Biology is about active, living systems, and we study through active, hands-on methods.
Biology is a “doing” subject in education, just as biology itself is a process. With our superb level of technical support - two full-time technicians support the five Biology teachers - the pupils do very many practicals, in all years.
We use dissection, DNA digests, debate, drama, ....even chalk-and-talk: anything to bring to life the underlying concepts and issues. Biology is in the public arena like never before, with huge advances in knowledge bringing important social, ethical and economic changes to the world our pupils will live in. Studying biology begins the process of developing an understanding of our place in the natural world.
The department currently has the usual labs and the usual ICT support. More unusually, microscopy, dissection and ecology are strongly supported: there are 60 modern microscopes available for use (including university standard student microscopes). Breeding animals (gerbils, tarantulas, various insects, birds, fish, snakes and lizards, typically) are kept as examples of “animal” life, complemented by a wide bank of living plants. There is an excellent annual residential ecology field trip, whilst all years benefit from Repton’s grounds and surrounding environment.