Upper school options 2014

Upper School Op ons 2014

This term we are asking you and your parents to make choices about the range of subjects that you will study next year in the Fourth Year. You will con nue to study those subjects in the Fi h Year, i.e. to GCSE level. The choices you made this me last year were limited to languages and crea ve subjects; this me they also involve History and Geography, plus five new subjects – Economics, Philosophy & Ethics, Classical Civilisa on, Sports Science and Compu ng.

ENGLISH

BIOLOGY

MATHEMATICS

CHEMISTRY

MODERN LANGUAGE 1

PHYSICS

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

PE & GAMES

English leads to IGCSEs in both Language and Literature. There is no examina on in core PE; the GCSE (short course) in Religious Studies is taken at the end of the Fourth Year.

Modern Language 1 must have been studied in Third Year.

You can choose three addi onal subjects from the op ons. Your first stated choice must be a humani es subject; a er that you may choose any two other subjects.

HUMANITIES History Geography Economics Philosophy & Ethics

FURTHER OPTION SUBJECTS French Art German Compu ng Spanish Design Technology Italian Music La n Sports Science Greek Theatre Studies Classical Civilisa on

There are three separate GCSE courses available in DT – Resistant Materials, Graphic Products and Tex les, and you are asked to put them in order of preference.

Your parents will receive a le er about all of this along with a form which they will fill in to show your preferences. They have to send this back by Friday 7th March.

UPPER SCHOOL OPTIONS

The core subjects – the subjects you must all study – are

Remember the following points : There will be an opportunity to ask any ques ons you may have on Wednesday 12th February in the Dobson Theatre – especially about the way your choices might affect career ambi ons.

UPPER SCHOOL OPTIONS

You have to con nue with at least one modern language through to IGCSE. If you currently study only one modern language, you will follow it through to IGCSE. If you currently study two modern languages you can con nue with either or both to IGCSE. You cannot begin to study a new language in the Fourth Year. You can choose whether or not to carry on with a second modern language, La n or Greek if you currently study them.

You can choose to take a GCSE course in a crea ve subject even if you haven’t studied that subject in the Third Year. You can choose Classical Civilisa on without having studied La n or Greek in the Third Year.

When, in two years’ me, you are making A level and AS level choices, the only op on subjects that you must have taken at IGCSE or GCSE are the languages – modern and classical.

Informa on about the op on subjects is being sent to your home to help you decide what to do.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to guarantee absolutely that you will be given all your preferences. Various pressures mean that a few people may be unable to do their preferred combina on, which is why we ask you to list alterna ves. If there is a problem with your preferences, I will discuss it with you individually.

Take lots of advice – from your tutor, your teachers, heads of department, Mrs Sheppard, or from me. Visit the Guidance Centre, and talk to Mrs Mandley.

Mr AF Dellar Deputy Head (Academic) afd@kes.hant.sch.uk

UPPER SCHOOL OPTIONS

Subject OpƟons

ART The course encourages pupils to perceive, understand and express concepts and feelings in visual and tac le form; to develop manipula ve skills and technical competence and to record from direct observa ons and personal experiences.

All our students are expected to produce work in a wide variety of media, and therefore take the Unendorsed course, which involves assessed elements in more than one area of study (e.g. Drawing, Pain ng, Printmaking, or Sculpture).

During the Fourth and Fi h Years pupils are given two main projects or briefs to carry out.

These tasks are assessed throughout the course and these assessments, together with a piece of externally set work, are the essen al elements of the course. It is hoped that many of the skills prac sed and concepts understood during the two years will encourage the students to pursue the subject into the Sixth Form and beyond.

Head of Department: Mr G L Piggo glp@kes.hants.sch.uk

CLASSICAL CIVILISATION This course is ideal for students who have a passion for the classical world. A variety of topics can be studied, including Homer’s wonderful Odyssey and the vibrant community life of first century Pompeii. This course can stand alone or can supplement the study of La n and Classical Greek. GCSE Classical Civilisa on is also a valuable pla orm for pursuing the subject further at AS Level. There are four units. Students sit three one‐hour papers and produce a controlled assessment of 2,000 words. The op on topics, a mixture of Greek and Roman themes, are: 1 2 3 4

City Life in the Classical World ‐ Athens or Rome Epic and Myth ‐ Homer Odyssey or Ovid Metamorphoses Community Life in the Classical World ‐ Pompeii or Sparta Culture and Society in the Classical World – see below

This is the unit which is assessed through Controlled Assessment. This means that students carry out data collec on and research supported and guided by teachers. OCR an cipates that students will require approximately fi een hours of research/data collec on me completed over a number of weeks. Analysis and evalua on of findings will be completed under formal supervised condi ons and candidates will use their research to write approximately 2,000 words in response to the task set. OCR an cipates that students will require approximately five hours to write up the task, completed over several separate sessions. The topics include Sophocles An gone or Aristophanes Lysistrata or the Olympic Games or Virgil Aeneid or Pliny Le ers or Roman Britain.

Head of Department: Mrs J M Meredith jmm@kes.hants.sch.uk

COMPUTING A modern course for a modern world. The GCSE Compu ng (OCR) course will provide students with an in‐depth understanding of how computer technology works and a look at what goes on ‘behind the scenes’. As part of this, they will inves gate computer programming.

The fun of compuƟng. Through this study of computer programming, the course will help learners develop cri cal thinking, analysis and problem solving skills. For many, it will be a fun and interes ng way to develop these skills, which can be transferred to other subjects and even applied in day‐to‐day life. In this way, the course will s mulate interest and engagement with technology and technology‐related careers.

Looking to the future. Informa on technologies con nue to have a growing importance.

This means there will be a stronger demand for professionals who are qualified in this area.

If learners want to go on to higher study and employment in the field of Computer Science, they will find that this course provides an excellent stepping stone. Learners who have taken a Compu ng GCSE and who then progress to study the subject at A Level or at university will have a sound fundamental knowledge of this subject area.

The cri cal thinking, analysis and problem solving skills developed are at centre of a 21st century skill base, regardless of discipline pursued.

Head of Department: Mr P J Mapstone pjm@kes.hants.sch.uk

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY ‘Young designers hold the key to the future. Design gives you the opportunity to shape every aspect of our lives in the twenty‐first century.’ – Sir Terence Conran.

The GCSE courses offered in Design Technology give pupils at King Edward's the chance to shape the future. All op ons encompass design, manufacture and evalua on and u lise a wide range of ICT tools including design packages and CAD/CAM, from 3D prin ng to laser cu ng. These courses build on the founda on of work carried out in the Lower School; the GCSE courses in Design Technology allow pupils to turn their thoughts and ideas into reality. Pupils should choose one of the three op ons available at GCSE: Graphic products; concerned with all aspects of two and three dimensional modelling.

Whilst this course is not exclusively computer‐aided design, Graphic Design students will focus on the use of industry standard so ware such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator as well as realising their virtual SolidWorks models using CNC equipment such as the 3D printer and laser cu er.

Resistant materials; pupils will develop their applica on of knowledge, skills and understanding of resistant materials (primarily woods, metals and plas cs) applying these to designing and making a product of their own choosing at GCSE. Tex le Technology: Pupils will develop a wide range of decora ve and construc on techniques all based around the design and manufacture of fashion garments. Students will undertake prac cal processes such as hand dying, embroidery, block prin ng and pa ern cu ng. Students will also learn how to create fashion illustra ons both by hand and using Adobe Illustrator on the PC and Sketchbook Pro on the iPad. The above courses will complement any student's por olio, whether science‐ or humani es‐ based. All of the courses are split 40% examina on and 60% controlled assessment (a project carried out under supervision in School). We would also encourage further study up to A Level, or AS level, Design Technology, leading on to University courses in subjects as varied as interior design, engineering, product design, robo cs, architecture or computer design.

Head of Department: Mr S H Barker shb@kes.hants.sch.uk

ECONOMICS The GCSE syllabus seeks to explain the workings of the current United Kingdom economic system. It provides pupils with a grounding in the basic analy cal skills of the economist and encourages them to apply the various theories to contemporary economic problems.

Candidates must be able to think logically, handle data in various forms and express themselves with clarity and understanding. The topics for study include the determina on of prices and wages in markets, unemployment, infla on, taxa on, exchange rates, the balance of payments, and the European Union.

The course is both topical and relevant to the pupils' lives, providing a valuable insight into a key area of current aairs. It is a useful stepping stone for those wishing to study the subject in the Sixth Form, although this is not a pre�requisite for GCE Advanced Level Economics. There is no coursework in this subject and assessment is by three examina on papers.

Head of Department: Mr M A Walter maw@kes.hants.sch.uk

FRENCH Since September 2012 French students at KES have been working towards the new AQA Level 1/2 Cer ficate in French (IGCSE). This new examina on will be assessed en rely through external assessment at the end of the two year course. The four skills of listening, speaking, reading and wri ng are all worth 25%, and there will be the opportunity of si ng either Higher of Founda on level papers. The IGCSE course is topic‐based, with the basic grammar forming an integral part of how the students acquire the language. The four main topics include socialising, travelling abroad, being part of a community and making choices.

Students are set by ability in the Upper School, but all follow the same textbook, and their learning experiences will be very similar. They can normally expect to have the same French teacher throughout the two year course. There are opportuni es to watch and review a film in the first term of the Fourth Year, and there is a strong emphasis on spoken French, which is assessed using the mul ‐media centres. In addi on, students are able to work with the French assistants on a regular basis to improve their use of the spoken language. The course is lively and up to date, and French teachers work together to ensure that all students are challenged and encouraged to achieve their best in the subject.

The Expo textbook follows on smoothly from the work that the students encountered in the Lower School. In addi on, Fourth and Fi h Year students can work in class or from home via the VLE programme, KesMoodle, and there is a dedicated site to support their classwork and textbook. Listening exercises can be set as homework and, as the amount of foreign language IT material expands, more and more is being made available to our students.

French teachers aim to encourage all good linguists as they look ahead and consider whether French should feature in their list of chosen AS subjects. In order to enjoy France and all things French, in April 2011 a group of thirty‐six Upper School students spent three days in Paris; this trip was so successful that it may be revisited in April 2014.

At the end of the two year course most students should be in a posi on to consider taking French on to Advanced level in the Sixth Form, which offers an opportunity to par cipate in an exchange to Angers in the October of the Lower and Upper Sixth.

French has long formed a central part of our educa on system. It is the first or second language of many countries in the world; France is our nearest con nental neighbour and an increasingly important business partner and provides many leisure opportuni es for people of all ages. Fluency in such a major language is increasingly an asset in many careers, and the aim of the next two years is to provide pupils with the confidence to communicate effec vely and with a pla orm on which they can build at a later date.

Head of Department: Mrs J V Jones jvj@kes.hants.sch.uk

GEOGRAPHY The IGCSE course can be seen as a series of prac cal skills and key ideas which build logically on the work undertaken in the Lower School. These skills include the interpreta on of maps at both 1:50000 and 1:25000 scales, atlas work and the geographical representa on and interpreta on of geographical data. The inclusion of oblique aerial photographs, satellite and weather maps provides a diverse range of teaching and learning ac vi es, which will encourage the development of a range of enquiry skills, including those rela ng to prac cal fieldwork inves ga ons and the use of the internet and ICT. There is, however, no formal wri en coursework or controlled assessment.

The key ideas within the course are arranged as a series of units which are studied at a variety of scales ranging from the local to the interna onal. A variety of topical case studies are integrated within the units to provide a sensible balance between both Physical and Human Geography. The topics studied on the Physical side include Plate Tectonics, Weather and Climate, Marine and River Processes, as well as Ecosystems. On the Human side of the subject the students study topics which include Se lement, Leisure Ac vi es and Tourism, as well as Energy and Water Resources. The interac on of these processes is realised by studying the interrela onships between natural and human ac vi es, which also considers resource conserva on and management. As a whole, the teaching units cons tute a balanced view of Geography that is relevant in today’s world, which is concerned with pa erns in the landscape and the recurrent processes contribu ng to them; in par cular the link between man and the land.

If Geography is to be studied in the Sixth Form then it would be beneficial, though not essen al, to follow the IGCSE course. An integral part of the course is a four day residen al field course based in Osmington Bay near Weymouth, which takes place in July at the end of the first year of the two year course.

Further informa on may be found on the Department’s web pages.

Head of Department: Mrs L J Race ljr@kes.hants.sch.uk

GERMAN The new EDEXCEL IGCSE German course in the Fourth and Fi h Year at King Edward’s is a natural progression from the Third Year German experience, with a firm emphasis on providing pupils with the skills for effec ve communica on, whether in School or beyond.

As German is the EU language with the largest number of na ve speakers and Germany is the world’s largest exporter, German should be considered an important language both within Europe and on a global stage. Knowledge of German makes you an unusual and therefore highly marketable commodity!

During the German course in the Upper School, you will study topics that are chosen to be relevant to young people and will give you the ability to survive in every‐day situa ons in a German‐speaking country. You will also acquire all the basic gramma cal construc ons needed to communicate accurately and to access a top grade at this level.

We use a new, fully resourced coursebook which is further supplemented by ar cles from a wide variety of other sources, by language so ware and DVDs. In addi on, we regularly use online resources which may be accessed in School or at home via our VLE or e‐learning Moodle courses. There is also regular listening and speaking prac ce in one of the two media centres and weekly access to a foreign language assistant, who is a na ve speaker and really helps build oral confidence.

The EDEXCEL IGCSE course is assessed at the end of the 5th Year in 3 units: Paper 1: Listening, Paper 2: Reading and Wri ng, and Paper 3: Speaking.

There is no coursework or controlled assessment at any stage.

The German course also provides a window on the civilisa on and culture of German‐ speaking countries and seeks to s mulate interest in travel abroad to the country of study.

The well‐established Mu erstadt Exchange, which has been running since 1999, is open to Fourth Year pupils and will follow e‐mail contact with our partner school, the IGS Mu erstadt. Fourth Year pupils may also go on the Aachen Christmas Market trip in December if places are available.

Whether you are considering the EDEXCEL IGCSE course with a view to con nuing the language at Advanced Level or to complement and balance a study of other disciplines, e.g.

Science and Mathema cs, it is a s mula ng op on that offers variety and challenge and will suit all those who are enjoying their Third Year course.

Head of Department: Mrs S L Allen sla@kes.hants.sch.uk

CLASSICAL GREEK Those who have already begun the study of Greek are strongly encouraged to con nue with it to GCSE, since it is here that the rewards for learning such a challenging language come to the fore. Some literature is read in the original language, and this is a considerable achievement at GCSE. Students usually read part of a book of Homer's Odyssey � Greek composed 3000 years ago � together with some prose literature (normally some Xenophon, Plato or Thucydides) on a historical topic. There is plenty to keep able minds busy and challenged, developing transla on skills and also cri cal powers in literary comment. At every stage there is plenty of help and guidance, so that there is a natural transi on from the textbook to real Greek authors.

Linguis c skills con nue to be refined, but normally the transla on is more from Greek into English than the other way round, although this is an op on in the examina on. The ini al grammar in Greek is actually harder than the syntax, so the language work gradually feels easier as experience grows. We enter pupils for four wri en examina on papers.

Those studying Greek soon realise how fundamental it is to the English language and owe it to themselves to take the opportunity to dip into some of the finest literature ever wri en, which has had such an influence on the whole of western culture. In addi on, study of Greek government and jus ce systems involves considera on of issues of abiding relevance to the present day.

Greek will have to have been taken at GCSE if it is to be studied in the Sixth Form. Even if it is not con nued at Advanced level, it provides students with a fine background for con nued study in History, other languages, English or Classical Civilisa on. It is certainly a highly regarded qualifica on.

Head of Department: Mrs J M Meredith mm@kes.hants.sch.uk

HISTORY IGCSE History provides a fascina ng and varied introduc on to many of the major historical, poli cal and economic issues and events that have helped to shape the world in which we live today and, in terms of the skills required and the chronological star ng point, is designed to flow on naturally from the 3rd Year work on the First World War. History at IGCSE goes far beyond simply learning facts and dates. Rather, it requires judgement and analysis of why important events took place, and why they should be seen as significant, together with a willingness to discuss and dispute different explana ons and interpreta ons. History is not for those who dislike debate and argument; it is very much for those who enjoy the analysis of intriguing and important people and events, and the challenge of cut and thrust conversa on. It provides not only interest but also huge enjoyment to those who study it.

We take the IGCSE “Modern World History” course which covers a variety of topics from the twen eth century. IGCSE History has two main factual units, for which a grasp of wide knowledge is needed. The first centres on Germany from 1918‐1945. This includes an analysis of the impact of the First World War on Germany and an in‐depth study of Nazi Germany, covering both the rise to power of Adolf Hitler and the reality of Nazi rule in Germany from 1933‐1945; the Nazi Police State, the social policies of the Nazis, Germany and the Second World War and, chillingly, finishing with the Holocaust. The department runs a popular trip to Berlin for the Fi h Year IGCSE historians in the spring term half term break every year in an effort to bring the nature of Nazism more alive.

The course con nues with the study of interna onal rela ons throughout the twen eth century. This involves inves ga on of the causes of World War Two, with a par cular focus on Nazi foreign policy, and the study of the Cold War from 1945 onwards, under the tle of “Superpower Rela ons”, covering such absorbing topics as the nuclear arms race, the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. There is no Controlled Assessment unit for IGCSE History and the ques on format ranges from short answers to more developed pieces of wri ng. That said, the days when History involved wri ng essays several pages long are now long gone. Anybody who has coped effec vely with the wri ng requirements of 3rd Year History lessons at King Edward’s will find no difficulty in moving on to IGCSE.

Head of Department: Mr N J Diver njd@kes.hants.sch.uk

ITALIAN In the Upper School a GCSE course in Italian is offered, and it will be an exci ng con nua on of the Italian studied in the Third Year. We will con nue to use the Amici course, which provides a solid grammar base along with a lively approach to Italian life.

This will accompanied by other resources such as access to authen c Italian materials online, DVDs and language magazines. There will be regular listening and speaking prac ce and students will be given the language skills for effec ve communica on on a wide variety of contemporary topics. We make use of the School’s VLE, Moodle, where students can work independently, and from home, to further their language capabili es. They also have the opportunity to work with the language assistant on a fortnightly basis in order to develop communica ve skills and enable students to prac se using the language for a variety of purposes. The assistant will also help them prepare for the Controlled Assessment element of the GCSE course.

A study visit to Italy will be offered in the Spring Term, which students are encouraged to make the most of. The culture of Italy is rich and varied and students will be encouraged to develop a good knowledge of its historical importance in Europe.

This is a s mula ng course and a great opportunity to develop skills in one of the most beau ful European Languages.

Head of Department: Mrs R H K Parkyn rhkp@kes.hants.sch.uk

LATIN By the end of the Third Year, students have covered most basic elements of La n grammar and syntax and are ready, in the Fourth year, to put them into prac ce by reading some Roman authors in the original, which is the whole aim of the Cambridge La n Course. To stop La n at this point is almost like learning to drive and never taking the test! All that has already been covered in the first three years of La n represents a major part of the GCSE Course, and it is a shame not to put this knowledge to good eect: students are already well on the way to a qualifica on.

A variety of authors is read in the Fourth and Fi h years, depending upon the specifica on in any par cular year, but this will include some poets, such as Catullus, Virgil and Ovid, and some prose writers, such as the provincial governor Pliny or the historian Tacitus. The selec on of works is carefully chosen so that the subject ma er is interes ng and gives a taste of some s mula ng authors. Transla on skills are widened and passages studied for literary and cultural comment. Those interested in mythology are likely to enjoy some of Ovid's stories from the Metamorphoses, while historians find that Tacitus' descrip on of the outrageous behaviour of the Emperor Nero or Pliny's eye�witness account of the erup on of Vesuvius are totally gripping!

Language work con nues throughout the course, and a great deal of prac ce is given in the technique of answering comprehension ques ons. Grammar and vocabulary are constantly being consolidated and refined. The variety of skills developed by this GCSE are easily transferred to benefit other subjects, both linguis c and historical, and its broad range ensures that it is full of interest and guaranteed to keep ac ve minds busy.

Head of Department: Mrs J M Meredith jmm@kes.hants.sch.uk

MUSIC The GCSE course, based on the OCR specifica on, oers an exci ng way to study music. It has three elements: Listening Candidates are required to demonstrate an understanding of musical styles from tradi onal orchestral music to dance music, contemporary music, jazz, rock and pop. A knowledge of basic musical theory is also required. This element is assessed by means of a wri en examina on with recorded musical extracts.

Performing During the course candidates develop their performing skills on their instrument and submit a solo and ensemble performance as controlled assessment.

Composing With step by step teaching, candidates learn how to compose in a variety of musical styles.

Two composi ons are submi ed as controlled assessment tasks for final modera on.

Candidates also learn how to improvise eec vely on their instrument.

Head of Department: Mrs H Freemantle hf@kes.hants.sch.uk

PHILOSOPHY & ETHICS The Religious Studies: Philosophy and Ethics GCSE is a well‐established and recognised Humani es course. It is challenging, thought‐provoking and relevant. The GCSE course is divided into two sec ons: Philosophy and Ethics. The Philosophy papers examine the Philosophy of Religion whereas the Ethics papers inves gate social, moral and ethical issues. For those interested in pursuing a career in medicine, the emphasis of this course on medical ethics is very advantageous. It is accepted as an academic GCSE by the top Russell Group of universi es, as it is a qualifica on that helps develop skills of analysis, empathy and academic argument. In this course students will be able to study and consider some of the major moral issues in modern life whilst exploring philosophical and theological arguments from a variety of historical contexts. The course will help them to understand how and why religious faith and other belief systems affect a person’s moral choices. They will have ample opportunity to examine their beliefs and the beliefs of others and to discuss a range of philosophical and ethical ques ons about the meaning and purpose of life for humanity. By the end of the course students will have specific and sound knowledge of the belief a tudes and prac ces of Chris anity, as well as an excellent grounding in the philosophy of religion and religious ethics.

We follow the OCR Philosophy and Applied Ethics (B) course which is made up of four units and their related topics. The course is structured as follows: Philosophy Unit 1: Deity/Religious and Spiritual Experience Topic 1: Deity and the nature of God: Does God exist? Do miracles happen?

Topic 2: Religious and Spiritual Experience: How can we experience God? What is worship?

Philosophy Unit 2: Good and Evil/RevelaƟon/Science Topic 3: Religion and Science: Does science disprove religion? How did life begin? Why are we here?

Topic 4: Good and Evil: Why is there suffering? Should people lead their lives just as they want?

Ethics Unit 1: RelaƟonships and Medical Ethics Topic 5: Religion and Human rela onships: Why do people marry? Can men and women have equal roles in society and in rela onships?

Topic 6: Religion and Medical Ethics: Should we allow those suffering to die? Is cloning acceptable?

Ethics 2: Peace and JusƟce and Equality Topic 7: Religion and Equality: What is cosmopolitanism? Is equality for all possible? What are rights?

Studying the Philosophy and Ethics course provides students with fascina ng topics, topics that generate great interest and debate. It also is a subject that provides great sa sfac on and enjoy‐ ment to those who study it. The course allows students to develop an enquiring, cri cal and re‐ flec ve approach to study; if a student can engage intellectually and reflec vely with material and then respond personally then they are fully equipped learners and prepared for any academic challenge ahead.

Head of Department: Mrs H E M Searles hems@kes.hants.sch.uk

SPANISH An IGCSE level qualifica on in any language is extremely valuable nowadays, but one in Spanish will guarantee you have an excellent basis for communica on with the over 400 million na ve Spanish speakers around the globe.

Even those who opted to study Spanish as a second modern language in the Third Year will be able to survive linguis cally in most ordinary day‐to‐day situa ons in a Spanish‐speaking country and be able to con nue studying the language at IGCSE level. During the Fourth and Fi h Years, skills are built up gradually with exposure to many different forms of Spanish, from spoken and wri en journalis c material, interviews and extracts from films to short stories. Spanish students will sit the Edexcel Interna onal GCSE examina on at the end of the Fi h Year and, to prepare for this, they will have to cover a number of topics which are relevant to today’s young people and master skills that some mes get close to AS level. Regular use is made of the media centres, enabling students to listen to much genuine Spanish material and also allowing them to improve their IT skills. Students are allocated a fortnightly slot when they can prac se their oral skills with the language assistant and prepare thoroughly for the oral examina on.

The content of the course not only teaches about the Spanish language, but also gives a considerable amount of informa on about Spanish and South American life, history and culture. Much of the language used is genuinely communica ve, not merely classroom rou ne, and we aim to produce genuine fluency in spoken and wri en language, as well as a knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, things Spanish and Hispanic. Students will be well prepared not just for IGCSE, but also for the real world. Pupils who wish to study Spanish in the Sixth Form must take the IGCSE course in the Fourth and Fi h Years.

Fourth Year students are invited to travel to Spain for five days at the beginning of the Easter holidays and take part in a Homestay programme in the South of Spain. There, students stay in families and a end daily Spanish lessons in a specialist language school.

Something to look forward to if they follow on to A Level is the week‐long, and always very popular, trip to the university town of Salamanca.

Head of Department: Mrs E M Ladislao eml@kes.hants.sch.uk

SPORTS SCIENCE The Physical Educa on course follows the IGCSE specifica on and oers an opportunity to study both the theore cal and prac cal aspects of sport and human physical performance.

The focus of the course is on fostering enjoyment of physical ac vity and compe ve sport, whilst developing an increased understanding of how body and mind work in a compe ve or spor ng situa on.

The course consists of: 40% Theory, assessed by wri en examina on, and 60% Coursework, based on spor ng athle c performance and wri en analysis The theore cal aspects of the course include anatomy and physiology, factors aec ng physical performance, sports psychology, sociology of sport, health and safety in sport, sports injuries and rehabilita on, diet and nutri on. The prac cal elements will be assessed across both team games and individual sports; ac vi es pursued outside School may be included in assessment put have to be filmed following a strict criteria. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate improvement in personal performance levels, to develop the skills required for performance analysis of sports, and to plan, design and execute a fitness training programme.

Head of Department: Mr M G Mixer eml@kes.hants.sch.uk

THEATRE STUDIES The GCSE course in Theatre Studies is 60% prac cal and 40% wri en. Pupils study the work of different theatrical prac oners, look at a variety of different live performances and study a set text from the perspec ve of actor, director and designer.

Pupils develop an understanding of the range of skills associated with the Theatre and have the opportunity to put them into prac ce. There are regular performances of work where pupils have the opportunity to devise their own pieces as well as perform extracts from published plays.

Regular theatre trips develop prac cal and cri cal abili es of both the aesthe c, technical and historical aspects of drama and theatre. Whilst working in small groups encourages self‐mo va on, fosters empathy and sensi vity.

GCSE Theatre Studies is recognized as a rigorous GCSE and is well respected by Universi es.

Head of Department: Mrs C L Piggo clp@kes.hants.sch.uk

All Third Year pupils study the core subjects :

English leads to IGCSEs in both Language and Literature. There is no examina on in core PE; the GCSE (short course) in Religious Studies is taken at the end of the Fourth Year.

They then choose THREE opƟon subjects from History Geography Economics Philosophy & Ethics French German Spanish Italian La n

Greek Classical Civilisa on Art Compu ng *Design Technology Music Sports Studies Theatre Studies

*Three separate GCSE courses are available within Design Technology – form should be marked in your order of preference.

Please note All pupils must include at least one of the Humani es subjects [History, Geography, Economics, Philosophy & Ethics] among their op ons.

It will not be possible to start a new language in the Fourth Year.

Please complete the Op ons Return Form and return it to your Group Tutor

by Friday 7th March, 2014 at the latest.

UPPER SCHOOL OPTIONS

English Mathema cs Modern Language 1 Biology Chemistry Physics Religious Studies Physical Educa on & Games

UPPER SCHOOL OPTIONS RETURN 2014

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

Pupil Name

Tutor Group

Form

If you study two MFLs and want to con nue with both, place a ck against the one you have studied for the longest me. The other one you should include as an op on.

MFL 1

First Choice (Humanity)

(you must have studied French, German, Spanish or Italian in the Third Year)

(from Economics, Geography, History or Philosophy & Ethics)

Second Choice

Third Choice

(can include a language if studied in the Third Year, another Humanity or any subject from the list below)

DT Course Reserve 1

Reserve 2

(if chosen as an op on or reserve) Please number in order of preference Graphic Products

………..

Resistant Materials

………..

Tex les Technology

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