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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Topic B1: Cell Level Systems
Topic B2: Scaling Up
Topic B3: Organism Level Systems
Topic B4: Community Level Systems
Topic B5: Genes, Inheritance and Selection
Topic B6: Global Challenges
Topic B7: Practical 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.
Chapter B1: You and Your Genes
Chapter B2: Keeping Healthy
Chapter B3: Living Together – Food and Ecosystems
Chapter B4: Using Food and Controlling Growth
Chapter B5: The Human Body – Staying Alive
Chapter B6: Life on Earth – Past, Present and Future
Chapter B7: Ideas about Science
Chapter B8: Practical Skills
| 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.
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.
Students are required to complete specific practicals as part of their GCSE Biology course. These include investigations on:
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.
Students are required to complete core practicals, which may include:
Find below a breakdown of the topics assessed in each paper for the GCSE Biology Edexcel exams.
Covers the following topics:
Details:
Covers the following topics:
Details:
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.
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.
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