Fourth and Fifth Form Curriculum Book The Fou t h a n d
Fifth Foat Clifton m
1 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK Dear Fourth and Fifth Form Students
This booklet gives you information about the wide range of academic subjects that you may study for GCSE. Many of these subjects are compulsory but in addition you will study other GCSEs of your choice. Making these choices may not be an easy decision and it is very important that you spend time exploring the options to gain an understanding of what is involved in the study of each subject. If you are finding it difficult to decide what is best to do next then do please come and see me or Mr Simmons (Deputy Head Academic) and we will be happy to discuss the options with you.
Dr Tim Greene, Head Master Fifth Foat Clifton m
Contents
Time to branch out 3 Facilities 36 Art & Design 61
Joining the Fourth 7 Classics 37 Art 62 & Fifth Form Latin 38 Art, Craft & Design 63 The co-curriculum 15 Ancient Greek 39 Design & Technology 64 Science 23 Classical Civilisation 40 Learning Support 67
Biology 24 Humanities 41 Learning Support 68 Chemistry 25 lessons Geography 42 Physics 25 General provision 68 History 43 Facilities 26 Your choices 69 Religious Studies 44 Mathematics 27 Computer Science 45 English & Modern 29 Business & Economics 47 Foreign Languages Economics 48 English Language 30 & Literature Business Studies 49
French 31 Physical Education 51 German 32 Music, Drama & Dance 55 Spanish 33 Music 56 Mandarin 34 Drama 57 English as an 35 Dance 58 Additional Language
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 2 Time to b anch out
3 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK The Fourth and Fifth Form years
Entering the Fourth Form is the Pupils are also immersed in the moment our pupils begin to have broader life of the school - across greater choice over their studies, sports, music, drama, dance, the visual as well as the activities they pursue arts, community and pupil-led activities outside of the classroom. The Fourth ranging from societies to bands. We are and Fifth Form years are a time for extremely proud of our facilities and our pupils to explore their interests in more exceptional teachers and coaches, who depth, to look to the future beyond help pupils develop and improve their school, and to take more responsibility skills, from beginner to literally ‘world- for their studies and co-curricular class’. activities, albeit with expert and sympathetic guidance. The support network at the school is extensive. Housemasters/mistresses, The academic curriculum continues tutors and teachers, our specialist with a set of core subjects, together learning support teams, our health with a wide range of optional subjects professionals, and our Chaplain work which we endeavour to offer in as broad together to help pupils navigate these a combination as possible. Inspirational vital, formative academic years. The teaching, excellent facilities, new careers education and work-related technology and activities such as field learning available to our pupils also trips, group projects and co-curricular help to shape their ambitions as they events all serve to bring these studies start to think about the opportunities to life. The academic curriculum available to them in the Sixth Form and aims to provide for the needs of the beyond. individual, but it also ensures that every pupil is given access to a core of knowledge and cultural experience that enables them to develop, both as learners and as people.
A fantastic place to study
Clifton College’s spectacular 19th Our pupils are individuals with their century buildings reflect our long history own abilities, talents and levels of and share their architectural style with confidence, but whatever their starting many of Britain’s other great schools and point we ask them to aspire to the very universities. Behind these facades we highest standards they can achieve. have superb modern learning facilities, Our learning support and EAL teams including high-tech classrooms and our provide additional tuition as needed, newly refurbished science block, with while those pupils who excel at a more than 10 laboratories. subject have accelerated learning opportunities. The Percival Library is a beautiful Grade II listed building that houses more than The dedication of our pupils, combined 15,000 books, as well as a computer with the quality of our teaching, has suite; this and other specialised proved a potent recipe for academic buildings, such as the Joseph Cooper success in recent years. In 2018, more Music School and the Redgrave than a third (36%) of GCSE grades were Theatre, provide our pupils with A*s, 8s or 9s while, on average, 98% inspiring surroundings and are central of the pupil body goes on to higher to the Clifton educational experience. education with 79% attending Russell Group and 1994 Group universities.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 4 An all-round education
Clifton provides a secure, attractive Combined Cadet Force or community As in any organisation or community, and challenging environment for young work, and develop their own portfolios we welcome a vast range of people to become well-rounded and of activities and interests from the vast personalities, as well as girls and boys capable individuals. The extensive range available (we have everything of different nationalities and religious offering of sports, activities and events from caving to code breaking). faiths. Clifton pupils learn how to value that take place outside of the classroom and respect ‘difference’, how to find are more than ‘add-on extras’. They Programmes such as sport, music the common ground that invariably form part of the well-rounded education and drama cater for pupils of all outweighs it, and how to live and work that is the ‘Clifton lifestyle’. abilities, giving them opportunities successfully with others in the many to take up new interests, hone their roles and environments they will soon Throughout the Fourth and Fifth Form skills and compete or perform. Recent occupy. years, pupils’ days are busy, active alumni have left to pursue careers as and fulfilling and they learn valuable professional musicians, actors and skills and discover new enthusiasms sportspeople, and beneath this ‘elite’ and talents. Alongside their lessons, level, we also have hundreds of pupils they take part in compulsory sports enjoying what, for many, will become and outdoor sessions, as well as the lifelong passions.
5 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK Home is where the House is
Outside of lessons and school activities, much of life revolves around our unique House system. These Houses are exclusively for girls or boys and are a home from home for both our day pupils and boarders. While all lessons and many school activities are ‘co- educational’, we believe that a single-sex House system provides the ‘best of both worlds’ for our pupils.
Pupils remain with their House throughout their time at the school. Essentially the House becomes their ‘family’ and provides a ready social hub of brothers or sisters, although there are plenty of inter-house friendships – alongside the keen inter-house rivalries in fields such as sport, debating, drama and not forgetting dance!
The House system also forms the bedrock for pupil welfare. The Housemasters/mistresses are all experienced Clifton teachers. They lead each House and, together with Assistant Housemasters/mistresses, House Tutors, and their wider support network, are responsible for the all-round wellbeing of the pupils in their care.
Sundays are generally our ‘rest days’. Other than homework, pupils can relax - although this can mean many things, as the school’s gym and sports facilities remain open and many of our pupil-led groups, clubs and societies use the time to meet.
Clifton itself is a peaceful suburb of Bristol, set between the hustle and bustle of the city’s shopping areas and the wide-open spaces of the Downs. The school buildings surround the world- famous Bristol Zoo - and the sounds of the animals are part of the patchwork of everyday Clifton life.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 6 Joining the Fou th and Fifth Fo m
7 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK The curriculum At Key Stage 4 (age 14-16) pupils follow Our aim is to satisfy all these needs and a number of courses to GCSE or IGCSE.* to provide a programme of academic Some pupils will choose a curriculum that work, sport and cultural activity that is is as broad and varied as possible. Others challenging, fulfilling and enjoyable. will wish to follow particular interests The subjects available this year are listed and talents. Some will want to study as below: many subjects as they can, while others * Please note: throughout this booklet the term ‘GCSE’ is will do better by focusing on a narrower used to refer to both GCSE and IGCSE qualifications. curriculum.
The Core Curriculum Options
English (both Language Ancient Greek English as an Additional Language & Literature) Art Geography Mathematics Art, Craft & Design History Biology* Business or Economics Latin Chemistry* Classical Civilisation Learning Support Physics* Computer Science Music A modern language ** Dance (French, German, Mandarin Physical Education or Spanish) Design & Technology Religious Studies Personal, Social & Health Drama Education A second modern language
* Science may be taken as two or three GCSE subjects (see page 24).
**We expect all pupils to study at least one modern language. However, there may be exceptions to this, for example in the case of an entrant to the Fourth Form who has never previously studied a modern language. Please consult the Deputy Head (Academic) in such circumstances.
Additional languages In some cases, pupils can be prepared for examinations in other languages, such as Russian, Hebrew, Japanese or Polish. The cost of these lessons can be found on the College fee sheet, with reduced rates for pairs or groups.
GCSE qualifications If studied in full, the Clifton curriculum leads to 10 GCSEs, possibly more if extra Joining the Fou th subjects are studied off-timetable. This may reduce to a minimum of 7 GCSEs for a pupils who drops a subject from their options in favour of Learning Support, takes Science and Additional Science rather than three individual Sciences, and who studies English Language but not English Literature.
The minimum requirement for entry to the Sixth Form is 3 A (or 7) grades and 3 B (or 6) and Fifth Fo m grades at GCSE.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 8 How and when choices are made
Parents or guardians of Fourth Form entrants are asked to complete the Choices Form included with this booklet and to return it to the Deputy Head (Academic) by mid-March. Pupils whose forms are submitted by this date will have a ‘free choice’ of subjects, and from this we will attempt to create a timetable in which all those choices can be met, although this cannot be guaranteed. Subject to the timetable and class sizes, changes to initial choices can be made later.
Assessment at GCSE
There have been changes to the structure and content of Pupils starting the Fourth Form will receive a vast majority of GCSEs in recent times. One relatively recent change is that 9-1 grades, but the final results may be a mixture of numbers modular assessment is no longer available. The examination and letters. An explanation of the new scale can be found at: element of a subject now only takes place at the end of www.gov.uk/government/news/setting-standards-for-new- the course. For most subjects the exams are taken in the gcses-in-2017. summer of the Fifth Form year, but Mathematics and English exams may take place earlier for some sets.
Another change is that traditional coursework has been removed for most subjects. This has been replaced by various forms of practical work, controlled assessments and other work that is completed in school and makes up a certain percentage of the total mark. Those percentages are shown below and you will find more detail under the department subject headings.
Percentage of non-examination assessment
20% Computer Science 25% Classical Civilisation 27% History 50% Design & Technology 40% English 50% Physical Education 60% Art 60% Dance 60% Drama 60% Music 60% Art, Craft and Design
9 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 10 The tutorial system
All pupils in the Fourth and Fifth Form test results and reports. helping the members of their tutor belong to a House-based tutor group. group with decisions about subject The tutor, who is a member of staff Each year group also has a Senior choices, support their tutees in their attached to the House, has weekly Tutor who organises tutorial content many activities and help to monitor timetabled meetings with his or her and oversees the monitoring of pupils’ attendance and performance in the co- tutees. progress. curricular programme.
Tutors work closely with the Pupils in Fourth and Fifth Form are Parents are encouraged to talk to Housemaster/mistress in monitoring graded regularly in each subject on tutors at parents’ meetings and at the academic and social progress of their effort and attitude to learning, on any other time if they have concerns. the members of their tutor group, and a scale which ranges from 1 (poor) to 6 Housemasters/mistresses and tutors play an important role in ensuring that (exceptional). We use these to award an are always happy to discuss the school life runs smoothly for the tutees average grade for each period. Teachers progress and the welfare of individual in their care. award commendations for outstanding pupils. effort or achievement in any particular Tutors coordinate monitoring, reporting piece of work, and there are prizes at and recording of progress for their the end of term to reward overall effort. pupils, including their effort and attainment grades, commendations, Tutors also play an important role in
Personal, Social and Health Education
All pupils in the Fourth and Fifth Form The PSHE Department operates a spiral In the Fifth Form, pupils will learn about take PSHE as an additional non- curriculum comprising six main topic representation of various identities assessed subject. In PSHE, pupils areas: diversity, society, relationships, in the media, in government and in learn how to maintain their physical sex, health and drugs. All year groups different careers. and mental wellbeing, how to form and cover all of these topic areas, but the maintain healthy relationships, and specific content becomes more mature To encourage discussion, we use group how to become tolerant and politically as they progress through the school. work, as well as topical videos and engaged members of society. This For example, in the diversity topic anatomical models for teaching specific subject offers an opportunity to learn area in the Third Form, pupils will topics. Pupils are regularly reminded about oneself and the wider world, study identity, including neurodiversity about the help and support available, in an environment that favours group and LGBTQ+ identities. In the Fourth including the House system, the health discussion and encourages personal Form, pupils will explore prejudice, centre, the school counsellors and curiosity. including racism, sexism, disability organisations such as Childline. discrimination and religious intolerance.
11 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK Information and Communication Technology
ICT is used extensively in each subject The imaginative use of ICT enhances taken at GCSE. The Head of Academic motivation and creativity and ICT works with heads of department to improves the quality of work. It also identify and meet the needs of pupils promotes independent learning and and subjects, and to see that pupils’ helps to extend the mind beyond the understanding of ICT and its potential examination syllabuses. is developed fully. The school has two central ICT We have made a substantial suites, one of which forms part of the investment in touchscreens, refurbished Percival Library. In addition, projectors, interactive whiteboards there are several smaller departmental and tablets, applying the technology suites and networked facilities which appropriate for individual subjects. extend across the College. Access to the Effective use of ICT in our teaching is Internet and email accounts is available a priority, as is the provision of digital to all pupils. resources via our extensive College- Dr Darron Dean wide computer network and Google GCSE Computer Science can be taken Head of Academic ICT Apps for Education. as an option. For details see page 46.
2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 12 Libraries The Percival Library In 2002, the library underwent a major refurbishment, resulting in a The Percival Library is a beautiful Grade sympathetic reorganisation of the II listed building. It was originally built space and expansion to include a new between 1870 and 1874 as a library and computer suite. The entire main library natural history museum at the expense is equipped with Wi-Fi. of John Percival, the first Head Master to serve the Upper School at Clifton The library is staffed by three College. professional librarians. In addition to providing library services, they provide The main library houses more than teaching and learning support and 15,000 books, including many texts offer training in research skills and authored by Old Cliftonians. The core Information Literacy. The team aims book collection is complemented by to inspire a love of learning and joy a variety of periodicals in English and in reading and, to this end, organises Modern Languages, daily newspapers, group activities and hosts a variety of Lauren Walker DVDs, a graphic novel and Manga events, reading challenges and author Percival Librarian collection, eBook library (Overdrive) visits throughout the year. and a variety of online database subscriptions, including JSTOR. Users Departmental Collections texts and journals, as well as an can search the library stock via Reading excellent collection of rare books and Cloud, the library catalogue system, and The largest of the departmental manuscripts. Other departments have access online resources from anywhere collections, the Stone Library, serves their own collections of books and on the College network, as well as from the Science School. This remarkable additional resources. home via the College website. resource houses modern science
Careers
Fourth and Fifth Form careers Those interested in a career in the education is covered by Housemasters/ services are given the chance to be mistresses and tutors. Building on interviewed by visiting representatives of work undertaken in the Third Form, the Armed Forces. pupils are encouraged to explore different types of careers and the All our pupils are also expected to do different pathways to pursuing them. some work experience after completing Choosing the right Sixth Form options is their GCSEs and we advertise a variety absolutely crucial, and this is the main of career-related events and courses focus for all Cliftonians. throughout the year. A number of careers “talks” are also scheduled Fourth Formers take the Morrisby Test, during the year. a psychometric test which identifies and highlights individuals’ strengths and Pupils have access to a well-stocked skills. It is designed to aid them when careers library and a range of useful considering A Level, higher education websites via the intranet. They can also and career options. Pupils in the Fifth speak to the Head of Sixth Form, and Form can also subscribe to ISCO’s Mrs Kenyon, Head of Careers, about Futurewise Scheme, which provides a their course and career decisions high level of support until the age of 23. throughout the school year.
13 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 14 Co-cu iculum
15 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK The co-curriculum
The ‘co-curriculum’ describes the wide In the Fourth Form, pupils take part Below is a list of co-curricular activities variety of activities that are very much in CCF or outdoor pursuits as well typically available to pupils in the Fourth part of the ‘Clifton Experience’ and as sport and at least one activity - and Fifth Forms, although the list varies which complement and enhance the although usually more! from year to year to reflect the interests learning that goes on in the classroom. and strengths of the participating In the Fifth Form, pupils take part members of staff and the pupils. Music, art and drama play a large in CCF or the Business Enterprise part in the life of the school, as do Programme as well as sport and sport, outdoor pursuits, Clifton in preferably at least one activity. the Community and the CCF. These activities are more than just add-on We strongly encourage our pupils ‘extras’ and form a central part of to participate in the school’s co- the well-rounded education we offer curricular activities and societies pupils. The activities available provide and there are a wide range of options opportunities to develop leadership available. All pupils also have the skills, to take on responsibility and to chance to be involved with school and broaden interests. House competitions.
Sport Activities Music Societies
Aerobics Album Listening Football Brass Group Astronomy Archery Art (incl Ceramics) Gabblers Cello Group Business & Economics Athletics Chess Girls’ Rugby Chamber Choir Christian Forum Badminton Basketball U16 Gym Training Chapel Choir Classics Basketball Board Games History Society Clarinet Group Creative Writing & Poetry Cricket (Boys & Girls) Book Club Jewellery Making Concert Band Debating Cross Country Canoeing Kayaking Electro Workshop English Literature Dance Caving Kettlercise Flute Group Film Fencing Climbing LAMDA Individual Music Lessons Geography Fives Code Breaking Maths Club Jazz Workshop History Football Cooking Model United Nations Orchestra History of Art Golf Creative Writing Mountain Bike Club Piano Quartet LAMDA Hockey Cricket Academy Musical Theatre Rock Workshop Model United Nations Kettlercise D of E Photography Saxophone Group Modern Languages Netball Dance (various styles) Quiz Society Soul Band Philosophy & Law Rackets Debating and Public Radio Control Club String Orchestra Psychology Real Tennis Speaking Science Club Wind Ensemble Scientific Society Rounders Design and Technology Slow Motion Club Sex, Gender & Rowing Drama Spin Sexuality Society Rugby Drone Club Swimming Club Student Alpha Sailing Duke of Edinburgh’s Swimming Training Shooting Award (Bronze and Gold) (Elite Swimmers) Spin Etching Club Ten Tors Sport Climbing Fencing Textiles Squash Yoga Swimming Tennis Waterpolo Co-cu iculum Weight Training
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 16 Core activities The Outdoor Pursuits Programme
The Outdoor Pursuits Programme provides an opportunity for Fourth Form pupils to engage in various outdoor activities on Monday afternoons throughout the year. The outdoor activities on offer provide a broad and balanced programme and will allow pupils to experience and learn new skills outside of the classroom. Most of the activities will, at times, take pupils out of their comfort zones and will involve an element of risk, so they demand a high level of discipline, dedication, perseverance and participation.
Within the Outdoor Pursuits Programme there are three options available to pupils. They can either participate in one activity over the course of the year or participate in a ‘round robin’ programme.
Outdoor Challenge - a round robin programme of six different activities (mountain biking, bouldering, indoor climbing, archery, low ropes course and first aid)
Wilderness and Survival Skills - a year-long programme focusing on outdoor living skills
Rock Climbing - a year-long programme focusing on indoor and outdoor rock climbing
These activities are complemented by activity-specific Field Days, where staff and pupils spend a day, possibly overnight, enhancing skills learnt on their programme. For example, the Wilderness and Survival Skills course includes an overnight wilderness camp where pupils build their own shelters, prepare their own food/game, and cook it. The Rock Climbing course includes an overnight trip to our field centre in the Brecon Beacons to climb on the Llangattock escarpment.
Fifth Form Business Enterprise Programme
The Fifth Form Business Enterprise Programme takes place within a given framework. Groups will need to look at the full on Monday afternoons. The programme allows the Fifth range of business activities, including production/operations, Form pupils not taking part in CCF to pursue a structured marketing, finance, IT, HR, customer service and sales. The programme of activities that encourages skills in enterprise year ends with an evening of presentations by the pupils at and business, while at the same time building their team- which awards are made. working, presentation and organisational skills. Sixth Form mentors work with each team and external The programme has a competition-based format run over business mentors and speakers provide support. Field the Michaelmas and Lent Terms, so that pupils can build Days are spent consulting with business leaders and selling and manage their own ‘business’ in a group. They will be merchandise. All profits go to a charity chosen by the pupils. responsible for all of the key decision-making and ideas
17 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK Combined Cadet Force (CCF)
The CCF is a school-based voluntary reliance, resourcefulness, endurance Scheme, and self-reliance training uniformed youth organisation sponsored and perseverance. It also offers a sense (which in turn includes camp-craft, by the MoD, modelled on the Armed of service to the community. first aid and satisfactory knowledge Forces and carefully modified to be of the Country Code). These make up appropriate for young people. There Pupils can join the CCF at the beginning the activities on offer within the CCF are around 350 CCF contingents of the Fourth Form. The expectation is along with various adventure training looking after more than 46,000 cadets that they will stay until the end of the opportunities, expeditions, camps, in the state and independent education Lent Term of the Fifth Form and attend courses and section-specific activities, sectors. a camp or course during the summer such as flying or boat-work. of the Fourth Form. For those members CCF provides excellent opportunities to who stay on for Sixth Form, there is an As with everything involving leaving ‘the acquire transferable social and technical opportunity to undertake the BTEC 1st comfort zone’, some of our activities skills, develop self-confidence and gain Diploma in Public Service. carry an element of risk. A high level of new interests that, for many, last a discipline is necessary to enable us to lifetime. There are three sections - Royal The Joint Cadet Secretariat in the MoD offer appropriate and exciting challenges Navy, Army and Royal Air Force – and lays down the central core of activities to our cadets, while ensuring their safety it is a disciplined organisation offering common to all three services. These at all times. Mutual respect between pupils training and opportunities to activities include map reading, foot officers and cadets makes Clifton develop powers of leadership and drill, the safe handling of weapons and College CCF a unit to be proud of. qualities such as responsibility, self- shooting, the Duke of Edinburgh Award
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 18 Sport
The main College games are:
Michaelmas Term – hockey for girls, rugby for boys
Lent Term – netball for girls, football and hockey for boys
Summer Term – tennis for girls, cricket for boys
In addition to the main games, the following sports offer inter-school fixtures: athletics, cross-country, fencing, football, golf, rackets, rowing, rugby sevens, sailing, shooting, swimming and waterpolo.
Clifton also offers many opportunities to take part in recreational sport. There are non-competitive sports including basketball, badminton, fives, squash, Real Tennis, running for fitness, dance and aerobics.
Clifton has developed a training and monitoring programme which will develop particularly talented girls and boys to their full potential. The College is seeking to attract the best by offering the best – in coaching, prestigious fixtures, medical support and links to professional clubs that will open pathways to success.
19 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK Activities
All pupils in Fourth and Fifth Form take part in the activities LAMDA, for Speaking in Public, Verse and Prose, and Acting, programme, which provides wide-ranging opportunities involves more than 120 pupils every year from Third Form to for engagement in creative and physical activities over and Upper Sixth and is very popular for improving public speaking above the requirements of the normal academic and games skills and confidence. Pupils who already have Grade 8 can curriculum. We encourage pupils to take part in at least one study for the PCert LAM. This 18 month course leads to a activity which is not related to their academic programme ‘diploma’ style qualification before pupils even complete their or games option. A list of the kinds of activities presently on A Levels. offer at Clifton can be found on Page 16 of this booklet. In Dance, there is a wide variety of styles on offer, including contemporary, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop and ballet for contemporary Dance and Drama dancers (non graded). There is a wealth of opportunity for Dance and Drama at There are performance opportunities in both Dance and Drama Clifton and it is on offer to everyone of all ages. through the House Play Festival, the annual musical theatre production, the Inter-House Dance Competition, Bristol Stages, the Shakespeare for Schools Festival and the junior play.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 20 Music
There is a multitude of co-curricular musical activities There are also specialist, smaller chamber music groups available to Fourth and Fifth Form pupils. For the such as string quartets and wind quintets and we will help enthusiastic singer, there is the chapel choir, open to all pupils who wish to play in such a group to find other players pupils in the school. For real choral enthusiasts, there of an equal standard to rehearse and perform with. are smaller close harmony groups which perform to a very high standard. As well as high-profile performing opportunities for the regular ensembles, there are many informal concerts For instrumentalists, there are ensembles to cater for all throughout the school year. Musicians with a ‘popular’ interests: senior orchestra, string orchestra, wind band, interest can join one of the many House or school bands swing band and brass group. Entry to each ensemble is at and will find opportunities to perform within the school, for the discretion of the conductor of the group, but there are example at the popular ‘Battle of the Bands’ night. performing opportunities for musicians at all levels.
21 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK Societies There are many active societies at Clifton. These cover The different societies and groups meet at least two or three interests as varied as debating, philosophy, astronomy, Model times a term and often on a weekly or fortnightly basis. While United Nations, poetry and creative writing, foreign films and a member of staff oversees each society, pupils are central Christian Forum. to their success and often take a lead in their running, by organising meetings and frequently leading the discussions A number of academic departments run societies; these that take place. Participation in our many societies is optional include Classics, Business & Economics, English Literature, and most are open to all year groups. Geography, History, History of Art, Modern Languages, Philosophy & Law, Psychology, and Science. There are also several thriving discussion groups.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 22 Science
23 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK Biology Chemistry Physics Every pupil at Clifton studies Biology, Chemistry and Physics to GCSE level. All pupils joining the Fourth Form will be taught the same content until the end of the Michaelmas Term. At this point we recommend to parents which route would be more suitable, following discussions with the individual pupil and their science teachers.
The choice is between studying for a GCSE in each of the three sciences (previously known as triple award) or studying for two GCSE grades which are a combination of work in all three sciences (previously known as dual award, now called Combined Science: Trilogy).
Both routes provide a sound foundation for A Level studies in all sciences and the curriculum time we allocate to each is identical; all pupils will sit exams at the end of the Fifth Form only.
For pupils joining the school in the Fifth Form, the study choice will depend on the course and content they studied at their previous school. We will recommend which study option would be more suitable.
Biology Biology is a fascinating subject that Facilities and staff looks at living organisms and life processes from the molecular level, Our refurbished Biology Department through cells and individual organisms, features five modern, highly equipped to populations and whole communities laboratories, an ICT suite and a lecture of animals and plants. theatre.
Studying Biology leads to a wealth The teaching team includes six of careers and the discipline shows enthusiastic, approachable subject exciting potential to revolutionise our specialists who are here to inspire and lives in many different ways, from help pupils. They run Biology subject increasing food supplies through clinics every Tuesday afternoon for genetic manipulation to creating anyone in need of additional tuition new medicines, technologies and or advice. applications. Pupils are actively encouraged to participate in National Biology Dr Malcolm Grohmann This course will help pupils develop Head of Biology the necessary knowledge and Olympiad competitions, which can help understanding of biological concepts to strengthen university applications. and scientific methods to continue their The Stone Library, a dedicated science journey in this field. library, has a superb collection of books, periodicals and online journals to Course content and support independent learning. assessment Pupils joining Clifton in September will Additional features follow the new AQA GCSE course which We have an impressive collection of is designed to inspire and challenge zoological specimens and live animals, pupils of all abilities and aspirations. as well as a newly developed pond and wildlife garden. The course covers cell biology, organisation, infection, homeostasis, genetics, evolution and ecology and has a strong practical focus.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 24 Chemistry Chemistry is known as the ‘central’ Course content and science and combines logical and mathematical reasoning with assessment more conceptual ideas. It links the Pupils will follow the new AQA GCSE macroscopic world around us to the course which is designed to inspire sub-microscopic structure of the atom, and challenge pupils of all abilities and allowing us to explore - and explain - aspirations. how the building blocks of the universe influence the more tangible causes and The course includes topics such as effects of everything from biological atomic structure, chemical changes, systems to smart alloys. energy changes, rate of reaction, organic chemistry and chemical analysis. The GCSE course provides the foundations for the A Level course Facilities and staff and for the vast array of scientific (and other) careers for which a knowledge Recently refurbished, the Chemistry Oliver Dunning of chemistry is essential. More than Department is equipped with five modern Head of Chemistry that, though, it offers the opportunity to laboratories and first rate technical develop a huge number of transferable support. Pupils also have access to the who enjoy teaching at all levels within skills, both practical and intellectual, Science ICT facilities and lecture theatre. the school. They run a clinic in the library that are increasingly sought after in our each Tuesday afternoon for anyone who technologically driven world. We have experienced teachers, all of whom are passionate subject specialists would like extra help or tuition.
Physics Physics sits at the very centre of the all of which provides a sound basis for universe, explaining everything from the studying Physics and other science and structure of the atom to the Big Bang. engineering subjects in the future. As you study the subject you will get an insight into how the world works, why Facilities and staff things happen the way they do, and how physics is all around you all the time. Our five specialist Physics teachers (plus It also helps to develop logical thinking laboratory technicians) are based in a and a problem-solving mentality. newly refurbished department equipped with five modern laboratories. There are also excellent Science ICT facilities and Course content and The Stone Library, a dedicated science assessment library, which has a superb collection of As with all three of the sciences, Physics books and journals. follows the AQA GCSE course which is Pupils can drop into subject clinics designed for pupils of all abilities and Rebecca Ayling run by our teachers in the library each aspirations. Head of Physics Tuesday afternoon, should they need any extra help or tuition. The course covers the foundations of Educational visits are encouraged; energy, electricity, forces and motion, In Years 10, 11 and Sixth Form, previous trips have included: CERN in waves and space – and we also explore students at the top of their sets have Geneva (the hub for nuclear physics how physics can be seen in, and related the opportunity to partake in the experiments) and Bristol’s planetarium. to, everyday life. British Physics Olympiad, an annual Pupils frequently undertake practical competition in which challenging work to support and build on the problems must be solved. concepts they have learned in class,
25 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK The Science School The Science School has been completely refurbished to Mathematica by Isaac Newton (1687). The collection also provide modern state-of-the-art laboratories on all three features books recommended on reading lists for university floors, whilst retaining the historic charm and tradition of applications. what was one of the first purpose-built science buildings at a major public school. The Kendrew Room is a well-equipped small lecture theatre located on the top floor of the Science School. It is regularly The Stone Library is situated on the ground floor and contains used by classes in all three sciences and for meetings of the more than 5,000 scientific books. Volumes date from the 16th Scientific Society. century to the present day, including subscriptions to all of the main scientific periodicals and a first edition of Principia
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 26 Mathematics
27 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK Mathematics Mathematics Most universities and employers require If Mathematics is not a pupil’s strongest a grade 4, with many asking for a subject, they can join our Learning grade 5 or higher. As a ‘core’ subject, Support programme, where a support Mathematics study is mandatory, teacher and class teacher will work but for some pupils it is important to together to arrange the extra tuition look beyond the common question of needed to stay on track. For pupils of all ‘when will we ever use this?’ towards ages and abilities there is also a weekly the analytical, research and problem- ‘Maths Clinic’ staffed by members of the Mathematics solving skills you will gain while learning department. new topics, however abstract they may appear. Facilities and staff Course content and There are currently 13 members of staff, including two Deputy Heads, who teach assessment in the Mathematics Department. We We follow the IGCSE courses pride ourselves on the level of support Christa Clark because these link well to the A Level we offer our pupils, on our outstanding Head of Mathematics specifications. The vast majority of subject knowledge, and on the pupils sit the Higher Tier papers, innovative teaching methods employed with occasional individual exceptions, by the department. meaning all grades are available. Those the Intermediate UKMT Mathematics joining the Fourth/Fifth Form will follow Our recently refurbished department Challenge in the Lent Term and a small the revamped Edexcel IGCSE course is a great place to teach and learn. handful of Fourth Form and top-set (4MA1). Every teacher has their own classroom Fifth Form pupils also enter the Senior equipped with a Smartboard projector UKMT Mathematics Challenge. Pupils in the top set will aim to sit the and white-boards on all walls for co- Higher Tier paper in the January of their operative learning. We are also proud There are Year 10 and Year 11-13 team Fifth Form year, leaving the last two of the Bradley Room. This contains a competitions of a similar nature run by terms to complete work on an additional well-stocked Mathematics library and the UKMT and the FMSP, and we enter qualification, the AQA Level 2 Certificate a conference table for seminars and as many teams for these as possible. in Further Mathematics. The AQA meetings. In addition, top set Fifth Form and Sixth qualification is excellent preparation Form pupils attend the nationwide for Sixth Form Mathematics, and Set 2 Additional features ‘Mathematics Inspiration Lectures’ usually cover off a large proportion of which take place in a local theatre. this material too. Pupils in the bottom There are many ways to get involved in set will aim to sit the Foundation Tier Mathematics at the College. The top two paper in the January of their Fifth Form sets in the Fourth and Fifth Form enter year before having the option to attempt the Higher Tier in the summer.
In each of the Key Stage 3 year groups there is a ‘Set 0’ lesson once a week for the most gifted Mathematicians (identified from individual UKMT challenge results and internal tests). Fourth Form Set 0 works on the Intermediate Mentoring Scheme. Fifth Form Set 0 works on Olympiad preparation material, such as number theory, geometry, inequalities, and combinatorics. This work is then continued with the top set Further Mathematics teachers in the Lower Sixth.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 28 English & ModernMFL Foreign Languages
Owen Lewis Head of MFL
There is excellent new technology provision in each Modern Foreign Languages classroom and a new language laboratory where pupils can complete independent research and practise speaking and listening tasks. The department also has a set of iPods so that pupils can do listening exercises independently in lessons.
English Language and Literature French 29 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK German Spanish Mandarin EAL English Language and Literature
English Language forms the foundation On the Literature course our pupils of all communication in life. On a study a broad range of texts including Modern Foreign Languages practical note, it is vital for any job or prose, poetry and drama. Some of these university application, which almost texts are set by the exam board and are always require a C grade or above. compulsory, while others are chosen as Language forms part of the core options to suit the interests and needs curriculum and equips you with many of of the class. the skills needed for everyday life. Normally the top two sets sit Language English Literature is a subject which in the January of the Fifth Form, so they challenges you to think about moral, can concentrate on studying for the spiritual and cultural issues; above all, Literature exam in the Summer Term. it helps you to consider what it is to be For those studying English Language, human. There are no right answers but not Literature, it may be possible to in the literature classroom - only take the Core IGCSE exam in November intelligent debate! and then sit the higher tier paper in Iwan Thomas June. There is also a “Language only” Head of English Course content and class for those who need extra support assessment in gaining that highly important core qualification. Our pupils study the Cambridge Facilities and staff We cater well for pupils for whom International Examination IGCSE for The department has ten full and part- English is not their first language. Literature and Edexcel IGCSE for time teachers, housed in the faculty Many will take their English lessons in Language. of English and MFL situated at 4/5 the EAL department, where intensive Worcester Road. The team has a wealth The Language course covers the support is provided and they can work of experience in both academic and key English skills specified for the towards the English as a Second pastoral positions. examination and also includes two Language exam (see page 35). pieces of coursework which encourage Each teacher has his or her own areas pupils to display their originality and of specialism including: Shakespeare’s creativity. works; Romanticism; Drama and Theatre; Linguistics and Critical Theory.
The new faculty’s classrooms have state-of-the-art whiteboard technology that make lessons lively, interactive and interesting! We also have well-stocked departmental libraries, a seminar room for Sixth Form teaching and a computer room. Additional features Our English teachers and pupils work closely with the school’s enthusiastic librarians, who (among many things) encourage independent reading and organise inspiring author visits and workshops.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 30 French Whether it be for a future job, for As for assessment, pupils take three holidays or just for the pleasure of it, IGCSE exams at the end of the Fifth French is a fun, yet challenging and Form year: a 30 minute listening paper, rewarding subject. a 1 hour 45 minute reading and writing paper, and a 10 minute oral examination Studying French requires you to analyse conducted by their teacher. material, to be creative, to understand and appreciate different cultures and Facilities and staff study not only the language, but also the language at work, for example in film The department is led by Caroline Bloor, and literature. working with six other members of staff and an assistant whose first language is Course content and French. assessment Housed in a new building at 4/5 This course will help pupils to become Worcester Road, the Modern Languages Caroline Bloor Department has excellent new confident French speakers and develop Head of French an appreciation of French language and technology in each classroom, as well culture. It builds on the work already as a recently completed language laboratory where pupils can carry out undertaken in the Third Form. breakfasts, inter-class speaking independent research and practise activities and boules competitions. We We follow the new Edexcel International speaking and listening. organise trips to France and hope that GCSE course, which comprises five pupils will have the opportunity to visit a main topic areas: home and abroad; There is an MFL Café on the ground French-speaking country at least once education and employment; personal floor which is open to pupils at break before they take their exams. life and relationships; the world around times and which serves as the perfect us; social activities, fitness and health. location for our film nights and co- curricular events. Our pupils enjoy the diversity of French lessons and the interactive nature of Additional features classes, which range across French grammar, vocabulary learning, listening Over the two-year course we offer and reading exercises, extended writing, co-curricular events which, in the translation and conversation practice. past, have included film nights, French
31 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK German German was the language of Beethoven, Facilities and staff Goethe, Kafka, Nietzsche and Einstein. It is spoken by more than 120 million Led by Jenny Swallow, the department people in 38 countries of the world and has three members of staff and an it is the language with the most native assistant (whose first language is speakers in the European Union. German), who helps Fifth Form pupils prepare for their oral examinations. In short, it is a hugely useful language to acquire. The Modern Languages Department is based in a new, state-of-the-art Course content and building on the edge of the Close. Each classroom has brand new assessment touchscreens with sound bars and there Pupils follow the Edexcel International is a languages laboratory where pupils GCSE course. can use the latest modern language software, complete independent Jenny Swallow Classes are lively and varied, with a research and practise speaking and Head of German strong emphasis on speaking and plenty listening. of interesting content which draws on German film, poetry and current affairs. The MFL Café on the ground floor is We also explore German grammar in open to pupils at break times and hosts Our intention is to give all our pupils the detail and build pupils’ language skills co-curricular events, such as German opportunity to visit a German-speaking through vocabulary learning, listening debates and the film night. country at least once before their IGCSE and reading exercises, extended writing, exam. translation and conversation practice. Additional features The German IGCSE examinations take We pride ourselves on our co- place at the end of the Fifth Year. Pupils curricular events in the German sit a listening paper, a reading and Department. There is an inter-school writing paper and an oral examination quiz, a debating competition, a conducted by their teacher. Christmas trip to Berlin, a film night in the Café, and a German lunch.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 32 Michelle Harris Head of Spanish
Spanish As one of the world’s most widely- There is no coursework or controlled Additional features spoken languages, Spanish is an assessment with this course. GCSE excellent choice for GCSE pupils, examinations take place at the end of We run a successful trip to Salamanca whether they are aiming to use it in a the Fifth Form, when pupils sit a 10 for Fourth Form pupils, who get to stay future career or just for holidays. All minute teacher-conducted oral exam, a with host families for five nights, attend at Clifton College will have studied the 30 minute listening exam and a 1 hour specially tailored language classes at a basics of the language in the Third 45 minute reading and writing paper. local language school, and participate Form - there is no beginners’ class at in excursions such as visiting local this point. Facilities and staff attractions, making a tortilla española and learning to dance salsa. Led by Michelle Harris, the Spanish Course content and Department has five full-time members Additionally, we run co-curricular assessment of staff and an assistant whose first events at school, including film evenings and inter-class speaking activities, Pupils follow the new Edexcel language is Spanish. and we encourage pupils to take every International GCSE course, comprising We have state-of-the-art facilities in a opportunity to visit a Spanish-speaking five main areas: home and abroad, building on Worcester Road.The recently country during their GCSE course. education and employment, personal completed language laboratory allows life and relationships, the world around for independent listening practice, as us, social activities, fitness and health. well as project and speaking work. Pupils get plenty of practice in listening There is also a Café in the building and reading skills, as well as extended that caters for pupils at break times writing, translation and conversation. and which hosts regular co-curricular We also study grammar in detail. events. Language lessons are lively and we focus on building confidence in both spoken and written Spanish.
33 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK Mandarin Mandarin Chinese has become one of local area, holiday and travel; school; the most important languages in the future aspirations, study and work; world, but despite the growth in Sino- international and global dimension. British relations, few British schools Pupils are expected to build a offer Mandarin GCSE as a mainstream vocabulary of about 800-900 Chinese curriculum subject. Pupils at Clifton characters. are fortunate to have the opportunity to learn this fascinating language. Pupils from a Chinese background can study the GCSE course full or part Course content and time, according to their needs. Some will then take the exam early and work assessment towards the A Level exam. Cantonese Pupils who opted for Chinese pupils must use Modern Standard (Mandarin) in the Third Form continue Chinese, Putonghua, in the speaking to be taught in two separate groups in and listening exams. the Fourth and Fifth Form. One class is Emma Cordwell for pupils with a Chinese background, Facilities and staff Head of Mandarin while the other is for those with some There are two teachers in the previous knowledge of Chinese. department, one of whom is a native Additional features speaker from Taiwan. There is great We follow the Edexcel GCSE exam We want to encourage a broad continuity of teaching as both members syllabus and pupils are examined at appreciation of the culture and of staff teach from Year 7 to 13, and at a the end of the Fifth Form in all four traditions of Chinese-speaking range of levels, from complete beginner key skills: speaking, listening, reading countries. Pupils studying Mandarin to native speaker. and writing. This new exam also tests celebrate the biggest Chinese festivals translation skills from English to The Chinese classrooms are located in with their Chinese peers and we bring Chinese. the fantastic new Languages building language learning to life with co- The course syllabus is organised into where pupils can make full use of the curricular activities such as cooking five themes: identity and culture; language laboratory facilities. and Chinese painting, visits to local museums, guest speakers and educational trips to China.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 34 EAL (English as an Additional Language)
The EAL option provides additional emails, articles and reports using English lessons and support for pupils accurate grammar and wide ranging for whom English is not their first vocabulary. language. It is designed to ensure pupils have the language skills required to The listening paper tests the ability to perform well in all subjects across the understand standard spoken language, curriculum. whether live or broadcast, on both unfamiliar and familiar topics which We assess pupils’ English language might be encountered in personal, social, skills at the end of the Third Form year academic or vocational situations. or when they arrive, if they join the school later. The speaking exam gives pupils a chance to present their views on a We place the majority of pupils for given topic and show how well they can whom English is not their first language interact in a discussion. in an EAL set for English, since the Alissa Goefron smaller class sizes enable us to give Facilities and staff Head of EAL more tailored support. These pupils will take IGCSE English as a Second There are three full-time EAL teachers Language instead of English Language in the department. Together we have and Literature IGCSE. many years’ experience of teaching English as a second language, in the Pupils with near fluency in English UK, Europe and Asia. should discuss with Admissions whether they are better suited following We are based in a converted house a the First Language or Second Language few minutes’ walk from the main school English course. Pupils who take the buildings, along with the Learning First Language English course may still Support Department. The classrooms opt to take EAL as one of their options. allow for small group teaching in a friendly and homely environment.
Course content and We have recently updated all our assessment textbooks and have a good selection of class reading texts to supplement EAL classes give pupils additional time language lessons. Pupils regularly visit to study every aspect of the English the Percival Library to choose their own language, including grammar, writing books to read. They can borrow books skills, reading skills and intensive from the main section or from the Quick listening, as well as discussion, debate Reads section, which contains shorter and presentation. novels specifically written for EAL The Cambridge International pupils. Examinations IGCSE in English as a Second Language consists of a 2 hour Additional features reading and writing paper, a 45 minute The Head of EAL is also Head of listening paper, and a short speaking International Pupils and organises exam. various events throughout the year, The reading and writing paper such as a Chinese New Year meal for all emphasises skills in: reading Chinese pupils. quickly and accurately for content; summarising; writing short letters,
35 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK English and MFL facilities
English lessons are taught in bright, spacious, well-equipped rooms, all boasting state-of-the-art interactive boards, and stunning views of the Close and the College. We benefit from a separate meeting room for lectures, seminars, and visiting speakers, as well as extensive ICT facilities on site.
There is an MFL café on the ground floor where pupils can go at break times and it also serves as a good location for our film nights and co-curricular events. Classics
37 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK Latin Ancient Greek Classical Civilisation Latin
Latin is one of the most stimulating, The reformed course now offers greater valuable and highly regarded subjects flexibility over which prose and verse at Clifton, appealing to those interested authors to choose for study. It is now in a wide range of disciplines, including possible, for example, to study two humanities, sciences and modern prose authors or two verse authors languages. rather than one of each.
It provides access to the astonishing Pupils are assessed by examination at world of Roman literature and thought: the end of the Fifth Form year. There the anguished love-poems of Catullus, are three papers: one translation and for example, or Pliny’s eye-witness comprehension paper (1hr 30mins) and description of the eruption of Vesuvius, two papers on the literature (1hr each). or Apuleius’ macabre tale of Thessalian witches. Our results have been impressive, with almost exclusively Level 9-7 (or A*-B) in As an unchanging and thoroughly recent years. Our top students tend to Thomas Patrick logical language – the language behind continue Latin and Greek into the sixth- Head of Classics most modern European languages, in form and beyond, and we have earned fact – it offers an unparalleled insight eight places for Classics at Oxford and into the mechanics and structure of Cambridge in the last five years. verbal communication in general, and unparalleled assistance towards the Facilities and staff mastery of other languages, including our own. The Classics Department has a team of four teachers. All are highly qualified and Perhaps most importantly, Latin trains have a range of individual interests and the mind, producing high-quality skills that allow us to teach any area of pupils who can think independently Classics with particular expertise. and express themselves persuasively. Classicists are highly employable and We are based in spacious quarters on work in many fields: law, management the ground floor of the Tribe building consultancy, accountancy and and use the latest Smartboards in journalism, to name a few. our teaching. The department has an extensive library of books, photographs Course content and and DVDs. assessment Additional features We follow the new OCR GCSE Latin We complement classroom learning by course syllabus, of which approximately attending local lectures, organising our half is language work, and half Latin own seminars, and running day-trips to literature. Prose authors include sites and museums, such as Caerleon Caesar, Tacitus and Suetonius. Verse or the Ashmolean in Oxford. Every authors include Virgil, Catullus and year, during the October half-term, we Horace. organise a very popular overseas trip For the language, there is a clearly to mainland Greece, the Greek islands, defined list of vocabulary and syntax. Sicily or mainland Italy.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 38 Ancient Greek If the Romans exert a great influence on our modern life, then The reformed course is more flexible than in previous years. the Greeks exerted an even greater influence on the Romans. It is now possible, for example, to study two prose authors The study of both Greek and Latin is rewarding and interesting, or two verse authors rather than one of each. Pupils are but Greek is also often studied on its own; either way, pupils assessed by one translation and comprehension paper (1hr gain significant literary, linguistic and historical insight. 30mins) and two papers on the literature (1hr each), all at the end of the Fifth Form year. Perhaps even more than Latin, the logic and subtlety of Ancient Greek captivate a wide variety of pupils, from out-and- Facilities and staff out scientists to devotees of history, modern languages and literature. Ancient Greek is a subject redolent of academic There are four teachers in the Classics Department, all highly rigour and refinement. How can one miss the chance to read qualified and possessing a range of individual interests and Homer, Herodotus or Euripides in the original language? skills. This means that any area can be taught with particular expertise. Few schools nationally offer Ancient Greek, but at Clifton more and more pupils have seized the opportunity to study The Classics Department occupies spacious quarters on the this fascinating subject in recent years. Results have been ground floor of the Tribe building, equipped with the latest excellent: we have scored almost exclusively A* grades since Smartboards and wifi. We have an extensive library of books, 2012. photographs and DVDs. Course content and assessment Additional features We follow the new OCR Greek GCSE course of which We complement classroom learning by attending local approximately half is language work, and approximately half lectures, organising our own seminars, and running day-trips Greek literature. Prose authors include Herodotus, Plutarch to sites and museums, such as Caerleon or the Ashmolean in and Lucian. Verse authors include Homer and Euripides. Oxford. Every year, during the October half-term, we organise For the language, there is a clearly defined list of vocabulary a very popular overseas trip to mainland Greece, the Greek and syntax. islands, Sicily or mainland Italy.
39 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK Classical Civilisation Classical Civilisation offers pupils the opportunity to immerse Facilities and staff themselves in the ancient Greek and Roman civilisations which have so profoundly affected our own. There are four teachers in the Classics Department, all highly qualified and possessing a range of individual interests and Through the study of architecture, art, literature, drama, skills that enable every area to be taught with specialist politics, religion and society, we encourage pupils to appreciate expertise. and compare the ancient and modern worlds, and to express themselves with clarity and feeling. Highlights of the course The Classics Department occupies spacious quarters on include the Greek and Roman gods, the adventures of the ground floor of the Tribe building, equipped with the Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey, and the excavations of Troy and latest Smartboards and wifi. The department possesses an Mycenae. extensive library of books, photographs and DVDs. No knowledge of ancient languages is required and no prior Additional features knowledge of ancient civilisations is necessary, although many pupils already possess a love for Greek and Roman We complement classroom learning by attending local myths or spectacular archaeological discoveries. lectures, organising our own seminars and running day-trips to sites and museums, such as Caerleon or the Ashmolean in Almost invariably, pupils develop a passion for Classical Oxford. Every year, during the October half-term, we organise Civilisation and many continue the subject in the Sixth Form. a very popular overseas trip to mainland Greece, the Greek Clifton has a strong tradition in Classical studies, and pupils Islands, Sicily or mainland Italy. have gone on to study a wide variety of university courses, from Business to Archaeology and Anthropology. Course content and assessment We follow the reformed OCR Classical Civilisation GCSE (J199), which consists of two components:
1. Either the mythology and religion of the Greek and Roman world, or women in the ancient world;
2. Either the Homeric world, or Roman city life, or war and warfare.
Both components are examined by written examinations.
2017 | FOURTHFOURTH && FIFTHFIFTH FORMFORM CURRICULUMCURRICULUM BOOKBOOK 4040 Humanities
41 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK Geography History Religious Studies Geography
We live in a dynamic and fast-changing presentation and analysis, evaluation of world and the study of Geography helps issues, and decision-making. us to examine many of the issues that affect us on a daily basis. To highlight and reinforce key topics, we examine the latest local and international Geography seeks to describe and events as case studies in class - and we explain our interdependent world, in encourage pupils to keep up to date with which physical and human factors local and global affairs. combine to put pressure on our increasingly fragile environment. It is The GCSE Geography examinations an exciting and highly contemporary take place at the end of the Fifth Form subject that seeks to examine and make year. There are three papers; one for sense of many of the media headlines the physical topics, another for the ranging from international conflicts and human topics and a field work and issue resulting migration streams, to climate evaluation paper. change and hazard management. Sarah Rath Facilities and staff Head of Geography Course content and The Geography Department is located right at the heart of the College campus assessment All teaching areas have interactive and includes four spacious classrooms, We follow the AQA Geography GCSE whiteboards and Wi-Fi, and we have a dedicated Geography ICT suite, a syllabus. This has a strong fieldwork a wide range of specialist fieldwork Geography resources and reading room element examining both physical and equipment, as well as a large collection and a central office. human geography and it emphasises of Geography text books, journals and global citizenship. The department is led by Sarah Rath magazines for pupils to read. There with three other specialist full-time is in addition, a dedicated Geography Topics covered will include: the teachers, and we operate an open door section in the Percival Library. challenge of natural hazards (both policy to encourage pupils to drop in tectonic and climatic), tropical rainforest at any time for help. The department Additional features and desert ecosystems, physical also runs regular weekly lunchtime landscapes in the UK, urban issues and We organise physical and human Geography clinics. challenges, the changing economic Geography fieldwork days as part of world and resource resilience and the course and run optional overseas management. Geographic skills are Geography field trips. These include a embedded in all topics. The course Fifth Form trip to Iceland, and longer also teaches key skills including data trips during the summer holidays to destinations such as Mexico and Madagascar.
2017 | FOURTHFOURTH && FIFTHFIFTH FORMFORM CURRICULUMCURRICULUM BOOKBOOK 4242 History
History is not just the study of the past Paper 2 will be a source-based written for its own sake, but the means to make exam on one of the above topics. sense of the present day world and to anticipate what is to come. The final component is an internally marked coursework essay (topic varies) This course has been a very popular worth 27% of the total marks. option amongst past pupils, with many going on to pursue History to a higher Facilities and staff level. It provides a deep contextual knowledge base from which to make The department has a team of five informed decisions about current issues teachers who, between them, have a as diverse as conflict in the Middle East wealth of teaching experience at all and welfare provision in 21st century levels. We are aptly located in the centre Britain. of the historic part of the College, on the ground floor of the Percival building. History study also supports pupils’ skills The recently refurbished classrooms are Anne John in other humanities disciplines and Head of History combines well with many subjects. equipped with interactive whiteboards, air server technology and wifi. Our pupils can use the school’s two ICT Course content and suites to access the curriculum in Additional features assessment creative ways, such as producing We organise a bi-annual trip to Berlin Pupils joining the Fourth/Fifth Form presentations and videos or through for GCSE pupils so they can immerse will study the well-regarded Cambridge collaborative essay projects. themselves in the city’s rich history and International Examinations IGCSE develop their understanding of the rise The Percival Library offers a very wide syllabus. of Hitler and the Cold War. range of historical materials, with the The syllabus encompasses economics, History section being regularly updated. The department also runs regular trips politics, social change and popular Historians can also access JSTOR, an to attend lectures at the University of culture, and looks at these areas across enormous online archive of academic Bristol and has a thriving pupil-run continents and contexts. Pupils will articles and books. History Society. also be able to develop valuable skills such as critical analysis, evaluation and argumentative writing.
Assessment is by examination at the end of the Fifth Form year and consists of two papers and a coursework essay.
Paper 1 covers the following topics:
• The First World War treaties and peacekeeping in the 1920s and 1930s;
• The causes of the Second World War;
• The origins of the Cold War;
• The Cold War in Cuba and Vietnam;
• The USA, 1919-1941.
43 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK Religious Studies
Religious Studies involves a variety of Two major world religions are studied disciplines and helps its pupils develop and their ideas about God and human skills such as analysis, evaluation, destiny will be explored. critical thinking and expressing oneself though the written and spoken word. Facilities and staff The subject encourages you to think about life’s ultimate questions - and it Religious Studies is taught by will appeal to anyone with an enquiring experienced specialists who maintain mind. close contact with Trinity College, Bristol, which has provided access to its It is a top tier academic discipline and considerable collection. one that is highly regarded. We have recently relocated to a refurbished suite of classrooms and Course content and have excellent facilities, including a assessment library of academic literature. This is Julia Greenbury complemented by the Percival Library, The GCSE focuses on various Head of Religious Studies and which provides current articles and philosophical, ethical and religious Philosophy themes. The specification includes periodicals. a wide range of topics such as prejudice and discrimination, animal experimentation, freedom of speech and the effectiveness of the justice system.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 44 Compute Science
45 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK Computer Science Computer Science
Computing is of enormous importance 2. Theoretical knowledge, including to today’s economy and society. It computer networks, cyber security, underpins the way businesses work and ethical and environmental and has an increasing influence on all impacts of technology. of us as technology rapidly permeates into our lives. 3. Pupils develop an original Compute programme to solve a problem set Understanding how this technology by the exam board. Over a 20 hour works is becoming ever more period, they are required to design, important. There is a growing need for write and test their code, which programmers and, more generally, for they document in a report. This people who can think in a logical way to tests the skills and knowledge they solve problems. have learnt in the other parts of the course. Computer Science provides a foundation for these 21st century skills. There are two 90 minute exams at the Dr Darron Dean end of the course, testing components Head of Academic ICT Course content and 1 and 2. assessment The GCSE provides an excellent Pupils will follow the AQA Computer foundation for A Level Computer Science GCSE syllabus. This was Science, which can be taken in the Sixth developed collaboratively with teachers, Form. industry and the wider computer science community. Facilities and staff The course has three components: A subject specialist teaches the course in a dedicated computer room. The 1. Computational thinking and problem College has extensive and modern solving, including algorithms, ICT facilities throughout the campus, programming, data representation including a super-fast wifi network. and fundamentals of computer systems.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 46 Business & Economics
47 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK Economics Business Economics
Economics is about choice and the developments that are relevant to the impact of our choices on each other. It economic topics, questions and theories relates to every aspect of our lives, from we are studying on the course. the decisions we make as individuals or families to the institutions and Assessment is via examination at the structures created by governments and end of the Fifth Form year (there is no firms. As a way of thinking, Economics coursework or controlled assessment) can help us make better choices. and pupils sit the following two papers:
The subject is very popular with our Paper 1 – Multiple Choice – 45 minutes; pupils, both because it is enjoyable and candidates answer 30 multiple choice because of the wide range of skills and questions. This paper is 30% of total careers they can develop through its available marks. study. Paper 2 – Structured Questions – 2 hours 15 minutes; candidates answer Course content and one compulsory question, which James Adams assessment requires them to interpret and analyse Head of Economics and Business previously unseen data relevant to a real Pupils study for the Cambridge economic situation, and three optional International Examinations IGCSE in in the Coulson Centre alongside questions from a choice of six. This Economics. Covering microeconomic the Mathematics and Business paper is 70% of total available marks. and macroeconomic topics, the course Departments. provides the opportunity to develop The GCSE is not a prerequisite to A The College has a thriving Economics valuable work-related skills, such as Level study of the subject. However, a Society which attracts large weekly conceptual thinking, data handling, very high proportion go on to A Level, turnouts and participation in the interpretation of financial figures, having enjoyed the course. familiarity with professional terminology discussions on a wide range of national and use of formulae. Facilities and staff and international current affairs. The classes are lively. Our Economics The teaching staff come from a wide pupils have a keen interest in news range of backgrounds in education, and current affairs, so there are industry and finance teach Economics frequent discussions and debates about at Clifton. The department is situated
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 48 Business The world of business is constantly We follow the Cambridge International Facilities and staff changing and this is what makes it Examinations IGCSE syllabus which such a fascinating subject to study. is created especially to be suitable for The teaching staff come from diverse Do you want to know about what different nationalities of pupils, and for backgrounds and have a wealth of motivates an entrepreneur to ‘seize learners with a wide range of abilities. industry experience. Previous roles the day’, join the entrepreneur include collateral management, revolution and start up their own By the end of the course, pupils financial accounting, business analysis business? Do you want to know about will be able to understand different and client relationship management the latest corporate strategy and forms of business organisations, the at firms such as PWC, Cisco, RBS and how multinationals operate across environments in which businesses Endeavour Capital LLP. the world? If so, then Business GCSE operate and business functions such provides the opportunity to study all as marketing, operations and finance. aspects of this subject. They will appreciate the role of people in business success.
Course content and They will also gain lifelong skills, assessment including: the ability to calculate and interpret business data; the Academic and vocational in equal communication skills needed to measure, the Business course will not support arguments with reasoning; the only immerse pupils in the exciting ability to analyse business situations and ever-changing world of business, and reach decisions or judgements. it will give them real practical skills which will be useful regardless of Assessment is via two 90 minute their career choice. The course starts examination papers. Paper one consists with entrepreneurialism and the of questions requiring a mixture of motivations of business people and short answers and structured data goes on to look at the full range of response, while paper two contains four business functions and activities. questions based on a case study.
49 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 50 Physical Education
51 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK Physical Education Physical Education Universities and employers accept Unit 1 - Anatomy and physiology; Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education as Unit 2 - Health, fitness and training; proof that candidates have the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding for Unit 3 - Skill acquisition and psychology; a range of physical activities. Unit 4 - Social, cultural and ethical As well as being the ideal preparation influences. for A Level Physical Education studies, the course enables progression to Facilities and staff related vocational qualifications, such The PE Department has three as BTEC Firsts and Nationals in Sport classrooms equipped with interactive or Sport and Exercise Sciences. whiteboards. It is ideally situated Pupils also develop the transferable above the swimming pool and fitness and key skills employers are looking suite and next to the sports hall and gymnasium. for - which can lead to a wide variety of John Bobby employment and training opportunities Six full-time teachers make up the Head of Physical Education in areas such as recreational PE team. They have a vast experience management, leisure, coaching, from a variety of sports and include ex- We also have new, state-of-the-art officiating, the fitness industry, the professionals and internationals. cricket nets, a 3G rugby pitch, water- Armed Forces and the Civil Service. based hockey pitch, indoor tennis/ Video cameras and iPads are often used netball centre and dance studios, as well Course content and in practical lessons, allowing pupils as numerous hard courts, grass and assessment immediate feedback on both their own AstroTurf pitches. and others’ performances. Pupils entering the Fourth Form in September will follow the Cambridge IGCSE syllabus which comprises practical coursework (50%) and one theory exam (50%). There are four study units:
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 52 53 FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 54 Music, D ama & Dance
55 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK Music Drama Dance Music
Everyone is interested in listening to On this varied and interesting course, music and lots of pupils sing or play pupils will discover new musical ideas an instrument - so why not learn more and learn more about familiar ones in about how it really works? depth. Our Music GCSE pupils explore a mix of Facilities and staff music from different traditions, compose music of their own, and perform with We are based in the stunning Joseph their instrument or voice. Music is in fact Cooper Music School, which has 16 one of the oldest academic disciplines practice rooms, a recital hall and a four- to be studied at university level and it room recording suite. teaches both analytical and creative skills - in a The Director of Music, Dan Robson, fun way! works with two academic music teachers and a teacher of music technology, who runs the recording Dan Robson Course content and studio and is also the sound engineer. Director of Music assessment There are also 32 visiting music The Edexcel Music GCSE syllabus teachers who specialise in a wide is split into 30% performance, 30% variety of instruments - everything from composition and 40% study of set bagpipes to jazz piano. works. Additional features The department owns many The possibilities are endless, both Performance gives pupils the instruments, including 15 Yamaha upright pianos, two grand pianos, a during or outside of lessons. Whatever opportunity to sing or play their kind of music you are interested in instrument and pupils often get full harpsichord, an electric organ in the recital hall and of course the stunning creating, you will find like-minded marks in this area; composition is people to create it with you. carefully taught and pupils create music Harrison and Harrison organ in the which draws inspiration from the pieces Chapel. We also have a variety of guitars they study. The set works range all the and keyboards, and various orchestral way from Bach and Beethoven to Queen, instruments. John Williams (Star Wars soundtrack), Samba and African music!
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 56 Drama
The Drama community at Clifton offers Component 2 - Performing from a Text a fantastic range of opportunities (20%). Pupils study two extracts from to pupils of all ages. Drama itself the same performance text and take is a practical, creative subject that part in one performance, using text fosters highly transferable skills and from both extracts. The performance is qualities, such as vocal projection and assessed by a visiting examiner. characterisation, public speaking, team work and personal confidence. Component 3 - Interpreting Theatre (40%). This written exam is 1 hour and Course content and 30 minutes. The paper consists of two sections, one on War Horse by Michael assessment Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford, The course is delivered through a and one which asks students to discuss, combination of theory and practical analyse and evaluate a piece of live lessons. Throughout the course, theatre seen during the course. students will have the opportunity to Rhian Orzel watch a range of live theatre productions Facilities and staff Head of Drama and take part in several workshops The department is led by the Head of delivered by visiting practitioners. Drama, Rhian Orzel. The department Pupils joining the Fourth Form will has use of the College’s own 300- study the EDUQAS Drama GCSE. seat proscenium-arched theatre and purpose-built dance studio. We work The main components of the GCSE closely with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre, course are: the Bath Theatre Royal, RADA and Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Component 1 - Devising Theatre (40%). Students take part in the creation, development and performance of a piece of devised theatre in response to a stimulus, using either the techniques of an influential theatre practitioner or a genre.
57 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK Dance
Dance is an expressive subject which The main components of the GCSE enables pupils to develop creatively course are: and technically. This course will appeal to those who take a keen interest in Component 1 (60%) - Performance and dance, have practical dance experience Choreography and would like to explore a range of • Performance - set phrases and choreographic styles. performance in a duo/trio • Choreography - solo or a group There are many opportunities to choreography perform at Clifton and to build your portfolio, while developing useful Assessment: Internally assessed and skills such as team work and personal externally moderated confidence. Component 2 (40%) - Dance appreciation Course content and Lucy Fewkes assessment • Knowledge and understanding Teacher of Dance of choreographic processes and This course blends practical training performing skills and performance with the academic opportunities to perform within our study and analysis of six professional • Critical appreciation of your own thriving creative community of talented dance works. Pupils also learn about work musicians, actors, dancers and stage safe practice and the process and craft • Critical appreciation of professional technicians. of choreography. works The GCSE course is led by a full-time, On the practical side, there is the Assessment: Written exam paper (1 specialist dance teacher. opportunity to experiment with hour 30 minutes) movement phrases through the development of solo and group Facilities and staff choreographies, as well as performance opportunities to showcase your Clifton College has three dance technical and expressive skills. studios, as well as a professional working theatre, and there are many
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 58 59 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 60 A t & Design
61 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK Art Art, Craft and Design Design and Technology Art The term ‘artist’ was at one time tonal chalks, brushes, pencils and applied to anyone working in the fine sketchbooks – and are taught how to arts of painting, drawing and sculpture use them all. within the context of ‘high culture’. Now the visual arts include design, crafts, The course begins by working within photography, film and architecture. the genre of still life. Pupils produce a mixed piece from direct observation, Here are some of the along with a colourful abstract still life in oil paint. For the next assignment, things that artists do: pupils are free to choose their own 1. Create places for some human subject matter, working from their own purpose reference photographs on a pictorial composition project based on another 2. Create extraordinary versions of genre of their choice. ordinary things These assignments lead up to a final 3. Record and commemorate Allan Wilkie painting executed in oils. In the Summer Head of Art 4. Give tangible form to feelings and Term, pupils then have the opportunity the imagination to work in one of the following: pop-up 5. Refresh our vision and help us to see illustration, book design, pyrography, the world in new ways. etching, printmaking, shoe painting, encaustic painting, or fabric painting. If you are interested in discovering more about these things, then perhaps Art is In the Fifth Form year pupils prepare a GCSE subject for you. for their mock examination which takes place in January. For this they Additional features complete a finished composition Course content and under examination conditions. This We encourage pupils to take part in assessment experience helps them to understand extra open studio sessions. These help pupils develop their skills further and We follow the OCR Fine Art syllabus. the requirements of the final external are available on Monday, Tuesday and Coursework accounts for 60% of the examination which takes place in May Wednesday evenings after school. overall marks, with an externally and for which they have two months to prepare. set assignment accounting for the Museum and art gallery visits are an remaining 40%. integral part of the course and we Facilities and staff visit the National Museum of Wales in During the course we will explore the Cardiff, as well as the Ashmolean and differences between the five genres in Two members of the Art Department Pitt Rivers Museums in Oxford. art, including narrative art, portraiture, are involved in teaching Art and Design genre art (scenes of everyday life), at GCSE level. Allan Wilkie, Director of landscape and still life. Pupils also learn Art, specialises in painting and drawing, how to critically evaluate the work of while Naomi Randall is a sculptor and artists using specialist vocabulary and ceramicist. how to apply their techniques to their The Art Department has a specialist own work. painting and drawing studio, with access We teach the formal elements of to a printing press and an impressive art along with traditional skills of collection of art reference books. We draughtsmanship, colour theory, also have a specialist sculpture and composition and a variety of painting ceramics studio which is equipped with and drawing techniques. Pupils are a kiln. given an art kit containing oil paints, acrylic paints, watercolours, colouring pencils, chalk pastels, oil pastels,
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 62 Art, Craft and Design
Art, Craft and Design offers Course content opportunities for pupils wishing to broaden their art skills across We follow the OCR Art, Craft and different disciplines, techniques Design syllabus within which pupils will and materials. It offers experience gain experience of sculpture, printing, of sculpting, printing, painting and painting and drawing disciplines. drawing and is a subject our pupils find Coursework accounts for 60% of not only refreshing and rewarding but the overall mark, with the externally challenging to. set assignment accounting for the remaining 40%. The first Fourth Form How do you conceive an idea that is projects introduce pupils to the various new, original and interesting? How can skills, techniques and media of these you give this idea physical form and disciplines, building their practical presence, communicating it to others? skills and confidence in their creativity. How can you take inspiration for your In the Fifth Form the course then offers art work from the world around you, excellent flexibility as pupils can select Naomi Randall your passions and interests, and the their preferred discipline and creative Art, Craft and Design Teacher work of others? We address these pathway for their mock exam and final questions, and many more, on the exam projects. GCSE course. We encourage our pupils to experiment For the externally set exam unit, pupils The creative industries are a with varied media and techniques will choose their preferred discipline particularly successful sector of the appropriate to their project discipline. from those already studied and UK economy and this course can In the sculpture project, a range of complete their research and planning lead to many career paths, in fashion, hand-built ceramic techniques are in advance, before producing their final sculpture, design, crafts, architecture, taught (slab, coiling, thumb pot, casting piece in the timed exam. animation and model making. The and mould making with plaster), as advantage offered by this course is for well as different glazes and finishes. those art pupils who enjoy working in In the print-making project, pupils will Facilities and staff a multidisciplinary way or those who be taught mono, collagraph and lino Two members of the Art Department would like to expand their skill base printing techniques as well as hand teach the GCSE course. Naomi Randall further, potentially approaching art drawn photo etching, soft ground and specialises in sculpture, ceramics and from a more ‘applied’ angle, taking hard ground etching. Pupils will also 2D media, and Allan Wilkie (Director of inspiration from other creative sources explore painting with oils and acrylics. Art) specialises in painting, drawing and such as architecture and fashion as printmaking. well as fine art, sculpting and painting. We have a specialist sculpture and ceramics studio which is equipped with a kiln, an impressive collection of art reference books, two painting and drawing studios, and access to a printing press.
GCSE Art pupils are issued with an art kit containing oil paints, acrylic paints, watercolours, colouring pencils, chalk pastels, oil pastels, tonal chalks, brushes, pencils and sketchbooks. We encourage them to attend extra open studios on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings to develop their skills.
63 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK Design and Technology
Victoria Jackson Head of Design Technology
Designers are the makers of the built made up of a combination of workshop Facilities and staff environment. They change lives and based and classroom based lessons. shape our interactions with the world Clifton’s reputation for excellence in around us. Whether you are interested In the Fourth Form pupils will start the Design and Technology Department in industrial design, product design, with a skills building project to induct is ever increasing and we have highly architecture or any other form of design, the pupils into the workshop and experienced staff who are trained in the one thing that does not change is develop their basic manufacturing a variety of mediums and practice as humans. skills. We will introduce them to a designers and makers. We also have range of machines and tools that they two part-time technicians who support Design and Technology starts with the will not have encountered before. the students in a full-time capacity.. needs and motivations of people. It has We will teach them a broad range of a two-way relationship with culture, manufacturing skills to help them Clifton has a well-equipped Design economy, geography and history, with realise their design skills. After this and Technology Department that all these factors feeding into, and in project we will work on developing their includes design studios with two turn being shaped by, the visual culture design and manufacturing skills in a computer rooms with Adobe, Graphics of the world. variety of materials to really build their and CAD programs, scanners, digital confidence. In the summer term we will cameras and light boxes. In the plastics An education in Design and Technology begin the coursework element of the workshop, we have a laser cutter, not only encourages observational course which involves a major project vacuum formers and the equipment for skills and analytical skills but develops focusing on good design and quality the manipulation of plastics. We also presentation and communication skills. outcomes. possess CNC (computer controlled) It invites you to explore past objects as manufacturing equipment, and a large an archaeologist and to design what our The coursework accounts for 50% of workshop fitted out for wood and metal world will look like in the future. You, the final mark and then, in the summer work, including a new foundry for as a designer, will be responsible for of the Fifth Form there is two exams, casting aluminium. evoking an emotional response from the Paper 1 which is 1 hour and 15 minutes user and will create a backdrop for all and covers their Product Design work human experience. while Paper 2 is an hour long and looks at the principles of Resistant Materials. Course content and Both papers will explore design, assessment manufacturing and theory work. Pupils follow the Cambridge IGCSE in Design and Technology. The course is
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 64 65 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 66 Lea ning Suppo t
67 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK One-to-one support Learning Pupils may receive one-to-one learning support lessons with a specialist Support teacher at an extra cost (see fee sheet). These lessons are normally arranged in the pupil’s free time, or in dedicated lessons learning support lesson time. We offer Learning Support as a Those wishing to make outside timetabled subject for Fourth and Fifth arrangements for one-to-one support Form pupils who require extra support are welcome to do so. There are with the GCSE curriculum. These Dyslexia Centres in Bristol and Bath. lessons normally replace an additional However, we do ask parents to keep us foreign language option. informed of any support their children There is also the opportunity for one-to- are receiving, so that our teachers can Daisy King one support lessons. liaise with the provider and submit Head of Learning Support evidence of continued support to the Course content examination boards. There are four timetabled group learning support lessons a week which focus on study skills as well as literacy and numeracy support. There is the opportunity for private study and individual support. All lessons are tailored to an individual pupil’s needs.
is required, the Head of Learning Facilities and staff Support will contact a pupil’s parents General to suggest Access Arrangements or an The Learning Support team has nine Educational Psychologist report. members: the Head of Department/ Provision SENCo, an educational psychologist, an These assessments are necessary to administrator, one full-time teacher and We make provision for pupils who secure extra time in examinations or five part-time one-to-one teachers. have specific learning difficulties, such other consideration from examination as dyslexia, or who have a need for boards and pupils must demonstrate The department is housed, with the EAL specialist or additional help in certain that they have received continued team, in two converted and recently areas of their learning. support from the school and that refurbished cottages that provide a light, there is evidence of need. Examination pleasant and welcoming place to learn. Identification of needs boards have become more stringent in There is a classroom with interactive this respect and there is no guarantee Pupils requiring learning support will white board and several smaller rooms, that previous exam accommodations normally have been identified before all equipped with computers, for private will continue without the correct joining the school and may already be study and one-to-one lessons. receiving support. We ask parents of documentation. such pupils to ensure they have made The Head of Learning Support and the contact with the Head of Learning College’s Educational Psychologist will Support before their son or daughter conduct these in-house assessments. joins the school, and it is essential These will be charged at a competitive that we are provided with any existing fee. It is a stipulation of the examination documentation, such as Educational boards that assessments are carried Psychologist assessments. out by a qualified assessor who is Clifton has its own in-house screening approved by the College. Where a pupil procedures and we assess all new has a medical condition requiring pupils for literacy difficulties on entering special exam arrangements, a the College. Where further assessment consultant’s letter must be provided.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 68 Choices
69 FOURTH2017 | FOURTH & FIFTH & FORMFIFTH CURRICULUMFORM CURRICULUM BOOK BOOK Subject choices
The following subjects are offered in Ancient Greek 39 French 31 the Fourth and Fifth Form at Clifton College. Art 62 Geography 42
Please follow the instructions on the Art, Craft & Design 63 German 32 form provided to make your choices. If Biology 24 History 43 you do not have a form, please email [email protected] to Business 49 Latin 38 request one. Chemistry 25 Learning Support 68
Classical Civilisation 40 Mandarin 34
Computer Science 45 Mathematics 27
Dance 58 Music 56
Design and Technology 64 Physical Education 51
Drama 57 Physics 25
Economics 48 Religious Studies 44
English as an Additional 35 Spanish 33 Language
English Language 30 & Literature
Please note: if you are joining the College in the Fifth Form, certain subjects may be difficult to join at that stage in the syllabus. Please speak to the Deputy Head (Academic) if you would like to discuss your subject options for Fifth Form.
FOURTH & FIFTH FORM CURRICULUM BOOK 70 Clifton College, 32 College Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3JH Tel 0117 315 7000 Fax 0117 315 7101 Email [email protected] Web www.cliftoncollege.com
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