st j college:Layout 1 8/9/08 12:28 Page 1 ! " " " " " " " " " " GCSE Curriculum Handbook! " " " ! Introduction "! This Curriculum Handbook gives details of the GCSE courses your son/daughter will be starting in September. " To maximise GCSE potential, we ask pupils to select their subjects at the end of R13/Year 8; an aspect judged as one of many “Outstanding Features” in our Estyn inspection report. Most pupils study 10 GCSE subjects and grade quality is very important for future university selection. " In addition to the six core subjects, English, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, your son/daughter will be asked to select a further four subjects. Physical Education and PSE/RE will also continue to be incorporated into the weekly timetable. " We hope that you find the subject information in the curriculum booklet helpful in making these choices. " " More detailed information on subjects can be found in the specifications, these are available on the appropriate examination boards’ websites: " " "www.wjec.co.uk" "www.aqa.org.uk" "www.ocr.org.uk" ! Senior School "! GCSE Results 2013 " A* / A Grades: 62.3% A*-C Grades: 95.7% These excellent results include several students with 10 A* grades and 10 A*/A grades. Dr Neville (Head & Principal St John's College) commented: "Students, staff and parents are absolutely thrilled with these outstanding results combined with top A level results in The Times last week. They are all "to be warmly congratulated." " "Beyond the classroom Besides the exciting sports programme, there is also ample opportunity for drama, performance and public speaking. The most recent Senior School drama production, Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, was performed with panache, musicality and professionalism that could have graced any West End Stage. Pupils enjoy regular public speaking coaching and have recently represented Wales at the ESU Public Speaking Final in London and at the Rotary Youth Speaks Regional Final. Careers activities days are provided throughout the year in collaboration with Careers Wales, enabling pupils to demonstrate creativity, communication, problem solving and team work to design outfits from raw materials. The annual options evening allows students to research the subjects in which they have a keen interest. The College also offers an extensive and varied programme of external educational visits, including the annual History trip to the battlefields of the First World War and Biology field trips to the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Weekly clubs such as Young Engineers, Chess Club and the History Department’s Debating & Public Speaking Society have had outstanding success in national and international competitions, as have our mathematics students. The annual Middle School Eisteddfod celebrates the talents and efforts of pupils across a host of disciplines, and allows our pupils to explore their Welsh heritage in the context of this national festival. The elected School Council gives pupils the chance to "influence decision-making and campaign on issues that are important to the school community. " " " " " " " " " " ! English Language "! Examining Board: WJEC Summary of Assessment: Unit 1: Written Paper (30%) Unit 2: Written Paper (30%) Unit 3: Controlled Assessment (20%) Unit 4: Controlled Assessment (20%) " R14 pupils follow a course designed to prepare them for the rigours of the new GCSE specifications which pupils taking GCSEs in English will study. For example, creative writing is studied in R14 then used for a Controlled Assessment in R15. " All pupils will take GCSE English Language and many will also take GCSE English Literature as a separate subject. " " For English Language, candidates will be assessed by means of two one-hour written papers (Units 1 and 2) "in R15 or R16: " •Unit 1 tests understanding of a prose text by a major writer and tests imaginative writing skills. •Unit 2 tests transactional and discursive writing through an extended task such as writing letters, articles, leaflets or reviews. It also tests reading of media texts. " Assessment also takes place through two controlled assessments (Units 3 and 4). Controlled assessments are, in effect, timed coursework pieces written in school only, under supervision, following preparation in "class and at home. •Unit 3 comprises two assignments to be completed by the end of R16. One involves the study of " instructional, explanatory or persuasive writing. The other is a writing task set by the WJEC. •Unit 4 involves completing a range of speaking and listening tasks, covering a presentation or talk " (formal or informal) and a group discussion with a community or workplace focus. " Within lessons drama techniques are drawn on to improve empathy and hone speaking and listening skills. Activities such as role play provide a unique way to explore character and theme in texts whilst enhancing "pupil confidence and team work skills. " " " ! English Literature "! Examining Board: WJEC Summary of Assessment: Unit 1: 2 hour written paper (35%) Unit 2: 2 hour written paper (40%) Unit 3: Controlled Assessment (25%) " This specification is based on the conviction that the study of literature should centre on an informed personal response to a range of texts in the genres of prose, poetry and drama. " "For English Literature, results are also achieved through both controlled assessment and examination: •Unit 1 (35% of the marks) is an examination available from R15 that focuses on prose from different cultures and on unseen poetry comparison. " •Unit 2 (40% of the marks) is an examination available only in R16 which tests knowledge of either British Drama Heritage and Contemporary Prose or Contemporary "Drama and British Prose Heritage. " •Finally, Unit 3 (the remaining 25% of marks) is the controlled assessment element, testing on a range of pre-selected poetry and on a Shakespeare play – all to be completed in R16. Assessment for GCSE English Literature is tiered, i.e. externally assessed components/units are targeted at the grade ranges of A*-D (Higher Tier) and C-G (Foundation Tier), while controlled assessments cater for the full range of ability. Questions and tasks will be designed to enable candidates to demonstrate what they "know, understand and can do. " " " " " " " ! Mathematics (linear) "! Examining Board: WJEC Summary of Assessment: Paper 1 (non-calculator) - Foundation/Higher tier (50%) Paper 2 (calculator) - Foundation/Higher tier (50%) Mathematics is a compulsory, core subject. A qualification in Mathematics is required by most employers and is often required for entry into higher education. It is, therefore, very important that pupils work hard to achieve the best GCSE grade possible. Maths from R14 builds upon the work "covered in R12 and R13. We follow the Linear Mathematics course, which means that pupils sit the GCSE examinations at the end of the course in R16. There are two papers, a non-calculator paper and a paper where the "use of a calculator is expected. There are no Controlled Assessments in Mathematics. What will be studied? - Number - Algebra "- Geometry and Measure - Statistics " Homework This is set twice a week. This is usually written work or may be on-line homework from MyMaths.co.uk. By the time pupils get to R16, homework usually takes the form of working "through past GCSE papers. Assessment Higher Tier: Grades A* - D "Foundation: Grades C - G "Most pupils will sit the Higher Tier examination. Full details of the syllabus can be obtained from the WJEC website. Extra Curricular Activities Those who enjoy Maths, and have an aptitude for it, may wish to take part in one or more of the "following. • Intermediate Mathematical Challenge, organised by the UK Mathematics Trust. • Royal Institution Master Classes at the University of Glamorgan on Saturday mornings in January and February • Under 17 Maths Pop Quiz held annually at the University of Glamorgan • " Fortnightly Maths Puzzle Everyone will be encouraged to improve mental skills by continuing to participate in World Maths Day "(March). ! Science ! "Examining Board: WJEC Pupils in R14, R15, R16 study WJEC Biology, Chemistry and Physics leading to GCSEs in Science and Additional Science. Depending upon ability, pupils can also be entered for an extra qualification in Separate Science. Pupils are timetabled three 55- minute lessons each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics per week. The text book series ‘Biology, Chemistry or Physics for You’ are "used in each Science. All of the courses are modular which enables pupils to sit external examinations throughout R15 and R16. All external modules are tiered, foundation or higher. No coursework is undertaken by pupils, instead throughout the course pupils sit externally set, practical examinations during lesson times which are marked internally by staff. These Controlled Assessments have a 25% "weighting towards their final GCSE grades. "Summary of Assessment The units comprising the assessment are summarised in the table below plus their weighting (in brackets) as a percentage of each "qualification. Quali&ication External Units (% weighting) Biology Chemistry Physics Internal Science A Biology 1 (25%) Chemistry 1 Physics 1 (25%) Internal 1 (B+C+P) (25%) 25% Additional Science Biology 2 (25%) Chemistry 2 Physics 2 (25%) Internal 2 (B+C+P) (25%) 25% Biology 3 (25%) Chemistry 3 Physics 3 (25%) (25%) Internal Biology Internal Chemistry Internal Physics " (25%) (25%) (25%) GCSE Science A involves 3 units, externally assessed written exam plus an internally assessed, untiered controlled assessment, "covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This qualification is ‘cashed-in’ in June of R15 for pupils not taking Separate Sciences. GCSE Additional Science involves another 3 units, externally assessed written exam, plus internal controlled assessment, as "above. GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics each consist of the relevant subject units from the GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science qualifications plus a further unit for each Separate Science, externally assessed. There is also an internally assessed "controlled assessment for each of the GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics subjects. External Assessment • Units with the same title (e.g.