Biology

Biology is an extremely popular subject with pupils at both GCSE and A level. 

The two hundred and fifty acres of Canford Park surrounding the school provides excellent opportunities for field work with River Stour literally a stone's throw from the Biology Laboratories and woodland a short walk away. Canford Heath is also close by.

Poole Harbour is only six miles away. It has a very diverse range of habitats from salt marsh and sea grass beds to the tidal scoured channels at the mouth.  Field Trips to Kimmeridge Bay (rocky shores) and Studland Bay (sand dune succession) are used to teach the ecology parts of the A2 Biology course.

Dorset's World Heritage Site - the Jurassic Coast - starts at Old Harry and although best known for its geology and landscape it also has very diverse marine habitats offshore.

Students from the Natural History Society have studied the distribution and abundance of the delicate indicator species Ross Coral in the Ross Coral Mapping Project. Their work featured recently in BBC South Today.

This summer the Natural History Society has turned its attention to the search for Sea Horses in sea grass beds in Poole Harbour and Studland Bay.

There are regular diving expeditions to Red Sea to study coral reef ecology with opportunities for students to learn to dive both at school and in the Red Sea. The tenth Natural History Society Red Sea Expedition is due to depart this Easter for Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt.

  • Dr Hilary Laver
    Dr Hilary Laver - Head of Department
    BSc (Edinburgh), PhD (Edinburgh)

    Hilary joined Canford as Deputy Head (Pastoral) in September 2008 having previously been Admissions Tutor and a Member of the Leadership Team at Cheltenham Ladies' College. She teaches A-level, GCSE and Oxbridge classes and has a particular interest in molecular genetics and plant mitochondria. She also teaches Shell PSME and yoga as part of the activities programme. She has been involved in partnership trips to India and biology fieldtrips to the Malay Archipelago.

  • Andrew Powell
    Andrew Powell
    MA (Cantab), PGCE (Oxon)

    Andrew has been at Canford since 1990 and is Principal Examiner of A level Biology University of Cambridge International Examinations. His interests are molecular modelling, marine biology and tropical montane forest ecology.

  • Robert Hooker
    Robert Hooker
    BSc (Exeter)

    Robert has been an examiner for OCR A2/AS Biology. He runs the Ten Tors and shooting teams, school fishing/natural history clubs. He coaches the 3rd XV rugby team, hockey, squash and athletics. He has led School expeditions to Nepal, Borneo and many trips to the Red Sea. Robert's interests mainly include squash,diving, fishing around Poole harbour, shooting, mountainbike riding, far eastern cuisine but he'll also have a go at almost anything!

  • Tim Street
    Tim Street
    BSc (Hull), PGCE (Southampton)

    At Canford since 1996, Tim is involved in Adventure Training, Sailing and Watersports. His interests include physiology and wind surfing.

  • Harriet Chartres
    Harriet Chartres
    BSc (Durham), PGCE (Cantab)

    Harriet has been at Canford since 1997 and leads School expeditions to Kenya. Her interests include genomics and proteomics.

  • William Linley-Adams
    William Linley-Adams
    BA (Wadham College, Oxford)

    William studied Biological Sciences at Oxford where he focused on conservation biology and animal behaviour. His dissertation was on the impact of manual removal on movement and growth of the invasive signal crayfish. He teaches up to AS level as well as being a part-time tutor in Court House and coaching the U16A rugby team. He is also keen on cricket, environmental policy and travelling.

  • Amy Mulley
    Amy Mulley
    BSc (Durham)

    Amy previously taught at Wellington College, Berkshire. She has an interest in Stem cells and their use in regenerative medicine, and the geographical and cultural distribution of genetic diseases. Amy coaches the 5th XI Girls' Hockey team and is a live-in Tutor in Beaufort House. In her spare time she enjoys playing sport and taking on new challenges.

  •  
    Sally Barton, Laboratory Technician

    Sally, who has been at Canford since 1983, has a real flair for setting up A level practical examinations for large numbers of students (100) from a prep room the size of a cupboard. We could not manage without her.