GCSE / Vocational courses and examination boards 2022-23

English Language AQA Specification Code 8700

For GCSE English Language you will read and analyse unseen fiction and non-fiction texts. You will also write for different audiences and purposes and learn how to craft their writing for effect. There  are two examinations at the end of this linear course. You will also undertake a spoken language  study which will involve delivering a speech and responding to an audience.

English Literature AQA Specification Code 8702

For GCSE English Literature you will study a Shakespearean tragedy, a Victorian novel, a modern play and an anthology of poems. There are two examinations at the end of this linear course.

Mathematics EDEXCEL

Students take Edexcel higher or foundation maths GCSE in year 11.
End of course 3 x 1.5 hour exams, 2 of which are calculator.

Some students in years 10 and 11 also sit the Edexcel Entry level certificate assessments

Science AQA Science dual award – Combined Trilogy Specification code: 8464

The qualification covers the three science disciplines and is examined with 6 end of course papers each 1.5 hours long. Scores are combined and graded from 99-44 (Higher tier) and 55-11 (Foundation tier). Throughout the course, 18 practical investigations need to be completed. These are not formally written up and assessed as in previous specs but the skills developed are tested with the terminal papers

Religious Education AQA Option B:

Component 1 Catholic Christianity: (Paper 1: 105 minute paper 4 questions 96 + 3 marks)

All students in KS4 study for a full GCSE in Religious Education and follow the Roman Catholic syllabus, with an additional module on Judaism.

Art and Design: Fine Art AQA Specification code 8202/C, 8202/X

The course comprises a coursework portfolio made up of two units of work worth 60%. The exam unit which is worth 40% - 2 months researching, exploring and developing ideas which is then completed in a 10 hour timed exam session.

Business Studies WJEC Edugas

Assessment: 100% Examination. Two papers sat at at the end of year 11

OCR L2 Cambridge Technical in Business, Enterprise & Marketing (1 X GCSE)

• 50% Coursework
• 50% Examination (Year 11)

R067 – Introduction to Business and Enterprise; Ownership, types of contracts, skills, types of customers, researched a variety of entrepreneurs, their characteristics and how they have become successful and explore three potential business ideas. This unit is studied throughout year 10 and examined in Year 11.

In Year 10 and 11, alongside preparing for an examination students also carry out two separate pieces of coursework(R068 and R069). The first coursework allows students to design a new product and consider who the target market is and how costs can affect the success of a new product. The final piece of coursework asks students to create a brand for the product produced in the previous task and pitch it a group of business managers.

OCR L2 Cambridge Technical in Business, Enterprise & Marketing (1 X GCSE)

50% Coursework
50% Examination (Year 11)

R067 – Introduction to Business and Enterprise; Ownership, types of contracts, skills, types of customers, researched a variety of entrepreneurs, their characteristics and how they have become successful and explore three potential business ideas. This unit is studied throughout year 10 and examined in Year 11.

In Year 10 and 11, alongside preparing for an examination, students also carry out two separate pieces of coursework (R068 and R069). 

Computer Science OCR

Two written examinations:  Computer systems 50%; Computational thinking, algorithms and programming 50%.  Students are also required to complete a programming project, although this does not carry any marks towards the final qualification.

Design & Technology EDEXCEL Specification code 1DT0

Project 50%
2 hour examination 50%

Food & Nutrition AQA

Written exam 50% theoretical knowledge of food preparation and nutrition from the five core topics.
Non-exam assessment (NEA) 50%

Pearson Edexcel BTEC Level 2: Home Cooking Skills

Unit ref: M/600/8768

100% in-class assessment

Y10 – Level 1

Y11 – Level 2

Each year the ‘topic’ changes to give learners the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy cooking meals at home. Each unit will encourage learners to transfer skills learnt to other recipes to continue cooking for themselves and their families and to inspire others by passing on their knowledge.

Drama AQA GCSE Drama Specification code 8261

Non Exam Assessment (NEA) – Component 2:  Devising Drama 40% of GCSE 60 marks for Devising Log and 20 marks for performance, assessed by teachers and moderated by AQA

Component 3 (NEA) – Texts in Practice 20^th of GCSE – performance of 2 extracts from one play, 20 marks for each extract. Marked by visting AQA examiner

Component 1: Understanding Drama – Written exam, 40% of GCSE. 1hr 45 minutes, 3 sections, open book exam.

Geography AQA A

Study of physical and human geography with fieldwork (Geographical Applications). 3 exams taken at the end of Y11

Health & Social Care Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award (2022)  Qualification number: 603/7047/6

Three assessed components:

1 Human Lifespan Development  (PSA- internal assessment)
2 Health and Social Care Services and Values (PSA- Internal assessment) (30%)
3 Health and Wellbeing  (External terminal Exam) (40%)

History AQA Specification code 8145

Two exam papers (Paper 1 =2 hours , Paper 2 = hours)

Paper one modules:
AB Germany 1890-1945;  
BB Conflict and Tension: the Inter-War Years, 1918-1939.

Taught in Year 11.

Paper two modules:
AA: Britain: Health and the People c1000-Present day;
BC Elizabethan England, c.1568-1603.

Taught in year 10.

Languages AQA

French: Specification code 8658
Spanish: Specification code 8698

There are four exams at the end of the course, in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Each exam is worth 25% of your overall grade. You are entered for the same tier (Foundation or Higher) for all four papers.

Music Edexcel Specification code 1MUO

Component 1: Performing - 30% of the total mark (coursework)
Component 2: Composing - 30% of the total mark (coursework)
Component 3: Listening & Appraising -  40% of the total mark (written examination)

Sociology AQA

The course is assessed through two examinations at the end of Year 11

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Sport

Specification Qualification number: 603/7068/3

First teaching September 2022 Pre-publication Draft 1 D

Component 1: Preparing Participants to Take Part in Sport and Physical Activity

Component 2: Taking Part and Improving Other Participants Sporting Performance

Component 3: Developing Fitness to Improve Other Participants Performance in Sport and Physical Activity