Key Stage 4 Options booklet 2017 by Charters School

Charters Year 9 Options 2017 A Guide for Students and Parents ‘Unity, Respect, Excellence’

Options Timetable

Introduction The time has arrived for you to decide which subjects you will study over the next two years for your Key Stage 4 curriculum. Your decision is a very important one as it will affect:   

Your progress over the next two years Your choices for further study at the end of these two years Your prospects for employment

This booklet is designed to help you make these decisions so it is important that you study it carefully and discuss your thoughts with parents/carers, teachers and your tutor. In it you will find details of all the courses that are available at Charters, some are compulsory and others are optional. As a school we firmly believe in studying the correct courses to suit your needs and to support your future aspirations. Along with recommendations from teachers and the data we have analysed, we have designed 4 pathways for you. You will be recommended to select your options based on these pathways and we would advise that you consider these carefully before making decisions. ADVICE ON CHOOSING COURSES This is an exciting opportunity for you to choose courses which you enjoy and which suit your interests, skills and future career ambitions. In order to make the best of your opportunities please consider your answers to these questions.      

What What What What What What

are the subjects you want to do? is your progress like in these subjects? Will you be successful? will your choices lead to in the sixth form, college or employment? is available after the sixth form or college? career do you want? are your skills?

When making your choices: DO

DON’T

Talk to parents/carers, tutors and subject teachers about courses and your capacity to be successful.

Choose a subject because your friend is doing it. This is about your future and it shouldn’t be based on anything other than your dreams and aspirations. Choose a subject because you like a particular teacher.

Read the subject details in this booklet carefully and ask if you need more information. Opt for a balanced choice of subjects to keep your future options open. Be realistic about your ability – do not choose subjects you may find too hard.

Avoid a subject because of your experiences of being taught by a particular teacher. Be misled by the title of a subject into thinking you need it for a career.

In general, select subjects that you enjoy, give you a broad and balanced experience, support your career plans (if you have them) and that you are successful in.

Frequently Asked Questions What are the different types of qualification? Qualifications are assessed at many different levels and the 3 levels for secondary school are as detailed below: Level 1 – GCSE grades 1 – 4; BTEC/VCert/Cambridge National grade: Pass Level 2 – GCSE grades 5 - 9 ; BTEC/VCert/Cambridge National grade: Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* Level 3 – post 16 qualifications including A levels and Level 3 BTECs, VCerts, Cambridge Nationals GCSE Qualifications GCSE stands for ‘General Certificate of Secondary Education’. These are academic qualifications that are recognised and valued by schools, colleges, employers and universities so they will be useful whatever you are planning to do in the future. GCSE courses involve studying the theory of a subject and usually include some investigation work. Some may involve practical work. Some subjects have ‘tiers’ of entry (Higher and foundation) to support students studying at different levels of ability. Vocational Qualifications Vocational qualifications are work related qualifications that provide a more practical, real-world approach to learning alongside a key theoretical background. They can be studied alongside GCSEs and A levels and are widely valued by schools, colleges, universities and employers. Progress is measured throughout the course via the completion of units. Each course is made up of a number of units depending on the level and size of course being studied. Students are able to track their progress across the two years. Approximately 25% of the course will be assessed externally although this varies for different subjects. We offer 3 types of vocational qualifications:   

BTEC Cambridge National Technical Award

Frequently Asked Questions Changes to the Grading System (this applies to the majority of subjects but not all) The grading system for GCSE has also changed. Grades will now be given as a level grade rather than a letter grade. These are not the same as the number levels you have been used to at KS3. The diagram below gives some indication of how they correspond to the old GCSE letter grades to help you understand. It is important to note that GCSEs in general have been made tougher and hence the grade changes reflect this.

Grade 9: top A* performers; about half of the 6.8% who got an A* this year are likely to get it. Grade 7: equivalent to a current A grade pass. Grade 5: international benchmark. Pitched at two thirds of a grade above the current C pass. Grade 4: equivalent to a current C grade pass. Grade 1: equivalent to current grade F and G passes. The bottom of grade 1 will be aligned with the bottom of grade G. It is anticipated that a ‘Good’ pass will be a ‘5’.

Equivalency of grades What is the core curriculum? The core curriculum is a selection of subjects that every student in the school will study. It has been designed to ensure that you will have a broad and balanced education at Key Stage 4. It will allow you to maintain a wide choice of future pathways at the age of 16. The core curriculum consists of:      

GCSE Mathematics GCSE English GCSE Science (Double Award – 2 GCSEs) PE Citizenship+ (not examined) PSHE (not examined)

Please note that all PE courses will be chosen separately to this process in April 2017, but information about the possible options are contained within this book.

Learning Pathways An Introduction to the KS4 Learning Pathways As a school we are determined to provide a balanced and broad curriculum that meets the needs of individual students and to that end we have devised 4 curriculum pathways that will guide and support you to choose the correct courses that will bring you the most success and satisfaction. We have grouped our subjects to try to support your choices with a view that you would select one from each group where possible. GLOBAL

TECHNICAL

AESTHETIC

Business

Child Development

Art, Craft & Design

French

Computer Science

Drama

Geography

Creative Studies: Craft

Fashion and Textiles

History

Food and Hygiene

Music

Religious Studies

Food Preparation and Nutrition

Music Technology

Spanish

Graphic Products

Performing Arts (Acting)

Travel and Tourism

ICT

Photography

Resistant Materials Triple Science In the table on page 8 you will see the four pathways that we have designed for our options programme. Each pathway is designed to meet your needs and you will have a sticker on the front of this options book which gives you our recommended pathway. The GLOBAL 4 PATHWAY is designed to support those of you who will study double science and will select 4 options. The GLOBAL 3 PATHWAY is designed to support those of you who will study double science and who will select 3 options. Students following this pathway will be given extra time in English, Mathematics and Science. The TRIPLE SCIENCE PATHWAY is designed for those students who have been identified as potential triple scientists and are at this stage aspiring to study science at KS5. You will then have free choice in your other 3 options. Being identified as the triple science pathway means that you have the potential to study triple science. However, we do understand that you may not wish to do triple science. If this is the case then please follow the Global 4 pathway instead. It is possible to continue studying science beyond GCSE if you follow the double science option. The TECHNICAL PATHWAY has been designed specifically for those of you who would benefit from a curriculum that gives you more time to study fewer subjects in a practical hands on way, with fewer external examinations, thus maximising your potential in these subjects and giving you the best outcome at the end of two years. You will have more time allocated to English and Mathematics and will have more lessons in your technical option. You will be required to select three options with at least one technical course from a specified list.

CHOICE 4

CHOICE 3

CHOICE 2

CHOICE 1

Core Qualifications

Core Non-qualifications

Preferably one from the technical subjects

Free Choice Additional English, Mathematics and Science

Preferably one from the aesthetic subjects

Free Choice

Preferably one from the aesthetic subjects

Preferably one from the global subjects

Free Choice

Preferably one from the global subjects

History, Geography, French, Spanish, Computer Science

Choose one of:

History, Geography, French, Spanish, Computer Science

Choose one of:

award

 GCSE Science Double

award

 GCSE Mathematics

Literature

 GCSE English Language &

Literature

 Citizenship+ PSHE

GLOBAL 3

 Citizenship+ PSHE

GLOBAL 4

Preferably one from the technical subjects

Free Choice

Preferably one from the aesthetic subjects

Free Choice

Preferably one from the global subjects

Free Choice

Triple Science

 GCSE Science Triple award

 GCSE Mathematics

Literature

 GCSE English Language &

 Citizenship+ PSHE

TRIPLE SCIENCE

Additional time given to English, Mathematics, Science and Choice 1

Free Choice

Creative Studies: Craft, Food and Hygiene, Travel and Tourism, Child Development

Choose one of:

award

 GCSE Science Double

 GCSE Mathematics

potentially Literature

 GCSE English Language &

 Citizenship+ PSHE

TECHNICAL

Learning Pathways—The Four Pathways

What is the English Baccalaureate (EBacc)? The English Baccalaureate is not a qualification in itself. It is a measure which recognises students’ achievements across a core of selected academic subjects: · · · · ·

English Mathematics Two Sciences (one of which can be Computer Science) History or Geography A Foreign Language

Why has the government chosen these subjects for the English Baccalaureate? The subjects the government has included are designed to ensure that all students have the opportunity to study a broad core of subjects, ensuring that doors are not closed off to them in terms of future progression to certain universities. The Russell Group* guide on making informed choices for post -16 education identifies ‘facilitating subjects’ at A-Level. These are subjects most likely to be required or preferred for entry to certain degree courses and ones that will keep the most options open. Some of the subjects they identify are those included in the English Baccalaureate – Mathematics, English, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, History and Languages (classical and modern).

Who do I contact? The first point of contact for you or your parents/carers is your tutor. They know you well and will be able to advise you. You should also plan key questions to ask at options evening. If your parents wish to discuss anything in more detail having already consulted with your tutor or class teachers then they need to put it in writing to Mr Walker or Mrs Hill.

*The Russell Group of Universities is a group of universities that have a shared focus on research and a reputation for academic achievement.

Assessment Overview Every course is assessed through a mixture of examination and controlled assessment. Controlled assessments are tasks completed under a teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supervision. Examinations cannot be avoided but, when selecting options, students should consider which mixture of assessment would be most suitable. Subject

Exam Board

Percentage Examination

Percentage Controlled Assessment or Coursework

Art, Craft and Design

Edexcel

Business

Pearson

Certificate in Creative Studies: Craft

NCFE

Child Development

OCR

Computer Science

OCR

Drama

WJEC

English Language

AQA

100

English Literature

AQA

100

Fashion and Textiles

AQA

Food and Hygiene

NCFE

Food Preparation and Nutrition

OCR

French

Edexcel

100

Geography

Edexcel

100

Graphic Products

Edexcel

History

AQA

100

ICT

OCR

Travel and Tourism

AQA

Mathematics

Edexcel

100

Music

Edexcel

NCFE

Edexcel

100

AQA

Physical Education

Edexcel

Religious Studies

Edexcel

100

Resistant Materials

Edexcel

Science

AQA

100

Spanish

Edexcel

100

Sport

Edexcel

Citizenship+ and PSHE

Music Technology Performing Arts (Acting) Photography

Compulsory Subjects     

English Maths Science Physical Education Citizenship Plus and PSHE

English Language What will you study during the course? The new GCSE English course is exciting and varied, allowing us to incorporate a wider variety of literature, stories, non-fiction and poetry than ever before. The new course is designed to be accessible and engaging for all students. The new course will equip you with all the skills you need to progress to sixth form, university and the world of work. While nurturing a love of creativity and literature, the course will also develop your critical thinking and analytical skills. How will the course be taught? You will be placed in sets at the end of Year 9 based on your prior performance and teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; professional recommendations. All students will have the opportunity to change set up to three times during their GCSE course depending on their level of progress during years 10 and 11. Students who already receive additional support in years 7-9 and those who teachers believe would prosper from greater focus in their lessons will be given additional English lessons in their timetable, and will only complete one GCSE at the end of Year 11.

How will your work be assessed? You will sit 2 papers at the end of Year 11, each 1 hour 45 minutes long. Each paper consists of a reading and a writing section. The reading sections are based on real texts by authors from periods spanning the 19th-21st centuries. The writing sections focus on your ability to write in different forms and for different audiences. Both papers are equally weighted and count for 50% of your GCSE. There is also a spoken language qualification which requires you to complete a presentation to your class and answer questions. Where can it lead? In order to continue on to an A-Level at Charters, you will need to achieve a grade level 7 if you wish to study the English Literature course, or a grade level 6 to study the Language and Literature A-Level. If you do not achieve a minimum of a grade level 5, you will have to re-sit your English GCSE as you continue with your further education.

English Literature What will you study during the course? The English Literature course allows you to study a wide variety of set texts from different periods. All Literature courses include the following: Shakespeare, a 19th Century novel, a Modern dramatic or prose text, and a wide variety of poetry. You will have the opportunity to study the texts closely and explore literary and historical contexts. You will also be expected to explore audience and reader responses to a variety of texts.

How will the course be taught? You will be placed in sets at the end of Year 9 based on your prior performance and teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; professional recommendations. All students will have the opportunity to change set up to three times during their GCSE course depending on their level of progress during years 10 and 11. Students who already receive additional support in years 7-9 and those who teachers believe would prosper from greater focus in their lessons will be given additional English lessons in their timetable, and will only complete one GCSE at the end of Year 11.

How will your work be assessed? You will sit 2 papers at the end of Year 11, one of 1 hour 45 minutes and one lasting 2 hours 15 minutes. Each paper consists of two parts so that half of each paper is dedicated to each text studied throughout the 2-year course. The shorter paper is worth 40% of your Literature GCSE and the longer is worth 60%.

Where can it lead? In order to continue on to an A-Level at Charters, you will need to achieve a grade level 7 if you wish to study the English Literature course, or a grade level 6 to study the Language and Literature A-Level.

Mathematics What will you study during the course? In 2015, there were major reforms to the structure and assessment in GCSE Mathematics, to be first assessed in summer 2017. The focus is on how you use Mathematics to solve real world problems and apply your knowledge in a variety of contexts. You need to be an independent learner and you will need to develop your skills of inquiry and perseverance, in order to be successful. The following table outlines the course content and how assessment will take place.

How will the course be taught? You will be placed into sets very carefully depending upon the grade you are targeting. All work will be geared to your level of learning to enable you to fulfill your potential and get the best grade possible. Your performance, progress and attitude to learning will all factor in our setting decisions.

How will your work be assessed? You will sit three examination papers, one non-calculator and two calculator. Each paper is equal time and evenly weighted. Scores from all three papers are combined and converted into a final grade. You will sit these exams in the summer of year 11. You will either sit the Higher or Foundation tier. On the Higher paper, you can achieve grades 9-4 and on the Foundation paper, grades 5-1. A final decision about tier of entry for each student will be made in Year 11.

Where can it lead? Most sixth form/colleges are still deciding on entry requirements for A level so it is important that you check the entry requirements carefully when you get to planning your post 16 studies. Some will require you to sit an entrance exam. If you do not achieve a minimum of a grade 4/5, you will have to re-sit your Mathematics GCSE, as you continue with your further education.

Combined Science 

Every student will study a science course. Most will study Combined Science. Combined Science will give you two GCSEs at the end of the course.



If you would like to take Triple Science, please see the Triple Science information in the technical section of the options booklet.

What will you study during the course? The emphasis is on learning through practical work. In fact, there are required practicals that are set by the exam board, however, here at Charters we believe in doing much more than the minimum requirement to enhance students’ learning and enjoyment of the subject. In Biology, students will discover how cells and the human body operate and how living organisms interact with the environment. In Chemistry, students will discover how chemistry has developed over time and investigate the importance of chemical reactions. In Physics, students will discover how the physical world is influences by forces, energy, waves and magnetism. How will the course be taught? 9 lessons per fortnight with three specialist teachers. How will the work be assessed? There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. All papers are 1 hour 15 minutes and are each worth 16.7% of the GCSE grade The questions are a mixture of multiple choice, closed short answer, and open response. Where can it lead? The scientific method fosters thinking skills. Science feeds a love of learning, opens doors to many disciplines and prepares students for a variety of future careers. Students who choose Combined Science can still go on to study A level Science.

Physical Education What will you study during the course? Component 1- Applied anatomy and physiology (structure and function of the muscular, skeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory system, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, the short and long term effects of exercise), movement analysis (lever systems, planes and axis of movement), and physical training (relationships between health and fitness, components of fitness, principles of training, how to prevent injuries and effective use of warm up and cool downs). Component 2- Health, fitness and wellbeing (physical, social and emotional health, sedentary lifestyle consequences, diet, nutrition and hydration) sport psychology (classification of skills, SMART targets, feedback on performance and mental preparation) and socio-cultural influences (commercialisation of sport, ethical issues within sport). Component 3- Practical Performance - Skills during individual activities, skills during team activities. Component 4- Evaluating and analysing of personal exercise plans, preparing and completing a personal exercise plan. How will the course be taught? In ability groupings within their timetabled cohort, students will be set theoretically and practically. There will be two lessons of practical PE per fortnight and 3 theory lessons per fortnight. How will your work be assessed? Component 1- 36% of the qualification. A 90 mark exam paper lasting 1 hour and 45 minutes. Component 2- 24% of the qualification. A 70 mark exam paper lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes. Components 1 & 2 are assessed May/June of 2018 Component 3- 30% of the qualification. The assessment consists of students completing three practical activities from a set list. One must be a team activity, one must be an individual activity and the final can be a choice from the activity list. Students can be given a mark for each practical activity at any point in the two year course, however they will be moderated by an external moderator in March/April 2018. Students will be required to demonstrate skills in an isolated/unopposed situation and demonstrate their skills in competitive situations while under pressure. Component 4- 10% of the qualification. The assessment consists of students producing a Personal Exercise Plan (PEP) and analysing and evaluating their performance. The areas covered are aim and planning analysis, carrying out and monitoring their PEP, evaluation of data and programme. The PEP must be submitted either in written (1500 words) or verbal (15 minutes). This is due to be assessed in the Autumn term of year 11. Where can it lead? GCSE PE can lead to a variety of jobs and roles within the community. Such jobs could be a personal trainer, army recruitment, sports coach, sports official, sports development officer, teacher, sports scientist, sports medicine. Taking part in GCSE PE will also lead to students having an understanding and ability to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.

Sport This is a vocational course and is equivalent to one GCSE.

What will you study during the course? During the course, you will study two compulsory units:  

Fitness for Sport & Exercise Practical Sports Performance

And a further two specialist units that we will select. These are yet to be decided, but may include: Leading Sports Activities and Training for Personal Fitness.

How will the course be taught? A variety of approaches will be used. There will be some formal teaching, but there will also be lots of opportunities for you to work in groups, carry out individual research and to participate in a practical environment.

How will your work be assessed? Each student will produce 3 - 4 major pieces of coursework, or portfolios, on 3 of the units listed above. The majority of the course, 75% is internally assessed. An important aspect to consider is that one of the core units is externally assessed online in the form of an examination. Each piece of coursework completed will be graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Where can it lead? This is a vocational course and provides an excellent preparation for any career. There are also many opportunities open to you for further study including BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and Diploma in Sport, ‘A’ Level Physical Education, NVQ in Activity Leadership.

Young Apprenticeship in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching The Young Apprenticeship requires students to make an application in writing explaining why they wish to become a Young Apprentice. This will be followed by a formal interview for shortlisted candidates. It is important to realise that there are a maximum of 20 places that are available on the Young Apprenticeship Programme. What will you study during the course? The course is based on the BTEC Level 2 First Award in Sport, which is a vocational course and is equivalent to 1 GCSE grade A*-C. You have the opportunity to gain a BTEC qualification whilst at the same time combining study for GCSE PE. There are also opportunities to gain additional National Governing Body (NGB) qualifications and qualifications such as First Aid, Level 2 Gym Instructor Award, and Level 2 Health Related Activity Award. How will the course be taught? As with the BTEC First Award, a variety of approaches will be used. There will be some formal teaching, but there will also be lots of opportunities for you to work in groups, carry out individual research and to participate in a practical environment. Additional time for study is made on Fridays from 3.15 to 4.45pm with some INSET Days and some half terms in Year 10 spent acquiring the additional qualifications mentioned or at Tirabad! The course is not for the faint hearted! This is a course for students who have a clear commitment to sport as a likely career path. It is for students who:    

Can demonstrate a commitment to school. Have a passion for sport and leisure activities. Enjoy learning in a practical setting. Have the ability to cope with challenges of extended work placements.

How will your work be assessed? As with the BTEC Sport course each student will produce 3 - 4 major pieces of coursework, or portfolios, on 3 of the units listed above. The majority of the course, 75% is internally assessed. An important aspect to consider is that one of the core units is externally assessed online in the form of an examination. Each piece of coursework completed will be graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction. The NGB and additional qualifications are assessed in a number of ways but will undoubtedly involve practical demonstrations and leadership in a number of cases. There will also be a certain amount of written work required for each qualification to show evidence which maybe in the form of a logbook or other document. Where can it lead? This is a vocational course and provides an excellent preparation for any career. The additional qualifications specific to the sport and leisure industry provide an excellent base from which students could follow a career in sport. There are also many opportunities open to you for further study including, BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and Diploma in Sport, ‘A’ Level Physical Education, NVQ in Activity Leadership.

Citizenship Plus and PSHE All Year 10 students will study CZ+ This non–assessed course is taught over one lesson per fortnight and will cover key elements of:   

Religious Studies Citizenship Careers

This exciting programme will allow students to discuss and learn about a wide variety of topics which affect them in the twenty first century. Lessons will include discussion about controversial issues and will be vital in developing the transferable skills of empathy, debate and respect for others. The topics will include: Power, Politics and the Media

Drugs and Alcohol

Identities and Diversity, Living together in the UK

Global Citizenship issues

Relationships

Rights and Responsibilities

Money, Finance and Careers

Peace and Conflict

Crime and Punishment

Environment and Medical issues

In addition to this, all students will study one PSHE lesson (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) per fortnight which is designed to ‘help young people grow and develop as individuals and as members of families and social and economic communities’. This non-assessed course will include the following topics:     

Healthy Relationships and Sex Education Drugs Education Body Image Personal Identities Mental Health

Option Subjects: GLOBAL

Business What will you study during the course? Unit 1 Enterprise in the Business World (Internally assessed) This unit will develop your understanding of a whole range of factors affecting business for example, taxation, interest rates and the state of the economy. You will learn about business ownership, the aims and objectives of business as well as all the stakeholders of a business. In the final part of this unit, you will produce a business plan for a new business idea of your own. Unit 2 Finance for Business (Externally assessed) This unit begins to develop your understanding of the financial issues involved in business such as costs, how businesses make a profit, break-even analysis, cash flow forecasting, the profit and loss account and the balance sheet. You will have an examination in this unit. Unit 3 Promoting a Brand (Internally assessed) This unit will develop your understanding of how businesses brand and promote their products. You will also develop your own branded product and produce marketing material that will persuade your target market to buy the product. Unit 8 Recruitment, Selection and Employment (Internally assessed) In this unit, you will look at the organisational structure of businesses, functional areas and job roles within those areas. You will also look at the documents used for an interview such as a CV and letter of application. How will the course be taught? A variety of approaches will be used. There will be formal teaching, but there will also be lots of opportunities for you to work individually and in groups to carry out research. You will use computers to produce coursework and use software packages such as Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint. How will your work be assessed? Each student will be required to produce three major pieces of coursework on the three internally assessed units; Units 1, 3 and 8. These units will be assessed by your teacher. Unit 2 will be externally assessed by an examination. Each coursework (as well as Unit 2) will be graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction. The marks from each unit will be aggregated and your final grade will either be a Pass (C), Merit (B), Distinction (A) or Distinction* (A*). The GCSE equivalence is shown in the brackets. Where can it lead? This is a vocational course and provides an excellent preparation for a career in business. There are many opportunities open to you for further study including BTEC Level 3 National in Business, ‘A’ Level Business Studies and ‘A’ Level Economics.

French What will you study during the course? French grammar, vocabulary and structures in GCSE Contexts. Themes  Identity and culture  Local area, holiday, travel  School  Future aspirations, study and work  International and global dimension Skills You will:  develop your ability to use French effectively for communicating in “real life” situations  increase your understanding and awareness of France, its people and their way of life  form a sound base of the skills required for further study, work and leisure  develop an awareness and understanding of the nature of language learning How will the course be taught?  We build on the topics already studied at Key Stage 3 and the themes listed above  We have 5 timetabled lessons a fortnight. This includes one session in M5 to work independently  We use the interactive packages ActiveTeach and ActiveLearn, with the student textbook and a student workbook. You will also be given a Charters GCSE study guide  You will be given the opportunity to participate in a week's homestay visit with tailor-made lessons in France in the summer term of Year 10 How will your work be assessed? You will be tested regularly on vocabulary and grammar and there will be internal assessments in preparation for the GCSE. For the final examinations at the end of Year 11, students are entered for either Foundation or Higher tiers in all four of the following papers. Paper 1: Listening (25% of final GCSE) You will need to respond to questions in both English and French. Paper 2: Speaking (25% of final GCSE) There are three elements to the speaking exam:  Role play  Picture stimulus  Conversation Paper 3: Reading (25% of final GCSE) You will need to respond to questions in both English and French and will be required to translate a French text into English. Paper 4: Writing (25% of final GCSE) You will be asked to produce written work of increasing complexity over the course of the paper. This will include an extended piece of structured writing and the translation of an English text into French. Where can it lead? Speaking another language is a skill and complements all subjects. There are many job opportunities where languages can be used, such as: Marketing; Law; Banking; Publishing; Translating; Journalism; Fashion; Teaching; Sales; Telecommunications; Public Relations; Engineering; Tour Operators; Tourism; Manufacturing. Increasingly, universities are requesting a GCSE in a Modern Foreign Language as a facilitating subject.

Geography What will you study during the course? There are three components that make up the Geography course.

Component One: Global Geographical Issues  Hazardous Earth: The world’s climate system; extreme weather events; tectonic hazards  Development Dynamics: The study of global inequality and a case study of India as an emerging country  Challenges of an Urbanising World: The causes and challenges of rapid urbanisation and a case study of one named megacity from an emerging or developing country, such as Mumbai

Component Two: UK Geographical Issues  The UK’s evolving physical landscape- an overview of the physical landscapes in the UK including the study of coastal change and conflict and river processes and pressures  The UK’s evolving human landscape: an overview of the changing human landscape of the UK and a case study of one named city in the UK  Geographical investigations: This is fieldwork— one physical and one human investigation

Component Three: People and Environment Issues - Making Geographical Decisions  People and the biosphere: a study of the global distribution and characteristics of large-scale ecosystems

 Forests under threat: studies of the tropical rainforests and the taiga  Consuming energy resources: a study of renewable and non-renewable energy How will the course be taught? Geography is very practical with opportunities to learn new skills such as modern computer based mapping (called GIS), map skills, interpreting photographs, fieldwork skills, presenting, role play and debating techniques. Students will improve their literacy through report writing and written work and make practical use of numeracy skills when they interpret data and construct graphs. How will your work be assessed? Component

Assessment

Proportion of total marks

Global Geographical Issues

1 hour and 30 minutes written external examination with short answers and extended writing.

37.5%

UK Geographical Issues

Ditto

37.5%

People and Environment Issues – Ditto Making Geographical Decisions

25%

Where can it lead? Geography could lead to exciting career prospects - geography achieves good examination results nationally and is one of the most versatile subjects. Geography is classified as a science subject in many universities when studied at A Level, again proving its versatility. Careers linked to environment and sustainability includes environmental engineers, pollution analyst, forestry managers. The business world is also full of geographers; financial risk assessors, logistics managers, retail, lawyers – the possibility are really endless.

History What will you study during the course? The GCSE history specification is broken into two distinct parts. The first section is based around ‘Understanding the Modern World’ and brings to life an in depth understanding of America during the inter-war period as well as looking at the struggle for Civil Rights up to the 1970s. Alongside this the paper examines the failure of the peacemakers after World War One and the build up to World War Two during the period 1919-1939. The second section is devoted to ‘Shaping the nation’ of Britain. It looks at a thematic study of medicine through time and the major advances in health that have taken place. This is combined with an in-depth investigation into Elizabethan England and in particular understanding the major political, social and international events that characterised the last 35 years of her reign. This second element also incorporates the study of a specific historical environment. In this respect the GCSE history course offers a broad chronological understanding of past, as well as providing students with a valuable insight into Britain and the wider world. How will the course be taught? The course is taught through a variety of teaching activities. Discussion work, project work, role play and media sources such as film clips from You Tube and DVD, support the more traditional approaches to the subject through source work and essay writing. How will your work be assessed? Paper 1 Written Examination: 1 hour 45 minutes (80 marks) Section A – six compulsory questions Section B – four compulsory questions Paper 2 Written Examination: 1 hour 45 minutes (80 marks) Section A – five compulsory questions Section B – four compulsory questions Additional marks are awarded for spelling, punctuation, grammar and specialist terminology. Both units are completed at the end of Year 11. Where can it lead? History is recognised as one of the more highly regarded subjects for Colleges, Universities and beyond. Studying this subject gives you an insight into the past and an understanding of the current world in which we live. Students will gain essential background knowledge to today’s current affairs as well as a broader understanding of the how this nation’s past has been forged. Students are encouraged to become independent learners, producing ICT presentations and working in groups, whilst also being taught through a variety of activities. Students will have the opportunity to see the historic environment in which we live and how this informs British culture. Universities view History very favourably during the Admissions process. Employers value the study of History very highly. Careers related to History include: Finance; Law; Journalism; Police; Politics; Media; Public Relations; Advertising and Marketing.

Religious Studies What is Religious Studies about? This exciting and interesting course addresses a variety of topics and issues relevant to society today. Skills such as critical thinking, evaluation, understanding and empathy are developed during the course. Both religious and non-religious ideas are explored and you will learn to form and express your own opinions whilst evaluating the views of others.

What will you study during the course?

The specification integrates the study of two religions (e.g. Christianity and Islam) with the study of themes in philosophical and ethical studies in the modern world. The topics we will be exploring will likely include:

Ethics, Peace and Conflict, Philosophy and Social Justice. These include the study of belief in God, marriage and the Family, Crime and Punishment, Religious Experience, Living the Religious Life, Peace and Conflict, Matters of Life and Death, Equality. Religious Studies is not about making you ‘religious’, it is about enabling you to think for yourself about religious, moral and philosophical issues.

How will the course be taught? We use a variety of tasks and activities including written reports, exam style practice, group work, presentations, video clips, discussions about different moral and religious issues, talks from guest speakers. Trips.

How will your work be assessed?

This is a two year GCSE course assessed by two written examinations each worth 50% taken at the end of Year 11.

Where can it lead? Religious Studies is a highly regarded academic subject and it is an excellent preparation for A levels and University as well as the workplace as it helps students develop marketable skills and aptitudes including:      

analytical and strategic thinking, research skills, critical judgement; the ability to work with abstract, conceptual ideas; an ability to 'understand both sides' and negotiate and resolve conflict; problem-solving skills, leadership skills; understanding of the impact of conflicting ideologies; and an appreciation of human diversity, belief systems, cultural and spiritual experiences.

These skills are particularly useful for future careers in law, education, politics, medicine, or the media. Religious Studies is an interesting, highly versatile subject that is an excellent preparation for any career.

Spanish What will you study during the course? Spanish grammar, vocabulary and structures in GCSE Contexts Themes  Identity and culture  Local area, holiday, travel  School  Future aspirations, study and work  International and global dimension Skills You will: develop your ability to use Spanish effectively for communicating in “real life” situations increase your understanding and awareness of Spain, Spanish culture and Spanish traditions form a sound base of the skills required for further study, work and leisure develop an awareness and understanding of the nature of language learning

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How will the course be taught?  We build on the topics studied at Key Stage 3 and cover the themes listed above  We have 5 timetabled lessons a fortnight. This includes one session in M5 to work independently  We use the interactive packages ActiveTeach and ActiveLearn, with the student textbook and a student workbook. You will also be given a Charters GCSE study guide  You will be given the opportunity to participate in a week's homestay visit with tailor-made lessons in Spain in the summer term of Year 10. How will your work be assessed? You will be tested regularly on vocabulary and grammar and there will be internal assessments in preparation for the GCSE. For the final examinations at the end of Year 11, students are entered for either Foundation or Higher tiers in all four of the following papers. Paper 1: Listening (25% of final GCSE) You will need to respond to questions in both English and Spanish. Paper 2: Speaking (25% of final GCSE) There are three elements to the speaking exam: Role play Picture stimulus Conversation Paper 3: Reading (25% of final GCSE) You will need to respond to questions in both English and Spanish and will be required to translate a Spanish text into English. Paper 4: Writing (25% of final GCSE) You will be asked to produce written work of increasing complexity over the course of the paper. This will include an extended piece of structured writing and the translation of an English text into Spanish. Where can it lead? Speaking another language is a skill and complements all subjects. There are many job opportunities where languages can be used, such as: Marketing; Law; Banking; Publishing; Translating; Journalism; Fashion; Teaching; Sales; Telecommunications; Public Relations; Engineering; Tour Operators; Hotel and Catering; Manufacturing. Increasingly, universities are requesting a GCSE in a Modern Foreign Language as a facilitating subject.

Travel and Tourism What will you study during the course? The title of the course is BTEC Travel and Tourism level 2 First award. This is a vocational course but students do not have to be considering a future in this industry as the course offers a broad and balanced curriculum, with links to both business and geography. It is assessed by 75% coursework and 25% examination. Students will study the following 4 areas:    

The UK Travel and Tourism Sector UK Travel and Tourism Destinations Factors affecting Worldwide Travel and Tourism Worldwide Travel and Tourism Destinations

A combination of lesson types will contribute to the teaching of this course. Students will need to develop research and independent learning skills. They will need to become more aware of the operating of tourism attractions, particularly in the local areas. Ascot Racecourse, Virginia Water Lake and Windsor Castle are amongst the many attractions we will study. It will also be important to visit these attractions to gather information for field work. Coursework will be produced using a variety of software packages. The students will also spend time investigating and researching the travel industry. How will your work be assessed? Each student will be required to produce three major pieces of coursework on the three units; Unit 1 and the two optional units. Unit 2 will be externally assessed by a written examination. The students will use computers to produce the coursework and use software packages such as Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint. Each coursework (as well as Unit 2 which is externally assessed) will be graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction. The marks from each unit will be aggregated and your final grade will either be a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*. The GCSE equivalence is shown in the brackets. Where can it lead? Part of the course is learning about the vast range of employment opportunities in the Travel and Tourism industry. 75% of 16-25 year olds obtain a job in Travel and Tourism. The industry is one of the best in terms of the availability of entry level jobs but there are also opportunities to develop a career within the industry. Routes include Customer Service, Event management, Catering and Hospitality, Visitor Attractions and Sports & Leisure.

Option Subjects: TECHNICAL

Child Development OCR Level 2 Cambridge National Certificate in Child Development What will you study during the course? You will study the following topics: 

Parental responsibility, reproduction, antenatal care, birth, postnatal care

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Development of the child linking to physical, intellectual, emotional and social development

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Childhood illnesses

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Child safety

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Nutrition and dietary choices for growing children

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Types of play and how they influence development of the child

How will the course be taught? The course is taught through a variety of teaching activities. There are discussions linked to most topics, use of relevant programmes/films, group activities and presentations. Examination: Health and well being for Child Development 50% - 1 hour 15 minutes, 80 marks Coursework: 50% The students will complete two tasks (60 marks each) Task 1 — Understand the equipment and nutritional needs of children from birth to 5 years. Task 2 — Child study This will cover physical, intellectual and social development, linking to how a child develops through play activities. The students will need to have access to a child between the ages of one and five to observe several times over a period of 3 to 4 months.

Where can it lead? It is an ideal subject for students considering careers in primary teaching, nursery education, nursing, midwifery, working with special needs children and social care. It covers a detailed specification and has strong links with Science particularly Biology.

Computer Science What will you study during the course? Unit 1: Computer systems and programming (40%) This unit it assessed by an examination. It covers the following topics:  Systems Architecture  Memory  Storage  Wired and wireless networks  Network topologies, protocols and layers  System security  System software  Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns Unit 2: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming (40%) This unit is assessed by an examination. It covers the following topics:  Algorithms  Programming techniques  Producing robust programs  Computational logic  Translators and facilities of languages  Data representation Unit 3: Programming Project (20%) In this unit students will carry out a practical activity involving the following:  Programming techniques  Analysis  Design  Development  Testing and evaluation and conclusions How will the course be taught? The course will be taught through a mixture of whole class teaching, some group work and individual tasks. Development of skills will be taught through a number of practical activities. How will your work be assessed? Both units 1 & 2 will be assessed by a written examination (1 hour 30 minutes) worth 80 marks. The question paper will include short answer questions and essay type questions. Unit 3, worth 40 marks, is a practical programming unit. The assessment task(s) will be set by OCR. Units 1 & 2 will be externally assessed whilst Unit 3 will be internally assessed and externally moderated.

Where can it lead? It’s a great way to develop critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills, which can be transferred to further learning and to everyday life. Students who want to go on to higher study and employment in the field of computer science will find it provides a superb stepping stone.

Level 2 Certificate in Creative Studies: Craft This is an option for students on the Technical Pathway This qualification is a VCert and offers students an opportunity to study a range of crafts but also to specialise in the use of certain materials. Within the course students will be able to choose between specialising in carpentry and jewellery. This qualification aims to:  develop a broad understanding of craft  develop a significant knowledge core which spans the vocational sector  provide academic and study skills that will support progression within craft and more broadly This qualification will help learners to: use raw materials, tools and equipment in a safe and competent manner review their own work, and develop ideas and learning through the craft process develop an understanding of health and safety considerations in the craft environment develop communication skills through a range of media

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What will I study? You will learn: to identify hazards and risks and apply safe working practices skills in planning skills in the use of craft materials social and moral skills, with an emphasis on environment and sustainable issues how to combine skills with knowledge and understanding to design quality products development of positive attitudes towards working as a team and co-operation to manage resources appropriately and efficiently to manage resources with regard to personal safety and safety of others

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How will I be assessed? Level 1

Level 2

Unit 1: Explore craft skills

Unit 1: Explore craft and enterprise skills

Unit 2: Develop design ideas for craft

Unit 2: Research and develop design ideas for craft

Unit 3: Create ideas in response to a brief

Unit 3: respond to a craft brief

Unit 4: Produce and review final craft work

Unit 4: Produce final craft work

Where can it lead? This course offers students an opportunity to develop a variety of skills that can be transferred to further learning within the area of craft or to wider learning in other areas. It is a stepping stone to both further study at A level and through apprenticeships.

Food and Hygiene This course is food based and focuses on developing practical skills. It allows students to acquire a sound knowledge of nutrition and how to have a healthy lifestyle. What will you study during the course?    

Prepare and cook a range of dishes using a variety of practical skills Understand food and its functions in the body and in recipes Understand what a balanced diet is and how to alter recipes to help improve health Plan and produce dishes for a variety of design briefs

How will it be taught? The course will be taught through a combination of practical based lessons to develop a range of skills and theory lessons. Some lessons will involve practical demonstrations and sensory analysis. How will your work be assessed? 75% - Internally assessed, involving practical work and coursework 25% - Examined, linking to nutrition and the importance of a balanced diet Where can it lead? This course is very suitable for students who really enjoy preparing and cooking a variety of dishes. It can lead on to KS5 Food and Catering courses. It is ideal for students thinking of pursuing a career as a chef or working in the catering industry.

Food Preparation and Nutrition What will you study during the course? Nutrition: students will develop a knowledge of the nutrients and nutritional content of food and drink, the relationship between diet and health, the nutritional and dietary needs of different groups of people. Food provenance and choice: students will understand the economic, environmental, ethical, and sociocultural influences on food availability, production processes and diet and health choices. Cooking and preparation: students will demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of functional and nutritional properties of foods. They will consider sensory qualities and food safety when preparing, processing, storing, cooking and serving food. Skill requirements, preparation and cooking techniques: students will demonstrate effective and safe cooking skills by planning, preparing and cooking using a variety of commodities, cooking techniques and equipment. Students will understand and explore a range of ingredients and processes from different culinary traditions, to inspire new ideas or modify existing recipes. How will the course be taught? The course will be taught through a combination of theory lessons and practical work. An element of sensory tasting will also be taught. In practical lessons students will develop a wide range of food preparation techniques. The students will complete a scientific investigation and a food practical assignment where three chosen dishes with side dishes will be prepared under controlled conditions. How will your work be assessed? The course will be assessed through: Controlled assessment coursework 50%, food investigation 15% and food practical assignment 35%, which is undertaken in Year 11. Examination component 50% - 1 hour 30 minutes Where can it lead? If you have an interest and enthusiasm for studying food you could find many exciting opportunities in the Food industry, which represents the largest manufacturer in the British economy, in fact 12% of the British workforce work in the food industry. It is also the first step into a continuing education in food which can be studied at KS5 and degree level. Careers involving food and nutrition can include Dietician, Food Technologist, Food Marketing, Environmental Health Officer, Teaching, Lecturing, Nursing and Health Services, Hospitality, Hospitality Management, Journalism, Event Management. The student will need a commitment to planning, organising and preparing ingredients on a regular basis. These are invaluable skills which will be used throughout adult life.

Graphic Products What will you study during the course? This course provides opportunities in designing, making and evaluating with a focus on exploring spaces using visual impact and communication. Through a series of creative Design and Make activities, you will identify needs arising from real life situations including existing products, artifacts and systems. These tasks will include the production of two and three dimensional models. The course offers the opportunity to develop Product Design skills through a selection of compliant materials. You will be expected to demonstrate a wide range of graphic techniques including advertising, aspects of interior design, displays and product launches. The use of ICT to manipulate and generate ideas using CAD programs and Adobe Photoshop will assist in the production of 2D and 3D solutions. Commercial printing methods and other related industrial processes are also studied. Models of suggested solutions are produced to explore ideas and feedback from ‘clients’ is an important part of the testing and evaluation of design proposals. How will the course be taught? Students are taught through a variety of short tasks to develop practical skills. Theory work is used to support the practical activities. In addition to this they are introduced to the drawing and design skills they need to develop their own creative skills. ICT is used extensively to present the work in the design folder. Science and Mathematic skills, knowledge and understanding underpin the theory and practice of design and technology. These skills will be embedded in the examination for this qualification. In the last term of Year 10 onwards they will work on the Design aspect of the Controlled assessment set by a context identified by the examination board. How will your work be assessed? A Controlled Assessment task will test students’ skills in investigating, designing, making and evaluating a prototype of a product that will allow them to apply the skills they have acquired and developed throughout their study. A written exam taken at the end of Year 11 is worth 50%. Thepaper will assess the breadth of design and technology knowledge in the Core section, and assess the depth of knowledge in the chosen material category for the Specialist section to enable students to fully demonstrate their own particular strengths or specialism. Where can it lead? Further Education: A level Design Technology: Product Design – Graphic Products Higher Education: Degrees in Architecture, Interior Design, Marketing or Retail, Graphic Design Careers: Architecture, product design, graphic design, most areas of engineering, telecommunications, manufacturing industries, business and commerce, education, research and development, interior design, advertising and marketing, cartography

Information Communications Technology OCR Level 1/2 Cambridge National Certificate in ICT What will you study during the course? R001: Understanding Computer Systems This unit covers the body of knowledge about ICT, on which students will be examined. It covers the following topics: An understanding of how ICT can be used to meet business needs How to work with information and data to meet specific business needs How IT can be used to support business working practices An understanding of the legal, ethical, safety and security issues that affect how computers should be used

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The following units are practical units where students carry out coursework tasks to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills. R002: Using ICT to create business solutions  Use techniques to search for, store and share information  Select and use software to handle data  Select and use software to communicate information for a business purpose  Use software tools to format documents

R004: Handling data using databases  Modify databases to meet user requirements  Produce outputs from databases to meet user requirements  Create user interfaces for databases to meet user requirements  Analyse databases suitable for a business purpose

R005: Creating an interactive product using multimedia components   

Design interactive products Create interactive products containing multimedia components Complete usability testing

How will the course be taught? The course will be taught through a mixture of whole class teaching and individual tasks. Development of skills will be taught through a number of practical activities. How will your work be assessed? Unit R001 will be assessed by a written examination (1 hour) worth 60 marks. The question paper, which will be based on a pre-release case study, will have short answer questions and extended response questions. The other units are coursework units which will be internally assessed and externally moderated. Where can it lead? The Cambridge Nationals in ICT are industry relevant, geared to key sector requirements and are very popular with schools and colleges because they suit a broad range of learning styles and abilities. The qualification provides an ideal foundation for students to progress to more advanced studies in ICT and ICT related careers.

Resistant Materials What will you study during the course? This course is concerned with the designing and making of products and artifacts using wood, metal or plastics. The Designing aspect of the course will include identifying needs and opportunities, research and investigation skills, appreciating the needs of a ‘client’, product analysis and an understanding of the real world of design and manufacture. Products will be developed from initial ideas, through detailed development, to the production of working drawings. Through Making you will develop an understanding of the properties of materials that make them suitable for specific uses, develop the skills involved in working with these materials using a variety of hand and machine tools safely and accurately, how to plan the sequence of manufacture and how to test and evaluate the final product. How will the course be taught? Students are taught through a variety of short tasks to develop practical skills. Theory work is used to support the practical activities. In addition to this they are introduced to the drawing and design skills they need to develop their own creative skills. ICT is used extensively to present the work in the design folder. Science and Mathematic skills, knowledge and understanding underpin the theory and practice of design and technology. These skills will be embedded in the examination for this qualification. In the last term of Year 10 onwards they will work on the Design aspect of the Controlled Assessment set by a context identified by the examination board. How will your work be assessed? A Controlled Assessment task will test students’ skills in investigating, designing, making and evaluating a prototype of a product that will allow them to apply the skills they have acquired and developed throughout their study. A written exam taken at the end of Year 11 is worth 50%. The paper will assess the breadth of design and technology knowledge in the Core section, and assess the depth of knowledge in the chosen material category for the Specialist section to enable students to fully demonstrate their own particular strengths or specialism. Where can it lead? Further Education: A Level Design Technology: Product Design – Resistant Materials. Higher Education: Degrees in Product Design, Automotive design, Engineering, Apprenticeships in a variety of industries including Aviation, Automotive, Electrical and others. Careers Architecture, product design, graphic design, most areas of engineering, telecommunications, electronics industries, manufacturing industries, business and commerce, education, research and development.

Triple Science The study of triple science will occupy one of the option choices and is available within the Triple Science Pathway. What will you study during the course? You will learn about the biological, chemical and physical world studying the same subjects as combined science listed below, but some topics will be covered in greater detail (these are underlined). In addition there is a module on space physics. During the course you will discover that scientific knowledge has been developed over time by scientists from cultures all around the world and that our scientific understanding is constantly changing due to continuing research and new technology (for example nanochemistry, the expanding universe and stem cell research). Biology: 1. Cell biology; 2. Organization; 3. Infection and response; 4. Bioenergetics; 5. Homeostasis and response; 6. Inheritance, variation and evolution; 7. Ecology Chemistry: 1. Atomic structure and the periodic table; 2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; 3. Quantitative chemistry; 4. Chemical changes; 5. Energy changes; 6. The rate and extent of chemical change; 7. Organic chemistry; 8. Chemical analysis; 9. Chemistry of the atmosphere; 10. Using resources Physics: 1. Forces; 2. Energy; 3. Waves; 4. Electricity; 5. Magnetism and electromagnetism; 6. Particle model of matter; 7. Atomic structure; 8. Space physics How will the course be taught? The course is taught using a practical-led approach, motivating students to want to understand more about the world around us through the use of experiments. Fact finding activities around the laboratory, group presentations and past exam paper questions are also used to help students develop investigative skills, present their work and then learn how to apply their knowledge in exams. Students have 5 more lessons per fortnight than if studying Combined Science. How will your work be assessed? You will be awarded 3 GCSEs from studying triple science. This is a two year GCSE course assessed by two written examinations for each science, with each paper worth 50%. Both papers consist of multiple choice questions plus structured questions. Most students will sit the higher papers but foundation tier papers are available. Where can it lead? Science feeds a love of learning and there are science-related jobs to suit all personalities and all skill levels. There are opportunities to work in a range of different environments from field work to manufacturing plants, from offices to laboratories, from schools to hospitals, from deep in the oceans to outer space. Students can continue onto A level courses at Charters or college and many go onto university to study science courses. If you are considering taking an A level science then choosing triple science at GCSE can help because it will cover some topics in more detail, making A level more accessible.

Option Subjects: AESTHETIC

Art, Craft and Design What will you study during the course? The examination board is Pearson’s Edexcel. You will work in a variety of media such as Fine Art (printing, painting and drawing), 3D Design (ceramics, card), Textile design and Photography (digital processing). In Year 10, an off-site visit is organised to a museum or gallery in support of the first component. This information is used in a variety of ways throughout the first year. As part of the course, you will create design work in support of the School production. During Year 11 you will follow an ‘Identity’ project. Occasionally professional artists are invited to give presentations and hold a workshop which may continue for a short period after school. The main aim of the course is to develop your visual language skills and for you to build a comprehensive personal portfolio of work. Importantly you should enjoy making, creating, experimenting and adopting a ‘what if’ approach. We also offer after school gallery visits as well as a residential study visit during part of a half-term. How will the course be taught? You will have 5 lessons over a fortnight. Projects are themed in preparation of the final exam at the end of the course in Year 11. Your teacher will provide you with projects, demonstrate techniques for you to apply and provide guidance. There will be regularly held controlled assessments to test your learning. You will be set regular homework tasks to develop your independent learning skills which must be completed to pass the course. Throughout the GCSE course, we plan exhibitions of your work to celebrate achievement. Parents are always invited. The main exhibition is held during the summer term at the end of Year 11, and coincides with the external assessment carried out by a visiting moderator. How will your work be assessed? Component 1 Personal Portfolio in Art and Design This is worth 60% of your final grade

Component 2 Externally Set Assignment in Art and Design This is worth 40 % of your final grade

Internally set and marked; verified by an external moderator

Externally set theme and internally marked. Verified by an external moderator

You will be assessed using the 4 Assessment Objectives - Develop, Experiment and Refine, Record, Present. Each objective is worth 18 marks. Each project is assessed out of 72 marks Assessment is based on the full range of GCSE levels from 9 to 1. You will have an externally set practical exam issued during February of Year 11. The exam paper is issued approx. 8 school weeks before the exam date thus giving you taught time to prepare, experiment and research. Where can it lead? This course can be followed by Further Education: Art Foundation course; BTEC Nationals; Diplomas and then Higher Education: Degree - a specialism such as fine art, fashion, interior design, architecture, a teaching qualification, product design, art therapy, stage or set design, costume design, illustration.

Drama What will you study during the course? The Eduqas GCSE in Drama is an exciting, inspiring and practical course. The specification promotes involvement in and enjoyment of drama, as performers and/or designers. Additionally it provides opportunities to attend live theatre performances and to develop skills as informed and thoughtful audience members. You will study a variety of different dramatic techniques, skills, styles and genres. We engage in, and actively explore, a wide range of activities that are thought-provoking and stimulating, drawing from a variety of situations and contexts that you can relate to. GCSE Drama encourages you to develop critical thinking skills and become effective and independent learners. With the focus on working imaginatively, collaborating creatively and communicating effectively, Drama is highly beneficial to all students. However, it is those with a passion for the subject who succeed. How will the course be taught? You will have 5 lessons of Drama over the two week timetable and one teacher. Lessons will combine practical and theoretical aspects each week. Lessons will be highly practical when preparing for the performance components and lessons will be used as rehearsals. In order to prepare for the written exam, a proportion of lessons will be solely theoretical. How will your work be assessed? Component 1: Devising theatre You will participate in the creation, development and performance of one piece of devised theatre in response to a chosen stimulus set by the exam board. This will involve creating a group performance that either uses the techniques of an influential theatre practitioner or a genre. There will also be a written evaluation of the final performance. Component 2: Performing from a text You will study two extracts from a chosen performance text. Using this text, you will create one performance which uses both extracts. This is assessed by a visiting examiner. Component 3: Interpreting theatre This is a written exam, lasting 1 hour 30 minutes. You will study in detail (both theoretically and practically) one set text and answer a series of questions about it in the exam. We will also visit the theatre to see a live show, which you will be required to write about in the form of a live theatre review, analysing and evaluating an aspect of the production youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen. There is therefore, an expectation that students attend at least two theatre trips during their course. Where can it lead? There are many things you can go on to do with GCSE Drama. A-Level Drama and Theatre and/or Level 3 BTEC in Performing Arts are currently offered at our Sixth Form. These courses would be highly suitable for someone wishing to pursue a career in the subject.

Fashion and Textiles This is a new AQA Technical Award that is an equivalent level to GCSE. The qualification is designed for students who want to study fashion and textiles in a hands on practical way that helps them develop knowledge, skills and experience that could open the door to a career in the fashion/textiles industry. What will you study during the course? Students have to demonstrate their competence in 12 core practical skills; dyeing & printing, surface decoration, fabric manipulation and shaping, joining fabrics, applying fastenings and components, decorative and functional edges, sleeve setting, collars, combining materials. using a paper pattern, patch pockets and teamwork. Students will also develop knowledge of materials and their properties and of industrial and commercial practices within the textiles industry. This includes an understanding of materials and components, processes and techniques, construction and finishing, tools and equipment, industrial processes, ICT and CAD/CAM, commercial practice and career opportunities. How will the course be taught? In Year 10 students will undertake a number of small projects that will allow them to be assessed against the 12 practical skills. There are likely to be three or four small making projects that will give the students the opportunity to demonstrate the skills determined by the exam board. Students will also carry out a group task and be assessed on their teamwork skills; they will have to show knowledge and understanding of planning, organization and working with others. In Year 11 students have to produce an extended learning project to showcase a range of the taught technical skills. This will be taught in coursework lessons that will consist of planning, development and practical work. Theory lessons will run alongside the practical lessons in order to teach the fundamentals of fashion and textiles. How will your work be assessed? A portfolio of no more than 15 pages has to be produced and must include photographic evidence of each skill taught. This is worth 30% of the overall qualification and is internally assessed. The extended making project will consist of a 15 page portfolio to provide evidence of planning, development, testing and evaluation as well as a photographic evidence of the final outcome. This is worth 30% of the overall qualification and is also internally assessed. There will be a written exam lasting 1 hour 30 minutes that will test students knowledge and understanding of the theory work studied; this will include a mixture of multiple choice questions as well as short answer and extended response questions. This is worth 40% of the overall qualification and will be externally assessed. Where can it lead? This technical award prepares students well for the Design and Technology A Level in Fashion and Textiles. It combines well with Art, Business Studies, Photography, or English amongst other subjects. Further Education: Art Foundation Courses, BTEC National Diplomas. Some degree courses require students to take an Art Foundation Course irrespective of whether the student has an A Level in Art. Higher Education: Degrees in Fashion Design, Fabric Design, Garment Technology, Pattern Cutting, Costume Design, Interior Design, Marketing or Retail, Fashion Journalism and Fashion History. Careers Fashion Design, Fabric Design, Pattern Design, Costume Design, Textile Artist, Interior Design, Tailoring, Advertising & Marketing, Retail Management, Fashion Journalism, Fashion Buying & Merchandising and Fashion Illustrator or Photographer, Fashion Stylist, Fashion Blogger and many more.

Music What will you study during the course? Music involves three key areas: performing, composing and listening. Whilst activities have been based around these skills in Years 7-9, GCSE Music is much more advanced. The course is split into three units: Unit 1: Performing Music – 30% coursework This can be taken using any instrument, including voice. 30% of the whole examination is performing on your chosen instrument, so if you already have instrumental lessons and enjoy them then this subject would be ideal for you. The GCSE Music Students present their own concert in the July of Year 10. As a GCSE Music Student you will be expected to participate in at least one of the many extra-curricular groups on offer. These will help you to develop your listening and performing skills as well as helping to develop your music theory knowledge. All GCSE students are expected to be a member of the Senior Vocal Group (rehearsals: Friday, 2nd Break). Unit 2: Composing Music – 30% coursework Initially, you will work in pairs and then increasingly on your own, composing music in a variety of styles. Much of your composition coursework will be completed using music notation software, Sibelius and Logic. In fact, a large proportion of your lesson time will be spent using this software in the Music IT Suite so you will need to have plenty of self-motivation to be able to work on your own, both during and outside of the curriculum time. Unit 3: Listening and appraising – 40% examination Listening to music and responding to it is an integral part of music lessons. You will study eight set works arranged into four Areas of Study and also listen to related repertoire. These set works range from Western Classical Music to Music for Film and Musical Theatre. During the 1 hour 45 minute examination you will be played excerpts from these eight set works, along with unfamiliar pieces, and will have to answer questions. You will also have to give a longer, written response question based on one of the set works and an unfamiliar piece. How will the course be taught? Lessons will focus around the three units of study: performance, composition, and listening and appraising. You prepare for Unit 3 through studying the eight set works and listening to related repertoire, with your learning being tested after each one. You will spend some lessons working on the computer creating your composition. Much of the composition element is taught through tutorials and you will be expected to continue with your work whilst your teacher is dealing with other students. There will also be termly performances, which will be assessed to allow you to gauge how well your performance is progressing. How will your work be assessed? Unit 1, Performance, and Unit 2, Composition, are coursework based. You complete these over the course of Year 10 and 11 and these are then marked in-house and moderated by the exam board. Unit 3 is a 1 hour 45 minute examination, which will test your knowledge of the Areas of Study. Where can it lead? Music GCSE is ideal preparation for A Level Music. It also gives you a very well-rounded academic arts education that both employers and Sixth Form Colleges value. This academic approach will also prepare you for general A level study.

Music Technology What will you study during the course? The NCFE qualification is split up into 4 internal coursework units and 2 external examinations. Unit 1: Composing to a Film Scene This project will provide an introduction to using a sequencing software and will require students to be creative in composing for film. The candidate will be required to create a new composition by utilising the sounds in-built within the music software Logic X, and by recording new live audio. The composition will be required to reflect the images of the film scene through the use of underscoring and creating sound effects. Unit 2: Dance Music Production This project will challenge the students to understand the makeup of different contemporary genres, to finally focus on dance music. Students will be asked to analyse the musical elements of dance music, and through this understanding, be challenged to create their own dance song. Having composed the song, the students will then be expected to utilise the production techniques of Logic X to mix and produce the song to a commercial standard. Unit 3: Live Audio Recording This project will require the students to understand how to record live instruments correctly. Following this information, students will get the chance to use the recording studio at Charters to create a live audio recording of an existing song. The recording will consist of several instruments recorded in the studio using microphones. The recorded audio will need to be edited effectively, using EQ and the necessary effects processors to create a balanced product. For this unit, students will work in teams as well as individually and will be able to utilise instrumental skills if appropriate as part of the recording. Unit 4: TV Advert Composing & SFX Creation This project will require students to research the song writing process of TV adverts, and the differing ways SFX can be created. Following this research, students will then be tasked with creating a composition to reflect a TV Advert that must include live recordings of SFX. The composition will need to be edited using production techniques to a commercial standard. Examination: The examination is split into 2 sections: written and practical. The written examination (2 hours) will include a listening task assessment that will be based upon knowledge gained during the coursework units. The practical examination (2 hours) will assess your knowledge and skills of composing and producing music using a software package such as Logic X. How will the course be taught? Each of the four units is practical and demands a high level of independent learning. The necessary skills are taught within lessons and then time is spent working on projects. Work is reviewed regularly within lessons and targets set to allow students to access the highest marks. Students will be expected to spend a reasonable amount of their own time working on the units outside of lessons. How will your work be assessed? All units will be internally assessed and externally moderated through a portfolio of evidence, both written and musical. The written and practical examinations are both are externally marked. Where can it lead? Music Technology NCFE is ideal preparation for A Level Music Technology and a career within the music and live events industries. It will improve your creative skills whilst enabling you to become a stronger independent learner that is highly valued at Sixth Form Colleges.

Performing Arts (Acting) The full title of the course is Edexcel BTEC Level 2 First Award in Performing Arts (Acting). This is a vocational course and is the equivalent to 1 GCSE grade.

What will you study during the course? During the course, you will study two core units. These are called ‘Individual Showcase’ and ‘Preparation, performance and production’. These units are designed to prepare you for the vocational world of performing arts, developing your performing skills and providing you with essential knowledge of the industry. You will also complete a specialist unit, in this case, ‘Acting’, which will develop your rehearsal technique, your interpretive skills, and your ability to develop a role. Lessons will involved a wide variety of practical and theoretical tasks, designed to develop your skill as an actor. These could include improvisation, learning scripts, participating in skill based workshops and research.

How will the course be taught? A variety of approaches will be used. However most teaching will be done through practical workshops. We would also hope for some sessions to be led by outside agencies, including theatre in education companies and professional actors. We will also occasionally run theatre trips to highlight the skills and styles covered in school based sessions.

How will your work be assessed? There is a 25% externally assessed unit. The course consists of three units, designed to develop preparation and performance skills, for which they will need to complete a variety of coursework. This will include both practical assessed performances as well as written work, covering aspects such as the preparation and rehearsal procedures for performances and research projects. Assignments will be pass, merit or distinction.

Where can it lead? This is a vocational course and provides an excellent preparation for any career, as it will build confidence and presentation skills, which are needed in most forms of employment. Students who take this course often reflect that it has helped improve their confidence and ability to articulate themselves successfully. Unit 1: Individual Showcase provides students with the opportunity to prepare for an audition/job interview scenario, which will be hugely beneficial to anyone considering going into the Performing Arts Industry.

Photography What will you study during the course? In Component 1 and Component 2 you will work in one or more area(s) of photography, such as those listed below: Portraiture • location photography • studio photography • experimental imagery • installation • documentary photography • photo-journalism • moving image, film, video and animation • fashion photography. You will create all your work as an e-portfolio building and updating a website and e-sketchbook. Your ideas will be captured using still photographs, videos and sound files using software such as Adobe InDesign, Premiere Pro, and Photoshop. How will the course be taught? Our approach to photography is creative. You will learn digital and manual processes and techniques. The main aim of the course is to help you to observe the world around you so that you can create images that reveal those environments in new ways. You will spend around two thirds of the time on practical photography assignments and one third on developing your critical understanding of other photographers’ work. Formal assessments will be held regularly and are a vital part of the course. You will be expected to supplement classroom work with a minimum of one hour a week personal study to help develop the project. How will your work be assessed? Component 1: Portfolio of Work 60% (96 marks) It will include a sustained project evidencing the journey from initial engagement to the realisation of intentions and a selection of further work undertaken during the course of study. Component 2: Externally Set Task 40% (96 marks) Eight-week preparation time 10 hours of sustained focused study. You respond to a chosen starting point from an externally set assignment paper relating to the subject title, evidencing coverage of all four assessment objectives. Where can it lead? A Level and degree level Photography studies. Potential career pathways include: Advertising and editorial photographer, fashion photographer, digital imaging specialist, general practice photographer, forensic photographer, image sales executive, machine print operator, press photographer or photo journalist, unit stills photographer, medical photographer. Maximum course size There will be a limit of 20 students who can be accommodated on this course due to resources, so if you wish to apply for photography you will be required to present a portfolio of your four favourite photographs that you have recently taken and a write up of no more than 100 words describing why you want to do GCSE Photography. Go to the photography department website to view and print off the application form. All applications should be returned direct to Mr Holmes. GCSE Photography application form: http://chartersschoolphotographydept.weebly.com/gcse-application-details.html

  

Careers Information Subject Costs Useful Contacts

Careers Education and Guidance Careers Education will help students develop the knowledge and skills they need to make successful choices, manage transitions in learning and move into work. Careers Education is delivered through a careers module in Citizenship in Year 10 and careers events in Year 11.

In Year 10 students use â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kudosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a computer-based questionnaire which considers their strengths and abilities, their personal skills and interests and explores possible career choices. Students also view a series of short films and have discussions on: (a) (b) (c) (d)

How to succeed at job and college interviews Evaluating different career choices Understanding the benefits of work experience Main option choices available to students at 16

During the year, students will make initial preparations for their mock interview by completing their CV, writing a letter of application and filling in a job application form.

In Year 11 all students have an individual mock interview which is designed to help them with job interviews and sixth form and college interviews as well. Our interviewers are local employers. Students also have the opportunity to attend the annual Careers Fair which takes place in February and meet in excess of 30 employers this year as well as representatives from local colleges.

Careers Education is co-ordinated by Mr J Dhesi in conjunction with Adviza, our external careers advice partner and Head of Years 10 and 11 and tutors. Adviza offer impartial careers advice and guidance to our students. This is done on an individual and group basis at school which parents are welcome to attend. They also play an important part during the activity days in offering our students advice on post 16 options. In addition, our careers personal advisor from Adviza attends Parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Evening in Year 11 for consultations and is available during the Year 9 options evening and the sixth form prospective evening to offer advice to students.

Subject Costs Parents have asked us to provide a list of indicative costs for the subjects studied in years 10 and 11 to help them to budget. The list below is not exhaustive and the costs are approximate but nonetheless we hope you will find it helpful. Please note that not all these items are essential purchases.

Subject

Cost in Year Description of item 10/11

Approx cost £

Art, Craft and Design

Yr 10

A3 Sketchbook and 2 x trips

£32

Art, Craft and Design

Yr 11

A3 Sketchbook

£8

Business

Yr 10

Workbook for the Finance unit and relevant chapters photocopied from textbooks for coursework.

£10

Child Development

Yr 11

None anticipated

Citizenship Plus & PHSE

None anticipated

Computer Science

None anticipated

Creative Studies: Craft

Yr 10/11 Individual material costs

£15

Drama and Performing Arts (Acting)

Yr 10/11 Theatre trips to London. Cost per trip

£25

English

None anticipated

Fashion & Textiles

Yr 10

Charge for incidentals used for practical work over the 2 years (thread, interfacing, wadding and various other items of haberdashery)

£10

Fashion & Textiles

Yr 10

Revision guide and workbook

£4.75

Food Prep. and Nutrition

Yr 10/11 Incidental ingredients to support student’s practical work

£20

Food and Hygiene

Yr 10/11 Incidental ingredients to support student’s practical work

£20

French

Yr 10

Workbook (compulsory)

£4

French

Yr 10

Year 10 Homestay Montpelier (optional)

£675

Geography

Yr 10/11 Optional cost of WideWorld magazine subscription

£12.50

Geography

Yr 11

2 days tbc. Costs represent 2015 figures

£30

Graphic Products

Yr 10/11

Wood, metal, plastics. Adhesives, abrasive papers, paper, card, primer paint etc. Typically £10-£30 in Year 11

£15

Subject Costs continued Subject

Cost in Year 10/11

Description of item

History

None anticipated

ICT

None anticipated

Approx cost £

Mathematics

Yr 10

Scientific Calculator

£7.50

Mathematics

Yr 11

Revision Pack

£10

Music

Yr 10/11

Weekly instrumental or vocal peripatetic lessons

Varies

Music

Yr 10/11

At least one trip per year to see the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

£15

Music

Yr 10

Revision guide

£8

Music Technology

None anticipated

Yr 11

Pearson Revision guide and Work Book (optional)

£10

Photography

Yr 10

Trip to museum or gallery

£20

Photography

Yr11

Printing and framing of final piece coursework and exam work

£50

Religious Studies

Yr 11

Revision Guide

£5

Resistant Materials

Yr 10/11

Wood, metal, plastics. Adhesives, abrasive papers, paper, card, primer paint. Individual material cost of Controlled Assessment as designed by student in Year 11 typically £10-£35

£15

Science

Yr 10/11

Contribution towards the cost of the online textbook and other learning resources

£5

Spanish

Yr 10

Workbook

£3.85

Spanish

Yr 10

Year 10 Homestay Salamanca (approx. 20 students)

£660

Sport

None anticipated

Travel and Tourism

None anticipated

Young Apprentice

Cost of Tirabad trip

approx. £300

Useful contacts Having read this booklet we hope that you have a better insight into choosing your options for Years 10 and 11. If however, there are any questions you still feel you need answering, please contact us.

Role

Name

Contact Details

Head of Year

Mr J Walker

j.walker@chartersschool.org.uk

Options Co-ordinator

Mrs K Hill

k.hill@chartersschool.org.uk

Senior Leadership team link

Mrs S Derrick

s.derrick@chartersschool.org.uk

Assistant Head of Year

Mrs S Mundy

s.mundy@chartersschool.org.uk

Tutor 9C

Mrs A Payne

a.payne@chartersschool.org.uk

Tutor 9H

Miss C Draper

c.draper@chartersschool.org.uk

Tutor 9A

Mrs J Duncan

j.duncan@chartersschool.org.uk

Tutor 9R

Miss C Bowie

c.bowie@chartersschool.org.uk

Tutor 9T

Mrs C Theobalds

c.theobalds@chartersschool.org.uk

Tutor 9E

Miss E Boxall

e.boxall@chartersschool.org.uk

Tutor 9M

Dr P Herbert

p.herbert@chartersschool.org.uk

Tutor 9S

Mr R Clarke

r.clarke@chartersschool.org.uk

Careers Co-ordinator

Mr J Dhesi

j.dhesi@chartersschool.org.uk

Adviza Careers Service

Ms K Burnell

kerryburnell@adviza.org.uk

Index TITLE

QUALIFICATION

PAGE

Options Timetable

Introduction

Frequently Asked Questions

5-6

Learning Pathways

7-8

Assessment Overview

Compulsory Subjects: English

GCSE

Studied by all

12-13

Mathematics

GCSE

Studied by all

Science (combined)

GCSE

Studied by all

Physical Education inc. Sport and YA

GCSE

Studied by all

16-18

n/a

Studied by all

Citizenship Plus and PSHE Global Subjects: Business

BTEC

French

GCSE

Geography

GCSE

History

GCSE

Religious Studies

GCSE

Spanish

GCSE

Travel and Tourism

GCSE

Child Development

GCSE

Computer Science

GCSE

Creative Studies: Craft

NCFE Level 2 Certificate

Food and Hygiene

NCFE Level 2 Certificate

Food Preparation and Nutrition

GCSE

Graphic Products

GCSE

ICT

Cambridge National

Resistant Materials

GCSE

Science (triple)

GCSE

Art, Craft and Design

GCSE

Drama

GCSE

Fashion & Textiles

GCSE

Music

GCSE

Music Technology

NCFE Level 2 Certificate

Performing Arts (Acting)

BTEC

Photography

GCSE

Technical Subjects:

Aesthetic Subjects:

Careers Education and Guidance

Subject Costs

48-49

Useful Contacts