Abbey Gate College GCSE Options Booklet by AGC1

Abbey Gate College

GCSE Courses 2024

Learning with Courage and Compassion SELF

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CONTENTS Page No

KS4 Curriculum Making good choices

Help and Advice

Core Subjects English

Mathematics

Science

Biology Chemistry Physics

Optional Subjects French

Spanish

Art and Design

Business

Computer Science

Design & Technology

Drama

Geography

History

Music

Physical Education

Religious Studies

KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM Information for parents The government reformed GCSEs with the aim of better preparing students for further education and employment and wants to set expectations which match those of the highest performing countries, with rigorous assessment that provides a reliable measure of students’ achievement. The new approach will mean: • broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 4 and above as previously achieved a grade C and above • broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 7 and above as previously achieved an A and above • for each examination, about 20% of all grades at 7 or above will be a grade 9. • grade 5 will be positioned in the top third of the marks for what was previously a grade C and bottom third of the marks for grade B. This will mean it will be of greater demand than grade C. Reformed GCSEs are now being taught and assessed in all subjects. The staff at Abbey Gate College have devoted a great deal of time in preparing to teach the reformed GCSEs and will continue to work towards ensuring that all of our students achieve great success in these public examinations. Key Stage 4 Curriculum In Year 10 and 11, students will follow a core of compulsory subjects which includes English Language, English Literature and Mathematics. In addition, students will study SIX other subjects which will be selected with the help and guidance of teaching staff and parents. It is very important for students to study a balanced curriculum and therefore the other subject choices should include • Three separate Sciences; Biology, Chemistry & Physics (equivalent to three options) or • Double Science (equivalent to 2 GCSEs and 2 options) and 1 • a combination of 3 or 4 subjects from: French Art Design and Technology History

Spanish Business Drama Music

GCSE Physical Education Computer Science Geography Religious Studies

We suggest that students take a range of subjects, and the College recommends that students study a Modern Foreign Language, as this not only improves their communication skills but also is often an entry requirement at certain universities. We recognise that all students have individual talents and abilities, and therefore it may be possible to vary the choices from these guidelines to cater for their particular strengths. Students opting for separate Sciences will select three.

Information for Students Making Good Choices The subjects you select can have important implications for your future career. At the same time ǔųƵ͘Ŧñǔ͘Ũųƭ͘ǔğƭ͘ŀñǍğ͘ñ͘ėğǦŨņƭğ͘Đñƙğğƙ͘ņŨ͘Ǎņğǎ̪͘ųƙ͘ǔųƵ͘Ŧñǔ͘ĐŀñŨĸğ͘ǔųƵƙ͘ņėğñơ͘ėƵƙņŨĸ͘ƭŀğ͘ŨğǓƭ͘ķğǎ͘ years. Therefore, it is ESSENTIAL that you keep your options open and do not drop subjects which will exclude you from certain careers. In making your choice you should consider carefully: (a) (b) (c) (d)

the subjects you are good at the subjects you enjoy the subjects needed for possible careers taking a range of subjects which give you a balanced curriculum

You should NOT regard as important: (a) (b)

whether your friend has chosen a particular subject who will be teaching you.

Such considerations are likely to lead to bad decisions!

Help and Advice 1)

2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

In school, students will be offered a guidance programme with form tutors, Head of Year, Mrs Houghton (Deputy Head - Pastoral) and Mr Booth (Deputy Head - Academic). This will be combined with advice from Heads of Department and subject teachers who will advise you on their own subjects. Further Careers advice may be obtained in school through contact with Mrs Jenkinson (Head of Careers) who will arrange support through MPloy Solutions, our Careers Consultancy Service. The Year 9 Options Evening, Tuesday 6 February 2024, will enable parents and students to consult with staff about GCSE options. Year 9 Parents Evening, Thursday 29 February 2024, will give students parents and students further opportunity to discuss progress and Options. This booklet contains brief details of the subjects which we hope to offer you from September 2024. Option subject choices should be completed by Friday 8 March 2024 (detail on how to complete options electronically will be provided separately).

Please note that every effort will be made to give you the subjects you request but this cannot be guaranteed. 4

English Head of Department: Ms S Donarski Course: EDUQAS GCSE English Language & GCSE English Literature

ŝŝ͘ơƭƵėğŨƭơ͘ķųŝŝųǎ͘ñ͘ĐųƵƙơğ͘ǎŀņĐŀ͘ŝğñėơ͘ƭų͘ƭǎų͘ơğƖñƙñƭğ͘ƘƵñŝņǦĐñƭņųŨơ̫͘I ®0͘0Ũĸŝņơŀ͘iñŨĸƵñĸğ͘ and GCSE English Literature. The two subjects are taught in sets and studied side by side over the two-year period. We follow the EDUQAS GCSE syllabus for English Language. The examination involves the testing of reading and writing in two equally weighted papers; one features reading questions based ųŨ͘ǦĐƭņųŨ͘ñŨė͘ñ͘ƖņğĐğ͘ųķ͘ĐƙğñƭņǍğ͘ǎƙņƭņŨĸ̹͘˪͘ŀųƵƙ͘˭ˮ͘ŦņŨƵƭğơ̺͘ñŨė͘ƭŀğ͘ųƭŀğƙ͘ņŨĐŝƵėğơ͘ƙğñėņŨĸ͘ ŨųŨ̿ǦĐƭņųŨ͘ñŨė͘ǎƙņƭņŨĸ͘ƖğƙơƵñơņǍğŝǔ̹͘˫͘ŀųƵƙơ̺̩͘UŨ͘ñėėņƭņųŨ̪͘ƭŀğƙğ͘ņơ͘ñ͘ơƖğñřņŨĸ͘ñŨė͘ŝņơƭğŨņŨĸ͘ƭğơƭ̪͘ separately endorsed by the exam board. We also follow the EDUQAS GCSE syllabus for English Literature. This tests reading and evaluative skills through two examinations: Shakespeare and the EDUQAS Poetry Anthology (2 hours – ˭˩Β͘ųķ͘ƘƵñŝņǦĐñƭņųŨ̺͘ñŨė͘£ųơƭ̿˪˲˪˭͘£ƙųơğ̶'ƙñŦñ̪͘˪˲ƭŀ͘ ğŨƭƵƙǔ͘£ƙųơğ͘ñŨė͘ÂŨơğğŨ͘£ųğƭƙǔ̹͘˫͘ hours 30 minutes – worth 60%). Currently, our texts are Macbeth by William Shakespeare, An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and an anthology of poetry. Our class work is based on developing skills of comprehension and communication. The course is Ǎñƙņğė̬͘ơƭƵėğŨƭơ͘ơƭƵėǔ͘ǦĐƭņųŨ̪͘ŨųŨ̿ǦĐƭņųŨ̪͘ƭŀğ͘Ŧğėņñ̪͘Ɩųğƭƙǔ͘ñŨė͘Ɩŝñǔơ̩͘®ƭƵėğŨƭơ͘ŝğñƙŨ͘ƭų͘ƙğñė͘ accurately, to analyse and evaluate texts and to write clearly and effectively. We encourage creativity and use discussions, presentations and drama-focused activities to enhance learning. ͘Ɩñơơ͘ñƭ͘Iƙñėğ͘˭͘ųƙ͘ñĎųǍğ͘ņơ͘ñŨ͘ğơơğŨƭņñŝ͘ƘƵñŝņǦĐñƭņųŨ͘ķųƙ͘ñŝŦųơƭ͘ñŝŝ͘Pņĸŀğƙ͘0ėƵĐñƭņųŨ͘ĐųƵƙơğơ͘ and many jobs, so we endeavour to achieve this as an absolute minimum for all students. We also offer both English Language and English Literature at AS and A Level, should students wish to further their study of these subjects.

Mathematics Head of Department: Miss K Burdon Course: AQA GCSE Mathematics

The study of Mathematics cultivates important transferable skills such as logic, creative problem solving, thinking skills and using mathematical language to generalise the patterns observed in understanding how the world works. ŝŝ͘ơƭƵėğŨƭơ͘ǎņŝŝ͘ķųŝŝųǎ͘ñ͘ĐųƵƙơğ͘ǎŀņĐŀ͘ŝğñėơ͘ƭų͘ñ͘I ®0͘ƘƵñŝņǦĐñƭņųŨ͘ņŨ͘sñƭŀğŦñƭņĐơ̩͘»ŀğ͘ėğƖñƙƭŦğŨƭ͘ķųŝŝųǎơ͘ƭŀğ͘ ¥ ͘ơƖğĐņǦĐñƭņųŨ͘sñƭŀğŦñƭņĐơ͘I ®0̹͘˱ˬ˩˩̺͘ǎŀņĐŀ͘ñŝŝųǎơ͘ğŨƭƙǔ͘ñƭ͘Pņĸŀğƙ͘»ņğƙ͘ (Grades 9 to 4) and Foundation Tier (Grades 5 to 1). The GCSE course is assessed at the end of Year 11 by 3 equally weighted terminal papers of 1 hour 30 minutes. Two of these will allow use of a calculator and one will be a non-calculator paper. The DfE intention is that the ‘Mathematics GCSE will demand deeper and broader mathematical understanding. It will provide all students with greater coverage of key areas such as ratio, proportion and rates of change and require them to apply their knowledge and reasoning to provide clear mathematical arguments. It will focus on ensuring that every student masters the fundamental mathematics that is required for further education and future careers. It will provide greater challenge for the most able students by thoroughly testing their understanding of the mathematical knowledge needed for higher level study and careers in mathematics, the sciences and computing.’ In Years 10 and 11, Mathematics continues to be taught in sets (usually 4). Set sizes allow each ƖƵƖņŝ͘ƭų͘ǎųƙř͘ĐųŨǦėğŨƭŝǔ͘ñŨė͘ğķķğĐƭņǍğŝǔ͘ñƭ͘ñ͘ơƵņƭñĎŝğ͘ŝğǍğŝ͘ñŨė͘ƖñĐğ̪͘ǎņƭŀ͘Ďųƭŀ͘ñŨ͘ñƖƖƙųƖƙņñƭğ͘ level of support and opportunities to explore the mathematical ideas in greater detail. Additional support is provided in an after school Maths Surgery. UŨ͘ųƙėğƙ͘ƭų͘Ďğ͘ķƵŝŝǔ͘ƖƙğƖñƙğė͘ķųƙ͘ƭŀņơ͘ƘƵñŝņǦĐñƭņųŨ̪͘ơƭƵėğŨƭơ͘ĎğĸņŨ͘ơƭƵėǔņŨĸ͘ƭŀğ͘I ®0͘ơƖğĐņǦĐñƭņųŨ͘ during Year 9. In light of the DfE recommendations it is anticipated that the top 2 sets will enter at the Higher Tier, set 4 will enter at Foundation Tier and a decision about level of entry for students in set 3 will be made during the course. We encourage our students to participate in a variety of enrichment activities, including the Âgs»͘UŨƭğƙŦğėņñƭğ͘sñƭŀơ͘ ŀñŝŝğŨĸğ̩͘»ŀğ͘ơƭƵėğŨƭơ̪͘ƖñƙƭņĐƵŝñƙŝǔ͘ƭŀųơğ͘ĐųŨơņėğƙņŨĸ͘ơƭƵėǔņŨĸ͘ ®̶ ͘ iğǍğŝ͘sñƭŀğŦñƭņĐơ̪͘ĐñŨ͘ğǓƖŝųƙğ͘ņŨƭğƙğơƭņŨĸ͘ñƙğñơ͘ųķ͘ŦñƭŀğŦñƭņĐơ͘ĎğǔųŨė͘ƭŀğ͘ơƖğĐņǦĐñƭņųŨơ̩͘ Mathematics is viewed by employers and higher education establishments as a very important subject and it is vital that every pupil gains the best grade that they can. The GCSE also provides the more able students with a stepping stone to allow them to continue to study the subject at A Level.

Science Head of Department: Mr D Kebell Course: AQA GCSE Sciences

»ŀğ͘ĐųƵƙơğơ͘ñƙğ͘ŝņŨğñƙ͘ñŨė͘ƭŀğ͘ĐųŨƭğŨƭ͘ƙğǧğĐƭơ͘ƭŀğ͘ƙğñŝ̿ǎųƙŝė͘ñƖƖŝņĐñƭņųŨ͘ųķ͘®ĐņğŨĐğ͘ñŨė͘»ğĐŀŨųŝogy. GCSE Sciences need to be fresh, relevant and current to equip students for work and life in a hi-tech society. ŝŝ͘ơƭñķķ͘ņŨ͘ƭŀğ͘ėğƖñƙƭŦğŨƭ͘ñƙğ͘ğǓƖğƙņğŨĐğė͘ñŨė͘ƘƵñŝņǦğė͘ơĐņğŨĐğ͘ƭğñĐŀğƙơ̩ The Science Department at the College is in a strong position to deliver the following courses: Subjects offered: 1. Separate Sciences:

Biology (Single Award) Physics (Single Award)

Chemistry (Single Award)

This option is likely to appeal to students with an aptitude and interest in science, particularly those who wish to pursue any of the Sciences at A Level. A successful pupil will end up with an individual GCSE in each Science. If students decide to choose the Separate Sciences then they must study all three Sciences. As this course is aimed at the higher attainment students they will be entered for both terminal exam papers in each Science at the higher tier. Controlled AssessŦğŨƭơ͘ķƙųŦ͘ƭŀğ͘ƖƙğǍņųƵơ͘ơƖğĐņǦĐñƭņųŨơ͘ŀñǍğ͘ĎğğŨ͘ƙğƖŝñĐğė͘ǎņƭŀ͘ñ͘ơğƙņğơ͘ųķ͘ƙğƘƵņƙğė͘ƖƙñĐƭņĐñŝơ͘ that all students must complete. Aspects of these practical experiments will be examined in the terminal exam papers. Or 2. Double Science: Trilogy (Double Award) This Double Award is equivalent to two GCSEs. Students studying this Double Science route will cover a range of Biology, Chemistry and Physics topics but with less content compared to the ƭŀƙğğ͘®ğƖñƙñƭğ͘®ĐņğŨĐğơ̩͘ ŝŝ͘ơƭƵėğŨƭơ͘ǎņŝŝ͘Ďğ͘ƭñƵĸŀƭ̪͘ņŨ͘ƭŀğ͘Ǧƙơƭ͘ǔğñƙ͘ƭŀğ͘higher tier content and most will then continue to be entered for the higher tier terminal exam papers at the end of Year 11. Students who get very good grades will still be considered for the A Level Sciences but would be required to catch up with the content not covered compared to the Separate Science awards. ®ƭƵėğŨƭơ͘ǎŀų͘ǦŨė͘ƭŀğ͘ŀņĸŀğƙ͘ƭņğƙ͘ĐųŨƭğŨƭ͘ĐŀñŝŝğŨĸņŨĸ͘ǎųƵŝė͘Ďğ͘ğŨƭğƙğė͘ķųƙ͘ƭŀğ͘foundation tier terminal exams at the end of Year 11. If this route is followed it must be remembered that the maximum grade achievable would be lower than the higher tier route, but would still be considğƙğė͘ñ͋͘Ɩñơơ͌͘ĸƙñėğ̩͘ ųŨƭƙųŝŝğė͘ ơơğơơŦğŨƭơ͘ķƙųŦ͘ƭŀğ͘ƖƙğǍņųƵơ͘ơƖğĐņǦĐñƭņųŨơ͘ŀñǍğ͘ĎğğŨ͘ƙğƖŝñĐğė͘ with a series of required practicals that all students must complete. Aspects of these practical experiments will be examined on the terminal exam papers. Compared to the Separate Science route there would be less practical experiments to complete.

French Head of Department: Mrs C Bennett Course: GCSE French (exam board under review)

France is our nearest neighbour and is the world’s number one tourist destination. While any language will be useful for employment and will prove an ability to communicate, express oneself and problem solve, French is a foreign language that can be extremely useful throughout the world; it has a longstanding history of being the second most frequently taught language in the world after English. The International Organisation of Francophonie has 29 member states and ĸųǍğƙŨŦğŨƭơ͘ŦñřņŨĸ͘HƙğŨĐŀ͘ƭŀğ͘ųŨŝǔ͘ŝñŨĸƵñĸğ͘ųƭŀğƙ͘ƭŀñŨ͘0Ũĸŝņơŀ͘ơƖųřğŨ͘ųŨ͘ǦǍğ͘ĐųŨƭņŨğŨƭơ͘ñŨė͘ ŦñřņŨĸ͘ņƭ͘ñ͘ơņĸŨņǦĐñŨƭ͘ĸŝųĎñŝ͘ŝñŨĸƵñĸğ̩͘ÚŀğŨ͘ėğĐņėņŨĸ͘ųŨ͘ñ͘ķųƙğņĸŨ͘ŝñŨĸƵñĸğ͘ķųƙ͘ǎųƙř͘ųƙ͘ơĐŀųųŝ̪͘ consider that French may be the language that will give you a variety of choices later in your studies or your career. HƙğŨĐŀ̪͘ñŝųŨĸ͘ǎņƭŀ͘0Ũĸŝņơŀ̪͘ņơ͘ƭŀğ͘ųķǦĐņñŝ͘ǎųƙřņŨĸ͘ŝñŨĸƵñĸğ͘ųķ̫͘ The United Nations, UNESCO, NATO, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Labor Bureau, the International Olympic Committee, the European Community, the Universal Postal Union, the International Red Cross, Union of International Associations (UIA), The European Court of Justice, The Press Room at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium. Here are a few other reasons why you might want to learn French: To rest on Seychelles beaches, assist the Grand Prix of Monaco Formula 1, watch horse races in Paris Auteuil, eat croissants on the Champs Elysées, visit West Africa, surf in Tahiti, become a diplomat, go dancing on the French Riviera, learn jazz in Louisiana, eat the best fries ever in Belgium, compete in the Festival de Cannes, go shopping in Paris, relax in La Martinique, work in ¥ƵğĎğĐ̪͘ƵŨėğƙơƭñŨė͘ƭŀğ͘ĐƵŝƭƵƙñŝ͘ƙğķğƙğŨĐğơ͘ņŨ͘0Ŧņŝǔ͘UŨ͘£ñƙņơ̹͘uğƭǧņǓ̺͘ñŨė͘ŝñơƭ̪͘ĎƵƭ͘Ũųƭ͘ŝğñơƭ̪͘ƭų͘ơřņ͘ in France and Switzerland. Studying French at Abbey Gate College guarantees a positive language learning experience, ĐųŨǦėğŨĐğ͘ƭų͘ƭñĐřŝğ͘ƭŀğ͘ƵŨřŨųǎŨ̪͘ĎğơƖųřğ͘ŝğơơųŨơ̪͘ñŨė͘ƖŝğŨƭǔ͘ųķ͘ğǓñŦ͘ơƵƖƖųƙƭ͘ƭų͘ĸƵñƙñŨƭğğ͘ ƭŀğ͘Ďğơƭ͘ņŨėņǍņėƵñŝ͘ųƵƭĐųŦğơ͘ƖųơơņĎŝğ̩ »ŀğ͘I ®0͘0ǓñŦņŨñƭņųŨ͘ņơ͘ŝñƵŨĐŀņŨĸ͘ñ͘ĎƙñŨė̿Ũğǎ͘ơƖğĐņǦĐñƭņųŨ͘ƙğñėǔ͘ķųƙ͘˫˩˫˭͘ơƭƵėǔ̪͘Ǧƙơƭ͘ ğǓñŦ͘˫˩˫˯͘ƭų͘ĐųŨơņơƭ͘ųķ̫ 25% Listening 25% Speaking

25% Reading including translation to English 25% Writing including translation to French

Exams can be taken at either Foundation level or Higher level. Topics include: Free time, Technology, Social issues, Travel and Tourism, School and Careers.

Spanish Head of Department: Mrs C Bennett Course: GCSE Spanish (exam board under review)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ˯̩͘ 7. 8.

Learning Spanish for GCSE, stands you out from the crowd, gives you a broader skillset, boosts communication abilities, and can prove crucial when applying for university courses. Studying another language makes you smarter. Critical thinking skills will be improved as you learn to view things through a different lens. Learning a second language stimulates creativity and is proven to increase brain power. Learning Spanish is rapidly becoming a business necessity. You will be more marketable and have more career choices than someone with only one language. In Europe, Spanish is the second most popular second language, and the third most commonly spoken language in the world. Learning Spanish will expand your universe. As the Hispanic population continues to grow, it becomes more and more likely that you might encounter Spanish speaking people in your day to day. gŨųǎņŨĸ͘®ƖñŨņơŀ͘ǎņŝŝ͘ĐųŦƖŝğƭğŝǔ͘ƭƙñŨơķųƙŦ͘ǔųƵƙ͘ƭƙñǍğŝ͘ğǓƖğƙņğŨĐğ͘ñŨė͘ĸņǍğ͘ǔųƵ͘ĐųŨǦėğŨĐğ͘͘ when dealing with situations abroad. Knowing how to speak Spanish will enable you to help others. It could take you to some of the world’s most deprived areas in South America where you will certainly make a difference whilst having an experience of a lifetime. Knowing one modern foreign language opens you up to more! “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart” (Nelson Mandela).

Studying French at Abbey Gate College guarantees a positive language learning experience, ĐųŨǦėğŨĐğ͘ƭų͘ƭñĐřŝğ͘ƭŀğ͘ƵŨřŨųǎŨ̪͘ĎğơƖųřğ͘ŝğơơųŨơ̪͘ñŨė͘ƖŝğŨƭǔ͘ųķ͘ğǓñŦ͘ơƵƖƖųƙƭ͘ƭų͘ĸƵñƙñŨƭğğ͘ ƭŀğ͘Ďğơƭ͘ņŨėņǍņėƵñŝ͘ųƵƭĐųŦğơ͘ƖųơơņĎŝğ̩ »ŀğ͘I ®0͘0ǓñŦņŨñƭņųŨ͘ņơ͘ŝñƵŨĐŀņŨĸ͘ñ͘ĎƙñŨė̿Ũğǎ͘ơƖğĐņǦĐñƭņųŨ͘ƙğñėǔ͘ķųƙ͘˫˩˫˭͘ơƭƵėǔ̪͘Ǧƙơƭ͘ ğǓñŦ͘˫˩˫˯͘ƭų͘ĐųŨơņơƭ͘ųķ̫ 25% Listening 25% Speaking

25% Reading including translation to English 25% Writing including translation to Spanish

Exams can be taken at either Foundation level or Higher level. Topics include: Free time, Technology, Social issues, Travel and Tourism, School and Careers.

Art and Design Head of Department: Dr J Lloyd-Johnson Course: AQA GCSE Art and Design

Why study Art at GCSE? • Critical Thinking and Analysis - Art students are trained to dig deeper and to move beyond the ơƵƖğƙǦĐņñŝ̩͘»ŀğǔ͘ŝğñƙŨ͘ƭų͘Ŧñřğ͘ơųƵŨė͘ĐųŨĐŝƵơņųŨơ͘Ďñơğė͘ųŨ͘ĐñƙğķƵŝŝǔ͘ĸñƭŀğƙğė͘ğǍņėğŨĐğ̩͘ ơ͘ critical thinkers they can process abstract ideas and can examine issues from many different perspectives. • Communication - because much of their learning is based on understanding and conveying complex ideas and diverse points of view, students become skilled writers and articulate speakers. • Research - Students are introduced to information gathering techniques and research skills, ǎŀņĐŀ͘ƭŀğǔ͘ĐñŨ͘ñƖƖŝǔ͘ƭų͘ñŨǔ͘ņơơƵğ͘ųƙ͘ƖƙųĎŝğŦ̩͘uųƭ͘ųŨŝǔ͘ėų͘ƭŀğǔ͘ŝğñƙŨ͘ŀųǎ͘ƭų͘ǦŨė͘ņŨķųƙŦñƭņųŨ̪͘ they also learn how to assess its quality. • Creativity - their creativity makes them innovators - independent thinkers with the motivation to develop new solutions to old problems, and who view challenges as opportunities for personal and professional growth. • A Global Perspective - through their study of diverse cultural and intellectual traditions, students learn that there are many different ways of seeing the world. • Interpersonal Abilities̿͘͘ĎğĐñƵơğ͘ƭŀğǔ͘ŝğñƙŨ͘ƭų͘Ďğ͘Ďųƭŀ͘ơğŝķ̿ơƵķǦĐņğŨƭ͘ƭŀņŨřğƙơ͘ñŨė͘ņŨķųƙŦğė͘ collaborators, they are equally skilled at working independently and as part of a team. Their self-reliance, thoroughness, and strong work ethic makes them valued co-workers in whatever careers they choose. Component 1: Portfolio. The emphasis of this component is the development of understanding and skills using a range of materials, processes and techniques (drawing, painting, wire, clay, print making, photography etc). Each pupil will include in their portfolio, a selection of thoughtfully presented work that demonstrates the breadth and depth of the course of study based on an idea, concept, theme or issue. The portfolio will show their ability to sustain work from an initial starting point to a realisation of intention and include evidence of their ability to research and develop ideas, linking their work in a meaningķƵŝ͘ǎñǔ͘ƭų͘ƙğŝğǍñŨƭ͘ĐƙņƭņĐñŝ̶ĐųŨƭğǓƭƵñŝ͘Ŧñƭğƙņñŝơ̩͘ No time limit - 96 marks - 60% of GCSE

Component 2: Externally set assignment in Yr11 This component consists of an exam paper with choice of questions to be used as starting points and as with GCSE, students are required to select one. These will be provided on 2nd January, or as soon as possible after that date. • Preparatory period + 10 hour supervised time • 96 marks • 40% of GCSE Non-exam assessment set by AQA, marked by the centre and moderated by AQA.

Non-exam assessment set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA. 10

Business Head of Department: Mr K Bailey Course: Edexcel GCSE Business

Why study GCSE Business? • Would you like to set up your own business and be a successful entrepreneur? • Would you like to become a manager for a large business such as Jaguar Land Rover or Barclays Bank? • Do you have an interest in the news and how the government and their policies affect your life? GCSE Business is an exciting and fast moving subject that looks at the way in which businesses Ŧğğƭ͘ĐƵơƭųŦğƙơ͌͘Ũğğėơ͘ñŨė͘ñņŦ͘ƭų͘Ŧñřğ͘ƖƙųǦƭơ͘ķųƙ͘ņŨǍğơƭųƙơ̩͘»ŀğ͘ĐųƵƙơğ͘ƖƙųǍņėğơ͘ñŨ͘ğŨĸñĸņŨĸ̪͘ practical and relevant introduction to the world of business and the economy. In addition, the course provides you with the opportunity to develop some technical business and employability skills. What will I learn about? You’ll start by exploring the world of small businesses through the eyes of an entrepreneur. How and why do business ideas come about? What makes a successful business? You will learn how to develop a business idea, spot an opportunity and turn it into a successful business. You will understand how to make a business effective, manage money and see how the world around us affects small businesses and all the people involved. Then you will move on to investigating business growth. How does a business develop beyond the start-up phase? You will learn about key business concepts, issues and decisions you need to make when growing a business and working in a global environment. You will learn about meetņŨĸ͘ĐƵơƭųŦğƙ͘Ũğğėơ̪͘ŦñřņŨĸ͘ŦñƙřğƭņŨĸ̪͘ųƖğƙñƭņųŨñŝ̪͘ǦŨñŨĐņñŝ͘ñŨė͘ŀƵŦñŨ͘ƙğơųƵƙĐņŨĸ͘ėğĐņơņųŨơ͘ and explore how the wider world impacts the business as it grows. How will I be assessed? The course is assessed in two equally weighted exam papers. Paper 1: Investigating a small business

Paper 2: Building a business

Both exam papers contain a series of multiple-choice questions, business calculations, and short answer and extended writing questions. What career options are open to me? GCSE Business helps to prepare you for further education courses including A Level Business and Economics. It also helps you to gain an understanding of what is involved in a business related profession such as accountancy, law, marketing, banking, business management and human resource management.

Computer Science Head of Department: Mrs N Stammers Course: OCR GCSE Computer Science

Introduction From the cell phone alarm that wakes you, to the tablets used to chat with friends and complete homework you are surrounded by computer technology. It is ubiquitous and critical to our daily routines. Yet not many understand how technology works, even as it becomes ever more intrinsic to how we solve business and community challenges. Our economic stability and national security depend on a population with solid computer science skills and coding literacy. Computer Science gives you the opportunity to discover how computer technology works, to look at what goes on “behind the scenes” and to program.

Please note – this course contains some advanced mathematical concepts including the understanding of the use of base numbering systems e.g. Binary. Students will be taught the concepts behind binary arithmetic and base number conversions and to deal with and link various programming concepts such as data ǧųǎ͘ėņñĸƙñŦơ̪͘ėñƭñ͘ƭǔƖğơ̪͘ǍñƙņñĎŝğ͘ŦñŨņƖƵŝñƭņųŨ̪͘ƖƙųĸƙñŦ͘ǧųǎ͘ĐųŨƭƙųŝ̪͘ķƵŨĐƭņųŨơ̪͘ƖƙųĐğdures and error handling.

Course Details In Computer Science you will learn about; • The highly creative and exciting world of computing and programming • Coding solutions to practical problems, using programming techniques • The fundamentals of computer science and how computers work to process data • Develop critical thinking, analysis and problem solving skills which can be transferred to other subjects and even applied to day-to-day life.

Progression This course is excellent preparation if you want to continue to study Computer Science at A level or other Level 3 Computer Science courses. At university, there are a wide range of computer based degrees with options to specialise in areas of particular interest to the student. The increasing importance of information technologies means there is already a growing demand for professionals who are ƘƵñŝņǦğė͘ņŨ͘ƭŀņơ͘Ǧğŝė̩ The course is also an excellent preparation if you want to study or work in areas such as ğŨĸņŨğğƙņŨĸ̪͘ǦŨñŨĐņñŝ͘ñŨė͘ƙğơųƵƙĐğ͘ŦñŨñĸğment, multimedia, games design, science and medicine. These rely on the skills you will develop and also apply them to technical problems.

Course Content Component 1 (Computer Systems): In this section you will learn about a wide range of topics such as how computers work through hardware and software, networks and communications systems and cybersecurity

Assessment Each component will be assessed through an externally assessed written examination each ǎųƙƭŀ͘ˮ˩Β͘ųķ͘ƭŀğ͘ǦŨñŝ͘ĸƙñėğ̩

Component 2 (Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming): In this section you will learn about the fundamentals of algorithms, programming techniques, computational logic, programming languages and Integrated Development Environments. 12

Design and Technology Head of Department: Mr D Stockley Course: AQA GCSE Design and Technology 8552

GCSE Design and Technology is intended to develop the students’ designing ability and technical understanding of materials, processes and their ability to develop high quality products from them. Students will build an understanding of how products are designed, communicated and made in industry and why they may have been designed and made in a particular way. They will also consider the needs of the user in greater depth than in previous years along with the wider effects of modern design and manufacture on society and the environment. GCSE Design and Technology students will enhance their skills by iteratively developing product ideas through a combination of classroom instruction and PC-based activities. It is important that ơƭƵėğŨƭơ͘ĐŀųųơņŨĸ͘ƭŀņơ͘ĐųƵƙơğ͘ŀñǍğ͘ñŨ͘ñķǦŨņƭǔ͘ķųƙ͘ƖƙųĎŝğŦ̿ơųŝǍņŨĸ͘ñŨė͘ñ͘řğğŨ͘ņŨƭğƙğơƭ͘ņŨ͘ approaching design and manufacturing in this manner. »ŀƙųƵĸŀųƵƭ͘ƭŀğ͘ĐųƵƙơğ̪͘ơƭƵėğŨƭơ͘ǎņŝŝ͘ĐųǍğƙ͘ƭŀğ͘ƭŀğųƙǔ͘Ɩñƙƭ͘ųķ͘ƭŀğ͘I ®0͘ơƖğĐņǦĐñƭņųŨ͘ƭŀƙųƵĸŀ͘ project-based tasks and separate theory or exam preparation lessons. Students will sit an examiŨñƭņųŨ͘ņŨ͘ƭŀğ͘ơƵŦŦğƙ͘ƭğƙŦ͘ñƭ͘ƭŀğ͘ğŨė͘ųķ͘ƭŀğ͘ƭǎų̿ǔğñƙ͘ĐųƵƙơğ͘ĐųŨƭƙņĎƵƭņŨĸ͘ˮ˩Β͘ƭų͘ƭŀğņƙ͘ǦŨñŝ͘I ®0͘ award. Year 11 lessons are mostly used for the completion of a single design and make project, called the Non-Exam Assessment (NEA). This contributes the remaining 50% of the GCSE award. Further exam preparation will also take place in Year 11 to prepare the students for pre-public and public examinations. Formal GCSE Design and Technology assessment is therefore carried out through: 1. ͘

A folder which shows the design development of the students’ NEA project. Beginning with ñ͘ėğơņĸŨ͘ĐŀñŝŝğŨĸğ͘ơğƭ͘Ďǔ͘ƭŀğ͘ğǓñŦņŨñƭņųŨ͘Ďųñƙė̪͘ƭŀƙųƵĸŀ͘ƭų͘ñ͘ǦŨñŝ͘ėğơņĸŨ͘ƖƙųƖųơñŝ͘ñŨė͘͘ ending with testing and evaluation of the completed prototype product.

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»ŀğ͘ĐųŦƖŝğƭğė͘ƖƙųƭųƭǔƖğ͘ƖƙųėƵĐƭ̩͘»ŀņơ͘ơŀųƵŝė͘Ďğ͘ñ͘ơƵņƭñĎŝǔ͘ĐųŦƖŝğǓ͘ñŨė͘ǎğŝŝ͘ǦŨņơŀğė͘͘ ƖƙųėƵĐƭ̪͘ėğŦųŨơƭƙñƭņŨĸ͘ñ͘ŀņĸŀ͘ŝğǍğŝ͘ųķ͘ơřņŝŝ͘ñŨė͘ñĎņŝņƭǔ͘ƭų͘ǎųƙř͘ǧğǓņĎŝǔ͘ñŨė͘ņŨėğƖğŨėğŨƭŝǔ̩͘ ˪͘ñŨė͘˫͘ĐųŦĎņŨğ͘ƭų͘ķųƙŦ͘ˮ˩͘Β͘ųķ͘ƭŀğ͘ǦŨñŝ͘I ®0͘ñǎñƙė̩͘

A two-hour, single tier written examination. Students are tested on their knowledge of materials and designing and making processes. They are also tested on their ability to solve design problems through sketches and explanation and their awareness of the wider issues around product design.

»ŀņơ͘ğǓñŦņŨñƭņųŨ͘ĐųŨƭƙņĎƵƭğơ͘ˮ˩Β͘ƭų͘ƭŀğ͘ǦŨñŝ͘I ®0͘ñǎñƙė̩͘

Drama Head of Department: Miss K Anger Course: AQA GCSE Drama

Drama GCSE at Abbey Gate involves a mixture of performance work, coursework and a written exam paper. Students opting for Drama GCSE should have a strong interest in improving their performance skills, developing their knowledge of theatrical styles and analysing texts. The course is underpinned by trips to local and national theatres which are essential to gain the knowledge, skill and understanding required for the GCSE. A common misconception is that Drama is an 'easy' option, however the GCSE is equally as challenging as other subjects and requires a commitment to both performance and written work. The course will appeal to students genuinely interested in both the practical and theoretical aspects of Drama. The practical elements involve two assessed acting performances or design projects. The acting projects can be duologues, small group pieces or whole class pieces. The preparation and rehearsal process is assessed through an acting journal. Component 1: Understanding drama What’s assessed: • Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre. • Study of one set play from a choice of six • Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers How it’s assessed: Written exam: 1 hour and 45 minutes Open book This component is worth 40% of GCSE marks (80 marks in total)

Component 2: Devising Drama (Practical) What’s assessed: • Process of creating devised drama • Performance of devised drama (students may contribute as a performer or designer) • Analysis and evaluation of own work How it’s assessed: Devising log (60 marks) Devised performance (20 marks) This component is worth 40% of GCSE marks (80 marks in total) This component is marked by teachers and moderated by AQA.

Geography Head of Department: Mr G Darbey Course: AQA GCSE Geography

Why Geography? Geography is an enjoyable subject, and if you are interested in the many topical issues affecting people and our planet - its environment, people and landscape - then you should be seriously considering studying the subject. Geography’s content is stimulating and broad, covering a range of physical and human geographical themes, from tectonic hazards to global trade. Human geography explores a variety of social issues which form an excellent basis for numerous Sixth Form courses such as Economics, Politics and Business Studies. Geography’s physical topics also combine well with the sciences, particularly Biology. The subject will introduce you to a broad range of transferable skills such as problem-solving, decision-making and analysis. All of these are essential skills in a vast range of ğėƵĐñƭņųŨ͘ñŨė͘Đñƙğğƙ͘Ɩñƭŀǎñǔơ͘ñŨė͘ņơ͘ñ͘ŦñŖųƙ͘ƙğñơųŨ͘ķųƙ͘IğųĸƙñƖŀǔ͘ĎğņŨĸ͘ņėğŨƭņǦğė͘Ďǔ͘ƭŀğ͘ government as a facilitating subject. This means that Geography is highly valued by both universities and employers . This Course will enable you to: • Gain knowledge and understanding of a range of places from local to global, as well as an understanding of the factors which affect their development. • Develop an appreciation of the environment, as well as an awareness of the ways in which people affect the natural world. ̳͘ 'ğǍğŝųƖ͘ƖğƙơųŨñŝ͘ñŨė͘ƖƙñĐƭņĐñŝ͘ơřņŝŝơ̪͘ñơ͘ǎğŝŝ͘ñơ͘ơğŝķ̿ĐųŨǦėğŨĐğ͘ƭŀƙųƵĸŀ͘ĐųŨėƵĐƭņŨĸ ͘ Ǧğŝėǎųƙř̩ ̳͘ ƖƖŝǔ͘ñ͘ǎņėğ͘ƙñŨĸğ͘ųķ͘ơřņŝŝơ͘ñŨė͘ƭğĐŀŨņƘƵğơ̿͘͘ņŨĐŝƵėņŨĸ͘Ǧğŝėǎųƙř͘ñŨė͘U »̿͘͘Ũğğėğė͘ƭų͘͘ conduct geographical enquiries. • Understand and evaluate the attitudes and values of other people from around the world. The GCSE Geography course: ¥ ͘£ñƖğƙ͘˪́͘͘£ŀǔơņĐñŝ͘IğųĸƙñƖŀǔ̬͘˪͘ŀųƵƙ͘ˬ˩͘ŦņŨƵƭğơ̬͘ˬˮΒ͘ Topics: The challenge of natural hazards – causes, effects and management of earthquakes, volcanoes and tropical storms. The causes, effects and management of global climate change. The living world – ecosystems such as rainforests and hot deserts Physical landscapes in the UK – glaciers and rivers ¥ ͘£ñƖğƙ͘˫́͘͘PƵŦñŨ͘IğųĸƙñƖŀǔ̬͘˪͘ŀųƵƙ͘ˬ˩͘ŦņŨƵƭğơ̬͘ˬˮΒ Topics: Economic development of countries and businesses Cities around the world Global resource management ¥ ͘£ñƖğƙ͘ˬ́͘͘IğųĸƙñƖŀņĐñŝ͘ñƖƖŝņĐñƭņųŨơ̬͘˪͘ŀųƵƙ̬͘ˬ˩Β͘ HņğŝėƭƙņƖ͘ñƖƖŝņĐñƭņųŨ͘ñŨė͘ñŨñŝǔơņớ͘͘ƭǎų͘ĐųŦƖƵŝơųƙǔ͘ǦğŝėƭƙņƖơ͘ņŨ͘ƭŀğ͘ŝųĐñŝ͘ñƙğñ͘ǎņŝŝ͘ƭñřğ͘ƖŝñĐğ̩͘ Decision making exercise based on a pre-released booklet.

History Head of Department: Mr M Dickins ųƵƙơğ̫͘0ėğǓĐğŝ͘I ®0͘Pņơƭųƙǔ̹͘˪P˪˩̺

This relevant and popular course involves the study of a variety of topics including Super Power Relations and the Cold War 1945-1991, the USA at home and abroad between 1954 and 1975, the reign of Henry VIII, and Medicine in Britain between 1250 and the present day. The course is assessed by three examination papers. There is no Controlled Assessment. Paper 1

Paper 2:

»ųƖņĐ͘˪̫͘sğėņĐņŨğ͘ņŨ͘ ƙņƭñņŨ̹͘˪˫ˮ˩́͘͘£ƙğơğŨƭ͘ Day) Topic 2: The British sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches • This paper is worth 30% of the total marks and is 1¼ hours in length. • These topics will be studied during the Autumn and Summer terms of Year 10

Topic 1: Superpower Relations and the Cold War (1941-1991) Topic 2: Henry VIII and his Ministers ̹˪ˮ˩˲̿˪ˮ˭˩̺ • This paper is worth 40% of the total marks and is 1¾ hours in length. • Superpower Relations and the Cold War will be studied in the Autumn term of Year 11 Henry VIII will be taught in the Spring Term of Year 10

Paper 3:

»ųƖņĐ̫͘͘»ŀğ͘Â® ̫͘ ųŨǧņĐƭ͘ñŨė͘PųŦğ͘ñŨė͘ Ďƙųñė̹͘˪˲ˮ˭̿˪˲˰ˮ̺ • This paper is worth 30% of the total marks and is 1 hour 20 minutes in length. ŝƭŀųƵĸŀ͘ƭŀğ͘ĐųƵƙơğ͘ņơ͘ǎņėğ͘ñŨė͘ơƖğĐņǦĐ͘řŨųǎŝedge is required, the examinations follow the principle of testing what candidates ‘know, understand and can do.’ Consequently there will be less emphasis on memorising great quantities of factual material and more on understanding and evaluating the material presented. A wide variety of reading and debating materials, DVD clips and electronic resources are used ƭŀƙųƵĸŀųƵƭ͘ƭŀğ͘ĐųƵƙơğ̹͘ņŨ͘ñėėņƭņųŨ͘ƭų͘ơƖğĐņǦĐ͘ text books).

͘ƘƵñŝņǦĐñƭņųŨ͘ņŨ͘Pņơƭųƙǔ͘ņơ͘ĐųŨơņėğƙğė͋͘ğņƭŀğƙ͘ useful or essential ’ for a wide range of courses at top universities, as well as an asset in careers ơƵĐŀ͘ñơ͘ ĐĐųƵŨƭñŨĐǔ͘Η͘ ñŨřņŨĸ̪͘HųƙğņĸŨ͘ ķǦĐğ̪͘ Civil Service, Law, Human Resources, Intelligence Services, Armed Forces, Media & Journalism, Retail & Industry, Conservation, and Leisure & Tourism. Successful History graduates are found everywhere!

Students with an interest in History, Politics or ǎųƙŝė͘ėğǍğŝųƖŦğŨƭơ͘ơŀųƵŝė͘ǦŨė͘ƭŀğ͘ĐųƵƙơğ͘ interesting and well within their grasp. At A Level both History and Politics are popular and respected courses and GCSE History is a useful preparation for them. Students opting for separate Sciences will select three.

Music Head of Department: Mr J Andrews Course: AQA GCSE Music

ŝŝ͘ĐñŨėņėñƭğơ͘ŦƵơƭ͘ŀñǍğ͘ñŝƙğñėǔ͘ĎğğŨ͘ƖŝñǔņŨĸ͘ñƭ͘ŝğñơƭ͘ųŨğ͘ņŨơƭƙƵŦğŨƭ̶ơņŨĸņŨĸ͘ķųƙ͘ơųŦğ͘ƭņŦğ͘ and preferably have a basic knowledge of the piano. Candidates should aim to be of Grade ˭̶ˮ͘ơƭñŨėñƙė͘Ďǔ͘ƭŀğ͘®ƖƙņŨĸ͘ųķ͘àğñƙ͘˪˪̩

®ƭƵėğŨƭơ͘ŦƵơƭ͘ĐųŦƖŝğƭğ͘ñŝŝ͘ƭŀƙğğ͘ĐųŦƖųŨğŨƭơ͘ųķ͘ƭŀņơ͘ƘƵñŝņǦĐñƭņųŨ̩ Component 1: Understanding music – 3 set pieces from different periods What’s assessed: How it’s assessed:

Listening Contextual understanding Exam paper with listening exercises using excerpts of music.

Questions Section A: Listening (68 marks) The exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes

Section B: Contextual understanding (28 marks)

This component is worth 40% of GCSE marks (96 marks in total) Component 2: Performing music What’s assessed: How it’s assessed: • •

Music performance ơ͘ñŨ͘ņŨơƭƙƵŦğŨƭñŝņơƭ͘ñŨė̶ųƙ͘ǍųĐñŝņơƭ͘ñŨė̶ųƙ͘Ǎņñ͘ƭğĐŀŨųŝųĸǔ̫ Performance 1: Solo performance (36 marks) Performance 2: Ensemble performance (36 marks)

A minimum of four minutes and a maximum of seven minutes of performance in total is required. (A minimum of one minute must be the ensemble performance.) Candidates offer one individual performance and one group (or duet) performance. The standard of these performances should be grade 5 or above to guarantee the highest mark for ‘demand’. This component is 30% of GCSE marks Non-exam assessment (NEA) will be internally marked by teachers and externally moderated by ¥ ̩͘£ğƙķųƙŦñŨĐğơ͘ŦƵơƭ͘Ďğ͘ĐųŦƖŝğƭğė͘ņŨ͘ƭŀğ͘ǔğñƙ͘ųķ͘ĐğƙƭņǦĐñƭņųŨ̩ Component 3: Composing Music What’s assessed: How it’s assessed:

Composition Task 1: Composition to a brief (36 marks) Task 2: Free composition (36 marks)

A minimum of three minutes of music in total is required. This component is 30% of GCSE marks.

Physical Education Head of Department: Mr C Cutler Course: OCR GCSE Physical Education

I ®0͘£0͘ņơ͘ñ͘ƭǎų͘ǔğñƙ͘ĐųƵƙơğ͘ƭñƵĸŀƭ͘ņŨ͘àğñƙ͘˪˩͘ñŨė͘˪˪̪͘ķųŝŝųǎņŨĸ͘ƭŀğ͘ ¦͘ơƖğĐņǦĐñƭņųŨ̩ 1.

Written Paper 1 – Physical factors affecting performance

The paper is one hour and accounts for ˬ˩Β of the total mark. The theory content is made up of: 1.) 2.)

Applied anatomy and physiology Physical training

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ÚƙņƭƭğŨ͘£ñƖğƙ͘˫́͘͘®ųĐņų̿ĐƵŝƭƵƙñŝ͘ņŨǧƵğŨĐğơ͘ñŨė͘ơƖųƙƭơ͘ƖơǔĐŀųŝųĸǔ

The paper is one hour and accounts for ˬ˩Β of the total mark. The theory content is made up of: ˪̩̺͘ 2.) ˬ̩̺͘

®ųĐņų̿ĐƵŝƭƵƙñŝ͘ņŨǧƵğŨĐğơ Sports psychology Pğñŝƭŀ̪͘ǦƭŨğơơ͘ñŨė͘ǎğŝŝ̿ĎğņŨĸ

Practical Assessment – internal assessment – external moderation

Students are assessed in three different practical activities as a player/performer only •

Activities must comprise two different groups, as below.

i. ii. iii.

One in a team sport One in an individual sport One either team or individual sport

The approved lists can be found in section 2d and Section 2e of the ‘OCR GCSE (9–1) guide to u0 ͘ņŨ͘£0̩͌͘»ŀğ͘ƖƙñĐƭņĐñŝ͘ĐųŦƖųŨğŨƭ͘ñơ͘ñ͘Ɩŝñǔğƙ̶͘ƖğƙķųƙŦğƙ͘ñĐĐųƵŨƭơ͘ķųƙ͘˭˩Β of the total mark. Students wishing to submit evidence of any sports performed outside of school are required to provide video evidence with sound. We would expect any pupil wishing to take the GCSE PE course to be dedicated to training both inside and outside of school and a regular participant in their main sport at a competitive level.

Religious Studies Head of Department: Mrs Z Leonard ųƵƙơğ̫͘ ¥ ͘I ®0͘¦ğŝņĸņųƵơ͘®ƭƵėņğơ͘ ̹͘˱˩˯˫̺

Religious Studies allows you to explore a range of religions and world views as well as provoking challenging questions about meaning and purpose in life, beliefs about God, ultimate questions, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. As part of your studies, you will gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture. You will develop analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to work with abstract ideas, and research skills. All these skills will help prepare you for further study. You do not need to be religious to study this subject: religion guides many decisions that are made in people’s lives and in public policy; this course helps to gain a greater understanding of those ėğĐņơņųŨơ͘ñŨė͘ƭŀğ͘ņŨǧƵğŨĐğ͘ųķ͘ƙğŝņĸņųŨ͘ņŨ͘ŝņķğ͘ñŨė͘ơųĐņğƭǔ̩ This GCSE course provides a secure foundation for further study of Religious Studies at A Level and other related subjects, including Philosophy, History, Government and Politics, Sociology and 0Ũĸŝņơŀ͘iņƭğƙñƭƵƙğ̩͘Uƭ͘ņơ͘ñ͘ƙğŝğǍñŨƭ͘ƘƵñŝņǦĐñƭņųŨ͘ķųƙ͘ñŨǔ͘ŖųĎ͘ǎŀņĐŀ͘ņŨǍųŝǍğơ͘ǎųƙřņŨĸ͘ǎņƭŀ͘ųƭŀğƙ͘ people and understanding the needs of others. The UK is a multi-faith society and an understanding of our differences will help us live and work together peacefully. The principles within this GCSE course attempt to achieve this understanding. Component 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices: What’s assessed: You will study the beliefs, teachings and practices of two religions from a choice of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism or Sikhism. Component 2: Thematic studies: religious, philosophical and ethical studies What’s assessed: You will study a total of four themes from Component 2. You will explore religious, philosophical and ethical arguments related to the issues raised, and their impact and ņŨǧƵğŨĐğ͘ųŨ͘ƭŀğ͘ŦųėğƙŨ͘ǎųƙŝė̩ The possible religious, philosophical and ethical themes that you may study include: • relationships and families • religion and life • the existence of God and revelation ̳͘ ƙğŝņĸņųŨ̪͘ƖğñĐğ͘ñŨė͘ĐųŨǧņĐƭ • religion, crime and punishment • religion, human rights and social justice How it’s assessed: 100% written assessment over two examination papers (50% for each paper). Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes long.