Biology A Level

Applications open: Now open!

Application close: 31 January 2026

How to Apply: - Please apply via Applicaa. Please click here to visit our sixth form information page on our website

We do not accept applications via KentChoices.

Entry Requirements: - 6.5 average point score, minimum of 4 in English Language and Maths GCSE. Entry grade criteria for A Level subjects chosen.

Why choose this subject?

The diversity of life on our planet is the most unique and complex phenomenon in the universe. The study of biology allows you to understand the complex interactions occurring between the tens of billions of cells that form the tissues and organs you are using to read this prospectus right now. It will help you explain the form and function of the diversity of living things that surround you (including the ones that live inside you) day in and day out. Biology can not only be used to explain the past and present, it is shaping your future.

As you read this, biologists are crafting synthetic genomes and synthetic cells that have the potential to solve some of our biggest environmental and agricultural problems. Even as you are thinking about that, new approaches to genetic modification are being tested and developed that might allow genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis to become a thing of the past. Every time you look at a living thing and wonder about how it works, why it lives where it does or how it came to be, you are asking the fundamental questions that lay at the heart of this exciting science. In short, biology is a beautiful thing!

If that is not enough for you, biology is, of course, a natural prerequisite for potential biological sciences, medicine, veterinary and nursing qualifications as well as a valuable addition to the A-levels of students with many different subject aspirations.

Why study it at The Judd School?

Biology is one of the school’s most popular and successful subjects at A-level, with around a hundred students joining us every year. High quality teaching and learning is the principal focus of the biology department. As you would expect, we have a team of highly dedicated teachers with specialisms ranging from molecular biology to physiology and ecology, who all share a determination to see all of our students achieve their full potential. In addition, we are committed to assisting your development as a biologist, providing a range of opportunities for you to grow beyond the requirements of the A-level biology specification. This includes:

Biology Society: Run by A-level students for A-level students. BioSoc allows students to explore a topic or area of interest beyond the course and then share their findings through a presentation to the society. Visiting speakers from local universities are sometimes invited to give talks about current research.

British Biology Olympiad: The Olympiad is an international biology competition open to year 12 and 13 students from across the world. Judd has an excellent record in the competition with a large number of bronze, silver and gold medals. . In recent years, two students have been selected to represent the UK team in the International Biology Olympiad achieving silver medals.

Rolls-Royce Science Prize/iGEM competition: In 2014, we entered the Rolls Royce Science competition with a project that would enable our students to become experts in the field of molecular biology. A team of Y13 students planned and ran a series of workshops to explain the incredible advances in DNA technology. This project won the 2015 Science Prize which allowed us to partly fund our participation in the iGEM competition on synthetic biology. A team of Y12 students designed an iron home test kit using synthetic biology techniques with the aim of providing a cheap, easy and safe way of testing iron levels in saliva. We were the first British state secondary school to enter, obtaining a Silver Medal as well as prizes for the best mathematical model and best human practices. This is an example of the department’s drive to provide our students with unique opportunities.

Young Scientists Journal: Led by the Biology Department and a few dedicated students, we have become a Hub School for the Young Scientists Journal. The journal celebrates scientific and creative thinking of young scientists, aged 12-20 and encourages them to share their love of science by communicating their ideas, research and opinions with other young scientists around the world. By becoming a hub, we hope to promote science communication and scientific research amongst our students while encouraging them to participate in the publishing process and to engage with other schools. This is an amazing opportunity for students who are interested in a career in scientific research.

Fly Lab: In partnership with Dr Darren Williams from the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology at King’s College London, we are providing our sixth-form students with the opportunity to carry out their own independent research using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Students receive training on how to handle the flies as well as some basic experimental techniques and are then encouraged to participate in the scientific process from start to finish: design their own experiments, collect the data, analyse it, present it at scientific conferences and even publish it in the Young Scientists Journal or gain a CREST Gold Award!

Course details: Board and Specification Code: AQA 7402

What you will be learning (course outline):

• Biological molecules
• Cells and transport across membranes
• Exchange of substances between organisms and the environment
• Cell division and gene expression
• Biodiversity
• Bioenergetics
• Immune system
• Inheritance and selection
• Stimulus and response
• Homeostasis
• DNA technology

How it will be assessed:

The new A level Biology is a linear course to be assessed at the end of year 13. The assessment consists of three 2-hour exams, including one essay from a choice of two titles. You will also be assessed on your practical skills in 12 required practicals throughout the duration of the course. You will be awarded a pass/fail endorsement of practical skills which is reported separately to universities.

Internal assessment will be made at regular intervals in order to track and support student progress throughout the course. Because we do not offer AS level, we will use internal assessments to base our UCAS predictions.

Please contact Dr Courel (Head of Department) for further information.

7 in either GCSE Biology if taken or 7-7 in Combined Science