GCSE Overview 2015to2017

GCSE Overview

A guide to the structure and dates for examined courses 2015-2017

This booklet is intended to provide an overview of examined courses in the simplest way we can. More specific information can be gained from the departmental areas of Portal 365 or from your child’s teacher.

Examinations (blue) All GCSE examinations take place at the end of Year 11.

Some exams are ‘tiered’ so that students can sit them as either ‘Foundation’ tier (grades C-G) or ‘Higher’ tier (grades A*-D).

Final decisions about tiers of entry are not made until Year 11.

Controlled Assessments / ISAs (yellow) Controlled Assessments and ISAs are taken, assessed and marked in school and then moderated externally (teacher assessed grade may be altered up or down by the exam board). Students are guided and supported during the drafting and investigation stage of the work but the final task is completed by the student in exam-like conditions.

Revision Materials (mauve) This area of the table gives information about recommended revision materials. Some subjects recommend particular revision guides which may be available for purchase from the department or from local booksellers.

Other departments create their revision materials in-house.

This guide is limited in space and greater detail may be found in the subject areas on our Portal 365, which can be accessed via our website: www.rodborough.surrey.sch.uk Any changes to the timing of controlled assessments will be notified through your child’s class teacher. General controlled assessment dates are published on our Assessment and Reporting section of our online calendar.

Personalised GCSE examination timetables will be issued to all students in April 2017.

Mr C Williams Deputy Headteacher September 2015

Subject

% of final grade AQA

Art Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4536/2

40

Controlled Test – 2 Days

Natural Forms 60

Cambridge

Business Studies Qualification Number (QAN) 500/570/9

Art and Design Examinations

Timing Syllabus No: 4200 Dates not confirmed - expect Feb-March 2017

Controlled Assessments

Revision/ Support

Environment: Victoria & Albert Museum

CAs begin in Autumn Term 2015 and are completed later in the course

Whilst there is no need for revision in this subject, students are required to invest a great deal of extra time outside lessons, completing tasks and considering presentation.

The Art studios are open at lunchtimes and after school.

The expectation is that all candidates will use these facilities to complete work and practise their skills.

IGCSE Business Studies Examinations Single tier

Syllabus No: 0450

50

Paper 1: Written questions requiring a mixture of short answers and structured data responses.

1h 30m

Summer 2017

50

Paper 2: Written questions based Summer 2017 on a case study, provided as an insert with the paper.

1h 30m This course is all externally assessed by the two examinations above.

There is no Controlled Assessment.

Revision/ Support AQA Computer Science Qualification Number (QAN) 600/4908/X

Unit Details

40

60

Revision/ Support

Self-study booklets contain all materials necessary for revision. Sample and past papers are available to borrow. Catch-up sessions are run during lunch times.

Computer Science Examinations Single tier Terminal Paper: 1h 30m Controlled Assessments 2 x 25 hour software development tasks covering two of: games, mobile app, dynamic website or traditional console development.

Syllabus No: 4512 Summer 2017 Feb 2016 onwards October 2016 onwards

Revision materials, including sample papers, may be found on Portal 365 and in the student area of the network.

Drama Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4507/6

Subject

% of final grade

Unit Details

Timing

AQA

Drama Examinations Single tier

Syllabus No: 4240

Terminal Paper: 1h 30m Controlled Assessments

Summer 2017

40

60

Revision/ Support AQA

50

2 out of 4 assessed pieces from across Across Years 10-11 the two years GCSE Drama Pocket Posters books available for £1.

It is recommended that students purchase and annotate their own play texts. Other revision materials are provided through the year.

Please see Portal 365 for greater detail.

Syllabus No: 8700 English Language Single tier Examinations Paper 1 1h 45 m Summer 2017 Explorations in creative reading and writing Reading (40 marks) (25%) 60 m One single Fiction extract (Unseen text)

English Language Qualification Number (QAN) 601/4292/3



1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)  2 longer form questions (2 x 8 marks)  1 extended question (1 x 20 marks) Writing (40 marks) (25%) 45 m  1 extended writing question – descriptive or narrative writing (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy) 50

Paper 2 1h 45 m Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives Reading (40 marks) (25%) 60m Two linked texts (one to be 19th century)  1 short form question (1 x 4 marks)  2 longer form questions (1 x 8, 1 x 12 marks)  1 extended question (1 x 16 marks)

Summer 2017

Writing (40 marks) (25%) 45 m Writing to present a viewpoint  1 extended writing question (24 marks for content, 16 marks for technical accuracy) There is no controlled assessment Revision/ Support

Spoken English Language

AQA

0

Information about revision guides will be provided later in the year.

Revision sessions will be publicised on the English Department notice board. Additional revision materials are published on Portal 365.

Spoken English Language  Presenting  Responding to questions and feedback  Use of standard English Endorsed by AQA as Pass/ Merit/ Distinction

We will let students know the timings when we receive them from AQA. The Spoken Language is endorsed separately to the English Language GCSE.

Subject

% of final grade AQA 40

Unit Details

Timing

English Literature Single tier Examinations Paper 1 64 marks *1h 45 m Shakespeare and the 19thcentury novel

Syllabus No: 8702 Summer 2017

English Literature Qualification Number (QAN) 601/4447/6

Section A: (50-55 mins) 30 marks + 4 marks for SPaG Shakespeare: students will answer one question on the play they have studied in class. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.

Section B: (50-55 mins) 30 marks The 19thcentury novel: students will answer one question on the novel they have studied in class. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.

60

Paper 2: 96 Marks *2h 15 m Modern texts and poetry

Summer 2017

Section A: (45 mins) 30 marks + 4 marks for SPaG Section A Modern texts: students will answer one essay question on the modern prose or drama text they have studied in class.

Section B: (45 mins) 30 marks Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from the anthology cluster they have studied in class.

Section C: (45 mins) 32 marks Unseen poetry: students will answer one question on one unseen poem (24 marks) and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem (8 marks).

There is no controlled assessment Revision/ Support

Information about revision guides will be provided later in the year.

Revision sessions will be publicised on the English Department notice board. Additional revision materials are published on Portal 365.

Subject

% of final grade

Food Technology Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4553/2

OCR

40

60

Revision/ Support Edexcel

French Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4621/4

40

60

Revision/ Support

Geography Qualification Number (QAN) 600/6067/0

AQA

75

Unit Details

Timing

D&T: Food Technology Examinations Single tier

Syllabus No: J302

Paper: 1h 30m Sustainability and Technical aspects of designing and making.

Summer 2017

Y10: Designing for Clients

Dec 2015 – July 2016

Y11: Making Quality Products

Sept 2016 – Jan 2017

Hodder Revision Guides are issued at the start of the course.

Other revision materials are posted on Portal 365.

Support and catch-up sessions are available from the department and are usually held on Wednesdays from 3.30pm - 4.30pm.

French Examinations Foundation & Higher tiers

Syllabus No: 2FR01

Unit 1: Listening Higher 35 min Foundation 25 min

Summer 2017

Unit 3: Reading Summer 2017 Higher 50 min Foundation 35 min Controlled Assessments Syllabus No: 5FR02 & 5FR04 – best 2 of 3 writing assessments are sent to exam board for marking (your teacher’s assessment is only a guide) - best 2 of 3 speaking assessments are sent to the exam board after marking for moderation (the exam board may alter your teacher’s mark) Y10: Writing (2 assessments) Y10: Speaking (1 assessment)

November 2015 & March 2016 May 2016

Y11: Writing (1 assessment) Y11: Speaking (2 assessments)

October 2016 January 2017 & March 2017

Edexcel Revision Workbook £4.00 (listening files available on KS4 area of Portal 365).

CGP Revision Guide ISBN 978 1 84146373 5 Web links from Portal 365 e.g. www.languagesonline.org.uk Wednesday lunchtime ‘Languages Fix Club’.

Geography A Examinations Foundation & Higher tiers

Syllabus No: 9030

Unit 1: Physical Geography 1h 30m (37.5%)

Summer 2017

Unit 2: Human Geography 1h 30m (37.5%)

Summer 2017

Controlled Assessments 25

Revision/ Support

Deciduous Woodland Study June 2016 – Nov 2016 – Witley Common CGP GCSE Geography AQA A Revision Guide by Richard Parsons is on sale from the Geography Department.

After school revision sessions – details on Portal 365.

Subject

% of final grade

German Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4593/3

Edexcel

German Examinations Foundation & Higher tiers

Timing Syllabus No: 2GN01

40

Paper 1: Listening Higher 40 min Foundation 30 min

60

Paper 2: Reading Summer 2017 Higher 50 min Foundation 35 Min Controlled Assessments Syllabus No: 5GN02 & 5GN04 – best 2 of 3 writing assessments are sent to exam board for marking (your teacher’s assessment is only a guide) - best 2 of 3 speaking assessments are sent to the exam board after marking for moderation (the exam board may alter your teacher’s mark)

Revision/ Support OCR

Graphics Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4553/2

Unit Details

40

Summer 2017

Y10: Writing (2 assessments) Y10: Speaking (1 assessment)

December 2015 & March 2016 June 2016

Y11: Writing (1 assessment) Y11: Speaking (2 assessments)

January 2017 November 2016 & March 2017

Edexcel Revision Workbook £4.00 (listening files available on KS4 area of Portal 365). CGP Revision Guide ISBN 978 1 84146373 5 Web links from Portal 365 e.g. www.languagesonline.org.uk Wednesday lunchtime ‘Languages Fix Club’.

D&T: Graphics Examinations Single tier

Syllabus No: J303

Paper: 1h 30m Sustainability and Technical aspects of designing and making.

Summer 2017

Controlled Assessments 60

Revision/ Support OCR

Year 10: Food packaging

Dec 2015 – July 2016

Year 11: Set Design

Sept 2016 – Jan 2017

Lonsdale Revision Guides are issued at the start of the course.

Other revision materials are posted on Portal 365.

Support and catch-up sessions are available as required.

History

Syllabus No: J415

History Qualification Number (QAN) 601/1002/8

Examinations Single tier

75

25 Revision/ Support

Crime and Punishment through time and Germany 1919-1945 2 hours (45% of final mark)

Summer 2017

Protest and Reaction in Britain 1800-1914 1h 30m (30% of final mark) Controlled Assessments

Summer 2017

Modern World Study: American Civil Rights Movement

June – July 2016

A detailed revision programme will run between February and June 2017.

Subject

% of final grade

Maths Qualification Number (QAN) 601/4608/4

AQA

Unit Details

Timing

Mathematics Examinations Foundation & Higher tiers

Syllabus No: Maths 8300

Paper 1: Maths 1 (non-calculator) 1h 30m

Summer 2017

Paper 2: Maths 2 (calculator) 1h 30m

Summer 2017

100

0 Revision/ Support AQA

Paper 3: Maths 2 (calculator) Summer 2017 1h 30m There is no Controlled Assessment in this subject Revision guides, CDs, workbooks & past papers are available from a variety of sources. Some publications are useful right through the course. MyMaths website (login details on Portal 365) is very useful for revision.

Syllabus No: 4270

Music Examinations Single tier

Music Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4666/4

20

80

Revision/ Support

AQA

Paper 1: 42701 Listening & Appraising 80 marks (20%) Controlled Assessments

1 hour

Summer 2017

Unit 2: 42702 Composing & Appraising Music 40 marks (20%) Externally Assessed

20 Hours Autumn Term of Year 11

Unit 3: 42703 Performing Music 60 marks (40%)

Autumn Term of Year 11

Unit 4: 42704 Composing Music 30 marks (20%)

25 hours Summer term of Year 10

AQA GCSE Music Revision guide (Rhinegold) issued to students in the September of Year 11.

Revision CDs and Aural work books issued the following January.

Easter revision session planned - details on Portal 365 nearer the time.

Syllabus No: 4890

PE

Physical Education Qualification Number (QAN) Full Course 500/4506/4 Double Course 500/4558/1

Examinations Single tier Pupils choose either the Full Award (1 GCSE) or the Double Award (2 GCSEs)

40

60

Revision/ Support

Unit 3: Full & Double Award

1h 30m

Summer 2017

Unit 5: Double Award Only Controlled Assessments

1h 30m

Summer 2017

4 Practical Activities (20 marks each) & 1 written Key Process (10 marks) across the two years for Single Award.

These 90 marks count as 60% of the award.

8 Practical Activities (20 marks each) & 2 written Key Process (10 marks each) across the two years for Double Award.

These 180 marks count as 60% of the Double Award.

We revise from past papers, which can be accessed from the AQA website. Easter Revision Sessions are planned – please check Portal 365 for details nearer the time.

Subject

% of final grade

RE Qualification Numbers (QAN) Full Course 500/4545/3 Short Course 500/4624/X

OCR

100

Revision/ Support

Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4553/2

Resistant Materials

OCR

40

Unit Details

Timing

Religious Studies B Philosophy Syllabus No: J621(Full) & and Ethics J121(Short) Examinations Single tier Pupils either sit the short course (worth ½ GCSE) or the full course (worth 1 GCSE).

Paper B601: All students

1hour

Summer 2017

Paper B602: Full course only

1hour

Summer 2017

Paper B603: All Students

1hour

Summer 2017

Paper B604: Full course only

1hour

Summer 2017

There is no controlled assessment for these courses.

Bespoke revision guides are produced by the RE Department at a cost of £3 for short course or £5 for full course.

Syllabus No: J306 D&T: Resistant Materials Technology Examinations Single tier Paper: 1h 30m Sustainability and Technical aspects of designing and making.

Summer 2017

Controlled Assessments 60

Revision/ Support

Year 10: Educational Toys

Dec 2015 – July 2016

Year 11: Garden Accessories

Sept 2016 – Jan 2017

Lonsdale Revision Guides are issued at the start of the course.

Other revision materials are posted on Portal 365.

Support and catch-up sessions are available from the department as required.

Subject

% of final grade AQA

Unit Details

Timing Syllabus No: 4405

Core: Science A

Science – Core: Science A Qualification Number (QAN) 600/0892/1

Examinations

75

Biology (25%)

1hour

Summer 2017

Chemistry (25%)

1hour

Summer 2017

Physics (25%)

1hour

Summer 2017

Papers contain structured and closed questions. At least one question in each paper will assess Quality of Written Communication in a Science context i.e. extended answer questions.

All Science exams are taken at the end of Year 11.

Those taking Core and Additional will take all 6 exams in the summer of 2017.

Controlled Assessments - Investigative Skills Assignments (ISAs)

25

Revision/ Support AQA

Expected dates are March 2016 and May-June 2016 CGP Revision Guides are available for purchase from the Science Department at the discounted price of £2.75 per guide.

Syllabus No: 4408

Additional Science

Additional Science Qualification Number (QAN) 600/0885/4

Examinations

75

25 Revision/ Support

Biology (25%)

1hour

Summer 2017

Chemistry (25%)

1hour

Summer 2017

Physics (25%)

1hour

Summer 2017

Papers contain structured and closed questions. At least one question in each paper will assess Quality of Written Communication in a Science context i.e. extended answer questions.

All Science exams are taken at the end of Year 11.

Those taking Core and Additional will take all 6 exams in the summer of 2017.

Controlled Assessments - Investigative Skills Assignments (ISAs) Expected dates are: Oct 2016, Dec 2016 and Jan 2017 CGP Revision Guides are available for purchase from the Science Department at the discounted price of £2.75 per guide.

Revision sessions will begin in February 2017.

Subject

% of final grade

Triple Science Qualification Numbers (QAN) Biology 600/0886/6 Chemistry 600/0889/1 Physics 600/0891/X

AQA

Timing Syllabus No: 4401, 4402, 4403

Triple Science Examinations

75

Biology

(25%)

1hour

Summer 2017

Chemistry

(25%)

1hour

Summer 2017

Physics

(25%)

1hour

Summer 2017

Papers contain structured and closed questions. At least one question in each paper will assess Quality of Written Communication in a Science context i.e. extended answer questions.

All Science exams are taken at the end of Year 11.

Triple Science students take all 9 exams in Summer 2017.

Controlled Assessments - Investigative Skills Assignments (ISAs) 25

Revision/ Support OCR

Textiles Qualification Number (QAN) 500/4553/2

Unit Details

40

These will be taken during the course when the appropriate content is being covered.

CGP Revision Guides are available for purchase from the Science Department at the discounted price of £2.75 per guide. (3 guides required for this course).

Revision sessions will begin in February 2017.

D&T: Textiles Technology Examinations Single tier

Syllabus No: J307

Paper: 1h 30min Sustainability and Technical aspects of designing and making.

Summer 2017

Controlled Assessments 60

Revision/ Support

Year 10: Bag Project

Dec 2015 – July 2016

Year 11: Educational Toy Sept 2016 – Jan 2017 Lonsdale Revision Guides are issued at the start of the course.

Other revision materials are posted on Portal 365.

Support and catch-up sessions are available from the department as required.

Notes: