Making a Success of Human Biology: the Sixth Form College Farnborough

This Ofsted document describes how the Sixth Form College Farnborough has re-introduced A-level human biology while ensuring that students are well aware of course requirements and are properly prepared for a challenging assessment regime. Providing good information about the course, a highly structured programme of study, and plenty of practice in assessment have been key components.

• The process starts when prospective students attend the college open evenings and begin to think about their subject selections for AS level. Presentations highlight the scientific demands and rigour of the subject and draw students’ attention to the range of topics that is covered.

• The website provides the following information for prospective students: ‘Human Biology is an exciting and stimulating course that covers how the human body functions from a cellular level up to the physiology that keeps us functioning as living organisms.

• Entry requirements make clear the need for a strong scientific background. Students have at least a grade B in GCSE core and additional science or grade B in separate GCSE biology and grade B in chemistry.

• The course is carefully planned and scheduled to allow teachers to prepare the students for assessments. Lessons begin with a short review of recent topics, with students presenting their answers on mini-whiteboards.

• Students’ progress is regularly reviewed and they are encouraged to reflect on their study habits and to learn how to revise. Teachers have high expectations that students will study independently and use a range of different independent study tasks to help students to learn.