Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Double Sciences)

Edexcel IGCSE

Biology: Edexcel IGCSE Biology (4BI1)

Chemistry: Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (4CH1)

Physics: Edexcel IGCSE Physics (4PH1)

Double Science Edexcel IGCSE Double Science (4SD0)

Content

All students study a programme that covers the current National Curriculum for Science at Key Stage 4 and additional topics essential for progression to Sixth Form in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Most students at St Dunstan’s College will take three separate Science IGCSEs – one each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics and some will study the Double Science pathway. Each pathway is an excellent preparation for those who wish to carry on and study the Sciences at A Level and beyond, but also provides a broad Science education for those who wish to study other subjects.

Assessment

For each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics: two papers per subject, one paper of 2 hours and one of paper of 1 hour and 15 minutes. This leads to three grades, one in each science.

For Double Science: one 2 hour paper per subject (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). This leads to two grades.

There is no controlled assessment or coursework.

Teaching Methodology

All students regardless of pathway study Biology, Physics and Chemistry separately, taught by subject specialists. Lessons have a strong focus on acquiring a strong understanding of the theory, before using this to carry out practical investigations which go above and beyond the Core Practical’s required by the exam board.

Co-curricular and Enrichment

In Science we always link theory to relevant topical issues. There is a range of enrichment activities that students are encouraged to participate in such as STEM Week which provides us with the ideal opportunity to explore science beyond the syllabus, and to make links across other curriculum areas. Students can take part in many competitions including the UK Space Design Competition, Top of the Bench Chemistry competition, Astro Pi coding, British Physics Olympiad, and the First Lego League. During Forder time they can attend Ecology Club, MDV Soc, KS4 Science Club, KS4 Physics Masterclass, Physics and Maths Society, and Astronomy Society.

Progression after IGCSE

Students who study an A Level in Science often go on to study at Russell Groups Universities and Oxbridge. Students with a Biology A Level regularly go on to study Biological Sciences, Psychology or Healthcare related degrees such as Medicine, Veterinary Science or Pharmacy. Students with Chemistry A Level regularly go on to study Chemistry, Biochemistry, Medicine or Medicine related courses at university. Students with Physics A Level regularly go on to study Engineering at university, and A Level is recommended for entry for many degrees, notably including Economics and Computer Science. An A Level in any science if seen as well respected by universities and can open up a

Languages

Modern Foreign Languages

Edexcel IGCSE

French: Edexcel IGCSE 4FR0

German: Edexcel IGCSE 4GM0

Spanish: Edexcel IGCSE 4SP0

Content

All four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) are assessed and final grades are determined by performance on a scale of 9-1. Topic areas:

• Home & Abroad

• Education & Employment

• Personal Life & Relationships

• The World Around Us

• Social Activities, Fitness & Health

Assessment

Paper 1: Listening paper (30 minute examination plus 5 minutes reading time): 25% of the total IGCSE

Paper 2: Reading and Writing paper (1 hour and 45 minutes): 50% of the total IGCSE

Paper 3: Speaking paper (maximum 10 minutes): 25% of the total IGCSE

Part A - discussion of a photo chosen by the candidate (falling under one of the core topic areas)

Part B - two further conversations on two of the other main topic areas

Teaching Methodology

Students enjoy the highly interactive and varied nature of language lessons, which focus on active involvement as a means to improving the four core skills of language learning. We make use of a wide range of source material beyond the GCSE Text Book in order to support and challenge students, including regular use of use audio recordings by native speakers. Students are encouraged to speak in the language as of¬ten as possible, whether via pair-work in class or during their weekly sessions with our Language Assistants. This is an opportunity for them to practise and improve their conversational skills with native speakers.

In addition to skills practice, mastering a language requires a disciplined approach to grammar and vocabulary learning to develop the ability to analyse and manipulate the key structures. Students will need to plan their written work thoughtfully, aiming to recycle language learned in class in order to consolidate their knowledge and demonstrate as wide a range of language as possible.

Through these approaches, our aim is for students to develop the ability to communicate effectively on a range of topics that are relevant to them, building on prior learning to increase the complexity and variety of their spoken and written language. The ability to manipulate and vocabulary is fundamental to this, but also enables students to access texts and other sources from a wide range of countries and communities where the language is spoken – as Federico Fellini said, “A different language is a different vision of life.” By acquiring a language at GCSE, students will be able to deepen their understanding of the culture of the language they have studied, whether this is when travelling abroad or by furthering their studies at A Level.

Co-curricular and Enrichment

The MFL Department recently took a trip to Paris for an immersive language-learning course, and hopes to run similar trips in the future, as students really enjoyed the mixture of cultural activities and language lessons. It is strongly recommended that GCSE students sign up early to these trips to make the most of them.

We also have a number of Forder clubs both to support students with their language learning and give them a taste of the cultures associated with the languages taught, spoken and celebrated at St Dunstan’s. These include a French Breakfast Club, Spanish Film Club, the Languages Ambassadors group, German Keep Warm for native speakers and even a Beginner’s Japanese club!

Progression after IGCSE

If you have enjoyed your language option and would like to progress to A Level, the IGCSE course is a solid foundation on which to build. The A Level course is has a much more cultural focus, and you will have the opportunity to learn about the music, film, literature and politics of the countries where the language is spoken. However, there remains a strong linguistic element to the course, with increased complexity of the vocabulary and grammar taught as a means to accessing a wider range of authentic material in the Target Language. With an A Level in another language you can apply to university to study the language, take up a second language ab initio at university, combine a language with another subject (e.g. Business) at university, communicate with people from other countries, work abroad, work for a company with international links, or simply have more fun on foreign holidays!

Language learning also gives you many transferable skills that are highly sought after by both universities and employers, greatly enhancing your prospects in any area of higher education or employment. These include communication skills, analytical skills and strong interpersonal skills through developing inter-cultural understanding.

J282 Ocr Gcse

Content

Latin GCSE offers students the opportunity to study the language and culture of one of the most remarkable and influential civilisations of the Ancient World. Students will read a variety of literature, both prose and poetry, whose subject matter is of universal interest, with the aims of developing precise analytical skills, a personal appreciation of the value of all language and literature and of the influence of Classical society on the modern world.

Assessment

There are three papers in the examination:

Language (01) externally assessed written paper, 100 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes – weighting 50%

The Language question paper has two sections.

Section A: Students will be required to answer comprehension questions, derivations and will choose between either answering questions on accidence and syntax or translating three short English sentences into the classical language. Section A is worth 30 marks.

Section B: Students will be required answer comprehension questions and translate a passage of unseen prose. Section B is worth 70 marks.

Prose Literature (03) externally assessed written paper, 50 marks, 1 hour - weighting 25%

Each question paper assesses a specific prose set text (110–120 lines). Students are required to answer comprehension questions, translate a section of the set text into English, answer questions focusing on literary style, characterisation, argument as appropriate to the set text studied and an extended response. Our prose authors for the examinations in 2025 and 2026 will be Tacitus and Pliny the Younger.

Verse Literature (04) externally assessed written paper, 50 marks, 1 hour – weighting 25%

Each question paper assesses a specific verse set text (110–120 lines). Students are required to answer comprehension questions, translate a section of the set text into English, answer questions focusing on literary style, characterisation, argument as appropriate to the set text studied and an extended response. The verse authors for the examinations in 2025 and 2026 will be Ovid and Catullus.

Teaching Methodology

Apart from the rich resources developed by the department, students use John Taylor’s comprehensive textbook, ‘Essential Latin for GCSE’ as well as Cullen and Taylor’s ‘Latin to GCSE’, which provide excellent means for developing the linguistic skills necessary to tackle the original Latin works encountered as the course progresses.

Co-curricular and Enrichment

Students may have the opportunity to attend a Classics Trip to sites of particular classical interest in Europe, such as Rome or Greece, which will directly assist in their understanding of the material they have studied. The department is planning a trip to Greece in October 2022. Students could also join clubs such as the Roman Poetry Club and as enrichment the Greek Language Club.

Progression after GCSE

Latin at GCSE is, of course, a prerequisite for any student considering the study of classical subjects and ancient history at Key Stage 5 (A Level) or beyond. However, it is also a vastly cross-curricular discipline which will be of benefit to students with a more general interest in humanities, languages or literature. It is valued by Higher Education institutions and employers as a result of the transferable skills in which it trains students, such as problem-solving, evaluation, linguistic fluency and versatility.

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