Department | Biology
FOR THE INCREASE OF LEARNING AND GOOD MANNERS
MEMBERS OF STAFF
Mr M. Scott
Head of Department
Dr C. Holland
~
Miss C. Heatrick
~
Mr P. Clarke
Technician
Subject Information
KS3 curriculum
Autumn Term |
Green plants and their environment – the study of photosynthesis |
Winter Term |
Food and digestion |
Summer Term |
Cells, The Nucleus and Genes |
KS4 curriculum
GCSE Biology is taught as a component of the Double Award specification and also as a separate science for those who want a more in-depth understanding. GCSE classes are taught in mixed ability sets of approximately 20 pupils. An emphasis is placed on practical work which provides students with analytical, problem solving, and project design skills. Such transferable skills can then be developed further in both higher education and the workplace.
Specification followed: CCEA www.ccea.org.uk
What will I study? – Double Award
What will I study? – Triple Award
KS5 curriculum
Specification followed: CCEA www.ccea.org.uk
Biology is a very popular A-level choice with approximately 60 students in Year 13 each year. Many of the students go on to read medical-related subjects at university. Other students study Biology in order to keep their options open when applying for university courses as it is recognised as a strong academic subject across the board.
What will I study?
AS 1 |
Molecules and Cells |
AS 2 |
Organisms and Biodiversity |
AS 3 |
Assessment of Practical Skills (Internal practical assessment – coursework) |
A2 1 |
Physiology and Ecosystems |
A2 2 |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary Trends |
A2 3 |
Assessment of Investigative and Practical Skills (coursework) |
How will I be assessed?
Unit |
Assessment Format |
Duration |
Weightings |
AS 1 |
Written examination, externally assessed |
1 hour 30 minutes |
37.5% of AS15% of A level |
AS 2 |
Written examination, externally assessed |
1 hour 30 minutes |
37.5% of AS15% of A level |
AS 3 |
Internal practical assessment and External written examination. |
1 hour |
25% of AS10% of A level |
A2 1 |
Written examination, externally assessed |
2 hours 15 minutes |
24 % of A level |
A2 2 |
Written examination, externally assessed |
2 hours 15 minutes |
24 % of A level |
A2 3 |
Internal practical assessment and External written examination |
1 hour 15 minutes |
12% of A level |
Department Blog Posts
2009, 2024
Speech Night 2024 GallerySpeech Night 2024
Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized
Speech Night 2024
Academic Success and Character Celebrated at Royal School Speech Night St Mark’s Parish Church, Armagh was the venue on Thursday 19th September for our annual Speech Night. Following the [...]
1109, 2024
Unveiling the New Sixth Form Common Room: A Modern Space for Pupils to Thrive GalleryUnveiling the New Sixth Form Common Room: A Modern Space for Pupils to Thrive
Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized
Unveiling the New Sixth Form Common Room: A Modern Space for Pupils to Thrive
Unveiling the New Sixth Form Common Room There was great expectation at school this morning when the new Sixth Form Common Room was opened for use. Over the summer major [...]
2208, 2024
Fantastic GCSE Results for RSA: Pupils Surpass Pre-Pandemic Standards GalleryFantastic GCSE Results for RSA: Pupils Surpass Pre-Pandemic Standards
Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized
Fantastic GCSE Results for RSA: Pupils Surpass Pre-Pandemic Standards
Fantastic GCSE achievement at RSA The wait finally ended for Year 12 pupils of The Royal School, Armagh as they collected their GCSE results from staff in the [...]
1508, 2024
Top Grades and Top Universities: Royal School A Level Triumph GalleryTop Grades and Top Universities: Royal School A Level Triumph
Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized
Top Grades and Top Universities: Royal School A Level Triumph
2024 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School Relief, celebration, and a few tears of joy were mingled at the Royal School on Thursday morning as another fine [...]
2709, 2023
Achievement recognised by Royal School Armagh GalleryAchievement recognised by Royal School Armagh
Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized
Achievement recognised by Royal School Armagh
Achievement recognised by Royal School Armagh St Mark’s Parish Church, Armagh was the venue on Thursday 21st September for our annual Speech Night. Following the academic procession, the ceremony was [...]
2408, 2023
Fantastic GCSE achievement at RSA GalleryFantastic GCSE achievement at RSA
Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized
Fantastic GCSE achievement at RSA
Fantastic GCSE achievement at RSA The wait finally ended for Year 12 pupils as they collected their GCSE results from staff in the Assembly Hall from 08:30 on [...]
1708, 2023
2023 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School Gallery2023 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School
Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized
2023 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School
2023 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School Relief, celebration, and a few tears of joy were mingled at school this morning as another fine set of A [...]
1110, 2022
Achievement recognised by Royal School GalleryAchievement recognised by Royal School
Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism
Achievement recognised by Royal School
Achievement recognised by Royal School St Mark’s Parish Church, Armagh was the venue on Thursday 22nd September for the return of the prize-giving ceremony of The Royal School, [...]
2508, 2022
2022 GCSE Exam Success at the Royal School Gallery2022 GCSE Exam Success at the Royal School
Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism
2022 GCSE Exam Success at the Royal School
More fantastic results at The Royal School Congratulations to all our pupils who have received their GCSE results. This year’s attainment is truly outstanding and we are very proud [...]
1908, 2022
2022 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School Gallery2022 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School
Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism
2022 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School
2022 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School Congratulations to all our pupils who received results yesterday. We are so proud of you and delighted at your success. [...]
703, 2022
Visit from Conor Burns MP, Minister of State for Northern Ireland GalleryVisit from Conor Burns MP, Minister of State for Northern Ireland
Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism
Visit from Conor Burns MP, Minister of State for Northern Ireland
Visit from Conor Burns MP, Minister of State for Northern Ireland We were very pleased to host a visit on Friday by Rt. Hon. Conor Burns MP, Minister [...]
2408, 2021
Excellent Results at RSA GalleryExcellent Results at RSA
Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism
Excellent Results at RSA
Excellent Results at RSA The wait finally ended for pupils of The Royal School, Armagh as they collected their A Level and their GCSE results on Tuesday 10 and [...]