Exeter School GCSE Options Booklet - September 2020

Exeter School

GCSE Options September 2020

Dear pupils and parents, This booklet contains information designed to guide and assist you in choosing the subjects you wish to study in your Middle Fifth and Upper Fifth years (Years 10 and 11) at Exeter School.

Dr James Wilson Deputy Head (Academic)

In addition to studying a number of compulsory GCSE subjects, you will need to choose one Modern Foreign Language and three further optional subjects. As you face this important decision, I want to reassure you that we are here to give as much support as required. Within this booklet you will find general guidance about choosing options as well as details for each subject that includes topics covered and the form of assessment within your (I)GCSE exams in 2022.

There is also information on some of the other courses and opportunities available to you in the coming years.

The booklet is issued to all our Lower Fifth pupils before the Christmas holidays to allow plenty of time for discussion before you need to make your choices in February. Your main point of contact within the school will be your Head of House who will have a lot of experience in helping pupils pick the right courses for them. For external pupils, this booklet will hopefully provide an insight into the subjects and wide-ranging activities that are on offer to our pupils during their GCSE years.

Exeter School provides a well-rounded education where outstanding academic results are achieved and where all pupils can thrive. We always aim to support each individual in their journey through the school. If you have any questions about option choices or our GCSE provision in general then please contact me on the email address below.

We look forward to welcoming you into this rewarding, exciting and important new stage of your journey at Exeter School.

James Wilson JLW@exeterschool.org.uk

A love of learning is promoted throughout the school both inside and outside the classroom.

In addition to a variety of activities and subjectspecific societies that run at lunchtimes there are a number of regular internal competitions to challenge and extend our pupils. These include various Art competitions, the Biology specimen drawing competition, the English creative writing competition, the Ogden Trust Love Physics competition and the Science photo competition (last year’s winning photo is pictured).

There are regular trips to France and Spain where GCSE pupils stay with local families and attend language lessons in the morning. They spend the afternoon practising their language skills, going on cultural excursions and enjoying the beaches (pictured here in Granada).

There are numerous opportunities for curriculum enrichment including lectures, master classes, trips, performances, revision classes, study skills lectures, leadership training, as well as various clubs and societies. Exeter School has a thriving set of academic societies across the 7-18 school which aim to extend pupils’ experience, understanding and imagination Pictured is a GCSE masterclass run

by CILIP Carnegie Medal winning author Tanya Landman.

In 2019, pupils performed a thoughtprovoking production of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Staged in the Drama Studio by an entirely Middle Fifth cast and crew, the actors used the space skilfully. The lighting and sound cleverly managed the sinister mood of the action.

The play is open to all pupils interested in getting involved both on and off stage.

Exeter School’s 25-acre site is well equipped with a range of first-class facilities. In addition to the large playing fields, the school has its own 3G astroturf arena, sports hall and fitness suite, studio area, climbing wall, indoor shooting range, squash courts, and an all-weather court.

Music is thriving at Exeter School and pupils have the opportunity to perform regularly in Exeter Cathedral and local churches as well as in the Music School’s extended concert hall. There is a full programme of annual musical events including the Carol Service, Spring Concert, National Trust Concert (pictured) as well as the annual Choral Society Concert, whose members include senior pupils, staff and families of pupils.

The school offers a special ‘Friday 8’ programme for pupils in Year 10 and above. This provides pupils the opportunity to join either the Combined Cadet Force, comprising a Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army Section, or the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. The annual adventure training exercise is a highlight of the year and concentrates on developing the core skills of independence, self-reliance and leadership in an outward bound context.

The school is ideally located to take advantage of the beautiful Devon countryside for expeditions across Dartmoor and Exmoor, including the school’s own ‘1633 Challenge’, which is similar to the Ten Tors Challenge. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is very popular and pupils often take part in Silver Duke of Edinburgh expeditions in Year 10. This year the school is introducing a stand up paddle boarding option.

There is a long and distinguished tradition of taking part in the Abbots’ Way Walk, which is held in early October. The Ten Tors Challenge, which is administered by the Army and takes place in May, starts and finishes at Okehampton Camp, and teams of six complete either thirtyfive, forty-five or fifty-five miles in two days, depending on age.

Sport plays an important role in the life of Exeter School. All pupils have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a wealth of social and competitive sport. The central aim is to develop in all pupils an interest in, and enthusiasm for physical activity nurturing their independence, self-confidence, leadership and team work.

The school has a thriving programme of clubs with the opportunity to participate in more than 20 sports at lunch time and after school. Exeter School’s 25-acre site is well equipped with a range of first-class sports facilities.

From the Upper Fifth to Upper Sixth (Years 11 - 13) there are fourteen different activities available within weekly Games sessions. These include the major sports of rugby, hockey, football, netball, football, rounders and cricket as well as shooting, kayaking, cross country and squash.

Pupils have the opportunity to represent their House as well as their school team at local, regional or national level. Many of our major teams have a reputation for success in county competitions.

Recreational sport is widely enjoyed by all our pupils for pleasure and fitness.

PUPILS

67

SCORED TEN OR MORE

9-7

GRADES

THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES WHO ACHIEVED 8 OR MORE GRADES AT

9-7

74% 9-7 GRADES

81%

A*, A &B Grades

PASS RATE

35 pupils scored 3 or more A* or A grades

100%

A LEVEL 2019

GCSE 2019

37

Exeter School Victoria Park Road Exeter, Devon EX2 4NS 01392 273679 @ExeterSchoolUK www.exeterschool.org.uk