YEAR 10
Art
Single Award GCSE - Unendorsed AQA
The course work accounts for 60% of the final grade. Pupils use their own drawings, artists research and a theme to create their own work.
The exam is worth the remaining 40% and is externally set.
Double Award GCSE - Unendorsed vocational AQA
This is a vacation related GCSE. The coursework accounts for two thirds of the final grade. Pupils are set work to a brief, which requires pupils to consider a purpose they are designing for. The final exam makes up the remaining third of the final grade and the exam paper is externally set.
Business Education
In Year 10 pupils study two of the three units. On the course pupils study unit: 3 on Finance, which includes Financial Documents, Methods of Payment and Budgets. Pupils sit this exam in January. In unit: 2 pupils study Stakeholders, Job Roles, Recruitment and Customer Service.
Careers
In Year 10 pupils study modules in Self Awareness, the changing world of work and preparation for work.
Pupils should begin to develop ideas about their future career and their destination after Year 11.
Child care and Development
There are a variety of units to be studied, some relate to working with and caring for young children, others are about aspects of children's development and education. You will also learn about working with families and carers, with other professionals and the factors that affect children and their families. This year pupil's are expected to complete assignments: The developing child, Safe, healthy and nurturing environments for children and children and play. Lessons consist of theory, practice and DVDs.
Dance
The GCSE Dance course focuses on the aesthetic and artistic qualities of dance and the use of dance movement as a medium of expression and communication in the performance, creation and appreciation of Dance. The study of professional dance work is essential.
Candidates will explore the three components of performance (individually and in a group), choreography (solo or group) and appreciation (written programme notes and two hour examination). They are expected to attend lunchtime and after school.
Drama
This course focuses on developing both improvisational and acting skills. It is divided into three parts and is 60% coursework and 40% examination. Unit 1 develops improvisational skills, responding to a variety of stimuli, encouraging students to express their feelings and ideas about a range of issues. Unit 2 develops acting skills, an ability to interpret a piece of text and explore ways in which it may be realised on stage. Unit 3 students have the choice to devise their own piece of drama or can perform an existing script to a visiting examiner. Throughout the course students will be encouraged to use a variety of techniques and devices to effectively communicate their work. Theatre visits and reviews are an essential part of the course.
English
English and English Literature (AQA examination board specification). Both courses are assessed through a combination of final exams and coursework.
Extra English
Pupils who have worked with Curriculum Support in KS3 may be given additional help with coursework at KS4.
Work done is on an individual basis according to options chosen and progress in those subjects. Particular focus is put on the core subjects of English, Maths and Science.
There is close liaison between Curriculum Support and individual subject teachers.
Useful links:
- www.englishbiz.co.uk - Covers English Language, English Literature and Media Studies at A-Level and GCSE. A very helpful site with free downloadable guides.
- www.gcseguide.co.uk - (Maths and English)
Food Technology
Using food as a material, this syllabus is concerned with producing solutions to problems, through investigation, designing, making and evaluation. In the process, knowledge is gained of the properties of food, processes, equipment, quality control and assurance and industrial practices. Skills are also acquired, through focused practical assignments.
French
Students have been studying for the modules of the GCSE Specification B of the AQA examination board. They have submitted two essays for Module 3 (Coursework) in the Autumn Term and have taken the Reading and Listening examination (Module 2) in the Summer Term. The coursework was chosen from the AQA prescribed list while the theme covered for Module 2 was "Holiday time and travel" and included topics such as travel, transport, finding the way, tourism, accommodation, holiday activities, reporting theft, consulting a doctor and hiring equipment. Students have studied a variety of aspects of the language this year. They have broadened their vocabulary range and improved their independent manipulation of grammar.
Useful links:
Geography
OCR - Syllabus C Introduction to Brazil/USA/EU & UK. a) Economics systems and development - farming systems in UK - growth and change in USA and Brazil - development in Brazil. b) Geomorphic processes - landform studies in Dorset/Holderness, weathering and erosion. At the end of Year 10 students take the decision making exercise exam and start their coursework.
Graphics
This syllabus is designed to provide opportunities in designing, making and evaluating solutions to a variety of problems which focus on communication using a variety of 2D & 3D media. Theoretical knowledge has also to be covered including: health and safety, materials, designing, making, systems and control, products and applications and quality.
History
Students study the Edexcel Modern World Syllabus. Topics covered include the USA from 1941-80 (USA in World War Two, the Red Scare, Kennedy and Johnson, Civil Rights and the Watergate Scandal) and the Cold War Coursework comprises 25% of the mark and 2 pieces are on Jack the Ripper and Erith at War.
Useful links:
- www.schoolhistory.co.uk/revision
- www.historystudystop.co.uk
- www.projectgcse.co.uk/history
- www.revision-notes.co.uk/GCSE/History/
Hospitality
This is a BTEC 1st Certificate in Hospitality and is worth 2 GCSE's.
During the two years students study one core unit - Exploring the Hospitality Industry and two optional units to be decided by the teacher. This course is a 100% coursework.
Information Technology
Pupils are following a two year course called DIDA (Diploma in Digital Applications). They have just completed Unit 1, and have produced an e-portfolio looking at using ICT which demonstrated a wide range of ICT skills. They have to complete a second unit during Year 10 which includes making a movie for a given audience.
Pupils attend an ICT carousel lesson once a fortnight to use the time to further coursework in other subjects as well as improving ICT skills.
Leisure and Tourism
Unit 1 is an assessed unit with the examination taken in the summer of Year 10 and unit 2 is assessed by coursework. 1. Investigating Leisure and Tourism - introduction to the subject. 2. Marketing in Leisure and Tourism - how organisations carry out research to find their target market. Assessing various ways of promoting Leisure and Tourism to their customers.
Manufacturing
GCSE Manufacturing (Double Award) provides a broad educational basis for training, further education or for moving into employment within the manufacturing sector. This is achieved by students developing the general skills, knowledge and understanding needed within this sector. Students will have studied; Designing Products for Manufacture, Manufactured Products and the Application of Technology during this two year course.
Maths
The two year GCSE course covers a wide range of basic mathematical skills grouped together in four arrears: 1. Number and algebra. 2. Shape space and measure. 3. Data handling. The fourth area is using and applying the mathematics contained in the previous three area to a range of problems.
Assessment is through two terminal examination papers at either Higher Tier (Grades A* - D) or Foundation Tier (Grade C-G).
For further information please contact the Mathematics Key Stage 4 Co-ordinator.
Useful links:
- www.mathsrevision.net/gcse
- www.mathsrevision.net - For GCSE and A Level
- www.gcseguide.co.uk/mathsgcseguide.htm
Music
The BTEC first in Music, gives pupils the opportunity to explore a wide range of music and to carry out an in depth research into a topic of their own choosing. They learn to develop a musical performance and "showcase" their musical talents.
Useful links:
- www.mathsrevision.net/gcse
- www.mathsrevision.net - For GCSE and A Level
- www.gcseguide.co.uk/mathsgcseguide.htm
Personal Social Health and Economic Education
The Personal, Social, Health, Education programme provides students with facts, advice and information on various topical issues which help towards their well being and enables them to make well informed decisions and choices regarding their lives.
Topics include: Study skills, work experience hints, personal relationships, healthy eating, and alcohol, safety on the buses and trains and coping with stress. Students also receive visits from guest speakers such as external Nurses.
PE Core
Year 10 Core Physical Education: The Year 10 students have been taught a range of sports from the following activities: Badminton, Basketball, Climbing, Dance, and Fitness, 5 a side Football, Swimming, 10 Pin Bowling and Trampoline.
PE GCSE
Year 10 GCSE applied Physical Education: The GCSE course develops practical skills across a range of activities. The assessment is ongoing through all practical sessions with a personal assessment at the end of each module. The practical work accounts for 80 per cent of the final grade. Portfolio coursework represents 20 per cent of the overall grade.
Useful links:
Religious Education
The course is a GCSE Short Course called 'Religion and Life' and works towards a 100% exam with no coursework. Issues are explored from both a Christian and Jewish perspective. Marriage and the Family; Social Harmony; Believing in God; Life and Death; Religion and the Media, Wealth and Poverty.
Useful links:
Resistant Materials
This syllabus is concerned with the activity of designing and making solutions to a variety of problems using wood, metal and plastic as the major media. In addition to this, theoretical knowledge is covered including: health and safety, materials, designing, making, systems and control, products applications and quality.
Science
Most pupils follow the Core GCSE Science course over a two year period, these students gain a single GCSE qualification.
The coursework component of the Core Science contributes 33.3% of the final grade (20% case study and 13.3% Data Analysis).
Some students will complete the Core GCSe Science course during year 10 and will follow the Additional Science course in Year 11. These students will gain a double GCSE qualification. The coursework component of the Additional Science contributes 33.3% of the final grade.
Social Science
AQA Syllabus Foundation and Higher
1. Introduction to social scientific concepts. 2. Examination of key issues - family, socialisation, gender, education, law and order, politics, employment and economy. 3. Understanding and evaluating a wide variety of Social Science data and evidence.
Useful links:
Sociology
Pupils study a range of sociological themes over 2 years that include; culture and socialisation, power and politics, crime and deviance, the family, poverty, the workplace and education.
The final mark comprises of a 20% coursework component and 80% exam. There are both foundation and higher tiers.
Sports BTEC
The BTEC course develops the vocational nature of sport. Students study 3 of the following units: The Body in Sport, Health, Safety and Injury; Preparation for Sport and Planning and Leading Sports Activities.
Textiles
This syllabus is concerned with the understanding and use of textiles as a material and the designing and production of end artefacts from textiles. Pupils have studied the uses of textiles in everyday life and have been given opportunities to create a range of 'looks' utilising fabrics in a variety of ways.
Vocational
In Year 10 pupils complete the Bronze and Silver Asdan Award. They study modules in Handling Information, Managing money and Preparing for the workplace, focusing on developing key skills.
This course runs along side a college course and outdoor education program.
Work Related
ASDAN programme, Foundation, Bronze and Silver. Work experience and/or Bexley College (2 courses per week). Personal Development Research Skills, Information Technology, Team building. This course works alongside National Curriculum subjects of Mathematics, English and Science.
