BIOLOGY

“One third of our private college teachers have PhDs”

Study Biology At Our Top London College

Biology is a very popular subject at Westminster Tutors for budding scientists and prospective medical students. Biology is the study of all living organisms and the natural world, ranging from a single cell to an entire ecosystem. Our students not only gain knowledge on a wide range of biological topics, but also valuable skills in research, analysis, problem solving and organisation.

Course outline

Modules

Module 1

Development of practical skills in biology

Practical skills assessed in a written examination

Planning
Implementing
Analysis
Evaluation

Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

Module 2

Foundations in biology

Cell structure
Biological molecules
Nucleotides and nucleic acids
Enzymes
Biological membranes
Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation

Module 3

Exchange and transport

Exchange surfaces
Transport in animals
Transport in plants

Module 4

Biodiversity, evolution and disease

Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system
Biodiversity
Classification and evolution

Module 5

Communication, homeostasis and energy

Communication and homeostasis
Excretion as an example of homeostatic control
Neuronal communication
Hormonal communication
Plant and animal responses
Photosynthesis
Respiration

Module 6

Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

Cellular control
Patterns of inheritance
Manipulating genomes
Cloning and biotechnology
Ecosystems
Populations and sustainability

Assesment

AS Level Biology

Component 01: Breadth in biology

Assessment of content from modules 1-4
70 marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
50% of total AS level

Component 02: Depth in biology

Assessment of content from modules 1-4
70 marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
50 % of total AS level

A Level Biology

Component 01: Biological processes

Assessment of content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5
100 marks
2 hour 15 minutes written paper
37% of total A level

Component 02: Biological diversity

Assessment of content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6
100 marks
2 hour 15 minutes written paper
37% of total A level

Component 03: Unified biology

Assessment of content from all modules
70 marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
26% of total A level

Practical Endorsement in Biology

Non-exam assessment
At least 12 practical activities to be completed
Reported separately as a pass or a fail

Specification

Teachers will choose the examination board for students joining in Year 12 based on their expertise and specialist knowledge. For Year 13 and retake students, teachers will continue students’ studies with AQA, Edexcel/Pearson, OCR or WJEC/Eduqas. We are also able to offer the Edexcel Salters-Nuffield Biology A course (8BN0 and 9BN0). Please note that we do not offer CIE but can more than map to one of the boards listed.

Teachers

Clare Woodward
BSc (Imperial), PhD (Imperial), PGCE (Garnett)

Paul Schifferes
BSc (Nottingham Trent), PGCE (King’s)

News

Stupendous 2024 A Level Results at Westminster Tutors

Aug 15, 2024

We are thrilled to announce the remarkable achievements of our students in the interim 2024 A level results at Westminster Tutors Independent Sixth Form College. Our students’ dedication and hard work have truly set them apart, and we could not be prouder of...

What’s it really like at university?!

May 14, 2024

At Westminster Tutors, we are all too familiar with the stresses that all sixth form students encounter as they start to think about life beyond college and what they actually want to do as they move into adult life. Increasingly young people feel the weight...

Celebrating Enigmatic Ocean Dwellers: World Jellyfish Day

Nov 3, 2023

A Global Tribute to the Graceful and Mysterious Creatures of the Sea In a celebration that transcends borders and oceans, marine enthusiasts and environmentalists worldwide are coming together to commemorate World Jellyfish Day today. This annual observance...

We’re Celebrating A Level Results above National Averages in a Range of Subjects

Sep 1, 2023

Setting The Standard in Academic Excellence: A Whopping 32% A*/A Grades Achieved In a triumph against the current trend of grade deflation, Westminster Tutors has once again demonstrated its commitment to academic excellence by achieving exceptional A level...

Zoo Trip

Mar 14, 2023

Our Biology teacher Paul is organising a trip to London zoo for all students. This will take place on Saturday 25th March. Paul will meet the students at the zoo entrance at 12pm. This will be a fun and interesting trip with fascinating facts, cute tiger...

Biodiversity Practical

Jun 10, 2022

Year 12 Biology students will take part in a biodiversity practical on Tuesday 14th June. Students will meet at the college at 11:30 and then walk to Kensington Gardens, which is only a few minutes away. The practical activity will involve placing quadrats...

Advance Information for Summer 2022 Exams

Feb 8, 2022

This week the exam boards have published their advance information for the exams this summer, and this can be found at the links below: AQA Edexcel OCR Our initial impression is that there is not much reduction in content, but the aim is to guide students to...

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A level grades 43% A*-A and 80% A*-B
Superbly qualified teachers who care
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About Us

Westminster Tutors is one of the oldest and best independent sixth form colleges in London. Established in 1934, our culture of scholastic excellence is deeply embedded and sets the standard for other colleges to follow.