Year 9 Curriculum Guide - South Bromsgrove High School ...

Year Nine Curriculum Guide 2013-14
Biology
Curriculum Coordinator
Mr N Coates
What we will teach your child:
Autumn term: To aid the transition from Middle School, students will study a short bespoke Biology
scheme of work during the first term:
Half Term 1 – ‘Cells’: Students study the building blocks of animal and plant life.
Half Term 2 – ‘The Genetic Code’: Students study different aspects of DNA such as
inheritance and DNA technology.
Spring term and summer term: After the Christmas break, students will begin their GCSE Science
course. In their biology lessons they will begin studying the first biology module entitled ‘B1
Understanding Organisms.’ The students will not sit any external exams in Year 9.
How you can support your child:
Homework will be set each week, so please check your child’s planner and ensure they have
completed it.
Access to the internet or a library would be useful for research and revision.
Help them to revise for module tests.
Look through their exercise books asking them to explain key concepts to you. You don’t
Half Term need to 2 – know Cells: the Students science, but study they should the building be able to explain blocks it of to you. animals If they and can’t plant then
life. they need to ask their teacher.
Supportive resources / websites / visits:
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-gateway-science-suite-science-b-j261-from-
Half Term 3 – Fit and Healthy: Students study the different aspects of
2012/ - contains a link to the GCSE Science specification and past paper materials.
maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway - excellent GCSE revision
material.
Key subject information including relevant coursework deadlines:
Half Term 4 – The Genetic Code: Students study different aspects of DNA
such as There inheritance will be a test and at the DNA end technology.
of each half term.
A KS3 level (between 3 and 7) will be projected for your child in the first term and a GCSE
grade (between A* and U) will be projected for your child from January onwards.
Half Terms 5+6 – Start of GCSE course.
These projections will be based on tests and the work they produce in class and at home.
Their GCSE exam will be at the end of Year 10 or Year 11, depending on which option is
taken by your child towards the end of Year 9.
Homework Expectations:
Homework will be set on a weekly basis. A variety of homework tasks will be set and should be
recorded in your child’s planner.
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