GCSE Tutors · GCSE Biology Tutor

Find a GCSE Biology Tuition Tutor

GCSE Science is divided into Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Biology is a fantastic subject, which introduces students to the structure of cells, the make-up of the human heart and the basics of evolution.

Our GCSE Biology Tutors

GCSE Science is divided into Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Biology is a fantastic subject, which introduces students to the structure of cells, the make-up of the human heart and the basics of evolution. As with all subjects, however, Biology only comes to life when it is taught well. Our GCSE tutors pride themselves on their engaging, lucid style of tuition. Whether your child is a reluctant Science student or a budding zoologist, our outstanding private tutors will deepen their understanding, boost their confidence and allow them shine in their GCSE exams.

All of our GCSE Biology tutors have years of experience and excellent science degrees. Many of our tutors are qualified teachers who have worked at leading independent schools. Some are full time professional tutors, while others have first class degrees from Oxford or Cambridge. Whatever their professional background, all of our private GCSE tutors are dedicated to getting the best out of their students. We know that every teenager learns in a different way, struggles with different topics, and has different aspirations. Our tutors provide tailor-made programmes of tuition, designed to help pupils achieve their goals.  

We interview all of our GCSE tutors in person or online and request to see at least two references. We also fully vet for proof of qualifications and experience, and require all of our tutors to own a DBS certificate linked to the Gov DBS update Service. In short, we only hire the best. When we recommend a tutor, therefore, we know that they won’t let you down. We also offer continual training and development opportunities to our GCSE tutors, encouraging them to strive for ever higher standards.

How our Tutors Teach Biology

GCSE Biology tests a range of skills. Students have to grasp difficult concepts, perform practical experiments, manipulate numbers with confidence and communicate what they know in a clear way. Our GCSE tutors focus on improving problem areas, whatever they may be. By observing your child, marking their work and listening to their concerns, our tutors will identify their strengths and weaknesses, and provide thoughtfully targeted tuition. We ensure that students enter their exams feeling confident and thoroughly prepared. They know they are in the best possible position to succeed.

Academic rigour never has to be dull. At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, we want teenagers to enjoy this exciting stage of their school career and to develop new intellectual passions. Our Biology tutors love their subject, and their enthusiasm is contagious. Even when they are helping with past papers, assisting with time management and discussing assessment criteria, our GCSE tutors are engaging as well as informative.

Different students need different types of support. Some teenagers benefit from an extended programme of tuition, spanning from the beginning of Year 10 until the end of Year 11. Others prefer shorter, more intense courses of tuition. Whatever you need, we can help. If you are not looking for a London tutor, you can still access our world-class teaching service. Our GCSE tutors can all teach via Skype, and hundreds of families around the world currently rely on our online tuition.

We also offer GCSE revision courses designed to enhance exam performance. There is a strict limit of six per class on these courses, so attendees receive the attention and support they need from our brilliant teachers.

Our Results

GCSE Biology Tuition Results

All of our GCSE Biology and Science Tutors have a scientific background with the minimum of a Bachelors in Science Degree.  They tutor both engaging and informative lessons for their students.

  • 98% of GCSE students who had tuition during the final year of their GCSE courses gained grades two points higher than predicted.
  • 100% of parents agreed that having tutors with a strong academic background provided excellent role models for their children.
  • 100% of Parents gave our Biology GCSE Tutors no less than 5 star reviews

Testimonial

We are eternally grateful to your company for sending us your Biology Tutor Katie.  Always punctual, organised, ready with exam papers, tips and advice. My daughter Eliza is dreaming of going to medical school and the tuition, advice and support that Katie has given has put Eliza back on track.  She is now studying Biology, along with Chemistry, Physics and further maths. Thank you so much.

Maria, LONDON SW3

Exam Boards we Cover

Our Biology tutors have an up-to-date knowledge of all the GCSE exam boards, including AQA, OCR and Edexcel. They have experience preparing students for single, double and triple Science at both foundation and higher levels.

Key aspects of the different GCSE Biology syllabi are set out below.

 OCR:

The schools opt for the students to either study GCSE Biology A, the Gateway Science Suite or GCSE Biology B, the Twenty First Century Science Suite. Both suites require students to sit two 1 hour 45 minute exams; each assessment being 90 marks, and individually being 50% of the overall GSCE score. The Gateway Science Suitecourse hassix teaching topics and a practical skills topic. These are, Cell level systems; Scaling up; Organism level systems; Community level systems; Genes, inheritance and selection; Global challenges; and Practical skills.The content of the Twenty First Century Science Suitecourse is different, however, and includessix teaching chapters of biology content, plus one chapter of ideas about science and one practical skills chapter. The chapters covered are, You and your genes; Keeping healthy; Living together – food and ecosystems; Using food and controlling growth; The human body – staying alive; Life on Earth – past, present, future; Ideas about science; and Practical skills.

GCSE Biology A Revision List (The Gateway Science Suite)

Topic B1: Cell Level Systems

  • B1.1: Cell structures
  • B1.2: What happens in cells (and what do cells need)?
  • B1.3: Respiration
  • B1.4: Photosynthesis

Topic B2: Scaling Up

  • B2.1: Supplying the cell
  • B2.2: The challenges of size

Topic B3: Organism Level Systems

  • B3.1: Coordination and control – the nervous system
  • B3.2: Coordination and control – the endocrine system
  • B3.3: Maintaining internal environments

Topic B4: Community Level Systems

  • B4.1: Ecosystems

Topic B5: Genes, Inheritance and Selection

  • B5.1: Inheritance
  • B5.2: Natural selection and evolution

Topic B6: Global Challenges

  • B6.1: Monitoring and maintaining the environment
  • B6.2: Feeding the human race
  • B6.3: Monitoring and maintaining health

Topic B7: Practical Skills

  • B7.1: Practical activity skills
Paper Tier Duration Grades Obtainable Total Marks
Paper 1: Biology A Foundation 1 hour 45 minutes 1-5 90 marks
Paper 2: Biology A Foundation 1 hour 45 minutes 1-5 90 marks
Paper 3: Biology A Higher 1 hour 45 minutes 4-9 90 marks
Paper 4: Biology A Higher 1 hour 45 minutes 4-9 90 marks

Papers have equal weighting. The first paper assesses B1-B3 and B7 and the second paper assesses topics from B4-B6 and B7 with assumed knowledge of topics B1-B3.

GCSE Biology B Revision List (Twenty First Century Science Suite)

Chapter B1: You and Your Genes

  • The genome and gene expression
  • Inheritance patterns
  • Genetic variation and its control
  • Ethical considerations in genetics

Chapter B2: Keeping Healthy

  • The body’s response to infectious diseases
  • Vaccination and immunity
  • Non-communicable diseases
  • Lifestyle factors affecting health

Chapter B3: Living Together – Food and Ecosystems

  • Photosynthesis and plant growth
  • Ecosystems and material cycles
  • Human impact on ecosystems

Chapter B4: Using Food and Controlling Growth

  • Cellular respiration
  • Metabolism and enzymes
  • Controlling plant growth
  • Biotechnology applications

Chapter B5: The Human Body – Staying Alive

  • The circulatory system
  • Transport systems in plants and animals
  • Homeostasis and control systems

Chapter B6: Life on Earth – Past, Present and Future

  • Evolution and natural selection
  • Evidence for evolution
  • Biodiversity and classification
  • Sustainability and human impact

Chapter B7: Ideas about Science

  • Understanding the scientific process
  • Evaluating scientific claims
  • The role of science in society

Chapter B8: Practical Skills

  • Planning and conducting experiments
  • Analysing and interpreting data
  • Drawing conclusions and evaluating methods
Paper Tier Duration Grades Obtainable Total Marks
Paper 1: Breadth in Biology Foundation 1 hour 45 minutes 1-5 90 marks
Paper 1: Breadth in Biology Higher 1 hour 45 minutes 4-9 90 marks
Paper 2: Depth in Biology Foundation 1 hour 45 minutes 1-5 90 marks
Paper 2: Depth in Biology Higher 1 hour 45 minutes 4-9 90 marks

Two papers of equal weighting and all eight chapters B1-B8 assessed in both exam papers.

AQA:

This AQA course covers key topics in GCSE Biology, including Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and Response; Bioenergetics; Inheritance, Variation and Evolution; Homeostasis and Response; and Ecology. Students continue to sit two equally weighted exam papers, each lasting 1 hour and 45 minutes, with 100 marks available per paper. The exams include a range of question types, such as multiple-choice, structured questions, short answer questions, and extended open-response questions, now increasingly incorporating contemporary scientific developments like genomic technologies, climate change impacts on ecosystems, and advances in biotechnology. These assessments are designed to evaluate students’ scientific knowledge, analytical skills, and ability to apply biological concepts to real-world challenges.

AQA GCSE Biology Revision Topics

1. Cell Biology

  • Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
  • Animal and plant cells
  • Cell specialisation and differentiation
  • Microscopy
  • Cell division (mitosis) and the cell cycle
  • Transport in cells (diffusion, osmosis, active transport)

2. Organisation

  • Principles of organisation
  • Digestive system and enzymes
  • The heart and blood vessels
  • Blood components and their functions
  • Health issues and the impact of lifestyle
  • Non-communicable diseases
  • Plant tissues, organs, and systems

3. Infection and Response

  • Pathogens and the spread of diseases
  • Bacterial, viral, fungal, and protist diseases
  • Human defense systems
  • Vaccination and the immune response
  • Antibiotics and drug development

4. Bioenergetics

  • Photosynthesis and limiting factors
  • Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
  • Metabolism and energy transfer

5. Homeostasis and Response

  • Principles of homeostasis
  • The nervous system and reflexes
  • The brain and its structure
  • The eye and vision
  • Hormonal coordination and the endocrine system
  • Control of blood glucose
  • Reproduction and the menstrual cycle
  • Contraception and fertility treatments

6. Inheritance, Variation, and Evolution

  • Sexual and asexual reproduction
  • Meiosis and the importance of genetic variation
  • DNA structure and the genome
  • Genetic inheritance and Punnett squares
  • Genetic disorders
  • Evolution, natural selection, and selective breeding
  • Genetic engineering and biotechnology

7. Ecology

  • Levels of organisation in an ecosystem
  • Food chains, webs, and trophic levels
  • The carbon and water cycles
  • Biodiversity and its importance
  • Human impact on the environment
  • Maintaining ecosystems and sustainable development

8. Key Practical Activities

Students are required to complete specific practicals as part of their GCSE Biology course. These include investigations on:

  • Using a microscope
  • Osmosis in plant tissues
  • Enzyme activity
  • Photosynthesis rates
  • Reaction times
  • Plant and animal population sampling

 Edexcel:

Students are required to sit two, equally weighted papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes long, and both being out of 100 marks. In paper one there are nine course topics, covering Key concepts in biology; Cells and control; Genetics;  Natural Selection and Genetic Modification; Health, disease and the development of medicines  Plants, Animal coordination and homeostasis, and Ecosystems. In paper two, the content overview also covers Key concepts in biology, however there are four different topics, Plant structures and their functions; Animal coordination, control and homeostasis; Exchange and transport in animals; and Ecosystems and material cycles.

  • There are a different range of resources, such as practice papers and past papers (with mark schemes) for the students to do and look at on each of these exam board’s websites, which is a good recommendation to try out. All topics are given in full detail, with everything that pupils will need to know, and will help them get more confident before their exams.
  • It is also important to know that the students need mathematical requirements to answer some of the questions, nothing more than what is already required for the maths GCSE. The main topics needed for the biology GCSE include, arithmetic and numerical computation; handling data; algebra; graphs; and geometry and trigonometry.

Edexcel GCSE Biology Revision Topics

1. Key Concepts in Biology

  • The structure and function of cells
  • Enzymes and their roles
  • Transport mechanisms (diffusion, osmosis, active transport)

2. Cells and Control

  • The nervous system and synapses
  • The brain and its function
  • Mitosis and the cell cycle
  • Growth and development

3. Genetics

  • DNA structure and replication
  • Inheritance, chromosomes, and genes
  • Genetic variation and mutations
  • Mendelian inheritance and Punnett squares

4. Natural Selection and Genetic Modification

  • Evolution and natural selection
  • Selective breeding and genetic engineering
  • Cloning and biotechnology

5. Health, Disease, and the Development of Medicines

  • Communicable and non-communicable diseases
  • Pathogens and the immune system
  • Antibiotics and resistance
  • The drug development process

6. Plant Structures and Their Functions

  • Photosynthesis and factors affecting it
  • Transport in plants (xylem and phloem)
  • The role of stomata and transpiration

7. Animal Coordination, Control, and Homeostasis

  • The endocrine system and hormones
  • Control of blood glucose and diabetes
  • Negative feedback mechanisms
  • Thermoregulation and osmoregulation

8. Exchange and Transport in Animals

  • The circulatory system and the heart
  • Blood vessels and components of blood
  • Respiratory system and gas exchange

9. Ecosystems and Material Cycles

  • Ecosystems and biodiversity
  • The carbon and nitrogen cycles
  • Human impact on ecosystems and sustainability

10. Practical Investigations

Students are required to complete core practicals, which may include:

  • Examining cells under a microscope
  • Investigating the effect of pH on enzyme activity
  • Investigating osmosis in plant tissues
  • Exploring photosynthesis rates
  • Measuring reaction times
  • Investigating the distribution of organisms in an ecosystem

Find below a breakdown of the topics assessed in each paper for the GCSE Biology Edexcel exams.

Paper 1

Covers the following topics:

  • Key Concepts in Biology
  • Cells and Control
  • Genetics
  • Natural Selection and Genetic Modification
  • Health, Disease, and the Development of Medicines

Details:

  • Exam Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Total Marks: 100
  • Question Types: Multiple choice, short answer, calculations, and extended responses

Paper 2

Covers the following topics:

  • Key Concepts in Biology
  • Plant Structures and Their Functions
  • Animal Coordination, Control, and Homeostasis
  • Exchange and Transport in Animals
  • Ecosystems and Material Cycles

Details:

  • Exam Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Total Marks: 100
  • Question Types: Multiple choice, short answer, calculations, and extended responses

As you may know, GCSEs were reformed for first teaching in 2016 for assessment from 2018.  The reforms resulted in an update of GCSE Biology to cover more demanding content. What’s more, students are now assessed at the end of the course, as opposed to being tested regularly throughout the two years.

Is tuition right for your child?

Years 10 and 11 can be a challenging time for both teenagers and parents. At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, our goal is to make the GCSE journey as engaging, enjoyable, and successful as possible. One-to-one tuition is a proven, personalised way to help students build confidence, deepen their understanding, and excel in their exams.

Our expert tutors bring a passion for teaching, fostering motivation and self-belief in every student. Whether your child is finding Biology difficult or is aiming to pursue Science at A Level and beyond, we are dedicated to helping them achieve their full potential.

To request a tutor or book a free assessment, please click here.

Our Tutors

All of our experienced subject specialists tutors are passionately dedicated to supporting children’s learning. Highly qualified and with a track record of success at every level our tutors adopt their teaching to the individual learning style of each child. Our tutors restore confidence, boost intellectual curiosity and academic growth through exciting and stimulating tuition.

Whether your child requires support from an English Tutor and Maths Tutor, at 7+, 11+, GCSE or
any other curriculum subject our tutors help children boost academic performance and
confidence by following a personalised Learning Growth Action Plan.

Katherine Maclennan

Katherine M.

London

Patient, approachable and reliable mathematics teacher. PGCE (IOE) 1st Class Honours Mathematics (Universiy of Durham).

Mathematics

Saul

Saul J.

London

Chemistry professor with amazing teaching experience with universities and tutoring.

Chemistry

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Emily G.

London

Emily is a Math wizard and one of the best in the field.

Mathematics

Zavier tutor

Zavier M.

London

Zavier is one of the most sought-after History tutors.

History

Simeon

Simeon C.

London

Simeon has a PhD in Biology. A very structured and organised tutor.

Biology

Andrea

Andrea T.

London

Andrea is a one of a kind Physics teacher. Very passionate about her profession.

Physics

Millie

Millie A.

London

An English graduate, inspiring and knowledgeable tutor.

English

Lucille

Lucille M.

London

She is an amazing Design tutor that focuses on progress.

Design