Our Department

Rob Brand

Head of Biology

Hello and welcome to our website.

All pupils study Biology at Bedford Modern in years nine, ten and eleven and are entered for public examinations in either Biology or Science and Additional Science at GCSE. Approximately one hundred pupils will be studying the subject at A level this year.

There are six biology teaching staff and a full time laboratory technician.

No setting by ability is carried out. Teaching methods vary according to subject needs and homework is an integral part of study within the department. Regular marking of books and tests across the year group monitors progress. Biology is an intensely practical subject and both individual and group investigations are carried out, some being assessed for public examinations. The National Curriculum is broadly followed but with a pattern of progress which the department believes to be more logical, interesting and demanding.

Safety and health are of considerable importance in any laboratory subject and the department has an active policy regarding safe practice.

The department is well equipped for its teaching needs and resources are constantly being added to and updated. The department plays an active role in keeping abreast of current developments and maintains a constant and productive contact with other schools similar to our own. There is wide experience of public examining within the department and policy changes within all of the examination boards are closely scrutinised.