Year 9 Options Information

 

What will I learn? 

Studying Art, Craft and Design at GCSE will be an opportunity to develop a wide range of exciting disciplines such as sculpture, printing, photography and installation art, whilst also further developing familiar skills such as drawing and painting. The Art, Craft and Design syllabus encourages exploration in varied mediums, where students can extend their practical skills beyond just fine art and into wider mediums such as 3D form, photography, and graphic design.  
Students will learn how to build upon their initial ideas and develop their creative vision using varied tools, artistic processes, materials and resources. This will be supported by thorough contextual research, artist investigations and use of critical language, with a focus on classical and contemporary artists and designers. 

This process will be visually recorded and presented in sketchbooks, portfolios, or exhibitions to effectively communicate students’ visions and ideas.  

What will be expected of me? 

Students will be expected to: 

- Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the visual elements and principles of design through the creation of original artworks.
- Show an understanding of the cultural and historical context of the art movements and artists they study.
- Develop their own personal style and creative voice, while experimenting with a variety of materials, techniques and processes. 
- Analyse and evaluate their own work and that of others and make informed judgments about the impact of their own artworks on the audience. 
- Present their work in a clear, concise and effective manner, demonstrating a good understanding of composition, scale and proportion. 
- Reflect on their own development as an artist, setting goals for their future work, and critically evaluating their own progress. 
- Meet deadlines and manage their time effectively, including working on a project over an extended period, both at home and in class. 
- Play an active role in their own learning and development. 

What skills will I develop 

For GCSE Art and Design, students will develop the following skills: 
- Observational drawing and painting skills to capture the world around them. 
- Ability to experiment with different materials, techniques, and styles.
- Understanding of visual elements such as line, tone, colour, texture and shape. 
- Knowledge of artists, art movements and cultural context.
- Development of critical and analytical skills to evaluate their own and others’ work. 
- Ability to plan, organize, and present their ideas effectively. 
- Effective communication and presentation skills to articulate their ideas and feelings  about their work.
- Reflection and self-evaluation skills to identify strengths and weaknesses and plan for improvement. 

GCSE Business

What will I learn?

Through studying Business, you will learn about how the world of business works and its relevance to almost every aspect of modern society. A few areas you will be learning about include: planning, finance, marketing, operations, economic and environmental factors. You will discover some of the methods and techniques used to analyse an organisation’s performance. Studying business is a great way to develop transferable skills needed to improve your employability in the future, through developing strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, being able to evaluate a range of data, giving you a foundation to understand the dynamic, ever-changing business world we live in.

Subject Content:

1. Business in the real world, this unit investigates:
   • Purpose of business
   • Reasons for starting a business
   • Basic functions and types of business
   • Business enterprise and entrepreneurship
   • Dynamic nature of business
2. Influences on business
   • E-Commerce and digital communication
   • Ethical and Environmental considerations
   • The effect of the economic climate on businesses
   • Globalisation
   • Legislation
   • The competitive environment
3. Business Operations
   • Production processes
   • The role of procurement
   • The concept of quality
   • Good customer service
4. Human Resources
   • Organisational structures
   • Recruitment and selection of employees
   • Motivating employees
   • Training
5. Marketing
   • Identifying and understanding customers
   • Segmentation
   • The purpose and methods of market research
   • The elements of the marketing mix
6. Finance
   • Sources of finance
   • Cashflow
   • Financial terms and calculations
   • Analysing the financial performance of a business

What will be expected of me:

You will be expected to work independently as well as in pairs or small groups. You will need to be organised and plan time to do pre-reading prior to the lesson. Having a good knowledge of, and interest in, current affairs would be useful. We will expect you to have a curiosity about the world around you and have a love of learning and applying theory to practical situations/organisations.

What skills will I develop:

• Independent learning skills
• The ability to show initiative
• Research and investigative skills
• Numeracy and literacy skills
• Communication skills
• Team working skills

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Would you like to set up your own business and be a successful entrepreneur?
• Would you like to be a manager in a business?
• Have you got an interest in how the government and their policies affect your everyday life?
• Do you want to manage people in the future?
• Are you interested in going into operations? (manufacturing products)
• Would you like to understand words you might hear, such as, inflation, interest rates, imports and exports?

 

If you would like to see the syllabus, please click here.

BTEC - Tech Award Enterprise

What will I learn?

With a BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise, you will be able to explore, challenge and realise your full potential. Through exploring different industries, it will enable learners to acquire sector-specific applied knowledge and practices through vocational contexts by studying enterprises, entrepreneurs, customers, competitors, the external environment, business planning and presenting, marketing and finance. Transferable skills such as researching, planning, making decisions and judgements, and financial literacy using realistic vocational contexts.

Subject Content:

Component 1: Exploring Enterprises

• Size and features of SMEs
• Markets, sectors, models, and industries in which enterprises operate
• Aims and activities of enterprises
• Skills and characteristics of entrepreneurs
• Market research methods
• Understanding customer needs
• Understanding competitor behaviour
• Suitability of market research methods
• PEST analysis
• SWOT analysis

Component 2: Planning and Presenting a Micro-Enterprise Idea

• Choosing ideas for a micro-enterprise
• Plan for a micro-enterprise
• Production of presentation
• Delivery of presentation
• Review of presentation

Component 3: Marketing and Finance for Enterprise

• Targeting and segmenting the market
• 4Ps of the marketing mix
• Factors influencing the choice of marketing methods
• Trust, reputation, and loyalty
• Financial documents and statements
• Payment methods
• Revenue and costs
• Financial statements
• Profitability and liquidity
• Financial planning and forecasting
• Budgeting
• Cashflow
• Suggesting improvements to cash flow problems
• Break-even point and break-even analysis
• Sources of business finance

What will be expected of me:

You will be expected to work independently as well as in pairs or small groups. You will have to complete two PSAs (Pearson’s Assessed Assignments) under controlled conditions, synoptically study for Component 3 across the two years. You will need to be organised, enthusiastic, determined to succeed and have a curiosity about the business world which surrounds your everyday lives.

What skills will I develop:

BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise will develop the following skills:

• Organisation and working to deadlines
• Ability to learn and adapt
• Initiative
• Creativity and Innovation
• Time management
• Problem solving
• Communication
• Sector-specific skills and knowledge

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you want to pursue studies in Business beyond GCSE level?
• Would you like to be your own boss?
• Would you like to learn the basic skills needed to run your own enterprise?
• Are you interested in a creative career in marketing?
• Would you like a better understanding of the world around you?

If you would like to see the syllabus, please click here.

What will I learn? 

Students completing Computer Science GCSE will be taught the fundamental principles of Computer Science. This includes elements such as abstraction, decomposition, logic algorithms and data representation. Students will analyse problems through practical experience of solving problems. This includes designing, writing and debugging programs.  

Students will understand the components that make up digital systems as well as explore how computers communicate with one another.

What will be expected of me?

Students completing Computer Science GCSE will be expected to keep up to date with deadlines and have a good level of perseverance.

What skills will I develop?

Students will develop analytical skills, allowing them to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically.

 

What will I learn? 

From the moment you wake up in the morning to the time you return to your bed, your whole day will have been influenced and affected by products that have been designed and made. Studying the Design and Technology GCSE course will help you to develop a creative mind-set and a passion for problem solving. Throughout the course you will build an understanding of the history of design and the work of famous designers whilst considering contemporary design and potential future scenarios from different perspectives. You will realise the impact of Design and Technology activity on daily life and the wider world, plus its importance to the creativity, culture, sustainability, wealth and wellbeing of the nation and the global community. 

The course will enable you to understand and apply design processes to explore, create and evaluate a range of outcomes. You will learn to design with a wide range of different materials and through these materials you will learn about different methods of manufacturing, electronic systems and mechanical devices. You will also learn how to take design risks, helping you to become resourceful, innovative and enterprising.  Using your skills and knowledge from lots of your other subjects, you will be encouraged to explore different ways of thinking, so that by the end of the course you will look at the world around you with inquisitive eyes and be inspired to exercise your inventive muscles.

What will be expected of me? 

As well as completing coursework to the required deadlines, you will need to have an open mind and a keen interest in the way things are designed and made. Perseverance is essential, as you will be developing designs that are unique, so you will need to learn to solve problems. Good organisation will be important to enable you to meet the regular deadlines for project work and individual assignments, but also to allow for “thinking time” to successfully manage and develop your designs.  

What skills will I develop? 

You will become a well-rounded problem solver by the end of the course. The key skills developed during the course will include researching, analysing, designing, making, evaluating and communicating. Technical manufacturing skills alongside accuracy and quality control will be a large focus of the design and technology foundation.

 

What will I learn? 

GCSE drama is a dynamic course which will develop your understanding of theory, practise and performance. Throughout the course you will develop a wide range of transferable skills which will be useful not just in drama, but in a wide range of other activities in your future. Students who study drama at GCSE will flourish in their ability to speak confidently in front of their peers, as well as become more confident in their abilities to take leadership roles when working as part of a group.

60% of the course will be undertaken outside of the exam room. Students will have secured this before they sit their final exams at the end of Year 11. Most of this content will be explored practically; with you exploring the practices of different practitioners, developing your own performances using stimuli, as well as expanding skills when working with pre-written scripts. When creating drama we will focus on the work of major theatre practitioners, as well as honing our own practical skills to enable each student to create the best performance possible.

Students will work independently, and as part of a group, to create and perform theatre for an audience. All students will take part in two assessed performances; one marked by their class teacher, and the other moderated by an external examiner. Along with their practical work, students will be expected to keep a portfolio of supporting evidence which shows their progress and how their drama evolved throughout the rehearsal process.

The course will also develop your theoretical understanding of theatre conventions and techniques. Students will study a play in detail throughout the two-year course, and develop their understanding of not only performance choices, but also the choices of designers and directors. Students will develop the ability to analyse and evaluate the work of others. During the course, students will be taken to see at least one piece of live theatre and will spend time learning key skills in evaluation and analysation of key dramatic techniques being used in a professional context.

What will be expected of me? 

Students who study drama will be expected to be self-motivated, highly disciplined, and show commitment and passion for the performing arts. Students will be expected to develop their own performances for their exams not only in lessons, but after school and be willing to spend time with staff to help make their performances of the highest quality. Naturally, students will work in groups to create their own performances for exam work, which they will be graded on. Students must be willing to support each other and not make ill-informed choices and judgements which may negatively impact their own performance group. An exceptional drama student will also show the willingness to support others within the cohort to achieve academic success. These students will show willingness to help and assist others, both technically and creatively. As a GCSE subject, students must also show a willingness to learn about the theoretical context of theatre and its history. Examinations and written coursework components will require students to access a higher order of thinking that can be challenging academically.

What skills will I develop?

Throughout GCSE Drama students will develop the following skills.  

- Communication – Students will develop their ability to communicate as part of a group to create performance which will be marked both internally and externally.  
- Presentation skills – Students will develop a range of skills to help them increase their ability to present work clearly to an audience.
- Collaboration – Throughout the course, students will be collaborating with each other to develop performances for assessment.
- Evaluation – For both coursework and exam work, students will develop the ability to evaluate both their own work and the work of others.  
- Analysation – Students will be able to develop their own skills in analysing performance techniques.
- Justification – Students will learn how to justify their own answers; learning that marks are also awarded for explaining the reason behind their choices.  

Cambridge National Engineering

What will I learn?

This course is focussed on the manufacturing associated with engineering, making it an ideal starting point for apprenticeships or other vocational routes into the engineering industry. The course aims to give you an understanding of manufacturing processes, engineering materials, manufacturing requirements and developments in engineering manufacturing. You will develop learning and practical skills that can be applied to real-life contexts and work situations. You will learn to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically, developing independence and confidence in using skills that would be relevant to the engineering, manufacturing, process and control sector and more widely. You will plan manufacturing production through practical experience of manufacturing one-off products and manufacturing in quantity, determining the sequence of operations required, recognising hazards and risks so that control measures can be implemented for safe working. You will learn how to interpret engineering drawings to facilitate manufacture, using a range of tools and equipment, including Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. 

What will be expected of me? 

As well as completing coursework to the required deadlines, you will need to have an open mind and a keen interest in the way things work. You will be expected to show an interest in the machines we have in school, and a desire to learn how to use them to good effect. 

What skills will I develop? 

Taking part in this course will allow you to develop your manufacturing skills in engineering. This will include planning production for both one-off and quantity manufacturing, safe working practices and the use of tools and machines.

What will I learn?

You will study from a range of English, and culturally diverse, texts and this will help broaden your cultural and social horizons. We hope this will help you to consider different points of view, develop empathy and see the world from different perspectives. You will develop your skills in reading, writing, and speaking and listening, so that when you come into the Sixth Form and move out into the wider world, you will be fluent, articulate and critical, whether you are reading a newspaper; writing a dissertation at university or presenting at a business seminar. You will learn about the creative landscapes that some of the very best writers have designed and consider the meanings behind these texts. You will also engage in lively discussions, (including having debates) with each other and your teacher, in order to engage with and enjoy the texts. Ultimately, you will understand much more about the language you communicate in every day, as well as become more confident dealing with the written and spoken word. In preparation for your GCSE examinations, you will study one Shakespeare play, one 19th century novel and one modern literary text from the GCSE Literature specification, as well as a selection of poems from the GCSE anthology. You will also continue to study fiction and non-fiction unseen extracts and practise analytical and evaluative skills, as well as producing both imaginative and transactional writing, in preparation for GCSE English Language examinations.

What will be expected of me? 

You will be expected to demonstrate the following skills:  

Reading Comprehension – You are expected to read and understand a variety of challenging texts, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. 

Writing - You will be expected to write clear and concise pieces in a variety of styles and forms, including narratives, descriptions, arguments, and letters. You will also be expected to use a range of vocabulary, varied punctuation, varied sentence structures and grammar accurately. 

Speaking and Listening - You will be expected to participate in group discussions and deliver an oral presentation. You will be assessed separately for speaking and listening and you will be expected to conduct research and deliver a presentation on a topic of your choice. You are expected to use standard English in your spoken language, including pronunciation, intonation, and stress. You will be expected to contribute your own views and ideas in class discussions and debates. 

What skills will I develop?

You will develop the ability to read and analyse and evaluate texts objectively; the ability to express your own opinions, and those of others, with confidence and in the appropriate style; the ability to write in different styles for different audiences and, hopefully, a lifelong interest in (and a love of) reading, writing, speaking and listening. 

What will I learn? 

You will study: 

- Practical skills that demonstrate effective and safe cooking skills by planning, preparing and cooking a variety of food commodities whilst using different cooking techniques and equipment. - Functional properties and chemical characteristics offered to develop a sound knowledge of the nutritional content offered and drinks. - The relationship between diet, nutrition and health, including the physiological and psychological effects of poor diet and health.- Economic, environmental, ethical and socio-cultural influences on food availability, production processes, diet and health choices.- Functional and nutritional properties, sensory qualities and microbiological food safety considerations when preparing, processing, storing and serving food. - A range of ingredients and processes from different culinary traditions (traditional British and international) to inspire knew ideas or to modify existing recipes. 

What will be expected of me?

Beyond all else, you will be expected to have a passion for cooking and a desire to learn about food and nutrition.

You will need to be organised, have the ability to work independently and be willing to work as a team member. You will need good time management skills with the ability to work under time pressures for both class work and homework. Homework will be set on a regular basis and you may be expected to attend after-school support sessions.

You should be willing to extend yourself and practise your skills at home, researching and taking an interest in cooking trends. You will be expected to take a keen interest in any extracurricular activities that are on offer. 

What skills will I develop?

You will develop skills in: 

- Food preparation
- Cooking and cooking techniques
- Understanding nutrition and healthy eating
- An ability to budget and cook affordably
- Presentation
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Working with others
- Using information and communication technology
- The ability to improve your own learning and performance 

Food preparation and nutrition enables you to make connections between theory and practice so that you are able to apply your understanding of food science and nutrition to practical cooking.

 

What will I learn? 

“Geography is a subject which holds the key to our future” - Michael Palin. Geography widens your knowledge of the world you live in as well as providing you with a range of skills which are useful in other subjects. You live on the planet, so you should know more about it! 

The course will be varied and these are some of the topics: 

- Tectonic hazards  - why do people live in volcanic areas? And how and why are parts of the world affected by earthquakes? 
- Weather hazards and climate change - extreme weather conditions, hurricanes and global warming. Scientists think that more extreme weather such as violent storms will start occurring more regularly, so you should find out about it. 
- Global ecosystems such as rainforests and deserts - looking at climate, soil, water, plants, animals and possibilities for human activity. How can we protect these areas? Why should we bother? 
- Coastal areas - how geology, climate and human activity have influenced landscapes of the UK. For example, have you thought about why the cliffs are there when you are at the beach? 
- River areas - do you know anything about the way that rivers have shaped our landscape? Do you understand how they influence where people live and prosper? 
- Urban issues - why are cities growing and how is migration causing issues such as favelas? Deprivation in our cities is experienced by many people every day - what can we do about it? 
- The changing economic world - what causes the differences in lives between HDE’s and LDE’s, what can be done about it? What is the economic future of the UK? 
- Resources and their management - how do humans use, modify and change ecosystems and environments in order to obtain food, energy and water resources? 
- Fieldwork is an important part of this course. You will visit two contrasting locations, for example, a beach and a town, in order to develop data collection presentation and analysis skills. 

What will be expected of me? 

You will be expected to work independently as well as in pairs or a small group. At KS4 there will be times when you will use ICT to research and write up case study investigations. You will be expected to be able to interpret data and communicate clearly. We would expect you to be organised, make decisions and revise for tests. Most importantly, we will expect you to enjoy finding out more about the world around you and making more sense of news events.

What skills will I develop?

Geography will improve your skills in ICT, fieldwork, written analysis, statistical techniques, map work, drawing and interpreting graphs and creating a variety of other visual methods of presentation.

You will be able to communicate ideas effectively, to develop written arguments, and to draw well-evidenced and informed conclusions about geographical questions and issues.

The variety of skills developed means that it keeps open opportunities later on with regards to careers and further education, as well as meaning that you will know more about the world we live in. You will become employable in a wide variety of jobs. 

Ask yourself the following questions: 

- Are you curious about places and people? Geography broadens your knowledge of the UK plus the rest of the world and explains how we are linked with other countries. 
- Do you prefer the window seat on an aeroplane? Geography looks at connections between people and the landscape. 
- Do you like maps? Geographers will put information on maps in order to see the patterns more closely. 
- Are you interested in environmental issues? Geography looks at how we are damaging the planet and how we can manage these problems. 
- Do you like working outside? Geography involves field work. 

If you would like to see the syllabus, please click here 

What will I learn? 

“The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future” - Theodore Roosevelt. 

Studying history helps us understand how events in the past made things the way they are today. With lessons from the past, we not only learn about ourselves and how we came to be, but also develop the ability to avoid mistakes and create better paths for our societies. Our GCSE History curriculum will consolidate and build on the skills and knowledge you acquired in Years 7, 8 and 9. You will investigate interpretations of the past, be aware of local, national, and international historical events, recognise and explore turning points, the contributions of key individuals that have helped and hindered our past and have shaped our present, and evaluate their significance and lasting legacies. You will learn through reading, writing, discussions, listening, analysing data, developing presentation skills and group work. Throughout the two-year GCSE, you will study: 

Medicine in Britain, c1250-present 
- c1250-c1500: Medicine in medieval England 
- c1500-c1700: The Medical Renaissance in England 
- c1700-c1900: Medicine in 18th and 19th century Britain
- c1900-present: Medicine in modern Britain 

Anglo-Saxon and Norman England 
- Anglo-Saxon society and the Norman conquest, 1060-66 
- William I in power: securing the kingdom, 1066-87 
- Norman England, 1066-88 

Weimar & Nazi Germany, 1918-39 
- The Weimar Republic 1918-29
- Hitler’s rise to power
- Nazi control and Dictatorship, 1933-39 
- Life in Nazi Germany, 1933-39 

Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 
- The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58
- Cold War Crisis, 1958-70 
- The end of the Cold War, 1970-91

What will be expected of me? 

You would be expected to have an interest in how the recent past has helped shape our modern world. We would expect you to be inquisitive and not to accept facts and opinions at face value, but to be critical and questioning. An ability to argue, discuss and form your own opinions is vital to the study of history, as is the capacity to see things from more than one point of view. You are expected to listen to, as well as challenge opposing opinions is also a key requirement.

What skills will I develop?

To study history is to study change: historians examine and interpret human identities and transformations of societies and civilizations over time. Skills you will develop by studying GCSE History include: 

- Written and oral communication. 
- Logical thinking and decision making. 
- Research and deciding between relevant and irrelevant information. 
- Understand how a complex series of events interact with one another. 
- Challenge and evaluate lines of argument, and question traditional historical interpretations. 
- Develop your analytical skills in evaluating the usefulness of sources.
- Organisational skills for life-long learning.
- Independent learning and research skills.
- Working with peers and group presentations.

 

What will I learn?

A GCSE in French or Spanish will consolidate and build on the skills and knowledge acquired in years 7, 8 and 9. The course is designed to strengthen your understanding of core grammar, such as being able to proficiently form verbs when talking about different people and in various timeframes. Our aim is to ensure you have mastered these core grammar points as well as developing your confidence in the skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing. We also dedicate time to continuing to inspire you to learn about and appreciate Francophone and Hispanic cultures with a view to instilling a sense of curiosity about the world around you. 

At GCSE you will delve further into some topics with which you are already familiar and encounter others that might be new to you. You will already be able to have basic conversations, to understand simple written and spoken passages and to write emails, letters and short essays on a variety of topics, including your personal world (family and friends); lifestyle and wellbeing (diet, sport, healthy living); your neighbourhood (local area, hometown and region); media and technology (social media, online safety); studying and my future (life at school, jobs and career choices); and travel and tourism. By the end of the course, you should be able to have longer and more convincing conversations and debates; to understand more complex and therefore more interesting, spoken and written passages. This includes literature such as poems, songs and stories, to convey written messages using a wide variety of grammatical structures and expressions. You should also be able to express, exemplify and justify your ideas and opinions on a range of present, past and future aspects and moods in an accurate manner and appropriate style.

What will be expected of me?

Commitment, perseverance, patience and hard work! Learning a foreign language requires regular practice and your teacher is going to expect you to complete the homework and class work set to the best of your ability. It will be expected to continue using quizlet and a range of other methods on a regular basis to practise both new and pre-existing vocabulary, and if needed, your class teacher will suggest opportunities to attend support sessions outside of lessons. In addition, we will be refreshing your memory on topics that you have previously covered, so you will be required to take good care of your old exercise books and look back over them regularly as part of ongoing revision.

What skills will I develop? 

In addition to the development of communication and literacy skills (speaking, writing, listening, reading, grammar and translation), you will have the opportunity to develop further key skills for life by learning to improve your own learning and performance, working with others, solving problems, enhancing your long-term memory, paying attention to detail and accuracy, and using various thinking skills.

What will I learn?

You will learn about topics you are already familiar with, but in greater detail. You already know what Pythagoras' theorem is, but we will now spend time on furthering your knowledge of this and many other topics you have already encountered. You will extend your knowledge of algebra and graphs as well as developing new skills such as solving quadratic equations. As part of the shape and space module, you are going to find the volume and surface area of more sophisticated 3D shapes, such as spheres and cones. GCSE maths will continue to challenge your understanding of the key fundamental areas of Mathematics, showing you new ways in which these topics can be applied.

What will be expected of me? 

Commitment, perseverance and hard work! To do well, you need to be engaged, active learners in class, ask questions, challenge yourself and try to link topics together as you complete them - these will all help you achieve your best. Mathematics requires regular practice, which can easily be achieved by completing your weekly Sparx homework. If you are stuck with your homework, you will be expected to seek out your maths teacher for help before the homework due date. You must ensure you take time to complete the targeted practice that Sparx creates for you on topics you have struggled with in the past on a regular basis also.

What skills will I develop?

Mathematics is rather different from other subjects. An essential part of mathematical study is the challenge of analysing and solving a problem, as well as the satisfaction and confidence gained from achieving a 'correct' answer. In mathematics you will not have to write essays, but you will need to communicate well in written work to explain your solutions. This is a skill that will be tested throughout your mathematical journey, so it is really important that you show your working out when solving a problem. You will continue to develop your numeracy skills and see more and more how we can apply our maths lessons to real life scenarios. Most importantly, you will develop your problem solving and analytical thinking skills, which are crucial for any career once you have left school.

What will I learn?

The course comprises 30% performance, 30% composition and 40% listening and appraising. For your performance, you will record one solo and one ensemble/duet piece which you will work on with your instrumental teacher over the course. You will compose 2 pieces and will be given plenty of opportunities during the course to build your knowledge and skills through a variety of composition exercises. You will study a broad range of musical styles which will form the basis of your written exam. The set works include more traditional pieces by Bach and Beethoven to more modern pieces from Star Wars, Wicked and even a Queen classic!

What would be expected of me?

Musicians need to be committed and hard working in their instrumental/vocal studies. You will need to follow a regular practice schedule and work collaboratively with your instrumental/vocal teacher to prepare for your solo and ensemble performance. To do well in music GCSE you will need to reach a minimum of Grade 4 standard by Year 11. You should have a desire to learn about ALL types of music as we study a broad range of genres to prepare for the listening paper. You are also required to fully take part in the Music Department’s wide-ranging extra-curricular activities, either as a singer or as an instrumentalist, performing in our concerts and other musical events.

What skills will I develop?

You will become a well-rounded musician, with a broad foundation in musical styles and genres and a good understanding of music theory. You will develop your music performance, both as a soloist and as an ensemble player. You will also build compositional skills in a variety of styles.

What will I learn?

The aim of psychology is to explain why people behave as they do. We all have our own personal opinions to explain behaviours that interest or concern us, but the structured approach taken by psychologists goes beyond personal opinions to provide evidence for their explanations. And given we are a social species, what better way to spend some of our time than getting to better understand the behaviours and motivations of the diverse collection of people we live amongst? 

The course covers the following topics: 

- Research methods – This is our starting point because the key to the study of psychology is the collection of evidence to support our understanding of human behaviours and motivations. Psychologists go beyond personal opinions and ‘common sense’, because these are often wrong. 

- Memory – Your brain holds about 80 billion nerve cells and contained within its amazing network of connections are all your memories. We’ll explore how your memories are stored, how accurate they are and why you remember some things rather than others. 

- Perception – This is the study of how we each create our own personal models of the world around us. Our senses provide the basic inputs, but it is the way we process these inputs into meaningful perceptions that determines how we see things. 

- Development – Building further on ‘Perception’, we will explore how we develop our thinking skills and what motivates us to continuously gain knowledge and understanding as we mature and work towards becoming the best versions of ourselves.

- Social influence – Here we turn our attention to our behaviours in group settings. How we are influenced by those around us and how we in turn influence those around us, are the key areas we’ll explore.

- Language, thought and communication – Our incredibly sophisticated ability to use language is what really separates us from our animal cousins. We will explore both verbal and non-verbal communication and consider to what degree these are innate or learned skills. 

- Brain and neuropsychology – Some psychologists believe that everything psychological is first biological or, in other words, the processes of our brains determine who we are and what we do. During this topic we will learn about the structure and function of the brain. 

- Psychological problems – Our final topic will explore mental health. In particular, we will turn our attention towards the study of depression and addiction and consider psychological and biological causes and treatments. 

What will be expected of me?

You will be provided with comprehensive resources and a well-structured programme of study to support your learning. As much of your study of psychology will involve discussion and debate, you will be expected to work well in pairs and small groups.   

What skills will I develop?

Being able to understand theories and interpret data from experiments will be central to your growing knowledge and understanding of psychology. As psychology is an essay-based science, you will be required to express your knowledge and understanding clearly in the form of short essays. Therefore, your skills at communicating in written form will be important to your success. You will also be expected to be organised and develop your revision skills in preparation for the regular tests that will inform you of your progress. 

The variety of skills you will develop through your study of psychology will be a great foundation for many future study and work opportunities. Psychology has become one of the most popular subjects for students continuing to university and psychologists are engaged in careers that include management, sports, criminology, education, and health.

So, is this psychology GCSE right for you? 

Ask yourself the following questions: 

- Are you curious about why people, individually and in groups, do the things they do? 
- Do you want to understand how we develop our views of the world around us? 
- Do you want to know more about how you learn and how you evidence your learning? 
- Do you want to know makes us, the human animal, similar to and different from non-human animals? 
- Do you want to be able to speak, with knowledge rather than opinion, about what it means to be a person? 

If your answer to each of the above questions is ‘yes’, this course may well be for you. To see the detailed AQA Specification, please click here 

What will I learn? 

In GCSE RE you will study a broad range of topics from world religions, philosophy, and ethics. You will explore the foundational beliefs and practices of Christianity and Islam and discover the influence these major faiths have had upon history and continue to have in the world today. By studying world religions, you will also learn how different peoples’ worldviews can be influenced by their beliefs. Within philosophy, you will explore arguments for and against the existence of God, while also analysing how different religions claim evidence of God’s existence. Finally, within RE you will discuss and debate various ethical issues and topics within society, such as the sanctity of life in relation to abortion and euthanasia, the legality of the death penalty and the concept of fundamental human rights.

What will be expected of me?

RE GCSE will expect you to come prepared to debate, argue and evaluate some major concepts and issues facing the world, so an open mind and critical eye is required. Within RE, you will need to form opinions from a wide variety of sources of information and provide clear and explained justification. RE will also need you to be sensitive and considerate of alternative views and be able to discuss them in a respectful, meaningful manner.

What skills will I develop?

Within RE you will be encouraged to think about the ‘big’ questions about the meaning of life, how to live in a multicultural society and challenges to society and morality. You will learn to analyse different religious beliefs and apply your knowledge to current affairs and global issues. You will learn the origin of religious beliefs and practices and develop a deep understanding of traditions and worldviews shaped by religion.  Religious Education will also allow you to appreciate the differences and similarities between faiths and non-religious beliefs and hopefully create your own moral and ethical opinions.

 

Students will continue to study the three sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, building from the Foundation Year into Key Stage 4. Students will still be required to study all three sciences and will achieve two GCSE qualifications at the end of the course. The course will cover a wide range of topics and will help to build skills and knowledge that will enable students to understand the living, material, and physical worlds, as well as a multitude of transferable skills that are invaluable for numerous routes post GCSE.

Biology 

What will I learn? 

- Cell biology – what is inside the building blocks of life? 
- Organisation – How do simple cells form tissues, organs, organ systems and complex organisms.
- Infection and response – why do some things cause harm and how do organisms defend themselves? 
- Bioenergetics – Where do organisms obtain energy from? 
- Homeostasis and response – how do we maintain optimal internal conditions? 
- Inheritance variation and evolution – the study of genetics and how new species develop
- Ecology – why do plants, animals and microorganisms live where they do? 

What will be expected of me? 

The Biology course of study includes many aspects of both human and plant biology, allowing pupils to develop a sound understanding of the world we live in and apply their knowledge to various contexts. The course will require students to utilise various resources to learn, review and then assess the topics described. The course is highly detailed, starting with students developing factual understanding that will allow them to progress with conceptual understanding and application. The course is designed so that students can build on and link back to knowledge covered at the start as they progress through the topics.

What skills will I develop?

The Biology course allows students to develop a range of skills including research, analysis, practical skills and the application of complex scientific ideas. Biology encompasses a wide range of skills including longer answer questions, numeracy, biological drawings, and ethical debate. The course includes a range of required practicals that will require students to collect and analyse data, evaluate scientific methods, and write conclusions. Due to the design and requirements of the course, students will become confident in recalling knowledge and combining this will conceptual understanding of complex ideas to explain important scientific processes and outcomes in various scenarios. 

Chemistry 

What will I learn? 

- Atomic structure and the periodic table – what is everything made from? 
- Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter – how are atoms bonded together and how are they arranged? 
- Quantitative chemistry – the calculations of chemistry. How do I get the right concentration of a new drug? 
- Chemical changes – understanding the complex reactions that take place in the world around you. 
- Energy changes – some reactions give off fire, some freeze water – why? 
- The rate and extent of chemical change – how quickly can you get a reaction to occur? 
- Organic chemistry – the chemistry of life. Are we more than atoms? 
- Chemical analysis – practical analysis of chemicals, their purity, and properties. 
- Chemistry of the atmosphere – what is our atmosphere and how are human activities impacting it? 
- Using resources – how can we use technology to become more sustainable? 

What will be expected of me? 

The course is structured so that initial learning starts with the foundations of Chemistry, requiring students to develop a sound understanding of chemistry concepts so that as the course progresses, students can draw on this knowledge to explain concepts and apply their knowledge to unknown scenarios. The design and content of the course will require students to learn independently, within a team, to use problem solving and enquiry-based learning skills in both practical and non-practical investigations. 

What skills will I develop?

The Chemistry course allows students to develop a range of skills including observational, practical, modelling, enquiry and problem-solving. Practical work is a vital aspect of the course. Students will be required to complete eight required practical tasks that will allow students to develop their ability to use scientific equipment, numerical skills through the collection, presentation, and analysis of data, evaluate scientific methods and draw scientific conclusions. 

Physics 

What will I learn? 

- Forces – why do you go faster when going downhill? 
- Energy – how do we charge appliances? Where does this energy come from? 
- Electricity – How do electrical appliances work? 
- Magnetism and electromagnetism – how do loudspeakers work? 
- Particle model of matter – what do solids, liquids and gases look like at an atomic level? 
- Atomic structure – how are subatomic particles arranged? How can atoms be radioactive? 

What will be expected of me? 

The course is structured so that initial learning starts with the foundations of physics, requiring students to develop a sound understanding of physics concepts so that as the course progresses, students can draw on this knowledge to explain concepts and apply their knowledge to unknown scenarios. The design and content of the course will require students to learn independently, within a team, to use problem solving and enquiry-based learning skills in both practical and non-practical investigations.

What skills will I develop?

The Physics course allows students to develop a range of skills including observational, practical, modelling, enquiry and problem-solving. Practical work is a vital aspect of the course. Students will be required to complete ten required practical tasks that will allow students to develop their ability to use scientific equipment, numerical skills through the collection, presentation, and analysis of data, evaluate scientific methods and draw scientific conclusions. Physics has a strong curricular link with Maths and, as such, students will develop a multitude of numerical skills including vectors and trigonometry, formula rearrangement and substitution, standard form and determining trends in graphical data.

Students will continue to study the three sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, building from the Foundation Year into Key Stage 4. The course will cover a wider range of topics and will help to build skills and knowledge that will provide an excellent foundation for studying science at A Level. Students who opt to study Triple Science will gain three distinct GCSE grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics; students will study the same units as combined scientists. However, they will cover additional content within these units as well as an added unit in Physics called ‘Space Physics’.

Biology 

What will I learn? 

- Cell biology – what is inside the building blocks of life? 
- Organisation – How do simple cells form tissues, organs, organ systems and complex organisms. 
- Infection and response – why do some things cause harm and how do organisms defend themselves? 
- Bioenergetics – Where do organisms obtain energy from? 
- Homeostasis and response – how do we maintain optimal internal conditions? 
- Inheritance variation and evolution – the study of genetics and how new species develop
- Ecology – why do plants, animals and microorganisms live where they do? 

What will be expected of me? 

The Biology course of study includes many aspects of both human and plant biology, allowing pupils to develop a sound understanding of the world we live in and apply their knowledge to various contexts. The course will require students to utilise various resources to learn, review and then assess the topics described. The course is highly detailed, starting with students developing factual understanding that will allow them to progress with conceptual understanding and application. The course is designed so that students can build on and link back to knowledge covered at the start as they progress through the topics.

What skills will I develop?

The Biology course allows students to develop a range of skills including research, analysis, practical skills and the application of complex scientific ideas. Biology encompasses a wide range of skills including longer answer questions, numeracy, biological drawings, and ethical debate. The course includes a range of required practicals that will require students to collect and analyse data, evaluate scientific methods, and write conclusions. Due to the design and requirements of the course, students will become confident in recalling knowledge and combining this will conceptual understanding of complex ideas to explain important scientific processes and outcomes in various scenarios.

Chemistry 

What will I learn? 

- Atomic structure and the periodic table – what is everything made from? 
- Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter – how are atoms bonded together and how are they arranged? 
- Quantitative chemistry – the calculations of chemistry. How do I get the right concentration of a new drug? 
- Chemical changes – understanding the complex reactions that take place in the world around you.
- Energy changes – some reactions give off fire, some freeze water – why? 
- The rate and extent of chemical change – how quickly can you get a reaction to occur? 
- Organic chemistry – the chemistry of life. Are we more than atoms? 
- Chemical analysis – practical analysis of chemicals, their purity, and properties. 
- Chemistry of the atmosphere – what is our atmosphere and how are human activities impacting it? 
- Using resources – how can we use technology to become more sustainable? 

What will be expected of me? 

The course is structured so that initial learning starts with the foundations of Chemistry, requiring students to develop a sound understanding of chemistry concepts so that as the course progresses, students can draw on this knowledge to explain concepts and apply their knowledge to unknown scenarios. The design and content of the course will require students to learn independently, within a team, to use problem solving and enquiry-based learning skills in both practical and non-practical investigations.

What skills will I develop? 

The Chemistry course allows students to develop a range of skills including observational, practical, modelling, enquiry and problem-solving. Practical work is a vital aspect of the course. Students will be required to complete eight required practical tasks that will allow students to develop their ability to use scientific equipment, numerical skills through the collection, presentation, and analysis of data, evaluate scientific methods and draw scientific conclusions. 

Physics 

What will I learn? 

- Forces – why do you go faster when going downhill?
- Energy – how do we charge appliances? Where does this energy come from? 
- Electricity – How do electrical appliances work? 
- Magnetism and electromagnetism – how do loudspeakers work? 
- Particle model of matter – what do solids, liquids and gases look like at an atomic level? 
- Atomic structure – how are subatomic particles arranged? How can atoms be radioactive?
- Space Physics – Stars, galaxies, and space travel. 

What will be expected of me? 

The course is structured so that initial learning starts with the foundations of physics, requiring students to develop a sound understanding of physics concepts so that as the course progresses, students can draw on this knowledge to explain concepts and apply their knowledge to unknown scenarios. The design and content of the course will require students to learn independently, within a team, to use problem solving and enquiry-based learning skills in both practical and non-practical investigations.

What skills will I develop?

The Physics course allows students to develop a range of skills including observational, practical, modelling, enquiry and problem-solving. Practical work is a vital aspect of the course. Students will be required to complete 10 required practical tasks that will allow students to develop their ability to use scientific equipment, numerical skills through the collection, presentation, and analysis of data, evaluate scientific methods and draw scientific conclusions. Physics has a strong curricular link with Maths and, as such, students will develop a multitude of numerical skills including vectors and trigonometry, formula rearrangement and substitution, standard form and determining trends in graphical data.

What will I learn? 

Our Cambridge National in Sport Studies will encourage students to:

- Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Sport Studies. 
- Develop learning and practical skills that can be applied to real-life contexts and work situations.
- Think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically.
- Develop independence and confidence in using skills that are relevant to the  Exercise, Physical Activity, Sport and Health sectors and more widely.
- Understand topical and contemporary issues in sport, including; why people do and do not participate in sport, the promotion of ethics and values, the roles that National Governing Bodies and high profile events have in sport, as well as how technology is used within sport. 
- Develop skills as a performer in two different sporting activities and learn how to lead sporting activity sessions.
- Create a plan, write and evaluate an activity session, to further develop leadership skills. 
- Analyse their own performance to help improve themselves and their skills in sport. 
- Explore the relationship that the media has with sport and understand how linked they are. The relationship to real world examples and the different ways in which sport and the media represent each other will be applied. 
- Develop the skills of team work, research and planning and understand that sports performance goes far beyond just the simple physical activity of sport.

What will be expected of me? 

You will develop knowledge, understanding and skills that you can apply to a range of approaches that are relevant to the workplace or higher education. You will be able to work with independence to create material which shows effective planning, development and evaluation, and an ability to demonstrate practical skills and qualities.  

You will develop the skills to produce work that is complete and coherent, demonstrating independence and understanding. You will be able to:  - Recall, select and apply knowledge and understanding, using practical sporting examples.- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical and psychological factors that affect performance as well as demonstrating your practical performance skills within two sporting activities.- Identify, plan and carry out a range of activities and exercises to prepare for, and recover from, sporting activities.- Demonstrate awareness of how to meet specific needs when developing and delivering different physical activity programmes.- Use technical language and terminology correctly.- Demonstrate evaluative skills.

These skills will help you progress into further studies in the Exercise, Physical Activity, Sport and Health sector. This may be Level 3 vocational qualifications, such as the Cambridge Technical in Sport and Physical Activity, AS or A-Levels, such as Physical Education, Psychology, Sociology, Sport or Media, or an apprenticeship such as, Community Activator Coach, Leisure Team members, Personal Trainer or Outdoor Activity Instructor.

What skills will I develop? 

Over the course of the two years, you will develop the following skills:

- Writing skills, through high quality written coursework, which will form a high percentage of your overall grade.- Practical performance skills, as you will be graded in two sporting performances, one team sport and an individual sport (R185).- You will develop the appropriate skills needed to be a successful leader which will include; communication skills; working as a team as well as individually; punctuality; confidence; good level of subject knowledge within a range of activities. You will then be assessed on your planning, leading a practical session, and reviewing your session (R185).- When you approach (R186) you will develop your research skills.  

The following subjects will compliment this course:

- GCSE Biology
- GCSE Combined Science
- GCSE English
- Your overall grade will be heavily weight on high quality coursework.
- GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
- GCSE Media Studies
- GCSE Psychology
- GCSE Sociology
- Creative iMedia