Courses for Year

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1 Courses for Year

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3 At Greenshaw we want everyone to have an opportunity to demonstrate they are remarkable. Our Vision We are a forward looking school without limits; a dynamic community; welcoming to all; a family that values the journey and the destination. We all take responsibility, believe in each other, strive for success and lead by example. We are ambitious, sharing an exciting vision, building lives for the future. In all of our classrooms we aim for outstanding practice; Outstanding teachers: have a passion for their subject and inspire it in others engage, challenge and support all of their students create classrooms that are safe, secure places to learn monitor the progress of students throughout each lesson Outstanding students: focus all of their energies on successful learning take responsibility for their own learning act in a considerate and co-operative manner know what is needed to progress to the next level This information is displayed in all classrooms to ensure we bring about a sense of common purpose in achieving consistently outstanding practice. Where this is the case we celebrate, where it is not we strive to improve. 2

4 Growth Mindset You can all achieve excellence if not now, then at some point in the future. It is no secret that success requires effort. You can improve your intelligence through hard work, acting upon clear feedback given to you by your teachers and taking risks with your learning. The brain is plastic: it changes and reorganises itself with each new task it performs. Whilst we may come into the world with the raw materials given to us by our parents by way of our genes, we learn how to reason, solve and create through the things that we do and the amount of time we spend doing them. Every sporting hero, great artist or professional expert spends thousands of hours engaged in dedicated practice activities and tasks that target specific aspects of learning and that enable mastery. What often appears as innate natural talent is ultimately the result of hard work, determination and a supportive environment. Failing is an important part of the learning journey making mistakes, showing weakness or getting things wrong is a necessary and desirable condition for improvement. No one gets it right without first getting it wrong. Learning is a continual, effortful process and you will make frequent mistakes along the way. This ethos is embodied by what happens in your classrooms and by how your teachers talk about and value your learning. You will all redraft your work, share and celebrate the different ways that excellence can emerge and help each other to improve. We refer to Novices, Apprentices, Craftsman and Masters understanding that a considerable amount of time, effort and professional guidance is required to transform the architecture in your brains and to help your achieve beyond what you may ever have thought possible. At Greenshaw we work hard together so we can continue to grow as individuals. Intelligence is shaped through effort and learning from mistakes. Intelligence is fixed from birth and cannot really be changed or improved. 3

5 Contents INTRODUCTION 4 ART & DESIGN 6 ART PHOTOGRAPHY 7 BUSINESS STUDIES 8 CHILD DEVELOPMENT 9 COMPUTER SCIENCE 10 DANCE 11 DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY: FOOD TECHNOLOGY 12 DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY: GRAPHIC PRODUCTS 13 DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY: PRODUCT DESIGN 14 DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY: TEXTILES 15 DRAMA 16 ENGLISH 17 GEOGRAPHY 18 HISTORY 19 LATIN AND ROMAN CIVILISATION 20 MATHEMATICS 21 MEDIA STUDIES 22 MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES 23 MUSIC 24 PHYSICAL EDUCATION (GCSE & BTEC SPORT) 25 SCIENCE: CORE AND ADDITIONAL SCIENCE GCSE 26 SCIENCE: APPLIED SCIENCE BTEC 27 SCIENCE: TRIPLE SCIENCE (BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS) 28 SOCIAL & RELIGIOUS STUDIES 29 STATISTICS 30 VOCATIONAL: C2S AND A4L 31 LEARNING SUPPORT 33 FROG 32 EXTENDED WORK 32 MARKING 34 FEEDBACK POLICY XX EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Greenshaw believes in equal opportunities for everyone and welcomes all staff, students and parents. There is no place here for prejudice or intolerance. We expect all members of the school to show equal consideration to all fellow members. 4

6 Introduction This booklet is intended to help parents and students understand the general framework of the courses that will be followed in Year 7. We hope it will enable you to see where any individual piece of work fits into the whole programme and to understand how the programme is progressing. We hope, too, that with such an understanding, you will be able to give support to your sons/daughters in the development of their education, perhaps by helping them to find resources or to undertake research. There will be opportunities to meet the teachers at school during the year. The two key occasions are: Subject Meeting: 28 th January 2016 This is for a discussion with subject teachers on progress in individual courses. Subject Reports will be issued in November, January and March Parental support The importance of parental support, with a few examples, is mentioned on more than one occasion in this booklet. It may be useful to summarise the major ways, in our experience, in which parents seem best able to assist their children's progress:- 1. First and Foremost: taking a positive interest and encouraging. Looking at their work, asking one or two questions, praising what is good, making suggestions if you feel there are obvious weaknesses: all these we would greatly welcome. 2. Involving them in any discussions you may be having on topical issues in the media and just chatting to them about their personal interests are equally helpful. In general, the more that they are used to asking questions, listening to others, thinking for themselves and giving opinions, the more they will be developing their minds and gaining skills and knowledge which will help in their studies across the whole curriculum. 3. Helping them to organise themselves for each day, particularly to have the appropriate equipment, clothing, books and topping up the lunch account. 4. Helping with their work if they ask for assistance. A few hints or guidelines will be invaluable, but please do not do the work for them. 5. Asking weekly whether any correspondence has been sent from school (normally sent home on a Friday). 6. Checking and signing the student planner. 7. Making sure they have enough sleep. Some specific examples of ways in which parents have given support to their children are by: a) encouraging and enabling them to join and use public libraries b) helping them with research projects and or questionnaires c) finding magazines, books or other resources which are relevant to particular projects d) helping them to practise a skill (like a speech or reading or drawing or using simple equipment) e) helping them to learn facts or prepare for a test f) helping them understand words, phrases or sentences they find difficult g) using the school website and MLE for support. 4

7 Student equipment list 2015 The following equipment is compulsory for lessons: Greenshaw school bag and exercise books Large see through pencil case (provided by the school) Three black or blue pens HB pencil Rubber Sharpener 30cm ruler Protractor One highlighter pen Scientific calculator School planner P.E. Kit (only on P.E. days) 2B pencil, size 6 paintbrush (only for art lessons) What happens if I lose my pencil case, forget equipment or something breaks? Each item on the equipment list can be purchased before school and at break time from the school stationery shop at a significantly reduced cost. What happens if I do not have the correct equipment with me? Tutors will perform an equipment check during morning registration. If you do not have the correct equipment you will be issued with a 30 minute after school detention for the same day and an ROC will be written. Your form tutor will run this detention the first time you fail to bring in the correct equipment. If you fail to attend or they don t have their equipment on more than one occasion, you will receive a Head of House or Senior Leadership detention. Can I carry more equipment than is on the list? Yes, absolutely. We would be delighted if you had a set of colouring pencils or felt tip pens with you. The equipment list is a minimum set of expectations. 5

8 Art and Design GCSE art and design is useful for a number of reasons, even if you are not pursuing a career in art and design. The study skills taught in Art encourage students to work independently, learn to develop imaginative ideas, show a logical progression in ideas development, organise their thoughts, and evaluate their own work and that of others. These skills are transferable. Students may continue to A level Art and Design or Photography. GCSE Art and Design can lead to careers in: architecture, art history, galleries and conservation, education, psychology, interior design, games design, fashion design, illustration, web design, the media, working in magazines, photography, working as an artist, art therapy and many more. The first year of this GCSE course will start with teaching basic skills based on sculptural forms, drawing and painting. This will introduce students to materials and processes, supporting the development of key GCSE skills. This will be followed in Year 10 by coursework themed on decay and growth. Students investigate the projects producing a range of work in a variety of materials. At the end of Year 10 students will complete an exam. This will become part of their coursework. In Year 11 students will complete a short Artist Research Unit, followed by their mock exam. At the end of the Year 11 course, students will complete a 10 hour exam, with an eight week preparatory period. Finished pieces can range from paintings, drawings and collage to sculpture and photography. What kind of class activities will there be? Students will experiment with a variety of materials, including but not limited to: acrylic paint, watercolour, collage and mixed media, spray paint, photography and ICT, charcoal a variety of sculptural work including ceramics. They will also complete observational work, imaginative work, artist research, written evaluation and ideas development/planning. What kind of homework assignments will there be? Students will receive one piece of homework per week and should expect to spend a minimum of an hour on it. Most, but not all, homework will be completed in a work journal/sketchbook. Tasks will include artist research, observational work, written evaluation and ideas development. What percentage of the final GCSE grade is for coursework? All projects are marked holistically, and combine for the coursework grade. This forms 60% of the final grade. Coursework in art is ongoing. The basic skills unit on sculptural forms will be completed by Christmas, the end of the autumn term: The drawing unit will be completed by the end of the spring term and The painting unit will be completed by the end of the summer term. In Year 10, The decay project will be completed by the end of the autumn term. The growth project will be completed by the end of the spring Term in Year 10. All other coursework will be completed by the end of the autumn term in Year 11. What percentage of the final GCSE grade is from a final exam? The final exam is 40% of the final grade. What are the most interesting parts of the course? Some of the most interesting elements to the course are the variety of materials, and the chance to develop own ideas. Students may also have a trip to Kew Gardens or the Pride of the Valley Sculpture Park as a stimulus for their project. 6

9 Art Photography GCSE art photography is useful for a number of reasons, even if you are not pursuing a career in art and design. The study skills taught in photography encourage students to work independently, learn to develop imaginative ideas, show a logical progression in idea development, organise their thoughts and evaluate their own work and that of others. These skills are transferable. Students may continue to A level Art and Design or Photography. GCSE art photography can lead to careers in: architecture, art history, galleries and conservation, education, psychology, interior design, games design, fashion design, illustration, web design, the media, working in magazines, photography, working as an artist, art therapy and many more. What are the topics I shall study? The course will start with a ten week basic skills project, which will introduce students to materials and processes, supporting the development of key GCSE skills. This will be followed in Year 10 by coursework themed to me, myself, my world. Students investigate the project, producing a range of work in a variety of materials. In Year 11 students will complete a short Light, shadow and reflection unit, followed by their mock exam. At the end of the Year 11 course, students will complete a 10 hour exam, with an eight week preparatory period. Finished pieces can range from large scale photographs, book making, sculptures, animation, film, installations or group exhibitions. What kind of class activities will there be? Students will experiment with a variety of materials including, but not limited to: manual photography, dark room skills, Photoshop, digital photography, polaroid, Lomography, digital apps. They will also complete artist research as part of the contextual study, written evaluation and ideas development/planning towards a final idea/piece. What kind of homework assignments will there be? Students will receive one piece of homework per week and should expect to spend a minimum of two hours on it. Most, but not all, homework will be completed in a work journal/sketchbook. Tasks will include photo shoots, Photoshop work, presentation, artist research, observational work, written evaluation and idea development. What percentage of the final GCSE grade is for coursework? All projects are marked holistically, and combine for the coursework grade. This forms 60% of the final grade. Coursework in photography is ongoing. The me, myself, my world will be completed by the end of the spring term in Year 10. All other coursework will be completed by the end of the autumn term in Year 11. What percentage of the final GCSE grade is from a final exam? The final exam is 40% of the final grade. What are the most interesting parts of the course? The variety of materials and the chance to develop own ideas. Students may also have a trip to Kew Gardens, Brighton, Cornwall, London City, Paris and Tate Modern as a stimulus for their project. 7

10 Business Studies The topics covered on this course are: Starting a small business the skills needed, the idea, the risk, the customers, the competitors Types of business eg sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, franchises. People in business eg recruitment, training, pay, health and safety, motivation. Marketing eg market research, products, price, promotions, advertising. Business finance eg profit and loss accounts, sources of finance, cash flow, break even analysis and budgeting. Other functions of the business eg production, stock control, customer service. Outside influences on business eg the role of the government and the law, the European Union, pressure groups, the trade cycle, interest rates and the exchange rate. What kind of class activities will there be? Lessons will vary according to the topic taught, and will include a range of activities. These include computer based exercises, internet research, group activities, individual learning, discussions, DVDs, and visiting speakers. Assessment Paper 1 Externally assessed 45-minute paper, consisting of 30 multiple choice questions, at the end of Year 11. This is 25% of the final grade. Paper 2 Internally assessed controlled assessment, students having selected a real business, and carried out research on it. This is 25% of the final grade. Paper 3 Externally assessed through a 1 hour 30 minutes paper. The questions are multiple-choice, short and extended answers, data response and scenario-based questions. This is 50% of the final grade. Other features of the course A visit to Thorpe Park is planned, to study marketing in the leisure industry. Students may decide to complete their Controlled Assessment on a business of their choice. This could be in the area of hairdressing, fast food, holidays, fashion, music, computers, sport etc. Why would Business Studies be a useful course to take? This course allows students to develop an understanding of all areas of business which will help you in the wider world. Knowledge of business organisations would be beneficial to all employees. People who work in other organisations also need to be aware of the need to operate in a business-like manner. Also, everybody is a consumer, influenced by the world of business. 8

11 Child Development Within the child development course you will learn about the development of a child under 5. You will consider a wide range of issues and develop informed opinions. You will find it useful if you wish to have a career with children or in health care. Careers it would be useful for include Primary school teacher Working with children with special needs. Nurse / midwife Social worker Psychologist Health Visitor What are the topics I shall study? The family; pre-conceptual care; pregnancy; birth; post natal care; physical; intellectual, social and emotional development; nutrition, accident prevention; Health Services personnel; community services and families with special needs. What kind of class activities will there be? Visits from speakers on topics such as fostering, how to look after a new baby, first aid, safety and current issues. Practical activities such as planning games to develop intellect. Discussion work. Written work using worksheets and textbooks. Visits to library, local parks and maternity unit Computer research tasks What kind of homework assignments will there be? Written work using information researched Exam style questions Investigating different aspects of the course and presenting information. What percentage of the final GCSE grade is controlled assessment? a) Three short controlled assessments which are worth 10% and should take about 7 hours each. b) An Observational Study on a child aged 0 5 years. This controlled assessment is 30% of the final grade. You must have access to a child aged 0 5 years on which to do this study in the evenings, at the weekends and during the holidays. This whole assignment should take about 22 hours. Most of the written work will be completed in lesson time though extra sessions will be laid on after school. It is an expectation that student attend most of these sessions. What percentage of the final grade is for examinations at the end of Year 11? One written paper 1 hour 30 minutes is 40% of final mark What are the most interesting parts of the GCSE course? Learning how to deal with children under 5 in a professional way. Gaining a wealth of information from outside speakers. Learning how children develop and the best ways to help with that development. Practical applications of the milestones of a child 9

12 Computer Science The course covers a range of different topics including: Computer Programming and languages Gives learners a real, in-depth understanding of how computer technology works Provides excellent preparation for higher study and employment in Computer Science Develop critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills. All lessons will take place in a computer room and you will use a wide range of new technologies. You will build and program using different computer languages, learn how to write your own code using Python, and Invent Apps. Work will range between individual tasks and group projects. Extended work tasks All material for homework will consolidate the learning made in class. Towards examination periods the tasks will be more suitable to exam preparation. Tutorials and web based tasks can be access anywhere there is internet access. Assessment There are two separate controlled assessment projects: an investigation task and a programming task. Each is worth 30% and will involve using the theory learnt in lessons. There is one final exam at the end of the course worth 40% of the qualification. This contains a mixture of short answer and long answer questions. Support All support materials and resources are available on the computing web page on Frog. What are the most interesting parts of the course? You get to build your own games and websites and really understand how computers work and the software behind them. Why would computing be a useful course to take? Having a working knowledge of computing will allow you to a career in programming, software development, engineering, robotics or working within the IT industry. 10

13 Dance GCSE dance will enable you to extend your skills and understanding of this subject. It will develop creativity when working in a group and as an individual. The course will include topics such as how to make dances, performing to an audience, learning repertory from professional works and safe practice as a dancer. Students will also carry out observations of many live and recorded dance works, analysing and appreciating the dances in terms of their constituent features. Practical lessons will focus on improving technique, choreography and improving performance in order to communicate to an audience. Theory lessons will include analysis and observations of many professional works. Extended work tasks Extended work will feature both practical and written tasks. The dance studio will be available for students after school twice a week for practical rehearsals. Theory extended work will include past paper examination questions, researching choreographers, reviewing professional dance works, researching music and stimuli for choreographic tasks. Assessment Unit 1: Critical Appreciation of Dance Understand and analyse 2 professional works and questions related to own physical performance. Written Paper 1 hour 20% Unit 2: Set Dance Practical Examination of Solo Performance: 1 1½ minutes 20% Unit 3: Performance in a duo/group, based upon a professional work with 3 clear links 3 3½ minutes performance 20% Unit 4: Choreography Task 1: Solo Composition linked to a professional work (3 motifs with development)1 1½ minutes 15% Task 2: Choreography solo/duo/group 25% Unit total: 40% Support Lesson and extended work resources found on the dance Frog page. AQA GCSE Dance: Student's Book by Lyn Paine, Liz Dale, Maggie Clunie YouTube for professional works. Theatre visits and workshops. School dance clubs. 11

14 Design & Technology: Food Technology If you enjoy practical work, there will be opportunities to continue to improve your investigation and making skills. The course will enable you to gain a deeper understanding of the processes and scientific principles involved in the food manufacturing industry. Food has been the focus of much media attention recently; our young people need to develop their skills. There are very many jobs that have a connection to food in some of the following ways: health sector, media, the catering and hospitality industry, product development and education. All students could find themselves drawing upon the skills they have learnt in this course on a full time, part time or recreational basis throughout their lives. Food Materials and Components Design and Market Influences Food Processes and Manufacture What kind of class activities will there be? Practical food investigations Focused practical tasks and assignments Written work using worksheets and textbooks Practical food demonstrations Computer work What kind of homework assignments will there be? Shopping and preparation of food for practical lessons Market research Designing products Written work using worksheets and textbooks Learning and revision What percentage of the final GCSE grade is for coursework? 60%: one project to test designing and making skills. The project will take about 45 hours class time under controlled assessment. What percentage of the final grade is for examinations at the end of Year 11? 40% one written theory examination. What are the most interesting parts of the GCSE course? Practical and investigation work takes place regularly. You will be experimenting with different foods and recipes that you will need to test and evaluate in school. This course enables you to develop your creativity in making food products. 12

15 Design & Technology: Graphic Products Graphic product design topics will be based on a variety of project briefs. These may include: Illustration Advertising Corporate Identity Display and exhibition Reproduction Manufacturing Packaging Printing Technical Identity What kind of class activities will there be? Projects will include: Research and analysis Developing ideas Planning and making up your final design in a variety of media Testing and evaluating the success of the final product Developing graphic design skills Understanding of industrial processes What kind of homework assignments will there be? Research Developing design work Making prototypes Learning and revision What percentage of the final GCSE grade is for coursework? 60% coursework. Candidates will complete a single project that should occupy approximately 40 hours of supervised time for the full course. What percentage of the final grade is for examinations at the end of year 11? 40% - One written theory examination. What are the most interesting parts of the GCSE course? The course includes a large element of design and practical work using ICT, CAD/CAM and there are a wide variety of interesting topics that can be used as a basis for project work, eg. DVD/CD design, perfume packaging, chocolate boxes and fun packs. Why would graphic products be a useful course of me to take? It can help you to qualify for a variety of higher educational courses and careers both in science and the arts, including graphic design, advertising, architecture and product design. 13

16 Design & Technology: Product Design Product design is a project based course that will enable students to design, develop and make products in a variety of different materials. Students will learn how to analysis a task, sketch out ideas, develop designs using CAD, make own products using industrial practices and technologies. Projects will include: Research and analysis Developing design ideas Planning production Modelling CAD Making designed products Selecting the most appropriate materials Testing and evaluating the success of the final product Developing your graphic design and ICT skills Understanding how products are made in industry Extended work tasks Researching styles, themes or a specific target market or a design problem Developing design work Planning how you are going to make your product Learning and revision Assessment 60% = one main project to test designing and making skills. The project will take approx hours. 40% - allocated to the final written examination, consisting of a designing task, a mixture of both short and long answers on materials, tools, methods of production, techniques, and sustainability. Support All support materials and resources are available on the Design & Technology - Product Design web page on Frog. What are the most interesting parts of the GCSE course? The course includes a large element of practical work, when you can design and make a product that you have developed yourself, giving you experience and skills in using different tools and techniques. Why would Product Design be a useful course for me to take? It can help you to qualify for a variety of higher education courses and careers, in both science and arts related areas, including architecture, engineering, CAD, three dimensional designs such as automotive, interior, furniture designer or product developer. 14

17 Design & Technology: Fashion Textiles Textiles will allow you to exercise your creativity by giving you a chance to design and make garments, accessories and furnishings. If you wish to pursue a career in fashion, it will provide a good foundation course for a job in the fashion industry or help to secure a place on a fashion course at college. Additionally, you will learn skills that will be useful in later life when you are creating your own home and skills that will serve as a leisure interest. What are the main topics I shall study? Design and market Influences Practical skills Fibres and fabrics; tools and equipment Finishing processes Components Modern technological developments and their impact on the design and making of textile products Computer technology; different manufacturing techniques Textiles and the environment Quality control and assurance What kinds of class activity will there be? Developing ideas for design and make tasks, set on a variety of themes, e.g. fashion, accessories, soft furnishings, Practical investigations eg finding out about existing products. What kind of homework assignments will there be? Research, obtaining fabric and materials required for practical work, design work and preparation for practical work, written work from textbooks and worksheets. What percentage of the final GCSE grade is for coursework? 60% coursework. Candidates will complete a single project that should occupy approximately 45 hours under controlled assessment. What percentage of the final grade is for examinations at the end of year 11? 40%: one written theory examination. Why would Textiles products be a useful course of me to take? It can help you to qualify for a variety of higher educational courses and careers both in science and the arts, including fashion or textile design, fashion promotion, merchandising and retail. Support Students will be able to access a range of resources on the D&T department page in FROG, teachers will often upload resources to support learning. There is an annual trip to the Clothes Show Live which offers a range of seminars. There are a range of design publications that can be read to support learning; these include Vogue, Cloth, Elle and Selvedge. London is also host to a number of great museums and galleries that support and promote the design industry, students wishing to extend their understanding and knowledge should try and visit these establishments at weekends or in holidays. 15

18 Drama Drama is a demanding subject that requires you to be available to work outside of school hours in addition to putting in maximum effort each lesson so as to get the best results possible. Year 11 GCSE drama is a prime example of this. Unit 3 requires you to be available to rehearse after school with your exam group and teacher. Unit 3 This is where you work as part of a group to create a performance. This will be shown to an examiner form the Edexcel exam board who will make you as individual. The theme each year is set by the exam board, but there is a number of choices for your group: A devised piece: based on a stimulus or a theatre in education piece A performance of a scripted play: this could be a complete short published play, an extract form a longer one or a selection of scenes A mixture of: devised and scripted material Within these units, you will learn how to create an effective piece of drama using skills and techniques that you have learnt. You will become skilled at working in a group and as an individual throughout the course. You will have the opportunity to work from published scripts and perform in front an audience. Extended work tasks The Unit 3 of drama work is group based so working as a cohesive unit is essential to your success. Every drama lesson will be practical based where you will have the opportunity to put your own thoughts and ideas into practice. Homework will be a combination of practical and written tasks. The written tasks will be reviewing practical lessons, your own work, other groups work and coursework. In the run up to practical exams, you will be expected to rehearse your performances as part of your homework and after school/weekends. Assessment Assessment takes place in the spring/summer term by a visiting moderator. What percentage of the final GCSE grade is from a final exam? 40% of your final GCSE grade is from a Practical Exam that is assessed by an external moderator Support GCSE after school drop in support GCSE drama handbook Lesson and extended work resources found Frog Theatre visits 16

19 English English Language and English Literature English is an essential qualification for all further education and careers. You will develop your skills of communication which will prepare you for adult life. What are the topics I shall study? You will study a whole range of reading like in year 10: non-fiction, poetry, plays and novels from England and other countries and cultures. You will study how spoken English works and how writers convey messages to us. English Literature texts: Novel To Kill a Mockingbird or Of Mice and Men Play Kindertransport or DNA Poetry AQA Poetry Anthology What kind of class activities will there be? You will do lots of paired and group work as well as individual tasks to enhance your learning. Extended written analysis under timed conditions becomes very important as the exams approach. What kind of homework assignments will there be? These could be research tasks, planning and preparing speaking and listening tasks or practice essays as well as reading tasks of a variety of kinds. Learning and revising quotations is often used to help prepare for the examinations. What percentage of the final GCSE grade is for coursework? For igsce English Language, coursework counts for 40% of the grade. Speaking and listening assessments count for a further 20%. In English Literature 25% of the final grade is based on controlled assessment. When is most of the coursework completed and can I work on it at home? The English Language and Literature coursework should all have been completed during year 10, allowing students to focus on exam preparation during year 11. The only exception to this is the Speaking and Listening assessment which takes place during October of year 11. Students should rehearse for this at home to ensure they know their presentation and are feel confident in delivering it. What percentage of the final GCSE grade is from a final exam? In English Language 40% of the final grade comes from the final exam, which this year will be taken on November 4th. In English Literature 75% of the grade comes from the final exams, which take place in June. What are the most interesting parts of the course? We hope that you will find all the parts of the course interesting. You have been well prepared for most parts of it by the work you have done at Key Stage 3. However, you will have the chance to encounter more challenging and difficult books which often deal with mature themes ideal for teenagers to engage with. 17

20 Geography Physical Geography: restless Earth, water on the land, the coastal zone & living world Human Geography: population change, changing urban environments, tourism & development gap What kind of class activities will there be? Clear lesson objectives combined with innovative and engaging learning and teaching methods will allow you to understand the key concepts of the world around you. This involves a variety of different activities such as group work, presentations, practical tasks, the use of IT, and debating.. Fieldwork - a three day residential trip to the Isle of Wight will take place. Data collected will be used for your controlled assessment which is worth 25% your overall grade. Extended work tasks Homework is set once a week and will be directly related to your studies. Tasks will vary from research activities to past exam questions and revision. All students should purchase a copy of the AQA A GCSE CGP Revision Guide. Assessment You will follow the AQA A GCSE geography course. There are two exams and one controlled assessment: Paper 1 - Physical geography (37.5%) Paper 2 - Human geography (37.5%) Controlled Assessment - fieldwork Investigation (25%) What are the most interesting parts of the GCSE course? The AQA A GCSE geography course strikes an exceptional balance the balance between physical and human geography. So whether you are concerned with predicting the impacts of the next supervolcanic eruption or why some countries develop quicker than others, your geographical likes will be catered for! Moreover, the fieldwork will offer you the opportunity to study processes of the geographical world first hand, allowing you to collect your own information and analyse it to discover what changes are happening in a certain area and why this may be. Support All lessons are uploaded to Frog. Students are encouraged to use this tool for revision purposes. As a department, we have an open door policy. Students should be pro-active in seeking extra support where they feel necessary by dropping into The Geo ; a GCSE geography support session which runs after school. Progress is tracked across all units of work. Students will sit past GCSE papers half way through and at the end of each unit studied. Time is allocated in which students reflect on their performance and will evaluate each practise exam they sit using a mark-scheme to identify areas for improvement. Re-take opportunities of these assessments are vital for those students who require it. Where will GCSE Geography take you? Geography encourages you to think laterally. You will be able to understand and appreciate the causes and impacts of current global and local issues. Most importantly, you will be able to suggest solutions to them. Geography has strong links with the sciences and other humanities subjects. You will develop a range of vital and transferable skills such as analysis, graphicacy and it allows you to be creative and innovative. GCSE geography is vital if you are looking to take A level geography which is a very impressive qualification to universities and employers. 18

21 History There are 4 units that comprise the history GCSE: o Unit 1: Crime and punishment in Britain c.50ad to present o Unit 2: Germany o Unit 3: Protest, law and order in the twentieth century o Unit 4: The impact of war on Britain c Unit 1 explores the patterns of crime, policing, trials and punishment from Roman Britain through to the present day. Students will develop a detailed understanding of how factors like religion, economics and war have driven society to perceive and respond to crime differently(or not) at different times in this country s past and present. Unit 2 investigates how a civilised and highly educated society like Germany could succumb to the powers of fascism and dictatorship and the impact this had on the lives of different groups living there. In so doing, students grapple with issues that are extremely relevant today like the power of ideology and propaganda, the effects of economic instability and the responsibility of individuals and institutions to stand up for what is right. Unit 3 allows students to develop and hone their source analysis skills crucial to their success as critical thinkers. They study a range of 20th century protests to discover the ingredients that determined success or failure and combine this with their source skills to create compelling arguments on related controversial issues. Unit 4 is the controlled assessment part of the course which gives students the opportunity to complete 25% of their final mark before they ever enter the exam hall. It combines historical research with the analysis of historical representations, all focused around the response of the British government and people to the experiences of World Wars I & II. Extended work tasks Homework will focus on exam practice or preparation for the controlled assessment. Assessment Each of the units is worth 25% of the total mark. Units 1-3 are examined while Unit 4 is controlled assessment. The exams are all 1hr 15minutes long. All exams are at the end of Year 11. Support There are substantial support materials on Frog under Departments / History / GCSE. These include catch-up lessons, past papers, revision notes and model answers. Revision guides are available from the history office Students will benefit from reading around the topics they are studying in class or from visiting museums or watching historical films and documentaries. Reading a broadsheet newspaper on a regular basis will support the development of the language skills that are so crucial to success in GCSE history. Useful websites include: BBC Bitesize History; Spartacus Educational; and the exam board s website Edexcel GCSE History B 19

22 Latin and Roman Civilisation Studying Classics allows us to bring the dead back to life. Latin may not be a language spoken today, but it is worth studying in its own right and because it has had a huge impact on English, and on other European languages. Latin helps us with our own language extending vocabulary and gaining a more sophisticated understanding of grammar. The WJEC Course allows students to study the language, history and culture of the Romans, with opportunities to discover a fascinating and highly influential culture which confronted and debated many of the same issues that we face today. We study the classical past to understand not just the origins of western civilisation but also to engage with the people who appear both so familiar and so alien. In Year 11 students have a firm understanding of the language and begin to fully translate a range of exciting texts. In lessons students hone their skills by learning new grammatical forms by using mini whiteboards, interactive exercises on ipads, oral work and Latin composition. Students learn vocabulary and practice translating but also explore the widest possible view of the Roman world and learn by doing; e.g. making Roman actors masks; acting out scenes from stories and tasting Roman food. In year 11 pupils focus on Book 3 of the Cambridge Latin course, progressing to Stage 29 of the course by the time they sit the exam. Students also get the opportunity to study history for their coursework module which includes a range of primary and secondary source material. The coursework module allows pupils to study key aspects of Roman civilisation such as Daily Life in Ancient Rome, Entertainment and Leisure, Roman Britain and The Roman Army. Other areas of study might include aspects of Roman religion, the structure of Roman society, Pompeii, Roman women, Roman engineering and Roman medicine. Extended work and tasks Students learn through a variety of approaches such as group work, role-play, debate, discussion, assignment questions, independent learning, ipad activities and games. Film, audio, text, images and digital resources are used to support learning. Homework will focus on building language skills and research for coursework. Assessment Controlled assessment makes up 33% of the final GCSE grade. This module allows students to study primary and secondary sources and formulate their own question to focus on. Example questions: What factors affected the deployment speed of the Roman army, and how does it compare to that of the modern British army? To what extent can Roman medicine be considered a science? Why did the Romans have such a liberal attitude to prostitution? How did the Romans use religion to unite the empire? This course is linear which means students have to sit their final Latin Language exam at the end of Year 11 and there is no option to re-sit. There will be only one exam because of the controlled assessment, which is submitted in May. The Latin language exam is 67% of the Level 2 qualification and the whole course counts as an Ebacc language subject. Why is Latin a useful course for me to do? Latin is widely regarded as a very academic subject and puts students at an advantage when applying to university. Additionally, the skills learnt on this course help students with their grammar in English and make the assimilation of European languages much easier. The coursework history module of the GCSE supplements study in humanities and helps us to understanding the roots of western civilisation. Support Students should check the Latin link on the Classics page of Frog for a variety of resources. The Classics Department organises a variety of trips across the GCSE years. Sites include Lullingstone Roman Villa, Roman Bath and also host annual trips abroad to either Greece or Pompeii open to our GCSE and A Level pupils. 20

23 Mathematics In this course, you will build on the knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical methods and concepts covered at Key Stage 3. These include number, algebra, geometry, measures, statistics and probability. You will use your knowledge and understanding to make connections between mathematical concepts. You will be able to apply the functional elements of mathematics to solve problems in real-life situations. Maths underpins much of what we do in everyday life such as planning a budget or scheduling a journey. You can also use the skills you have acquired when studying further subjects at all levels. Mathematics also forms part of the content for many degrees, where it can lead on to a variety of jobs. These include engineering, science, IT and economics. Extended work tasks Extended work completed outside of the classroom will give plenty of opportunity to consolidate the work completed inside. Teachers will set work to be completed independently to gain practice in the skills learned, totalling roughly 60 minutes per week. Assessment This is a linear course which means that student s knowledge will be assessed through a final exam which is made up of two written papers, one calculator and one non-calculator. There are two tiers of assessment Higher (A* - D) and Foundation (C G). Candidates can only be entered for one tier. Support There are a large number of resources for independent work and revision available on Frog, the website MyMaths, for which every pupil has their own set of login details, and videos on every maths topic available through the MathsWatch resource. Maths teachers will be very happy to support pupils who require assistance outside of lesson time, particularly in the lead up to exams. 21

24 Media Studies Taking as its focus the mass media of cinema, television, radio, newspapers, advertising and new media technologies GCSE media studies is an exciting and challenging subject which encourages students to critically engage with and evaluate a broad range of media products. Students taking GCSE media studies will develop the skills necessary to: 1. Analyse media texts 2. Understand how and by whom they are produced 3. Explore issues of media ownership 4. Appreciate how new technologies are changing the way we consume media The media is considered in terms of form and content, language, representation, institution and audience. Students have the opportunity to discuss and write about their experiences of, and personal responses to the media. Learning activities and teaching approaches Learning in media studies involves a wide range of innovative and engaging learning methods and teaching approaches. Students will learn a theoretical understanding of the subject, through engaging with existing media texts, before embarking on their own practical application of skills, to create their own media texts. Students will: engage with and analyse all forms of media work in teams to devise media work individually on the practical application of their skills Learn Photoshop and other design software Develop skills in using media technology Make use of the available IT Evaluate their own work and the work of others Extended work Students will regularly be set extension work in media studies. The purpose is to ensure that students continue to develop their understanding of the subject in context. Students receive the equivalent of 45mins per week however this is dependent on the learning context and the area of study. Homework is always purposeful and relevant and will test a range of skills. Students will be expected to complete a range of tasks from making a media text to consuming a media text. Assessment The course is divided into two units of work, one which is a portfolio of controlled assessment (60%) split into three assignment tasks and the second which is an externally assessed exam which will take place at the end of the two year course (40%). The controlled assessment enables the students to look at media texts created by professionals and to understand the ethics and design decisions which have gone into their construction. Students are then required to learn the practical skills of media production from making a music video using camcorders and editing software to creating a poster design or magazine front cover using Photoshop and in design The examination forms the other 40% of the final grade. In the exam, you will complete four tasks on a particular topic area. The examination builds on the learnt skills to develop a creative response to set briefs by the exam board which is given to the students prior to sitting the exam. The questions relate to the pre-release materials enabling students to fully prepare for the timed examination. Extra-curricular activities In Media Studies we offer a range of extra-curricular opportunities throughout the academic year. We run clubs afterschool in animation, film analysis, digital art and design, and controlled assessment support. These are opt in activities which aim to enhance the skills and learning that students are involved in as part of their studies. In addition to this, we also offer clubs for our more advanced students to help support and move them on in their quest to achieve A grades. 22

25 Modern Foreign Languages: French and Spanish With our ever-increasing ties to Europe, knowledge of a European language is essential, especially for those intending a career in business. Many other businesses have links with France and Spain, particularly the expanding tourist and service sectors. Learning a language can open many doors. What are the topics I shall study? The course is divided into 4 contexts: Context 1 Lifestyle, Context 2 Leisure, Context 3 Home & Environment, Context 4 Work & Education What kind of class activities will there be? As in Years 7-8, you will do activities in all the language skills (listening, speaking, reading & writing). Some activities may involve the use of ICT. What percentage of the final GCSE grade is for coursework? 60% - This is made up of 2 pieces of written coursework, worth 30% and 2 speaking tasks worth 30%. The written work is prepared and completed in class under controlled condition and is marked externally by the exam board. The speaking assessments are marked by your teacher and moderated by the exam board. What percentage of the final grade is for examinations at the end of Year 11? 40%. This includes reading and listening papers. What are the most interesting parts of the GCSE course? Written skills are assessed by means of coursework over the two years of the course, so you have the opportunity to do well in this advanced skill. The course also enables you to have a better understanding of how language works and gives you an insight into the culture of French speaking, German speaking or Spanish speaking countries. It is also possible to study two languages to GCSE, taking one from scratch, but you must have a good level in your first language and be prepared to work hard. The following areas of language are introduced and revised in Year 11: School o Subjects o Daily routine o Uniform o Rules o Buildings and facilities o Extra-curricular activities o Primary school Home and local area o Describing your home o Facilities and activities in local area o Comparing London and Paris/Madrid o Environmental issues Learning activities and teaching approaches The aim of modern language lessons is to enable students to communicate in the foreign language and as such great emphasis is placed upon developing listening and speaking skills, particularly in the autumn term. In this term, students work towards the preparation and completion of their second piece of speaking controlled assessment (worth 15% of the final GCSE mark) on the topic of School. In the spring term there is a particular focus on reading and writing in order to prepare students for their first 23