Biology at Holy Rood RC High School
Science engages learners of all ages, interests and abilities. The science curriculum allows pupils to develop a wide range of transferable skills and those specific to pursuing a career in science.
Alongside the science content taught, pupils will also develop numeracy, literacy and problem solving skills. These valuable skills allow the pupils to succeed across the capacities in the Curriculum for Excellence.
S1 pupils receive 3 science lessons each week covering a range of topics throughout the year. All assessment is formative and prepares the pupils for S2.
S2 pupils will engage in subject specialist teaching across Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This will help inform the learners before they make their course choices. Some summative testing is carried out to prepare pupils for the work in S3.
S3-S4 pupils will have opted to choose their preferred science subject(s). They will study each if their subjects for 3 periods per week and begin to prepare for the National awards at the end of S4.
S5-S6 pupils have the option to select further National Qualification subjects in Science. This includes National courses up to Advanced Higher, as well as vocational “”
Staff
Mr Andrew Gillies – Curriculum Leader
Mr R Ottaviano
Mrs F Gulliver-Sloan
Miss H Strachan
Miss L Hutchison
Subjects & Levels Offered
National 3
Biology
National courses reflect the Curriculum for Excellence values, purposes and principles. They offer flexibility, provide more time for learning, more focus on skills and applying learning, and scope for personalisation and choice.
National 3 biology course encourages the development of skills and resourcefulness, where learners will think creatively, analyse and solve problems. Biology aims to produce responsible citizens, through studying of relevant areas of biology, such as health, environment and sustainability.
National 4
Biology
National courses reflect the Curriculum for Excellence values, purposes and principles. They offer flexibility, provide more time for learning, more focus on skills and applying learning, and scope for personalisation and choice.
National 4 biology covers major areas of biology ranging from cellular to whole organism and up to ecosystems. The key areas of biodiversity, interdependence, body systems and cells and inheritance are developed through the course. Pupils will develop an understanding of biological issues, with an emphasis on practical activities.
National 5
Biology
National courses reflect the Curriculum for Excellence values, purposes and principles. They offer flexibility, provide more time for learning, more focus on skills and applying learning, and scope for personalisation and choice.
National 5 biology course allows pupils to investigate the living world in an engaging and enjoyable way. Nat 5 provides opportunities for pupils to acquire and apply knowledge to evaluate biological issues, assess risk, make informed decisions and develop an ethical view of complex issues. We will compare the processes in multicellular plants and animals.
Higher Biology
National courses reflect the Curriculum for Excellence values, purposes and principles. They offer flexibility, provide more time for learning, more focus on skills and applying learning, and scope for personalisation and choice.
Higher biology will develop students interest and understanding of DNA and how the structure of the genome leads to the basis of evolution and biodiversity. Pupils will explore the complex interactions between organisms along with sustainable food productions and the process of photosynthesis. Pupils will adapt their learning to new situations, solve problems, make decisions based on evidence and evaluate the impact of scientific developments.
Advanced Higher Biology
National courses reflect the Curriculum for Excellence values, purposes and principles. They offer flexibility, provide more time for learning, more focus on skills and applying learning, and scope for personalisation and choice.
Advanced Higher is based on the integrative ideas and unifying principles of modern biological science. It covers key aspects of life science at the molecular scale and extends to aspects of the biology of whole organisms that are among the major driving forces of evolution. Pupils will develop and apply scientific inquiry, investigative skills and carry out complex practical scientific activities. We will explore scientific issues and relevant applications, including the impact on the environment and society.
National 5 Skills for Work
Laboratory Science
National 5 Skills for work: Laboratory Science is an introductory qualification. The course provides a broad experiential introduction to laboratory science. Students will explore a variety of industries and services, career opportunities in science laboratories locally, nationally and globally.
National 5 Skills for Work
Health Sector
National 5 Skills for Work: Health Sector is designed as an introduction to the health sector. The emphasis of this course is to prepare candidates for working in the health sector and develop employability skills valued by employers.
Career Opportunities
Pupils with qualifications in Science can find a route in a wide variety of career pathways. Some pupils will move directly to employment or apprenticeships, others will use their qualifications to gain entry to further education courses in college or university.