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A Guide to Key Stage 4 Courses 2016 to 2018

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A Guide to Key Stage 4 Courses 2016 to 2018 A Guide To Key Stage 4 Courses 2016 to 2018 Outstanding Boarding School Education 2 CONTENTS PAGES CORE SUBJECTS OPTION SUBJECTS 7 English and English Literature 19 Art 9 Mathematics 21 Business Studies 11 Separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) 23 Computing Or Core and Additional Science 25 Drama Studies 13 ECDL Level 2 ICT Application Skills Course 27 Economics 15 Physical Education 29 French 16 Religious Education 31 Geography 17 Personal Development Programme 33 German 35 History 37 Music 39 Physical Education 41 Spanish 43 Technology — Resistant Materials 3 A Note to the Student For the past year you have been studying as many as fifteen subjects. It is impossible to continue with this range to GCSE standard and so de- cisions must be made as to which subjects you continue to study. It is sensible to make sure that you have a balanced choice, so that you keep as many options open for the future as possible. You will follow a core programme of subjects. These include GCSEs in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) or Core and Additional Science GCSE. Within the Core there are also courses in Level 2 ICT Applications, Physical Education, Religious Studies and a Personal Development programme. In addition you must choose three further subjects following advice and guidance from your tutor, Housemaster, Head of Academic Perfor- mance , teaching staff and parents. When you have read the booklet, if you require any further advice, you should see your Academic Tutor, Head Of Academic Performance Mr Williams and/or Mrs Epton. 4 Key Stage 4 Courses This booklet gives detailed information about courses in Years Ten and Eleven, leading to qualifications at GCSE Level. Please note: the details included in the booklet are current at the time of printing but are liable to revision in some subject areas in the light of future National Curriculum developments, specification changes and Ofqual changes to the GCSE grading in 2017 1. Core 2. Options English (GCSE) Art English Literature (GCSE) Business Studies Mathematics (GCSE) Computing Biology (GCSE) Drama Chemistry (GCSE) Economics Physics (GCSE) French (or Core and Additional Science) German ECDL Level 2 ICT Application Skills Course Geography Physical Education History Religious Education Music Personal Development Physical Education Spanish Technology—Resistant Materials 5 Core Subjects 6 ENGLISH LANGUAGE & ENGLISH LITERATURE GCSE (Core subject) Subject Content: English Language Units: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing and Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives The study of English Language is centred on encouraging students to read fluently and write effectively. Studying this course will enable them to practise key skills so that they are able to write in a way which is confident and controlled whilst using Standard English. They will also be able to write for a variety of different audiences and purposes whilst being able to create a range of sentences and punctuation for effect. Furthermore, they’ll develop writing skills and focus on being able to use grammar correctly, punctuate and spell accurately. When analysing texts, students will read a wide range of texts. They’ll be encouraged to read critically and use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their own writing. There is a non-exam component which is Spoken Language (this replaces the current speaking and listening component) and this is assessed internally. The Spoken Language endorsement is part of the qualification but it will not form part of the final mark and grade. Students will receive a separate certificate for this. English Literature Units: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel and Modern Texts and Poetry ‘Students studying Literature’ The study of English Literature is centred on reading comprehension and reading literary texts critically. Furthermore, students will, through the study of literature, Qualification: English Language and English Literature are assessed as two be able to demonstrate their understanding of a word, phrase or sentence in separate subjects at GCSE. context whilst also exploring aspects of plot, characterisation, events and Exam Board: AQA settings. Students will engage in critical reading: identifying the theme and Exam Codes: English Literature 8702 distinguishing between themes (then being able to compare between texts) English Language 8700 whilst supporting a point of view by referring to evidence in the text. Moreover, Grading Structure: 9—1 students will utilise their understanding of writers’ social, historical and cultural contexts to inform their evaluation, making an informed personal response that 7 derives from analysis and evaluation of the text. Assessment: English Language Students will be assessed through terminal examinations for the units: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing and Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives. In addi- tion to this they will have a non-exam component, Spoken Language, which will be assessed by their class teachers. English Literature Students will be assessed through terminal examinations for the units: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel and Modern Texts and Poetry. New Grading System Tiers: all exams are untiered and will be graded on the new grading system from 1-9 as opposed to the traditional A* - U with 9 being the highest and 1 being the lowest. At the moment the consultation proposes the following: grade 9 will be highest, at a standard equivalent to the current top half of A*; grade 7 will be equivalent to the current grade A; grade 4 will be equivalent to the current C grade; grade 1 will roughly cover current F and G grades. Useful web-sites: Extra-curricular opportunities: www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/English/gcse/english Theatre trips www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/English/gcse/english-literature Author visits www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize Writing workshops www.bbc.co.uk/arts Writing competitions http:/absoluteshakespeare.com Drama Club www.novelguide.com Reading Group (Sixth Form) Creative Writing Group (Sixth Form) For more information, please speak to Mrs J Kainth (Subject Leader for English), Mrs Ferguson (Head of Information, Advice and Guidance), Mr Williams (Head of Academic Performance) or Mrs Epton (Second Deputy Head) 8 MATHEMATICS GCSE (Core Subject) Subject Content: GCSE Mathematics is getting more demanding! The volume of subject content has increased The demand of the content is increasing too, with harder topics being introduced at both the foundation and higher tiers The total time for the examinations is increasing from 3½ hours to 4½ hours All exams will be sat at the end of the course Two tiers of examination are available with foundation covering grades 5 -1 and higher covering grades 9 - 4 There are considerably fewer marks available for lower grade questions and more marks at higher grade questions A new grading structure is being introduced from grade 9(highest) to grade 1, replacing the now familiar A*-G grading system An old-style GCSE grade C will now be grade 4 and an old-style GCSE grade A will be grade 7 In the assessments there’s a greater emphasis on problem solving and mathematical reasoning than ever before Students will be required to memorise a lot of formulae that they used to Maths Lesson be provided in the exam Qualification: The subject content and assessment objectives of the Foundation Subject Content GCSE specification are based on the National Curriculum strands, pro- 25% Number, 25% Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change, 20% Algebra, 15% Sta- grammes of study. tistics and Probability, 15% Geometry and measures Exam Board: AQA Specification: 8300 Higher Subject Content 15% Number, 20% Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change, 30% Algebra, 15% Sta- Grading Structure: 9—1 tistics and Probability, 20% Geometry and measures Websites: www.mymaths.co.uk 9 Assessment: The specification assesses student’s ability to recall, select and apply their knowledge of Mathematics, and to interpret, analyse and solve problems. Elements of func- tional Mathematics have been embedded in a traditional framework, allowing a more holistic style of teaching. Each paper consists of both short answer questions (testing manipulative skills) and structured/extended questions (applications to the process of problem solving). At each tier of entry the first paper is non-calculator, but the use of an electronic calculator is expected in the second and third paper. Each paper will randomly sample across A01-3 all relevant levels, but not necessarily all Statements of Attainment. There will be common questions for target- ed levels to aid standardisation between tiers. A01—use and apply standard techniques A02—reason, interpret and communicate mathematically A03—solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts All year 9 pupils begin studying the GCSE course in September and are taught in mathematics ability groups (sets). The different ability groups will be prepared for entry at an appropriate tier. Pupils in Set 1 also have the opportunity to sit FSMQ Additional Mathematics (6993) from OCR in Year 11. It is important that each pupil is entered at the correct tier. Final decisions will be made only after the Mock Examinations, in Year 11 before GCSE. Useful web-sites: Extra-curricular opportunities: www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/gcse/mathematics-8300 Maths Challenge www.mymaths.co.uk Extra support www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize www.catcode.com/trig/ www.mathstutor.com
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