Use

The Textiles department has 2 designated work rooms that are fully equipped with Textiles specific tools and equipment which allows students to fully explore their ideas. Inspirational visits will be organised in order for pupils to gain a wide range of materials and knowledge, receive workshops from Textile artists in school and have the opportunity to visit museums and exhibitions in London during the Year 11 trip.

You will produce 2 NEA projects during Year 10 and 11.These will be worth 60% of your GCSE grade. The first will be set for you and include all strands of assessment including A01 where pupils investigate and respond to contemporary and established Textiles work and first hand photographs. A02 where a wide variety of samples are created using print, embroidery and an array of other subject specific techniques including fabric manipulation. A03 which assesses the effectiveness of presentation skills and the recording of thoughts and processes. All these skills will be utilised in a final garment, installation or flat piece which is marked as part of A04. The second project which is started in Year 10 is a more personal response and pupils are given free choice of their title.

Themes for the externally set exam are given in February during Year 11. The exam and supplementary work will account for the remaining 40% of your GCSE grade. Appropriate time and assistance is given to pupils in order for them to explore the themes context; acquire inspirational materials and practice techniques that will be used during the exam. A final response to this work is then produced over a 2 day exam.

Many areas are open to those who have successfully completed a Textiles GCSE. Higher Education institutions view the subject very favourably as it indicates curricular diversity and an ability to use a wide range of skills. Students in the past have gone on to study degrees in Design, Business, Retail, Advertising, Marketing, Printing, Knitwear, Journalism, Architecture, Interior Design and Costume.

Biology

Exam Board & Specification

AQA GCSE Biology

Method of Assessment

Two exams, equally weighted, each 1 hour 45 minutes.

Paper 1: Topics 1 - 4

Paper 2: Topics 5 - 7

The Combined Science papers are shorter in duration, reflecting the reduced content of the course.

Practical and Investigative Skills:

Questions on practical work will be assessed in all written papers and will count for at least 15% of the overall mark.