The core programme The following subjects form compulsory

core elements of the KS4 programme:

English Language

English Literature

Mathematics

Science (dual award or separate sciences)

PE

PSHE

Option subject rationale The school offers a broad range of option

subjects to suit the whole ability range.

Not all options will run (a minimum number of students are required to make a course viable).

All option courses are two year programmes.

Option subjects Students are required to select additional options from the following :

Arabic Biology Chemistry Design Technology Economics Geography ICT Physical Education

Art and Design Business Studies Dual Award Science Drama French History Music Physics

Assessment

assessed via a single practical external examination and is graded A* to G.

There are four areas the students

are assessed in, each is worth 25%

AO1- Record and Observe

AO2- Analyse and Evaluate

AO3- Develop and Explore

AO4- Present a personal response “final

piece production”

The Exam: Timed exam consisting of 10 hours

Six weeks preparatory period

Drama

Drama offers the most exciting and fun

way of stimulating creative learning and

life-skill development.

Drama still requires the academic studies

of reading, writing and research. But,

Drama also demands a collaborative and

cooperative way of learning. This learning

experience is not solitary but social; this

is Drama’s great strength and attraction.

Drama helps us to communicate

effectively. Drama encourages us to

listen and observe, to think and

create, to take risks yet be able to

make mistakes, to respect our

differences, and to become

personally and culturally aware.

Drama allows us to dream and turn

our dreams into action. Drama is

fun to do!

Music GCSE: Areas of Study

The specification content is defined by four Areas of Study:

Un i t 1 : Perfo rm i ng 30% Un i t 2 : Compos i ng 30% Un i t 3 : L i s ten i ng and Appra i s i n g 40%

Area of Study 1:

Area of Study 2:

Area of Study 3:

Area of Study 4:

Western classical music 1600-1899

Music in the 20th century

Popular music in context

World music

Music GCSE Why study Music GCSE? GCSE Music is a recognised qualification and is accepted by all good

Universities and Colleges. Music is challenging, provides enjoyment and improves important skills

such as critical/creative thinking, aesthetic sensitivity, emotional awareness, cultural understanding, self discipline, self confidence and self motivation.

Encourages students to be inspired and to actively engage in the study of Music.

Enables students to study and appreciate a range of different kinds of Music.

EDEXCEL GCSE course is designed to make the transition to AS/GCE Level smoother and more accessible.

Any student working towards ABRSM Grade 5 in any instrument should take GCSE Music as it will improve current performance skills and help to ensure a good GCSE grade.

Appraising Music

40% o f f i n a l g r a d e . 1 hour 30 minute examination set and marked

externally by Edexcel

Questions are based around set works for the unit SECTION A – Questions based on recorded extracts

of set works.

SECTION B – Questions and answers are more

in-depth on a chosen set work.

Composing Music Students will be encouraged to use Sibelius Software

to produce a composition score. Students can also use programmes such as Garageband

and Sequel software (Sequel is available in school). Students will be expected to use their own

instruments to help them develop their compositions and ‘realise’ them.

Compositions may be completed and assessed at any time during the course.

Each piece will be based on a different Area of Study.

Performing Music

It is recommended that students can aim to perform pieces of at least Grade 5 (ABRSM) standard by Year 11 to help ensure that full credit for their performances is awarded. (This is not an essential requirement).

The student may perform on any instrument or voice, in any style or genre.

Ensemble pieces must consist of two or more people playing separate parts simultaneously.

The Solo and Ensemble pieces can be performed on different instruments if desired, though should be contrasting in style/genre.

All students must take instrumental lessons either in or out of school time to ensure a good performance grade in their instrument of choice. *This is a requirement to ensure the students consolidate their understanding and achieve a good grade overall in the their GCSE final grade. Individual instrumental tuition does not take place during lesson time.

Arabic

Involves the study of the following topics:

At home and abroad

Customer service and transactions

Personal information

Media, entertainment & general interests

Future plans, education and work

Listening and understanding in Arabic 23% Candidates will be tested on their ability to understand spoken Arabic. It consists to listen not only for individual items of vocabulary, but also for sequence of language. Testing is through a variety of tasks which require a written response to demonstrate understanding.

Speaking in Arabic 27% The focus of speaking will relate to the following themes: Media, travel and culture or sport, leisure and work. Students will be expected to demonstrate an ability to use the language for different purposes and in different settings, media, travel and culture or sport, leisure and work.

Reading and understanding in Arabic 23% Students will be tested on their ability to understand written Arabic. The examination consists of a number of short texts, notices or short news report in Arabic which include a range of settings and styles both formal and informal. (for example text messages, advertisements, emails.

Writing in Arabic 27% It is composed of: • Short questionnaire • Postcard/or similar message approximately 30 words. • Continuous writing with topics like applying for a job, expressing ideas or justifying points of view and narrating events.

Edexcel GCSE Drama allows students

to perform, direct and design. It’s final

examination is performance-based

rather than written. Importantly, the

course offers a solid foundation for the

I.B. Diploma Theatre Arts course which

is a creatively rigorous and

academically stimulating programme.

WHAT IS IGCSE BIOLOGY? Biology is the study of life.

One of the largest branches

of science

Zoology

Botany

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Microbiology

IGCSE BIOLOGY Subject Aims

IGCSE Edexcel Biology

Single tier

Higher level of understanding biological facts, concepts and principles.

To include forming hypotheses and designing experiments

IGCSE BIOLOGY 1ST YEAR

Human Body Systems

Plant Systems

2ND YEAR

Genetics

Ecology

Exam

2 papers

Paper 1 66%

Paper 2 33%

IGCSE BIOLOGY

Provides a firm foundation for International Baccalaureate, Advanced Subsidiary (AS), Advanced level, and other comparable post-16 qualifications.

IGCSE Business Studies Accepted by universities and employers as proof of an

understanding of business concepts and techniques across a range of different types of businesses.

Foundation for further study at Cambridge International A Level

An ideal preparation for the world of work.

Business Studies Types of business organisations

The business environments

Marketing

Finance

The role of individuals

Interpreting business data

Communication skills – reasoned argument

Analyse business situations and make decisions and judgements.

Business Studies Two examinations at the end of Year 11

1 hour 45 minutes each

No course work

Chemistry is the science of the materials that make up our physical

world.

CHEMISTRY

CHEMISTRY International GCSE DEXCEL

2 year program assessed in 2 papers (2hr &1hr) AO1: Knowledge and understanding 45-55%

AO2: Application of knowledge and understanding, analysis and 25-35% evaluation

AO3: Experimental and investigative 20% skills

TOTAL 100%

• learn about patterns and themes • acquire experimental & investigative skills • form hypotheses and design experiments • understand the way materials are used in the World • understand the role of chemistry in society, industry, technology, environment and economy • prepare for advanced courses in chemistry and related subjects.

Key subject aims

Design Technology This involves a design and make coursework project

comprised of a research folio and product. This is worth 60% of the overall exam.

A written theory paper is worth the remaining 40% of the exam.

The main areas of emphasis in this course are:

Graphics and presentation skills

Research and research analysis

Project management

Realisation either through a manufactured product or an aesthetic prototype

GCSE Resistant Materials Technology

What will I learn?

GCSE RMT covers a wide range of activities based on designing and making products that are manufactured using materials such as wood, metal and plastics in many forms. As well as learning hand skills, you will use a range of industrials processes to shape and form materials into functioning products.

Over the course of two years you will develop a whole range of creative designing and making skills, technical knowledge and understanding relating to RMT and invaluable transferable skills such as problem solving and time management.

GCSE Graphic Products

What will I learn? GCSE Graphic Products cover a wide range of products

including packaging, point of sale display, interior and garden design and 3D product (concept) design.

Over the course of two years you will develop a whole range

of creative designing and making skills, technical knowledge and understanding relating to graphic products and invaluable skills such as problem solving and time management.

Design Technology What will I study? How to develop a specification for a product; How to analyse existing products; How to generate a range of design proposals; How to use the internet to research ideas; Product development and planning; How to select materials and work with tools and equipment; How to evaluate products. You will: Improve your ICT skills and learn about CAD and CAM; Develop awareness of consumer requirements of a product; Analyse products and processes used to manufacture them; Work practically with a variety of materials; Learn how to work on your own and as part of a team.

Design Technology What could I do with a qualification in Design & Technology?

Industrial Design

Silversmithing & Jewellery

Ceramics

Glass making

Packaging Design

Theatre Design

Exhibition Design

Interior Design

Furniture Design

Model-Making

Textile Design

Fashion Design

Illustration

Architecture

Audio - Visual Production

Printing

Art Therapy

Conservation

Engineering

Film Industry

Lecturing

Community Arts

Museum Work

Photography

Web Design

Surveying

Colour Technology

Stage Set Design

Quality Control

Fine Art

Computer Design

Economics

Economics

Cambridge IGCSE

Individual

Business

Government

International

Economics

Students should have an interest in current events want to find out more about the world we live in be able to express and explain an idea

Be able to argue positive and negatives

FRANÇAIS

CAREER, LEARNING ROMAN LANGUAGES,

INCREASING ENGLISH VOCABULARY, HOLIDAYS,

WORLD LANGUAGE

FOCUSING ON COMMUNICATION AND THOROUGH PREPARATION FOR

IB and A-LEVELS USING CAMBRIDGE SYLLABUS

EQUAL WEIGHT GIVEN TO READING

LISTENING SPEAKING WRITING

CULTURAL FOCUS FRENCH SPEAKING CULTURES

Geography IGCSE Geography involves the study of

3 themes.

These are:

Population and settlement

The Natural Environment

Economic Development and the use of resources

Assessment

A variety of exam formats are involved: Essay paper Compulsory short answer paper including

mapwork Internet based fieldwork alternative exam and/or

alternative to coursework paper Students tend to be successful

History

Edexcel IGCSE

Modern World History

Two written examinations of 90 minutes each

Two depth studies from Unification of Germany or Italy

Autocracy and revolt in Russia

Development of dictatorship in Germany or Italy

International relations

Dictatorship and conflict in Russia

Superpower relations

Civil rights in the USA

Investigation

French Revolution

First World War

Russia in Revolution USA 1917 -29

Colonial rule in India

Fall of communism in Europe

Breadth study in change Changing nature of warfare 1905 to 1918

Changes in medicine

Changing role of the League and UN

Conflict, crisis and change in the Middle East

Conflict, crisis and change in China

Change in Africa from colonialism to independence

Changing nature of warfare 1936 to 2003

GCSE PHYSICAL EDUCATION

EDEXCEL syllabus

GCSE not IGCSE

60% Practical – 12% of this is Analysis of Performance including a 6 Week Personal Exercise Programme. 48% is grading of practical abilities in 4 sports.

40% Theory

THEORY Human Anatomy & Physiology

Sports Injuries/Prevention of Injuries

Diet, Health and Hygiene

Fitness Methods and Principles

Emergency First Aid

GCSE PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Practical Performance

in 4 Sports e.g.

Football/Basketball/Netball/Softball Fitness/Athletics/Climbing/Cricket/Badminton

Table Tennis/Swimming and many more

Analysis Of Performance

Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses in performance and analyse how to improve/train the athlete, 6 Week PEP

GCSE PHYSICAL EDUCATION

GCSE PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education is still the UK’s fastest growing area of Education

due to the continued growth of the sports industry.

The Syllabus studied by the students is very well regarded overseas.

Can lead to AS/A2 level in PE or Sports Studies. Also Degrees in

Sports Science/Studies are available.

Helpful: The Anatomy and Physiology sections of the course support

learning in science.

Fun and Interesting!

Learn how to stay healthy in later life.

SO WHY DO GCSE PE?

Edexcel IGCSE

What Is Physics?

Physics is the scientific study of matter and energy and how they interact with each other.

This energy can take the form of motion, light, electricity, gravity . . . just about anything.

Physics deals with matter on scales ranging from sub-atomic particles to stars and even entire galaxies.

KPhysics aims:

To impart a systematic body of scientific knowledge and the skills needed to apply this in new and changing situations in many domestic, industrial and environmental contexts .

To foster an appreciation of the practical nature of physics, and develop experimental and investigative skills based on safe laboratory techniques .

To enable students to evaluate, in terms of their scientific knowledge and understanding, the benefits and drawbacks of scientific and technological developments .

To enable students to select, organize and present information clearly and logically, using appropriate scientific terms and conventions.

Assessment

Single tier. Two exams. No coursework

Grading A* to G

Provides a sound foundation for progression to Edexcel GCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Advanced level, and other comparable post-16 qualifications.

GCSE DUAL AWARD SCIENCE

EDEXCEL Science

EDEXCEL Additional Science

Biology, Chemistry and Physics

Two year course

June June

June June

June June

June June

CIE www.cie.org.uk

Edexcel www.edexcel.com