GCSE Handbook 2024-5

Welcome to your GCSE years!

During this phase of your education you will be working towards achieving your first formal qualifications.

Starting GCSEs is an exciting time in your school career as you begin to tailor your educational experience to match your own interests. At GCSE you have the opportunity to explore subjects in greater depth and further develop your individual interests and ambitions - the first steps towards your future career.

Do not worry if you do not have a clear idea about your future; at Westbourne we offer a broad and balanced spread of subjects giving you the flexibility necessary to keep all doors open. It is quality not quantity which counts at this stage and our usual offering of 9 - 11 subjects is perfect for every university.

To assist in making choices, every pupil has the opportunity to discuss subject choices. Our key goals are for students to maintain maximum breadth in their choices, but also to choose the subjects they enjoy most. In our many conversations with universities we are told that at GCSE level it is the grades rather than the subjects that are of importance.

Students enjoy a greater independence of study at this level. All of our GCSE courses offer a stimulating curriculum and provide huge opportunities to develop intellectual rigour.

The GCSE teaching team aims to inspire and works tirelessly to support students learning within and beyond the classroom to ensure they reach their potential.

Overview

Why do GCSEs matter?

The subjects you choose and the grades you achieve impact the options available after school - particularly university applications.

All Sixth Forms have minimum entry requirements, including Westbourne. Entry to the IB Diploma Programme at Westbourne requires 6 GCSEs at Grade 7 or higher.

GCSE results impact future subject choices

To ensure you have base subject knowledge some Higher Level subjects will only be available to students who have performed highly at the subject GCSE. Higher Level mathematics at IB Diploma for example requires a minimum of Grade 8 at GCSE.

It is important to note that the IB Diploma offers greater flexibility than many A Level choices with Standard Level subjects being accessible to students without prior subject knowledge.

GCSE results are used to assess your suitability for Higher Education courses

Regardless of the subject you study at university, the majority of courses will look for minimum grades in Maths and English. Overall GCSE results will be used as an indicator of future performance as they are often the only academic evidence available to admissions officers.

Checklist

DO choose something that you enjoy – you’re going to be studying these subjects for the next 2 - 3 years - if you enjoy them, you’re more likely to do well.

DO choose something that you’re good at – if you’re good at something, you’re more likely to enjoy it, and keep yourself motivated.

DO talk to others about your decisions – it’s really useful to talk through your options with your teachers and parents – they can be a great source of advice and alternative perspectives.

DO research into your goals and ambitions – if you know vaguely what you want to do as a career, what you want to study at university, or even what you want to do at Sixth Form, then you should research into this course/profession and ensure that you are taking the relevant GCSE subjects.

DON’T choose something because your friends are – although this may make your lessons more fun, having your friends around won’t help you when you have to sit an exam in that subject. It’s therefore important not to choose something simply because others around you are.

DON’T choose something you don’t like, because someone told you to – it’s great to get advice and support from other people, but it’s also important that you are the one to make the final decision, as you’re the one that will be studying the subject!

DON’T choose a subject because you think it’ll be easy – no subjects are easy, so don’t pick a subject for this reason!

Option Blocks

GCSEs

Year 9 September 24

Core English Language | ESL

Mathematics

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Option block 1

Year 10 September 24

English Language | ESL

English Literature

Mathematics

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

History

Spanish Chinese French Spanish Chinese

Option block 2

Business Studies

Physical Education

Art and Design

Option block 3

Additional subjects

Support

* Subject to demand

Computer Science Geography History

Physical Education Art and Design

Computer Science Geography

English Language

iGCSE Pearson Edexcel (4EA1) Grading: 9–1

INTRODUCTION

Why study English Language?

♦ You need an English Language qualification to gain access to Sixth Form courses, university, and the world of work.

♦ Gain vital transferable skills in speaking, listening, comprehension, and written communication.

♦ Improve your general knowledge of global issues through the close study of contemporary nonfiction texts.

♦ Develop an appreciation of prose and poetry from a range of contexts.

♦ Learn how to analyse texts, using evidence to support your points.

♦ Learn how to make connections and comparisons across texts.

♦ You will be able to adapt your use of English for specific situations with confidence.

♦ Use your imagination through creative writing.

ASSESSMENT

Examination consists of two papers

Paper 1

Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing

This paper is worth 60% of your final grade and consists of two sections: Section A tests reading skills through a series of questions on the non-fiction texts in Part 1 of the anthology and requires students to make a sustained comparison with an unseen text; Section B assesses writing skills and offers students a choice between two writing tasks, geared towards a specific purpose/audience.

Paper 2

What will you do?

♦ Study a range of non-fiction texts in the iGCSE Edexcel Anthology, including news articles, speeches, and extracts from memoirs.

♦ Study a selection of poems and short stories from the second section of the same anthology.

♦ Learn how to compare extracts you have studied with unseen texts.

♦ Learn how to write a literary essay with a sustained line of argument.

♦ Develop your creative writing talents while learning how to write non-fiction texts designed for a specific purpose.

♦ Spoken Language Endorsement: You will learn how to write a speech and have the option to enter for the Spoken Language Endorsement if you choose to present your speech to your peers. One of three grades will be awarded (Pass, Merit, or Distinction) and this will appear as a separate qualification on your GCSE certificate.

Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing

This paper is worth 40% of your final grade and also consists of two sections: Section A tests writing skills, this time by asking students to write one essay in response to the texts studied in Part 2 of the anthology; Section B gives students a chance to be creative by giving them a choice of three stimuli for a piece of creative writing.

ESL

Many students with English as their 2nd Language successfully complete this course; however. there is the option of opting for the ESL specification if this is more appropriate for the individual students. In this case, we also follow the iGCSE Pearson/Edexcel specification at the moment, though this is under review. Whichever specification we choose students will be assessed on four key skills: reading comprehension, written communication; speaking; listening.

English Literature

iGCSE Pearson (4ET1) Grading: 9–1

INTRODUCTION

Why study English Literature?

♦ Exercise your imagination.

♦ Develop your vocabulary and improve your own writing.

♦ Literature transports you to other times and places, helping you to appreciate different points of view.

♦ Understand the shaping of society.

♦ It encourages contemplation, reflection, and concentration.

♦ Develop your Critical Thinking skills.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

♦ Study a range of poems from different cultures and traditions.

♦ Learn how to tackle unseen poetry with confidence.

♦ Study a key work of the 20th century and a ‘heritage text’, pre-dating 1900.

♦ Learn how to study a play.

♦ Develop your research skills by exploring social and historical contexts.

♦ Improve your essay writing skills.

ASSESSMENT

Examinations are taken at the end of Year 11

Paper 1

Worth 60% of final grade Three sections

A. Unseen Poetry/22% Requires one response to an unseen poem

B. Anthology Poetry/33% Offers a choice between two comparative questions on the poems studied in class

C. Modern Prose/45% Offers a choice between two essays on the modern prose text

Paper 2

Worth 40% of your final grade Two sections, ‘open book’ format

A. Modern Drama Choice of two questions

B. Literary Heritage Choice of two questions The sections are equally weighted.

Please note:

Most students study English Literature at Westbourne and in the UK; however, it is not compulsory, and we understand that students who are new to the country may want to prioritise their English Language qualification.

Mathematics

GCSE WJEC (3300) Grading: A*–G

INTRODUCTION

Why study Mathematics?

♦ You enjoy solving problems.

♦ You work well methodically, taking care with all the details.

♦ You enjoy working with numbers.

♦ You want to be able to communicate in one of the most universal languages in the world.

♦ You want to study the subject that helps unlock the world around us.

♦ When something works, you want to find out why.

♦ Mathematics is also a sought after subject for further education and careers.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

♦ Develop problem-solving skills.

♦ Strengthen the core concepts of calculating with numbers.

♦ Generate strategies to solve problems that are unfamiliar.

♦ Answer questions that span more than one topic area of the curriculum.

♦ Make mental calculations and calculations without the aid of a calculator.

♦ Make estimates.

♦ Explore the 3D world, applying strict truths to calculate a variety of unknowns.

♦ Use computers and other technological aids.

♦ Investigate data in its many forms, both how it is represented and in the core analysis of it.

♦ Understand and use the statistical problemsolving cycle.

ASSESSMENT

There are two exams at the end of the course

Unit 1: Non-calculator

50% of grade

Written examination

1 hour 45 mins (Higher)

1 hour 45 mins (Intermediate)

1 hour 30 mins (Foundation)

Unit 2: Calculator Permitted

50% of grade

Written examination

1 hour 45 mins (Higher)

1 hour 45 mins (Intermediate)

1 hour 30 mins (Foundation)

Mathematics Numeracy

GCSE WJEC (3310) Grading: A*–G

INTRODUCTION

Why study Numeracy?

♦ Develop knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical and statistical methods, techniques and concepts required for everyday life, in the world of work, and in other general curriculum areas.

♦ Select and apply appropriate mathematics and statistics in everyday situations and contexts from the real world.

♦ Use mathematics to represent, analyse and interpret information.

♦ Acquire and use strategies for problem-solving and modelling in context.

♦ Understand that models may need refining and that there may be more than one way to solve a problem.

♦ Interpret mathematical results and draw and justify conclusions that are relevant to the context.

♦ Communicate mathematical information in a variety of forms.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

♦ Develop problem-solving skills.

♦ Generate strategies to solve problems that are unfamiliar.

♦ Answer questions that span more than one topic area of the curriculum.

♦ Make mental calculations and calculations without the aid of a calculator.

♦ Make estimates.

♦ Understand 3D shapes.

♦ Use computers and other technological aids.

♦ Collect data.

♦ Understand and use the statistical problemsolving cycle.

ASSESSMENT

There are two exams at the end of the course

Unit 1: Non-calculator

50% of grade

Written examination

1 hour 45 mins (Higher)

1 hour 45 mins (Intermediate)

1 hour 30 mins (Foundation)

Unit 2: Calculator Permitted

50% of grade

Written examination

1 hour 45 mins (Higher)

1 hour 45 mins (Intermediate)

1 hour 30 mins (Foundation)

Biology

GCSE AQA (8461) Grading: 9–1

INTRODUCTION Why study Biology?

You have:

♦ an interest in the natural world.

♦ a wish to follow a career in medicine or natural science.

♦ an interest in the origins and evolution of life on earth.

♦ an interest in how your body works.

ASSESSMENT

Two exams, 1 hour 45 minutes each

Paper 1

Based on topics 1-4.

Paper 2

Based on topics 5-7.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

Topics covered:

♦ Cell biology.

♦ Organisation and organ systems.

♦ Infection and response.

♦ Bioenergetics (respiration and photosynthesis).

♦ Homeostasis and response.

♦ Inheritance, variation and evolution.

♦ Ecology.

Please note: They are of equal weighting and there is no coursework element.

Chemistry

GCSE AQA Chemistry (8462) Grading: 9–1

INTRODUCTION

Why study Chemistry?

♦ Gain a better understanding of the world around you.

♦ Gain the skills to help better the world into the future.

♦ Study a subject with both theoretical and practical aspects.

♦ You appreciate that studying chemistry will help strengthen your mathematical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

♦ You understand that studying the sciences is necessary for many different types of careers.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

Topics covered:

♦ Atomic structure and the periodic table.

♦ Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter.

♦ Quantitative chemistry, chemical change, energy changes.

♦ The rate and extent of chemical change.

♦ Organic chemistry, chemical analysis, chemistry of the atmosphere, and using resources.

Regular practical sessions including the experiments prescribed by the AQA exam board:

eg making salts, temperature changes, rates of reaction, chromatography, water purification, electrolysis, neutralisation, and identifying ions.

ASSESSMENT

Two exams, 1 hour 45 minutes each

Paper 1

Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical change and Energy changes.

Paper 2

The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.

Please note:

100 marks for each paper contributing 50% each to total grade.

Physics

GCSE AQA (8463) Grading: 9–1

INTRODUCTION

Why study Physics?

Physicists deal with the very small and the very big. They look for all the hidden laws that explain why everything in the known universe exists, where it comes from and how it behaves. So if you’re wondering how forces of nature, like gravity, work or how aircraft stay up in the air, you’ll need to go to a physicist like Brian Cox, Stephen Hawking or Albert Einstein for an explanation.

Physicists use the laws they uncover to develop new materials, machinery, and technology to improve our lives and help us explore the universe further, from computers to telescopes and spacecraft.

Physics will help you to build up your problemsolving, research, and analytical skills. Physicists ask some big questions, but they specialise in different areas and their work can be varied. For example, nuclear physicists study the tiniest particles of matter to discover what the universe is made of, whereas astrophysicists study some of the largest things – stars, planets and celestial bodies.

What will you do?

♦ Improve your practical skills and learn how to work within a group.

♦ Develop your critical thinking skills and learn how to work independently.

♦ Improve your communication skills and enhance your problem-solving and mathematical skills.

Topics covered:

♦ Energy

♦ Electricity

♦ Particle model of matter

♦ Atomic structure

♦ Forces

♦ Waves

♦ Magnetism and electromagnetism

♦ Space physics (physics only)

ASSESSMENT

Two written papers [foundation or higher tier]

Paper 1

Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.

Paper 2

Forces; Waves; Magnetism and electromagnetism; and Space physics.

Please note:

Each of 100 marks and 1 hour 45 mins, and each worth 50% of final grade. Questions may be multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.

Computer Science

GCSE OCR (J277) Grading: 9–1

INTRODUCTION

Why study Computer Science?

♦ Computer Science impacts everything, from scientific research to health development transport, banking, climate change, gaming, and communications, you name it.

♦ Learn how to program your own applications.

♦ Advise your friends and family on how to speed up or fix their computers.

♦ Understand how to set up Networks and how to stop hackers, phishers and pharmers.

♦ Dramatically increase your problem-solving skills.

♦ Relevant to most modern careers.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

♦ Programming in Python.

♦ How computers work.

♦ Networks.

♦ Cyber Security.

♦ Binary and Hexadecimal arithmetic.

♦ Logic gates.

♦ Social, economic, environmental, and ethical use of computers in Society.

♦ Audio and Image representation.

ASSESSMENT

There are three exams at the end of the course

1. Computer systems 50% of grade

2. Computational thinking, algorithms, and programming 50% of grade

3. Practical programming task 0% of grade, but questions in Paper 2 will be relevant to the task.

Geography

IGCSE Edexcel 4GE1 Grading: 9–1

INTRODUCTION

Why study Geography?

Students will travel the world from their classroom, exploring case studies in the United Kingdom (UK), higher income countries (HICs), newly emerging economies (NEEs) and lower income countries (LICs).

Topics of study include coasts, hazards, climate change, urbanisation and the changing economic world. Students are also encouraged to understand their role in society, by considering different viewpoints, values and attitudes.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

♦ Coastal environments – coastal landforms, coastal ecosystems and the need for these areas to be managed sustainably.

♦ Hazardous environments – why places are hazardous, impact of tropical storms, volcanoes and earthquakes on people and the environment.

♦ Economic activity and energy – relative importance of different sections, growth of decline with range of impacts and how countries seek energy security.

♦ Urban environments – growing percentage of the world is urban, social and environmental challenges facing cities and different strategies used to achieve sustainability.

♦ Fragile environments – causes of global climate change. Impacts and responses to deforestation and desertification.

♦ Fieldwork: 2 geographical enquiries, 1 for coasts and the other for urban areas.

♦ Cartographic skills – Atlases, OS maps, photographs, graphical skills, numerical skills, statistical skills, qualitative and quantitative data, formulate enquiry.

ASSESSMENT

Will take place at the end of Year 11

Paper 1

Written exam: 1 hour 10 mins

Marks: 70 (40% of GCSE)

A. Coastal environments and hazardous environments

B. Fieldwork on coastal environments

Paper 2

Written exam: 1 hour 45 mins

Marks: 105 (60% of GCSE)

A. Economic activity and urban environments

B. Fieldwork on urban environments

C. Fragile environments

History

GCSE OCR (J411) Grading: 9–1

INTRODUCTION Why study History?

♦ OCR (Oxford and Cambridge) provides a rigorous, academic programme, highly esteemed by universities.

♦ History teaches students to research, analyse, synthesize and debate. These are key skills needed for many future careers.

♦ Students develop essay writing and source analysis skills.

♦ The course is rich, diverse, engaging and challenging.

♦ Students develop wide and deep knowledge, via engaging historical enquiry.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

♦ The People’s Health

♦ Living Under Nazi Rule

♦ The Elizabethans

♦ The Making of America

♦ History Around Us (Cardiff Castle)

ASSESSMENT

Examination consists of three papers

Paper 1 1 hour 45 minutes 40% of grade

Topics: The People’s Health The Elizabethans

Paper 2 1 hour 45 minutes 20% of grade

Topics: Living Under Nazi Rule The Making of America

Paper 3 1 hour 20% of grade

Topic: History Around Us

Business Studies

GCSE WJEC (3510QS) Grading: 9–1

INTRODUCTION

Why study Business?

♦ Business studies develops enterprising individuals with the ability to think commercially and creatively to demonstrate business acumen, and draw on evidence to make informed business decisions and solve business problems.

♦ Through studying business you will gain knowledge and understanding of business concepts, business terminology, business objectives, the integrated nature of business activity and the impact of business on individuals and wider society.

What will you do?

♦ Business activity - concerned with meeting the needs of customers by providing a product or service, in most cases, for a profit.

♦ External influences - concerned with the willingness and ability of businesses to recognise, anticipate and respond to external influences in order to remain competitive and achieve their aims and objectives.

♦ Operations - concerned with the efficient management of the key functions and resources within a business to maximise profit.

♦ Finance - including start-up finance, the preparation and creation of financial accounts, maintaining financial records, paying bills and analysing financial performance.

♦ Marketing - including identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer needs in a profitable way.

♦ Human resources - including the recruitment, training, organisation, retention, development and motivation of employees.

ASSESSMENT

All assessments take place at the end of year 11

Component 1: Business Dynamics

Written examination, 2 hours

62.5% of grade

A mix of short answer and structured questions based on stimulus material covering all of the specification content.

Component 2: Business Considerations

Written examination, 1 hour 30 mins

37.5% of grade

Data response questions covering all of the specification.

Latin

WJEC Latin Certificate (C990PA) First examination summer 2021

INTRODUCTION

Why choose Latin?

Grading: A* – C

Have you ever considered how words in English started out? Wanted to know more about how the Romans lived? Wondering what the Ancient Romans found funny?

The WJEC Latin Course is both stimulating and interesting as it allows you a chance to delve into the exciting world of Gladiators and fantastic storytellers, mythology and Roman culture. You will be introduced to vocabulary and grammar that will help you to understand how English has developed.

It’s also a fantastic choice to complement study of a Modern Foreign Language. You will have opportunities to study magic and superstitions in Ancient Rome and will enrich your understanding of language structures.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

Throughout the course everyone will study the Latin Language. For the language aspect you will read Latin stories and be able to translate into and from English. You’ll also learn to identify a wide range of linguistic features and be able to pick these out of Latin texts.

For additional Latin, you will study a range of texts and background items like pictures and artefacts fitting into different themes. These themes will vary as the teacher sees appropriate to cater for different interests of the pupils but examples are superstition and magic, Roman education or marriage in Ancient Rome.

What skills will I develop?

Latin is a great subject to develop a number of transferable skills for further education, work and life: interpreting information, engaging creatively, analytical skills and literacy.

ASSESSMENT

What exams will I sit?

Component/Examination 1

Latin Language written examination 1 hour 15 minutes; 55% of qualification

This paper will be divided into three Latin text sections which form one consecutive story.

A range of short comprehension questions testing understanding of the storyline.

Component/Examination 2

Additional Latin Language paper 45 minutes; 45% of qualification

You will translate a short text about an anecdote of daily Roman life or Roman history from Latin to English.

Spanish

GCSE WJEC (3810QS) Grading: 9–1

INTRODUCTION

Why study Spanish?

♦ You enjoy:

☐ communicating with people.

☐ speaking the local language on holiday or when travelling.

☐ exploring other cultures and traditions.

☐ manipulating language and understanding how languages work.

♦ Languages develop your communication skills and are highly valued by employers.

♦ Languages can easily be combined with other subjects at university level.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

♦ Have fun learning new topics to build your confidence in everyday situations covering three broad themes:

☐ Identity and Culture (family, free time, festivals).

☐ Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest (travel, healthy living).

☐ Current and Future Study and Employment (school and career).

♦ Develop your skills in listening by studying conversations and songs.

♦ Enhance your reading skills through the study of articles and texts.

♦ Improve your speaking skills in conversation and presentation.

♦ Develop your grammar skills.

♦ Learn to write in a more sophisticated way.

ASSESSMENT

There are four exams at the end of the course

Speaking

25% of grade

Oral examination

10-12 mins

Three tasks:

Role play

Photo card discussion

Conversation

Student will be given preparation time.

Writing 25% of grade

Written examination

1 hour 30 minutes

100 word structured writing task.

150 word open writing task.

Translation from English into the target language.

Reading 25% of grade

Written examination 1 hour 15 minutes

Comprehension questions to be answered in both English and the target language.

Short translation from the target language into English.

Listening 25% of grade

Written examination 45 minutes

Comprehension questions to be answered in both English and the target language.

Short translation from the target language into English.

Chinese 2nd Language

Cambridge IGCSE (0523) Grading: A* – G

INTRODUCTION

Why study Chinese 2nd Language?

♦ Develop the ability to use Chinese effectively for the purpose of practical communication.

♦ Form a sound foundation for the skills required for further study or employment using Chinese as the medium.

♦ Develop an awareness of the nature of language and language-learning skills.

♦ Promote learners’ personal development.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

♦ Learners will be presented with a variety of stimuli that will build up their skills in reading and writing.

♦ Learn to select relevant details, understand the difference between what is directly stated and implied, and practise writing for different purposes and audiences.

♦ Listen to a range of spoken material, including talks and conversations, in order to develop listening skills.

♦ In both written and spoken Chinese, learners will be able to respond to factual information as well as abstract ideas.

♦ Engage in conversations on a variety of topics.

♦ Develop skills in expressing viewpoints with a degree of accuracy and clarity.

ASSESSMENT

All candidates take three components

Reading and Writing

60% of grade

Written examination

2 hours

Five exercises including: Information transfer, short answer questions, multiple-matching, functional writing and extended writing.

Externally assessed.

Listening

20% of grade

Written examination

Approx. 25–45 mins

Four exercises including: Short-answer questions, gap-fill sentences, information correction and multiple choice questions.

All listening material is recorded in Mandarin Chinese.

Externally assessed.

Speaking

20% of grade

Oral examination

Approx. 10–13 mins

Three parts: 2–3 minute presentation, followed by a short discussion with the examiner about the presentation, followed by a short conversation with the examiner about general topics.

Internally assessed and externally moderated.

Please note:

The reading passages and questions are printed in both traditional and simplified characters on the question papers. Candidates may write their answers in either traditional or simplified characters.

Mandarin Chinese

IGCSE Cambridge (0547)

Grading: A* – G

INTRODUCTION

Why study Mandarin Chinese?

♦ Develops the language proficiency required to communicate effectively in Mandarin Chinese at level A2 (CEFR Basic User).

♦ Offers insights into the culture and society of countries and communities where Chinese is spoken develop awareness of the nature of language and language learning.

♦ Encourages positive attitudes towards speakers of other languages and a sympathetic approach to other cultures.

♦ Provides enjoyment and intellectual stimulation.

♦ Develops transferable skills (eg memorising, drawing of inferences) to complement other areas of the curriculum.

♦ Forms a sound base of the skills, language and attitudes required for progression to work or further study, either in Chinese or another subject area.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

The subject content is organised in five broad topic areas. These provide contexts for the acquisition of vocabulary and the study of grammar and structures. The study of these topic areas enables students to gain an insight into countries and communities where Chinese is spoken.

A. Everyday activities

B. Personal and social life

C. The world around us

D. The world of work

E. The international world

The syllabus gives students opportunities to develop and apply a wide range of foreign language skills. Candidates will be expected to read and understand a variety of written and spoken texts on familiar topics. Candidates will be required to demonstrate understanding of the main ideas, opinions and attitudes, as well as select and extract relevant details and deduce the meaning of occasional unknown words from context. They will also have opportunities to write in Chinese on familiar, everyday topics, and to speak the language by taking part in everyday conversations.

ASSESSMENT

There are four exams at the end of the course

Listening

25% of grade

Written examination

Approximately 40 mins

Listen to a number of recordings and answer multiple-choice and matching questions.

Reading 25% of grade

Written examination 1 hour 15 mins

Read a number of texts and answer multiplechoice and matching questions as well as questions requiring short answers.

Speaking 25% of grade

Oral examination

Approximately 10 mins

Candidates complete one role play and conversations on two topics.

Writing 25% of grade

Written examination 1 hour 15 mins

Three tasks: Form-filling

Directed writing task Email/letter or article/blog

Russian

Edexcel GCSE (1RUO) Grading: 9–1

INTRODUCTION

Why study Russian?

♦ Develop your ability to communicate with Russian native speakers in both speech and writing.

♦ You will study across a variety of themes and topics and will also develop a greater awareness of the culture of Russian-speaking communities and countries.

♦ You will develop and use knowledge and understanding of Russian grammar progressively.

♦ You will build your range of vocabulary.

♦ Develop your ability to communicate confidently and coherently with native speakers in speech and writing, conveying what you want to say with increasing accuracy

♦ Listen to and understand clearly articulated, standard speech.

ASSESSMENT

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

The course is organised into five themes, each broken down into topics and sub-topics:

♦ Theme 1: Identity and culture Who am I?, Daily life, Cultural life

♦ Theme 2: Local area, holiday and travel Holidays, Travel and tourist transactions, Town, region and country

♦ Theme 3: School What school is like, School activities

♦ Theme 4: Future aspirations, study and work Using languages beyond the classroom, Ambitions, Work

♦ Theme 5: International and global dimension Bringing the world together, Environmental issues

There will be four externally examined papers

Listening and understanding

25% of grade

Written examination

35 mins (Foundation)

45 mins (Higher) +5 mins reading time

You will be assessed on your understanding of standard spoken Russian by one or more speakers in a range of public and social settings based on a recording featuring Russian speakers.

Speaking

25% of grade

Oral examination

7–9 mins (Foundation) 10–12 mins (Higher) +12 mins preparation

Communicate and interact effectively through speaking in Russian for different purposes and in different settings: Three tasks: Role play. Photo card discussion. Conversation based on two themes.

Reading and understanding 25% of grade

Written examination

50 mins (Foundation) 1 hour 5 mins (Higher)

You will be assessed on your understanding of written Russian across a range of different types of texts, including advertisements, emails, letters, articles and literary texts.

Writing

25% of grade

Written examination

1 hour 20 mins (Foundation) 1 hour 25 mins (Higher)

Communicate effectively through writing in Russian for different purposes and audiences.

Foundation tier: Three open-response questions and one translation into Russian

Higher tier: Two open-response questions and one translation into Russian.

German

GCSE WJEC (3820) Grading: A*–G

INTRODUCTION

Why study German?

♦ You will be able to develop your ability to communicate confidently and coherently with native speakers in speech and writing.

♦ You will deepen your knowledge about how language works and enrich your vocabulary in order to increase understanding of extended language in a wide range of contexts such as spoken and written material, including literary texts.

♦ You will develop awareness and understanding of the culture and identity of the countries and communities where German is spoken.

♦ You will recognise that languages can be easily combined with other subjects at university level.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

The course is organised into three broad themes:

♦ Identity and culture

☐ Youth Culture: Self and relationships, Technology and social media

☐ Lifestyle: Health and fitness, Entertainment and leisure

☐ Customs and Traditions: Food and drink, Festivals and celebrations

♦ Wales and the World – areas of interest

☐ Home and Locality: Local areas of interest, Travel and Transport

☐ The Wider World: Local and regional features and characteristics of Germany and German speaking countries, Holidays and tourism

☐ Global Sustainability: Environment, Social issues

♦ Identity and culture:

☐ Current Study: School/college life, School/ college studies

☐ Enterprise, Employability and Future Plans: Skills and personal qualities, Post-16 study, Career plans, Employment

ASSESSMENT

There are four exams at the end of the course

Speaking

25% of grade

Oral examination

7-9 mins (Foundation)

10-12 mins (Higher)

Three tasks:

Role play, Photo card discussion, Conversation.

Listening

25% of grade

Written examination

35 mins (Foundation)

45 mins (Higher)

Listening comprehension tasks with written responses.

Reading 25% of grade

Written examination

1 hour (Foundation)

1 hour 15 mins (Higher)

Reading tasks with non-verbal and written responses, including one translation task from German into English.

Listening 25% of grade

Written examination

1 hour 15 mins (Foundation)

1 hour 30 mins (Higher)

Writing tasks including one translation task from English/Welsh into German.

Physical Education

GCSE WJEC 3550QS Grading: A*–G

INTRODUCTION

Why study PE?

♦ Designed to encourage students to be inspired, motivated and challenged by sport.

♦ Students will acquire the knowledge, understanding, skills and values to develop and maintain their performance in physical activities and understand the benefits to health, fitness and well-being.

♦ Develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin physical activity and sport and use this knowledge to improve performance.

COURSE CONTENT

What will you do?

Unit 1: Is the theoretical unit and the subject content focuses on five key areas:

♦ Health, training and exercise

♦ Exercise physiology

♦ Movement analysis

♦ Psychology of sport and physical activity

♦ Socio-cultural issues in sport and physical activity

Unit 2: Is the practical and coursework unit. Practically, learners will be assessed in three different practical activities in the role of performer in at least one individual sport, one team sport and one other team or individual sport. For the coursework learners must also choose one activity and design a personal fitness programme linked to that activity. The programme will help to improve fitness and performance and will be a minimum of 8 weeks’ in duration.

♦ Lessons will focus on the theoretical and coursework elements of the course. Games sessions, after school clubs and inter-school fixtures will provide opportunities for students to improve their practical skills and sporting performances.

♦ It is also recommended that individuals join local sports clubs to further enhance their skills, knowledge and performance.

ASSESSMENT

There are two components within the assessment

Component 1

Written examination

50% of grade

A range of short and extended questions.

Component 2

Non-examination assessment

50% of grade

Learners will be assessed in three different practical activities and in a piece of written coursework in which they design, carry out and produce written evidence of a personal fitness programme.

Art & Design

GCSE AQA (8201) Grading: 9–1

INTRODUCTION

Why study Art & Design?

♦ A chance to improve your technical skills.

♦ Opportunity to be creative and explore your own ideas.

♦ It can improve your focus and be therapeutic!

♦ It can lead you to have a greater appreciation for History, Geography and Culture.

♦ The art program is interdisciplinary and lends itself to a number of sectors because of its creative nature.

♦ Your confidence, communication skills, and expression are distinguished, developed and improved upon and can then be used as preparation for other areas of life which aren’t necessarily related to the field.

What will you do?

Unit 1: Portfolio of work

♦ Initially, there will be a theme set by the teacher and the focus is primarily on building fundamental skills such as drawing and painting through exploring the formal elements line, tone and colour.

♦ Students will work in sketchbooks which they need to purchase themselves.

♦ Students will get to choose from a list of themes to base a project on in due course.

Unit 2: Externally Assessed Assignment (ESA)

♦ Students undertake a project on a theme selected from an exam paper set by the exam board. They work in an A4 sketchbook and have approximately 8–10 weeks to prepare their response. This culminates in a 10 hour exam where they produce a final outcome.

♦ These can include a variety of endorsements such as mixed media, painting, print making, drawing, photography and graphic design. In addition to this, students will investigate the work of a variety of artists in order to develop their own work and personal outcomes.

ASSESSMENT

How do we grade artwork?

Unit 1: Portfolio of work

60% of grade

Unit 2: Externally Assessed Assignment (ESA)

40% of grade

Please note:

♦ A student’s portfolio will consist of several projects of coursework.

♦ This will be undertaken both in class and as homework.

♦ It will be assessed holistically.