
Key Skills: Research skills, use of key terminology, interpreting data, sampling techniques applications to the real world, exam skills.
MP: Enzymes and digestion test
Module: Ecology
Topics: Nutrient cycling, human impacts on the environment.
● To understand the structural differences between types of cells and how it enables them to perform specific functions.
● To be able to describe and explain the structure and function of the digestive system, including the action of enzymes.
Key Skills: Exam skills, evaluating data on climate change, applications to the real world, revision skills.
● To identify a range of scientific techniques for conducting a practical including quantitative and qualitative methods.
● To have an understanding of how organisms interact and are adapted to their environment for survival.
● To understand the process of respiration and its importance for biology
● To use microscopes to make simple and accurate biological drawings.
● To correctly use scientific language in practical planning and analysis.
● To be able to calculate order of magnitude and magnification.
Year 10
Triple
AQA GCSE
Biology
Module: Ecology & Bioenergetics
Topics: Nutrient cycling, human impacts on the environment. Photosynthesis.
Key Skills: Planning and analysing investigations, exam skills, evaluating data on climate change, applications to real world, calculating rates and volumes, analysing graphical data.
MP: September reviewyear 9 content
MP: Ecology test
Module: Organisation & Bioenergetics
Topics: Transport in animals and plants, plant tissues and organs. Respiration
Key Skills: Interpreting graphs, practical design, analysing data and evaluation, exam skills, dissection, evaluating treatments of the heart.
Module: Communicable Diseases
Topics: Diseases and vaccination, monoclonal antibodies.
Module: Non-communicable Diseases
Topics: Plant diseases, health and lifestyle, growing microorganisms.
Module: Homeostasis
Topics: Homeostasis, The brain, the eye, thermoregulation, the endocrine system.
Module: Homeostasis
Topics: Excretion, the kidneys and treatments.
● To understand how to study ecosystems and the effect that humans have on them.
● To have a fundamental understanding of the functioning of organ systems in plants and animals.
● To understand the processes of photosynthesis and its importance for biology
Key Skills: Analysing data, evaluating uses of monoclonal antibodies, real world application.
Key Skills: Revision techniques, interpreting and analysing graphs, research skills, performing an investigation, aseptic technique, calculations for microbiology.
Key Skills: Designing and performing an investigation, interpreting and analysing graphs, research skills, dissection skills.
Key Skills: Analysis and evaluating data, evaluating treatments for diseases, written literacy.
● To understand disease and the effect on plants and animals.
● To understand the structure and function of the nervous and endocrine and excretory system.
● To have an appreciation of how developments in technologies can benefit society.
● To develop a range of practical skills using living organisms.
● To have the ability to transfer their mathematical skills to a biological context.
MP: Photosynthesis Test
MP: Mid year assessment
MP: Exam week - AQA Paper 1
MP: Homeostasis test
Year 10
Combined
Module: Ecology
AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy
Topics: Nutrient cycling, human impacts on the environment.
Key Skills: Exam skills, evaluating data on climate change, applications to the real world, revision skills.
MP: September reviewyear 9 content
MP: Ecology test
Module: Organisation and Bioenergetics
Topics: Transport in animals and plants, plant tissues and organs and photosynthesis.
Key Skills: Interpreting graphs, practical design, analysing data and evaluation, exam skills.
MP: Photosynthesis Test
Module: Bioenergetics
Topics: Respiration
Key Skills: Interpreting graphs, practical design, analysing data and evaluation, exam skills, rates calculations.
MP: Mid year assessment
Module: Communicable Diseases
Topics: Diseases and vaccination, drug development.
Key Skills: Analysing data, real world application, revision skills.
Module: Non-communicable Diseases
Topics: Health and lifestyles.
Key Skills: Interpreting and analysing graphs, research skills, exam skills.
MP: Exam week - AQA Paper 1
Module: Homeostasis
Topics: The nervous system, the endocrine system.
Key Skills: Analysis and evaluating data, evaluating treatments for diseases, written literacy.
MP: Homeostasis test
● To develop a range of scientific writing skills in a biological context.
● To understand how to study ecosystems and the effect that humans have on them.
● To have a fundamental understanding of the functioning of organ systems in plants and animals.
● To understand the processes of photosynthesis and its importance for biology.
● To understand disease and the effect on plants and animals.
● To understand the structure and function of the nervous and endocrine system.
● To have an appreciation of how developments in technologies can benefit society
● To develop a range of practical skills using living organisms.
● To have the ability to transfer their mathematical skills to a biological context.
● To develop a range of scientific writing skills in a biological context.
Year 11
Triple
AQA GCSE
Biology
Module: Homeostasis and Inheritance
Topics: Human reproduction, plant hormones, DNA.
Key Skills: Interpreting charts, planning and implementing and investigation, revision skills.
MP: September reviewyear 9 content
MP: Homeostasis test
Module: Inheritance
Topics: Inheritance, classification, evolution and natural selection.
Key Skills: Performing genetic crosses, application of knowledge, understanding how the work of scientists influences our understanding of biology, exam skills.
MP: Mock exams - AQA Paper 1
Module: Inheritance
Topics: Speciation, selective breeding, cloning, genetic engineering, revision
Key Skills: Evaluating modern technologies, classifying information, study skills.
Module: Revision
Lessons: Revision
Topics: Paper 2
Topics: Paper 1
MP: Inheritance questions
Key Skills: All skills required for the GCSE.
Key Skills: All skills required for the GCSE.
● To begin to understand the importance of the genome in inheritance and an introduction to genetic engineering.
● To understand how and why organisms evolve and how modern classification systems have developed.
● To be able to write scientifically using key biological terminology
● To design experiments to test hypotheses to produce valid results.
● To have an understanding of the range of scientific equipment and how to use it in the laboratory
● To understand the principles of data handling and analysis.
● To develop their interest and enthusiasm for biology to have confidence in their ability for further study.
● To evaluate the personal, moral and ethical implications of scientific technology
Year 11 Combined AQA GCSE
Combined Science: Trilogy
Module: Homeostasis and Inheritance
Topics: DNA and Inheritance, meiosis, reproduction.
Key Skills: Interpreting charts, genetic crosses, planning and implementing and investigation, revision skills.
MP: September reviewyear 9 content
MP: Homeostasis test
Module: Inheritance
Topics: Inheritance, classification.
Key Skills: Application of knowledge, understanding how the work of scientists influences our understanding of biology.
MP: Mock exams - AQA Paper 1
Module: Inheritance
Topics: Natural selection, selective breeding, genetic engineering.
Key Skills: Evaluating modern technologies, classifying information, study skills.
MP: Inheritance questions
MP: AQA Paper 2
Single Science: Paper 1 (Modules 1-4): 1 hour and 45 minutes Paper 2 (Modules 5-7): 1 hour and 45 minutes
Lessons: Revision
Module: Revision
Topics: Paper 2 Key Skills: All skills required for the GCSE.
MP: AQA Paper 2
Topics: Paper 1
● To begin to understand the importance of the genome in inheritance and an introduction to genetic engineering.
● To understand how and why organisms evolve and how modern classification systems have developed.
● To be able to write scientifically using key biological terminology
Key Skills: All skills required for the GCSE. EXAMS
Combined Science:
Paper 1 (Modules 1-4): 1 hour and 15 minutes
Paper 2 (Modules 5-7): 1 hour and 15 minutes
● To design experiments to test hypotheses to produce valid results.
● To have an understanding of the range of scientific equipment and how to use it in the laboratory.
● To understand the principles of data handling and analysis.
● To develop their interest and enthusiasm for biology to have confidence in their ability for further study.
● To evaluate the personal, moral and ethical implications of scientific technology.
OCR (A)
A-level
Biology
Year 12
Biological processes
Teacher 1
Module 1: Practical skills (continued throughout the course).
Module 2: Foundations in biology.
Topics: Biological molecules.
Key Skills: Comparing biochemical structures, study skills, compare and contrast, linking structure to function.
MP: Biological molecules test.
OCR (A)
A-level
Biology
Year 12
Biological diversity
Teacher 2
Module 1: Practical skills (continued throughout the course).
Module 2: Foundations in biology.
Topics: Cell structure and nucleotides.
Key Skills: Comparing biological structures, microscopy, study skills, use of computers.
MP: Baseline review
Module 2: Foundations in biology.
Topics: Enzymes and biological membranes.
Key Skills: Practical investigation, data interpretation inc. graphical and tabular data.
MP: Enzymes and membranes test.
Module 3: Exchange and transport.
Topics: Exchange surfaces and breathing.
Key Skills: Using models, dissection and biological drawing.
MP: Mid-year assessmentfoundations in biology.
Module 3: Exchange and transport.
Topics: Transport in animals.
Key Skills: Dissection, graphical data interpretation, method planning.
MP: Exchange surfaces and transport in animals test.
Module 3: Exchange and transport.
Topics: Transport in plants.
Key Skills: Microscopy, application and exam practice.
MP: End of year assessmentbiological processes paper.
Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy.
Topics: Communication and homeostasis, excretion.
Key Skills: Microscopy, histology, linking structure to function, biological drawing.
● To have an understanding of the cellular structure, biochemistry and function of the living organism.
● To understand the structural and functional adaptations of plants and animals in terms of their exchange and transport systems.
● To have an understanding of the variety of organisms that are pathogenic and how plants and animals have developed defences to deal with disease.
● To have an understanding of the importance of biodiversity and an appreciation for the need for conservation.
● To be able to successfully utilise microscopes to draw and calculate size of specimens.
● To use a range of biochemical techniques including quantitative and qualitative testing.
● To develop an understanding of the ethical use of living organisms in a practical context.
Module 2: Foundations in biology.
Topics: Cell division, cell diversity and cell differentiation.
Key Skills: Microscopy, biological investigation.
MP: Cell structure and nucleotides test.
Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease.
Topics: Communicable diseases and biodiversity.
Key Skills: Linking structure to function, application of knowledge, outdoor investigative methods, statistics.
MP: Mid-year assessmentfoundations in biology.
Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease.
Topics: Classification.
Key Skills: Statistics and application of statistics.
MP: Module 4 testdisease, diversity and classification.
Module 6: Genetics and ecosystems.
Topics: Cellular control.
Key Skills: Exam application, use of keywords and exam specific language.
MP: End of year assessmentbiological diversity.
Module 6: Genetics and ecosystems.
Topics: Patterns of inheritance.
Key Skills: Interpretation and drawing of genetic diagrams
● To acquire a competence in the manipulation of qualitative and quantitative data including statistical testing.
OCR (A)
A-level
Biology
Year 13
Biological processes
Teacher 1
Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy.
Topics: Neuronal and hormonal control.
Key Skills: Relating structure to function, revision.
MP: September assessment - AS topics: biological processes.
OCR (A)
A-level
Biology
Year 13
Biological diversity
Teacher 2
Module 6: Genetics and ecosystems.
Topics: Patterns of inheritance and manipulating genomes.
Key Skills: Drawing and interpreting genetic diagrams, interpretation of genetic fingerprints
MP: September assessment - AS topics: biological diversity.
Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy.
Topics: Plant and animal responses.
Key Skills: Application of theory into novel scenarios
MP: November assessment - mainly module 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 & 5.4.
Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy.
Topics: Photosynthesis.
Key Skills: Research, citation, analysis, evaluation, chromatography.
MP: Mock examcombined processes and diversity questions.
Module 6: Genetics and ecosystems.
Topics: Cloning and biotechnology.
Key Skills: Evaluating ethical dilemmas, use of aseptic techniques, social and economic implications for the future.
MP: November assessment - mainly module 6.1, 6.2 & 6.3.
Module 6: Genetics and ecosystems.
Topics: Ecosystems.
Key Skills: Analysis and evaluation of socioeconomic impacts within biology.
Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy.
Topics: Respiration.
Key Skills: Development of scientific knowledge, revision techniques.
Summary review, revision and linking knowledge.
Topics: Unified biology and revision.
Key Skills: Drawing links between topics, effective revision strategies, application of knowledge. Review of all skills required for the A-level exams.
MP: Respiration test.
Module 6: Genetics and ecosystems.
Topics: Populations and sustainability.
Key Skills: Analysis and evaluation of socioeconomic impacts within biology.
MP: Mock exam - full paper 3: unified biology.
Summary review, revision and linking knowledge.
Topics: Unified biology and revision.
Key Skills: Drawing links between topics, effective revision strategies, application of knowledge. Review of all skills required for the A-level exams.
MP: Populations and sustainability test.
EXAMS
Paper 1 - Biological processes (Modules 1, 2, 3&5): 2h15
Paper 2 - Biological diversity (Modules 1, 2, 4&6): 2h15
Paper 3 - Unified biology (All content - links drawn between modules): 1h30
● To have an understanding of the range of biochemical and physiological processes in plants and animals.
● To have an appreciation of the complexity of the genome and the associated technologies in the real world.
● To have an understanding of the diversity of life.
● To be able to effectively plan and critically analyse and evaluate scientific experiments.
● To be an adept practical biologist who can safely and correctly use laboratory equipment.
● To develop competence and confidence in mathematical and problem-solving skills.
● To develop their interest and enthusiasm for biology including developing an understanding of post-education opportunities relating to biology
● To understand how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how biology contributes to the success of society.