Skip to content ↓

Key Stage 5

OCR A – A Level Biology

A Level Biology at Saltash Community College follows the OCR A specification.  This is a topic-based approach to teaching, encompassing a range of modules and practical skills which will prepare students for further study in Biology. 

It is split into 6 modules that are spread over the 2-year course.  Each module is split into a series of units.  These modules are:

Year 12:
  • Module 1 – Development of Practical Skills – This module consists of a series of practical tasks carried out within lessons and is teacher assessed and reported separately to the performance at the A Level
  • Module 2 – Foundations in Biology
  • Module 3 – Exchange and Transport
  • Module 4 – Biodiversity, evolution and Disease
Year 13:
  • Module 5 – Communication, homeostasis and energy
  • Module 6 – Genetic, evolution and ecosystems

Teaching is split between two teachers and split into different units.  A test will occur after the completion of each unit.


Autumn Term 1:

Teacher 1 – Module 4

  • Unit 10 – Classification and Evolution
  • Unit 11 – Biodiversity

Teacher 2 – Module 2

  • Unit 2 – Basic Components of living things
Autumn Term 2:

Teacher 1 – Module 4

  • Unit 11 – Biodiversity (continued)
  • Unit 12 – Communicable Disease

Teacher 2 – Module 2

  • Unit 3 – Biological Molecules
Spring Term 1:

Teacher 1 – Module 3

  • Unit 7 – Exchange Surfaces and Breathing

Teacher 2 – Module 2

  • Unit 4 – Enzymes
Spring Term 2:

Teacher 1 – Module 3

  • Unit 8 – Transport in animals

Teacher 2 – Module 2

  • Unit 5 – Biological Molecules
Summer Term 1:

Teacher 1 – Module 3

  • Unit 9 – Transport in Plants

Teacher 2 – Module 2

  • Unit 6 – Cell Division
Summer Term 2:

Teacher 1 – Revision and Mocks

Teacher 2 – Revision and Mocks

 

Autumn Term 1:

Teacher 1 – Module 6

  • Unit 19 – Genetics of living systems
  • Unit 20 – Patterns of inheritance and variation

Teacher 2 – Module 5

  • Unit 17 – Energy for biological processes
  • Unit 18 - Respiration
Autumn Term 2:

Teacher 1 – Module 6

  • Unit 21 – Manipulating genomes

Teacher 2 – Module 5

  • Unit 13 – Neuronal Communication
Spring Term 1:

Teacher 1 – Module 6

  • Unit 22 – Cloning and Biotechnology

Teacher 2 – Module 5

  • Unit 14 – Hormonal Communication
Spring Term 2:

Teacher 1 – Module 6

  • Unit 23 - Ecosystems
  • Unit 24 – Populations and sustainability

Teacher 2 – Module 5

  • Unit 15 - Homeostasis
  • Unit 16 – Plant Responses
Summer Term 1:

Teacher 1 – Revision of previous units

Teacher 2 – Revision of previous units

Summer Term 2:

Teacher 1 – Revision of previous units

Teacher 2 – Revision of previous units

Assessment:

OCR A Level Biology is assessed by four components (3 exams and 1 practical component).  These are:

Exams:
  • Paper 1 – Biological Processes (H420/01) – 2 hours 15 minutes

    This paper is worth 100 marks and split into two sections.

    Section A – multiple choice (15 marks) and Section B – short answer questions and extended response questions (85 marks).  This paper covers Module 1, 2, 3 and 5
     
  • Paper 2 – Biological Diversity (H420/02) – 2 hours 15 minutes

    This paper is worth 100 marks and split into two sections.

    Section A – multiple choice (15 marks) and Section B – short answer questions and extended response questions (85 marks). This paper covers Module 1, 2, 4 and 6
     
  • Paper 3 – Unified Biology (H420/03) – 1 hour 30 minutes

    This paper is worth 70 marks. This is in one section and includes short answers and extended response questions. This paper covers Modules 1-6.
     
  • Practical Endorsement

    This non-exam assessment component rewards the development of practical competency in biology and is teacher assessed. Learners demonstrate competence in the range of skills and techniques carried out in lessons.

Homework:

Students will be given a range of homework, including exam-style questions, revision activities and self-study.  Students will be expected to work at least 1 hour outside of lessons for each hour spent in lessons.

 

A  Level Chemistry

Accordion content

A Level Physics

Accordion content