Online Learning Support
Careers
The wonderful thing about Biology is its immense breadth. Biologists study everything from the simplest life on Earth, like viruses or single-celled amoebas, to the human brain, the most complex object in the known universe and everything in between. Whether deciding on a career in psychology, medicine, genetics, forensics, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, biochemistry or journalism, a biological qualification gives you many skills and increases your career options so you can adapt to the world changing around you. Biology is a popular choice at A-level at Holcombe Grammar with many students going on to study biology related Higher Education courses when they leave at the end of Year 13.
British Values
Respect civil and criminal law:
Law is an integral part of Biology. New research into drug design, stem cell technology, genetic engineering all have to follow strict laws that govern their safety and application. From patenting work to following British Safety Standards to destroying a cloned embryo before the cells can specialise, civil and criminal law must be considered by all scientists developing new and existing technology. In Biology lessons students are challenged to understand the reasoning behind such laws and how legislation can differ between different countries and how this may impact upon Britain itself. An example is how the easing of America’s stance on genetic modification research has led to many scientists leaving Britain to get bigger grants in America. We actively promote civic institutions so that students value and appreciate these great assets and that Science has an active role in the day to day functioning of these establishments.
Appreciate viewpoints of others on ethical issues:
Biology has many complex ethical issues from genetic engineering, cloning, drug testing and pollution. Students are expected to weigh up both sides of any argument and provided a reasoned response that underpins their own stance to these issues. This is done through debates and class discussions, Science Week events, examinations and Research tasks.
Acceptance and engagement with fundamental British values of democracy
Biology like the other sciences is a universal language and discipline that can be used anywhere in the world regardless of race, language or religion. At Holcombe we show, through initiatives such as the Human Genome Project, how Scientists collaborate worldwide to share data, theories and conclusions. Through topics such as evolution, biodiversity and variation, we emphasise how we are all the same species regardless of ethnicity, background or beliefs.
Contribute positively to life in Modern Britain:
From Antibiotic development, Stem Cell Transplants, cloning to DNA Fingerprinting no other country has contributed so much to modern life in the 21st Century. The Biology Department promotes this through its teaching and through its elevation of such notable scientists as Charles Darwin, Jane Goodall, Watson and Crick, Rosalind Franklyn and Edward Jenner to name a few. By using these examples and others as role models, we endeavour to support a new wave of biologists who will contribute positively to modern Britain. The underlying principle of Biology and Science is to understand the world in such a fashion to improve the quality of life for all species that inhabit it. We therefore try and promote students to have intellectual curiosity and to question the evidence.
