Exam Board: Edexcel

Type of course: GCSE

How is the course assessed?

100% exam consisting of two exam papers, both are 1 hr 45 mins each and are worth 50% each. Each paper has a total of 80 marks.

What topics / units will you study? 

The Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) Pupils will study 5 themes. Theme E is a piece of coursework that pupils carry out and are assessed on in Paper 2. Therefore it is not externally assessed.

Paper 1

• Section A – Theme A: Living together in the UK.
• Section B – Theme B: Democracy at work in the UK.
• Section C – Q Theme C: Law and justice.
• Section D – Extended-response questions related to two or more of specification Themes A -C

Paper 2

• Section A – Questions relate to the Pupils own citizenship action, as specified in specification
• Theme E: Taking citizenship action.
• Section B – Theme D: Power and influence.
• Section C – Questions are focused on specification Theme D: Power and influence. One question will also link to content in one of Themes A – C.

How to be successful?

The course suits pupils who like to debate and consider controversial and moral issues that are present in the world today. Learn how to become informed and active citizens and learn about developing skills of advocacy about local, national and global problems we face in the world today. If you like arguing, have strong extended writing skills, enjoy doing research and working in teams then this is the course for you. Some topics include: Human Rights, Terrorism, Immigration, Racism and Community Cohesion, Voting, Political parties, Crime and Punishment, the Courts, the European Union, World Trade and the United Nations. You must be able to negotiate, analyse and have strong written and oral communication skills.  This course also supports pupils taking GCSE Religious Studies, Sociology, History or Geography.

What extra-curricular activities are there?

There will be guest speakers from organisations such as Amnesty International, the Legal Profession and a chance to interview and work with our local MP.

What opportunities does this qualification help you to have?

People that have studied GCSE Citizenship have gone to College to study it at A Level. However due to the skills developed in Citizenship and the subject content Pupils have also chosen to study History, Law, Citizenship, Psychology or Politics at A Level. As the level of written work and communication is very high lots of pupils have gone on to study English Language at A Level. Some pupils go onto college and build upon their Citizenship knowledge, often studying Law, Sociology and Public Services. Past pupils have gone on to become teachers, journalists, politicians, lawyers and counsellors. 

Employers like applicants who can demonstrate the ability to understand current affairs and the impact this has on society, the social and historical context of government, politics, legislation and democracy. It is also a fantastic way to apply learning and understanding the areas of individual interest and have a real impact on the local and national community through citizenship action; employers recognise this active citizenship as a type of work experience, showing teamwork skills, resilience and an understanding of the society we live in.

Who can you speak to for more information or if you have any questions?

MIss Rundle in 0R3 or Mr. T. Cooper in 0R2

Exam Board: AQA

Type of course: GCSE

How is the course assessed?                                                                                                 

• Paper 1 – Living with the physical environment, 1hr 30mins, 35% of GCSE mark                                             
• Paper 2 –  Challenges in the human environment, 1hr 30mins,35% of GCSE mark                                        
• Paper 3 – Geographical applications and skills, 1hr 15mins, 30 % of GCSE mark

What topics / units will you study?

Unit 1: Living with the Physical Environment:

• Natural Hazards (Tectonics, Earthquakes, Tropical Storms, Extreme weather, Weather Hazards)
• Living World (Ecosystems, Tropical Rainforests, Cold Environments)
• Physical Landscapes in the UK (Rivers, Coasts, Landscape Changes, Protecting Landscapes)

Unit 2: Challenges in the Human Environment:

• Urban Issues & Challenges (Population Growth, Urban Growth in NEE’s, UK Urban Change)
• Changing Economic World (Development, NEE Country Study, UK’s Changing Economy)
• Challenge of Resource Management (Resource Management, Water Management)

Unit 3: Geographical Applications and Skills:

• Issue Evaluation & Fieldwork

What topics / units will you study?

Unit 1: Living with the Physical Environment:

Unit 2: Challenges in the Human Environment:

Unit 3: Geographical Applications and Skills:

Who would this course suit? What skills do you need?

Geography inspires you to become global citizens by exploring your place in the world. It encourages you to challenge your values and responsibilities to people and the environment, promoting global sustainability. This course suits people who work hard, like to debate and discuss issues (in a spoken or written way), a curiosity about current local and global issues is an advantage. Interpreting information is a key skill, as is a willingness to write extended answers.

What trips / activities will you be involved in?

There are at least 2 out of school field trips field trips, as well as investigations on the school site which focus on geographical issues studied. Fieldwork helps to explore geographical issues and allows you to test if theoretical concepts occur in real life.

What college courses / employment opportunities would this help you follow in the future?

Following GCSE Geography, you can go on to study A-Levels at college in a variety of different subjects such as Law, Biology, Chemistry, English, Maths and Geography itself. A-Levels in subjects such as these provide a sound basis for pupils to go into employment or continue with education at University. This GCSE develops analytical and problem-solving skills which are transferable transfer to a range of employments such as IT, finance and urban planning.

How will this course help you to get employment?

The Geography GCSE includes work on statistics and extended answers and so it helps support with both your literacy and numeracy. There are many transferable skills which appeal to employers, including the ability to interpret data, read maps and conduct enquiries are skills valued by employers.

Who can you speak to for more information or if you have any questions?

If you would like any further information, please speak to any member of the Geography department.

Exam Board: Edexcel

Type of course:  BTEC Technical Award in Health and Social Care

How is the course assessed? 

The BTEC Level 2 Tech Award is equivalent to a GCSE over a two-year qualification. There are three components that you will be covering, two coursework units and one exam, which is externally assessed.

These are:

• Component 1 – Human Lifespan Development (Learning from Sept – January PSA window opens in February Year 10)
• Component 2 – Service and Values in HSC (Learning May—October  PSA window opens in October Year 11)
• Component 3 – Health and Well-being (Exam in May Year  11)

What topics / units will I study?

Component 1: Human Lifespan Development (coursework assignment assessed)

• How do people grow and develop throughout their lives?
• How can factors such as lifestyle choices, relationships and lifestyle events affect your growth and     development?
• Different life events and how people cope.

Component 2: Health and Social Services and Care Values (assignment assessment) This unit will help you to understand people’s differences and those individuals who are vulnerable

• Health and Social Care values underpin good practice at work. This unit is about working in both health and social care settings.
• You will learn about the range of services and professions as well as how the care values and care staff behaviours impact on service users in health and social care settings. Understanding that Individuals, patients or residents, should have control of their own care and their own specific needs are met.

Component 3: Health and wellbeing (exam assessed; a 2 hours exam)

• This final unit builds on knowledge learned in Components 1 and 2 and enables you to be bring these together and related to a real-life situation.
• You will need to assess an individual’s health and wellbeing and use this to analyse how choices and situations affect good health. You will also need knowledge about a variety of health conditions and how to improve these as well as positive lifestyle choices for the best possible health and well-being.

How to be successful?

Someone who can work independently is self-motivated and has the ability to carry out research. You must have the ability to manage deadlines and your time appropriately. Pearson Set Tasks (PSA’s) are internally assessed qualifications that are to be sat in exam conditions so being able to do all of these things is imperative to your success. Do you care about others? Are you interested in offering advice, care, support or medical treatment to individuals in the future? Then this might be the course for you!

What extra-curricular activities are there?

• Arts and Crafts Event
• Community involvement events
• Intervention sessions

What opportunities does this qualification help you to have?

You could choose to enrol onto the T-Level Health, which is good for any health career aspirations, or T-Level in Education and Childcare at Level 2. You could do the Level 2 T-Level transition year and progress to your chosen T-Level.

You could choose to take a Level 1, 2 or 3 BTEC Health and Social Care qualification where you will study in more depth and, at Level 3 go on work experience to really be able to put skills into practice.

You could choose to do an Apprenticeship. This is where you will spend 80% of your time in the  workplace and 20% of your time in college/training.

Qualifications above could lead to employment within the following roles:

• Nursing (all types)
• Social Work
• Teaching
• Public Health
• Therapist
• Residential care work
• Allied Health Professionals
• Dietician
• Speech and Language therapist
• Paramedic
• Art therapist
• Occupational therapist

Who can I speak to for more information or if you have any questions?

Any further questions or queries please see Miss. L. Parkinson in 2W18

Exam Board: AQA

How is the course assessed?

• Paper 1 – Conflict and Tension, The Interwar Years 1918 – 1939, America, 1920 – 1973, Opportunity and Inequality
• Paper 2 – Norman England, c1066 – c1100, Britain: Health and the people: c1000 to the present day

What topics / units will you study?

You will study 4 Units:

• Conflict and Tension: This unit looks at the aftermath of World War One in 1918 and how the world tried to rebuild itself and establish peace following the First World War.  It goes through to 1939 and the outbreak of the 2nd World War, charting the Great Depression and the rise of Adolf Hitler to power in Germany.
• America: In this unit you will study America from the year 1920 to 1973 and look at which groups had opportunity and where there was inequality in American society.  We study Civil Rights, Women’s Rights and the changes that have taken place in society.
• Norman England: In this unit you will study the year 1066 and how William was able to win at Hastings and gain control of England following his victory. We will then consider what life was like in England under Norman rule.
• Britain, Health and the People: This Unit tracks health from the Middle Ages right the way through to the present day, looking at pandemics, public health, medicines and the individuals that made breakthroughs.

How to be successful

• Read widely – books, magazines and newspaper articles and news items that interest you
• Use books available in the department
• Be interested in the past – visiting museums or galleries – online or in person
• Join History Club
• Turn on your television, laptop or phone, and you will see how relevant history is to understanding the present.  It helps us to appreciate multiple perspectives and interpretations.  Analysing history strengthens our critical thinking skills, as well as helping us to understand other peoples and their cultures.

What extra-curricular activities are there?

• History Club
• School trips to historical sites
• Revision Clubs

What opportunities does this qualification help you to have?

History students mainly go onto study A Levels in a variety of different subjects, such as Law, or  Biology, Chemistry, English, Physics and History itself.  A Levels in academic subjects such as these give you a sound basis if you want to go on to university or into employment.

History gives you lots of transferable skills which can be used in a variety of different jobs. It helps you think about different points of view, and it helps you to form reasoned arguments, handle evidence, question its validity, and use information to build an argument for yourself.  Most colleges expect you to have GCSEs in humanities for this reason.

A GCSE in History will help you if you are thinking about journalism, law, teaching, medicine or even politics as a career.

Who can you speak to for more information or if you have any questions?

Mr Charlton 2B8

Exam Board: Edexcel

Type of course:  GCSE

Pupils have had the opportunity to explore the core principles and ideas behind Religious Studies and Citizenship in Years 7-9 with a view to selecting Religious Studies GCSE or/and Citizenship GCSE in Years 10 and 11. 

How is the Religious Studies course assessed?

2 x examinations each worth 50% of course.  Examinations are 1 hr 45 minutes each

What topics / units will you study?                                                                                                  

• Pupils will study 2 different religions; Christianity and Islam
• Paper 1: Area of Study 1 – Religion and Ethics
• Pupils must study all four content sections:
• Christian Beliefs
• Marriage and the Family
• Living the Religious Life
• Matters of Life and Death

Paper 2: Area of Study 2 – Religion, Peace and Conflict. Pupils must study all 4 topics:

• Muslim and Beliefs
• Crime and Punishment
• Living the Religious Life
• Peace, War and Conflict

How to be successful

Develop your interest in, and enthusiasm for, the study of religion and its relation to the wider world.

Develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of religion by exploring the significance, impact beliefs, teachings, sources, practices, ways of life and forms of expressing meaning. Evaluate ethical issues, and express views using reasoned arguments.  Express your personal responses and informed insights on fundamental questions about identity, belonging, meaning, purpose, truth, values and commitments.

A lot of people who have studied GCSE Religious Studies have found it a good foundation for further study of Religious Studies at A Level and related subjects including philosophy, pathways including law and politics are accessible from this qualification.  You will develop many skills that are important for any employment and career, for example the ability to think logically and to be able to critically analyse and evaluate. You will also develop skills of negotiation, debate and communication, both  written and verbal. Employers appreciate applicants who have a wider awareness of the world and its diversity.

What extra-curricular activities are there?

There will be a trip to Auschwitz, Poland to the Nazi Death Camps from World War II. There will also be guest speaker workshops from key religious leaders and trips to places of worship.

What opportunities does this qualification help you to have?

Pupils will develop many skills that are important for any employment and in any career. For example the ability to think logically and to be able to critically analyse and evaluate. You will develop high negotiation, debate and communications skills, both written and verbal. You will also develop,research and problem-solving skills that all employers are looking for.

Who can I speak to for more information or if you have any questions?

Miss. Rundle in 0R3 or Mr. T. Cooper in 0R2

Exam Board: AQA

Type of course:  GCSE

How is the Sociology course assessed?

2 x examinations each worth 50% of course. Examinations are 1 hr 45 minutes each

Paper 1: Sociology of family life and education

Paper 2: Sociology of crime and deviance and social stratification

What topics / units will you study?                                                                                                           

Pupils will study sociological theory and methodology. This includes the perspectives of Feminists, Functionalists and Marxists on the 4 topics: Family, Education, Crime and Stratification.

How to be successful

• Discuss and debate social issues
• Develop written skills
• Explore various pieces of data in order to analyse and evaluate various claims.

The course suits pupils who want to develop their knowledge of society, which helps them to develop as individuals as well as supporting them on their path to a host of careers.

What extra-curricular activities are there?

There will be a trip to the magistrates/ crown court as well as guest speaker workshops.

What opportunities does this qualification help you to have?

People who have studied GCSE Sociology have found it a good foundation for further study of Sociology at A Level and related subjects, including Philosophy and English Literature.  Career pathways including Nursing, Teaching, Journalism, Management, Social Services, Police and Law are accessible from this qualification.

You will develop many skills that are important for any employment and career. For example, the ability to think logically and to be able to critically analyse and evaluate. You will also develop skills of negotiation, debate and communication, both written and verbal.

Who can I speak to for more information or if you have any questions?

Miss. D. Rundle 0R3

* Pupils must-be working above age-related expectations and be on track/ exceeding their target in maths, English and Science to be considered for this course.