Biology
WJEC GSCE
Studying GCSE Biology provides the foundations for understanding the material world. Scientific understanding is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all learners should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. They should be helped to appreciate how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described in terms of a small number of key ideas relating to the sciences which are both inter-linked, and are of universal application. The GCSE Biology course provides a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. It encourages learners to develop confidence in, and a positive attitude towards, Biology and to recognise its importance in their own lives and to society.
Assessment
CELLS, ORGAN SYSTEMS and ECOSYSTEMS
Written examination : 1 hour 45 minutes, 45% of qualification
A mix of short answer questions, structured questions, extended writing and data response questions with some set in a practical context. To be completed at the end of year 10.
VARIATION, HOMEOSTASIS and MICRO-ORGANISMS
Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes, 45% of qualification
A mix of short answer questions, structured questions, extended writing and data response questions with some set in a practical context. To be completed at the end of year 11.
PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT 10% of qualification
Practical assessment that will be carried out in school, but will be externally marked by WJEC. It will take place in the first half of the spring term (January – February). To be completed during year 11.