GCSE Overview
A guide to the structure and dates for examined courses 2015-2017
This booklet is intended to provide an overview of examined courses in the simplest way we can. More specific information can be gained from the departmental areas of Portal 365 or from your child’s teacher. Examinations (blue) All GCSE examinations take place at the end of Year 11. Some exams are ‘tiered’ so that students can sit them as either ‘Foundation’ tier (grades C-G) or ‘Higher’ tier (grades A*-D). Final decisions about tiers of entry are not made until Year 11. Controlled Assessments / ISAs (yellow) Controlled Assessments and ISAs are taken, assessed and marked in school and then moderated externally (teacher assessed grade may be altered up or down by the exam board). Students are guided and supported during the drafting and investigation stage of the work but the final task is completed by the student in exam-like conditions. Revision Materials (mauve) This area of the table gives information about recommended revision materials. Some subjects recommend particular revision guides which may be available for purchase from the department or from local booksellers. Other departments create their revision materials in-house. This guide is limited in space and greater detail may be found in the subject areas on our Portal 365, which can be accessed via our website: www.rodborough.surrey.sch.uk Any changes to the timing of controlled assessments will be notified through your child’s class teacher. General controlled assessment dates are published on our Assessment and Reporting section of our online calendar. Personalised GCSE examination timetables will be issued to all students in April 2017.
Mr C Williams Deputy Headteacher September 2015
Subject
% of final grade AQA
Art Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4536/2
40
Controlled Test – 2 Days
Natural Forms 60
Cambridge
Business Studies Qualification Number (QAN) 500/570/9
Art and Design Examinations
Timing Syllabus No: 4200 Dates not confirmed - expect Feb-March 2017
Controlled Assessments
Revision/ Support
Environment: Victoria & Albert Museum
CAs begin in Autumn Term 2015 and are completed later in the course
Whilst there is no need for revision in this subject, students are required to invest a great deal of extra time outside lessons, completing tasks and considering presentation. The Art studios are open at lunchtimes and after school. The expectation is that all candidates will use these facilities to complete work and practise their skills. IGCSE Business Studies Examinations Single tier
Syllabus No: 0450
50
Paper 1: Written questions requiring a mixture of short answers and structured data responses. 1h 30m
Summer 2017
50
Paper 2: Written questions based Summer 2017 on a case study, provided as an insert with the paper. 1h 30m This course is all externally assessed by the two examinations above. There is no Controlled Assessment.
Revision/ Support AQA Computer Science Qualification Number (QAN) 600/4908/X
Unit Details
40
60
Revision/ Support
Self-study booklets contain all materials necessary for revision. Sample and past papers are available to borrow. Catch-up sessions are run during lunch times. Computer Science Examinations Single tier Terminal Paper: 1h 30m Controlled Assessments 2 x 25 hour software development tasks covering two of: games, mobile app, dynamic website or traditional console development.
Syllabus No: 4512 Summer 2017 Feb 2016 onwards October 2016 onwards
Revision materials, including sample papers, may be found on Portal 365 and in the student area of the network.
Drama Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4507/6
Subject
% of final grade
Unit Details
Timing
AQA
Drama Examinations Single tier
Syllabus No: 4240
Terminal Paper: 1h 30m Controlled Assessments
Summer 2017
40
60
Revision/ Support AQA
50
2 out of 4 assessed pieces from across Across Years 10-11 the two years GCSE Drama Pocket Posters books available for £1. It is recommended that students purchase and annotate their own play texts. Other revision materials are provided through the year. Please see Portal 365 for greater detail. Syllabus No: 8700 English Language Single tier Examinations Paper 1 1h 45 m Summer 2017 Explorations in creative reading and writing Reading (40 marks) (25%) 60 m One single Fiction extract (Unseen text)
English Language Qualification Number (QAN) 601/4292/3
1 short form question (1 x 4 marks) 2 longer form questions (2 x 8 marks) 1 extended question (1 x 20 marks) Writing (40 marks) (25%) 45 m 1 extended writing question – descriptive or narrative writing (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy) 50
Paper 2 1h 45 m Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives Reading (40 marks) (25%) 60m Two linked texts (one to be 19th century) 1 short form question (1 x 4 marks) 2 longer form questions (1 x 8, 1 x 12 marks) 1 extended question (1 x 16 marks)
Summer 2017
Writing (40 marks) (25%) 45 m Writing to present a viewpoint 1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy) There is no controlled assessment Revision/ Support
Spoken English Language
AQA
0
Information about revision guides will be provided later in the year. Revision sessions will be publicised on the English Department notice board. Additional revision materials are published on Portal 365. Spoken English Language Presenting Responding to questions and feedback Use of standard English Endorsed by AQA as Pass/ Merit/ Distinction
We will let students know the timings when we receive them from AQA. The Spoken Language is endorsed separately to the English Language GCSE.
Subject
% of final grade AQA 40
Unit Details
Timing
English Literature Single tier Examinations Paper 1 64 marks *1h 45 m Shakespeare and the 19thcentury novel
Syllabus No: 8702 Summer 2017
English Literature Qualification Number (QAN) 601/4447/6
Section A: (50-55 mins) 30 marks + 4 marks for SPaG Shakespeare: students will answer one question on the play they have studied in class. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole. Section B: (50-55 mins) 30 marks The 19thcentury novel: students will answer one question on the novel they have studied in class. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole. 60
Paper 2: 96 Marks *2h 15 m Modern texts and poetry
Summer 2017
Section A: (45 mins) 30 marks + 4 marks for SPaG Section A Modern texts: students will answer one essay question on the modern prose or drama text they have studied in class. Section B: (45 mins) 30 marks Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from the anthology cluster they have studied in class. Section C: (45 mins) 32 marks Unseen poetry: students will answer one question on one unseen poem (24 marks) and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem (8 marks). There is no controlled assessment Revision/ Support
Information about revision guides will be provided later in the year. Revision sessions will be publicised on the English Department notice board. Additional revision materials are published on Portal 365.
Subject
% of final grade
Food Technology Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4553/2
OCR
40
60
Revision/ Support Edexcel
French Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4621/4
40
60
Revision/ Support
Geography Qualification Number (QAN) 600/6067/0
AQA
75
Unit Details
Timing
D&T: Food Technology Examinations Single tier
Syllabus No: J302
Paper: 1h 30m Sustainability and Technical aspects of designing and making.
Summer 2017
Y10: Designing for Clients
Dec 2015 – July 2016
Y11: Making Quality Products
Sept 2016 – Jan 2017
Hodder Revision Guides are issued at the start of the course. Other revision materials are posted on Portal 365. Support and catch-up sessions are available from the department and are usually held on Wednesdays from 3.30pm - 4.30pm. French Examinations Foundation & Higher tiers
Syllabus No: 2FR01
Unit 1: Listening Higher 35 min Foundation 25 min
Summer 2017
Unit 3: Reading Summer 2017 Higher 50 min Foundation 35 min Controlled Assessments Syllabus No: 5FR02 & 5FR04 – best 2 of 3 writing assessments are sent to exam board for marking (your teacher’s assessment is only a guide) - best 2 of 3 speaking assessments are sent to the exam board after marking for moderation (the exam board may alter your teacher’s mark) Y10: Writing (2 assessments) Y10: Speaking (1 assessment)
November 2015 & March 2016 May 2016
Y11: Writing (1 assessment) Y11: Speaking (2 assessments)
October 2016 January 2017 & March 2017
Edexcel Revision Workbook £4.00 (listening files available on KS4 area of Portal 365). CGP Revision Guide ISBN 978 1 84146373 5 Web links from Portal 365 e.g. www.languagesonline.org.uk Wednesday lunchtime ‘Languages Fix Club’. Geography A Examinations Foundation & Higher tiers
Syllabus No: 9030
Unit 1: Physical Geography 1h 30m (37.5%)
Summer 2017
Unit 2: Human Geography 1h 30m (37.5%)
Summer 2017
Controlled Assessments 25
Revision/ Support
Deciduous Woodland Study June 2016 – Nov 2016 – Witley Common CGP GCSE Geography AQA A Revision Guide by Richard Parsons is on sale from the Geography Department. After school revision sessions – details on Portal 365.
Subject
% of final grade
German Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4593/3
Edexcel
German Examinations Foundation & Higher tiers
Timing Syllabus No: 2GN01
40
Paper 1: Listening Higher 40 min Foundation 30 min
60
Paper 2: Reading Summer 2017 Higher 50 min Foundation 35 Min Controlled Assessments Syllabus No: 5GN02 & 5GN04 – best 2 of 3 writing assessments are sent to exam board for marking (your teacher’s assessment is only a guide) - best 2 of 3 speaking assessments are sent to the exam board after marking for moderation (the exam board may alter your teacher’s mark)
Revision/ Support OCR
Graphics Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4553/2
Unit Details
40
Summer 2017
Y10: Writing (2 assessments) Y10: Speaking (1 assessment)
December 2015 & March 2016 June 2016
Y11: Writing (1 assessment) Y11: Speaking (2 assessments)
January 2017 November 2016 & March 2017
Edexcel Revision Workbook £4.00 (listening files available on KS4 area of Portal 365). CGP Revision Guide ISBN 978 1 84146373 5 Web links from Portal 365 e.g. www.languagesonline.org.uk Wednesday lunchtime ‘Languages Fix Club’. D&T: Graphics Examinations Single tier
Syllabus No: J303
Paper: 1h 30m Sustainability and Technical aspects of designing and making.
Summer 2017
Controlled Assessments 60
Revision/ Support OCR
Year 10: Food packaging
Dec 2015 – July 2016
Year 11: Set Design
Sept 2016 – Jan 2017
Lonsdale Revision Guides are issued at the start of the course. Other revision materials are posted on Portal 365. Support and catch-up sessions are available as required.
History
Syllabus No: J415
History Qualification Number (QAN) 601/1002/8
Examinations Single tier
75
25 Revision/ Support
Crime and Punishment through time and Germany 1919-1945 2 hours (45% of final mark)
Summer 2017
Protest and Reaction in Britain 1800-1914 1h 30m (30% of final mark) Controlled Assessments
Summer 2017
Modern World Study: American Civil Rights Movement
June – July 2016
A detailed revision programme will run between February and June 2017.
Subject
% of final grade
Maths Qualification Number (QAN) 601/4608/4
AQA
Unit Details
Timing
Mathematics Examinations Foundation & Higher tiers
Syllabus No: Maths 8300
Paper 1: Maths 1 (non-calculator) 1h 30m
Summer 2017
Paper 2: Maths 2 (calculator) 1h 30m
Summer 2017
100
0 Revision/ Support AQA
Paper 3: Maths 2 (calculator) Summer 2017 1h 30m There is no Controlled Assessment in this subject Revision guides, CDs, workbooks & past papers are available from a variety of sources. Some publications are useful right through the course. MyMaths website (login details on Portal 365) is very useful for revision. Syllabus No: 4270
Music Examinations Single tier
Music Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4666/4
20
80
Revision/ Support
AQA
Paper 1: 42701 Listening & Appraising 80 marks (20%) Controlled Assessments
1 hour
Summer 2017
Unit 2: 42702 Composing & Appraising Music 40 marks (20%) Externally Assessed
20 Hours Autumn Term of Year 11
Unit 3: 42703 Performing Music 60 marks (40%)
Autumn Term of Year 11
Unit 4: 42704 Composing Music 30 marks (20%)
25 hours Summer term of Year 10
AQA GCSE Music Revision guide (Rhinegold) issued to students in the September of Year 11. Revision CDs and Aural work books issued the following January. Easter revision session planned - details on Portal 365 nearer the time. Syllabus No: 4890
PE
Physical Education Qualification Number (QAN) Full Course 500/4506/4 Double Course 500/4558/1
Examinations Single tier Pupils choose either the Full Award (1 GCSE) or the Double Award (2 GCSEs)
40
60
Revision/ Support
Unit 3: Full & Double Award
1h 30m
Summer 2017
Unit 5: Double Award Only Controlled Assessments
1h 30m
Summer 2017
4 Practical Activities (20 marks each) & 1 written Key Process (10 marks) across the two years for Single Award. These 90 marks count as 60% of the award. 8 Practical Activities (20 marks each) & 2 written Key Process (10 marks each) across the two years for Double Award. These 180 marks count as 60% of the Double Award. We revise from past papers, which can be accessed from the AQA website. Easter Revision Sessions are planned – please check Portal 365 for details nearer the time.
Subject
% of final grade
RE Qualification Numbers (QAN) Full Course 500/4545/3 Short Course 500/4624/X
OCR
100
Revision/ Support
Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4553/2
Resistant Materials
OCR
40
Unit Details
Timing
Religious Studies B Philosophy Syllabus No: J621(Full) & and Ethics J121(Short) Examinations Single tier Pupils either sit the short course (worth ½ GCSE) or the full course (worth 1 GCSE). Paper B601: All students
1hour
Summer 2017
Paper B602: Full course only
1hour
Summer 2017
Paper B603: All Students
1hour
Summer 2017
Paper B604: Full course only
1hour
Summer 2017
There is no controlled assessment for these courses. Bespoke revision guides are produced by the RE Department at a cost of £3 for short course or £5 for full course. Syllabus No: J306 D&T: Resistant Materials Technology Examinations Single tier Paper: 1h 30m Sustainability and Technical aspects of designing and making.
Summer 2017
Controlled Assessments 60
Revision/ Support
Year 10: Educational Toys
Dec 2015 – July 2016
Year 11: Garden Accessories
Sept 2016 – Jan 2017
Lonsdale Revision Guides are issued at the start of the course. Other revision materials are posted on Portal 365. Support and catch-up sessions are available from the department as required.
Subject
% of final grade AQA
Unit Details
Timing Syllabus No: 4405
Core: Science A
Science – Core: Science A Qualification Number (QAN) 600/0892/1
Examinations
75
Biology (25%)
1hour
Summer 2017
Chemistry (25%)
1hour
Summer 2017
Physics (25%)
1hour
Summer 2017
Papers contain structured and closed questions. At least one question in each paper will assess Quality of Written Communication in a Science context i.e. extended answer questions. All Science exams are taken at the end of Year 11. Those taking Core and Additional will take all 6 exams in the summer of 2017. Controlled Assessments - Investigative Skills Assignments (ISAs)
25
Revision/ Support AQA
Expected dates are March 2016 and May-June 2016 CGP Revision Guides are available for purchase from the Science Department at the discounted price of £2.75 per guide. Syllabus No: 4408
Additional Science
Additional Science Qualification Number (QAN) 600/0885/4
Examinations
75
25 Revision/ Support
Biology (25%)
1hour
Summer 2017
Chemistry (25%)
1hour
Summer 2017
Physics (25%)
1hour
Summer 2017
Papers contain structured and closed questions. At least one question in each paper will assess Quality of Written Communication in a Science context i.e. extended answer questions. All Science exams are taken at the end of Year 11. Those taking Core and Additional will take all 6 exams in the summer of 2017. Controlled Assessments - Investigative Skills Assignments (ISAs) Expected dates are: Oct 2016, Dec 2016 and Jan 2017 CGP Revision Guides are available for purchase from the Science Department at the discounted price of £2.75 per guide. Revision sessions will begin in February 2017.
Subject
% of final grade
Triple Science Qualification Numbers (QAN) Biology 600/0886/6 Chemistry 600/0889/1 Physics 600/0891/X
AQA
Timing Syllabus No: 4401, 4402, 4403
Triple Science Examinations
75
Biology
(25%)
1hour
Summer 2017
Chemistry
(25%)
1hour
Summer 2017
Physics
(25%)
1hour
Summer 2017
Papers contain structured and closed questions. At least one question in each paper will assess Quality of Written Communication in a Science context i.e. extended answer questions. All Science exams are taken at the end of Year 11. Triple Science students take all 9 exams in Summer 2017. Controlled Assessments - Investigative Skills Assignments (ISAs) 25
Revision/ Support OCR
Textiles Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4553/2
Unit Details
40
These will be taken during the course when the appropriate content is being covered. CGP Revision Guides are available for purchase from the Science Department at the discounted price of £2.75 per guide. (3 guides required for this course). Revision sessions will begin in February 2017. D&T: Textiles Technology Examinations Single tier
Syllabus No: J307
Paper: 1h 30min Sustainability and Technical aspects of designing and making.
Summer 2017
Controlled Assessments 60
Revision/ Support
Year 10: Bag Project
Dec 2015 – July 2016
Year 11: Educational Toy Sept 2016 – Jan 2017 Lonsdale Revision Guides are issued at the start of the course. Other revision materials are posted on Portal 365. Support and catch-up sessions are available from the department as required.
Notes: