Face-to-face CPD

Essential OCR A-Level Biology - New to Teaching

A resource and advice-packed CPD course for all non-specialist and/or those new to teaching OCR A-Level Biology (spec A).

Overview

Format
Face-to-face CPD
Series
Essential
Duration
1 day (10am to 3.15pm)
Price
£315.00 inc VAT
Audience

All non-specialist, early career or inexperienced teachers delivering the OCR A-Level Biology Specification

Upcoming dates

  • Thursday July 3rd 2025

    London - The Clermont Hotel (Charing Cross)

    £315.00 inc VAT
    Book now

  • Wednesday September 24th 2025

    London - The Clermont Hotel (Charing Cross)

    £315.00 inc VAT
    Book now

About the course

A-Level Biology is one of the top choices of A-Level but it is also one of the hardest. This course provides a comprehensive guide to the basics of teaching A-Level Biology, to build your confidence and knowledge, and support your delivery and assessment, focusing on the demands of the different questions, how students are assessed and teaching the curriculum.

What we'll cover

  • In this session we’ll take a look at the three different A-Level exam papers, the learning outcomes and how to develop your teaching style to incorporate the different assessment objectives
  • Explain how Maths is assessed and can be integrated into the general course teaching
  • Discuss how practical skills are assessed and are vital to all abilities reaching their potential grade

  • We will start with an introduction into the language of measurement (LoM)
  • Discuss how to integrate practical skills and theoretical content to help students write about their practical work confidently
  • Use exemplar material focusing on practical skills questions

  • This session will begin with a discussion of the options for delivering the course
  • Explain how to incorporate independent learning to be able to cover the large course content
  • Discuss the importance of synoptic teaching and learning
  • Focus on teaching for success; how to support students to remember key concepts and begin to apply them – interleaving and retrieval strategies
  • Discuss the topic areas that create the foundation for success
  • Recognise which topic areas will be most challenging and ideas to make them more accessible
  • Demonstrate the importance of Y12 AS knowledge and understanding for Y13 topics
  • Show how to teach across the ability range; how to ensure top students are challenged, while not leaving lower ability students behind

  • This session focuses on how students are assessed in A-Level Biology and how to approach student marking and feedback
  • Analysis of the different types of exam question and strategies for success
  • A specific focus on how to attempt the level of response questions (LoR) and how to mark them
  • How to teach towards the ’endgame’, what language to use, misconceptions to avoid and general tips for success
  • Tips for time management – the use of peer assessment and self-assessment
  • Signposts the support available from the exam boards – where to find it and how to use it

The tutor2u approach to CPD

  • A full day of CPD designed and delivered by experienced subject specialists

  • Practical, ready-to-use resources that you can put to use and share with colleagues as soon as you return to the classroom

  • A chance to have your questions answered, and teaching problems solved

  • An invaluable opportunity to share ideas and experiences with colleagues from other centres and to build a network of contacts

  • Refreshments throughout the day and a buffet lunch

  • All attendees receive a 20% one-time discount code to use on any tutor2u print or digital resources

Your hosts

  • Ellena Gilson

    Ellena has an excellent teaching background as the head of Biology at a top grammar school and has over 25 years’ experience of teaching. Ellena holds senior positions for two major exam boards and runs her own tutoring business. Ellena has a decade of experience setting exam questions and revising questions for A-Level papers. She authors A-Level resources for a number of publishers.

  • Tracey Williams

    Tracey is an excellent A-Level Biology teacher with nearly 20 years of A-Level experience from a wide-range of schools both in the UK and abroad. Tracey is a senior examiner for two major exam boards, which involves mark scheme construction and has over 16 years of experience in assessment. Tracey runs her own A-Level tutoring business.

About Essential

Designed to support all non-specialist, early career or inexperienced teachers delivering specific qualifications.

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Customer support

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