Exam Board: Pearson Edexcel

Type of course: GCSE

How is the course assessed?

100% exam based; consists of two exam papers.
Each exam is 1hr 45mins and worth 50% of the grade.

What topics / units will you study? 

The Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) Pupils will study 5 Themes, A-E.

Themes A-D cover a range of topics including society, law, politics and the media.
Theme E is an advocacy campaign that pupils organise and carry out, assessed in Paper 2.

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 – Theme E: Taking citizenship action. Questions relate to the pupils’ advocacy campaign.
• Section B – Questions relate to a campaign explained in an article provided in the exam paper.
• Section C – Theme D: Power and Influence.

The final question will also link to content in one of Themes A - C from Paper 1.

How to be successful?

The course suits pupils who like to explore and debate current affairs the world today, considering controversial and moral issues that affect our society. Pupils on this course will become informed and active citizens - developing skills of advocacy which can be applied to local, national and global problems in order to make changes they wish to see.  If you like keeping up to date with the news, arguing your point of view, doing research and working in teams to make our society a better place then this is the course for you. This course also supports pupils taking GCSE Religious Studies, Sociology, History or Geography due to shared knowledge and exam skills. Topics include: Human Rights, Terrorism, Immigration, Racism and Community Cohesion, Voting, Political Parties, Crime and Punishment, the Courts, The Commonwealth, World Trade Organisation and The United Nations.

What extra-curricular activities are there?

There will be guest speakers from organisations such as Amnesty International, people working in the legal profession and chances to interview our local police officers, councillors and mayors. We also hold a mock court trial with our local magistrates and visit the Suffragette Museum in Manchester.

What opportunities does this qualification help you to have?

People that have studied GCSE Citizenship have used their knowledge to study Law, Politics or Economics at A-Level. Others have also chosen to study History, Geography, Psychology or Sociology due to related content and shared skills. As the level of written work is challenging throughout the GCSE many pupils have gone on to study subjects where extended writing continues to be their main form of assessment, such as Philosophy and English Language. Alternatively, pupils continue with an apprenticeship or T Level related to Public Services, including the Emergency Services. Past pupils have gone on to become teachers, journalists, politicians, lawyers, charity workers and civil servants.

Employers like applicants who can demonstrate the ability to understand current affairs and the impact this has on society, and potentially their business or industry. Employers also recognise Citizenship Action, where pupils make their own advocacy campaign, as a type of work experience - showing teamwork skills, creativity and an understanding of the needs of people in our community.

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

Ms Anderson or Mr Cooper

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 30mins, 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

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 and 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, 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 to a range of jobs 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 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: Pearson

Type of course: Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech 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-hour 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 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 pupils 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

How is the Religious Studies course assessed?

100% exam-based; consisting of two exam papers.

Each exam is 1hr 45 mins and worth 50% of the grade.

What topics / units will you study?                                                                                                  

Pupils will study 2 religions; Christianity and Islam.

Paper 1: Area of Study 1 – Religion and Ethics

Pupils are examined on four content sections, all from the perspective of Christianity:

• Christian Beliefs
• Marriage and the Family
• Living the Christian Life
• Matters of Life and Death

Paper 2: Area of Study 2 – Religion, Peace and Conflict

Pupils are examined on four content sections, all from the perspective of Islam:

• Muslim Beliefs
• Crime and Punishment
• Living the Muslim Life
• Peace and Conflict

How to be successful

In Religious Studies you will develop an enthusiasm for the study of religion and its relation to the wider world. You will develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of religion by:

• exploring the significance of beliefs and teachings
• analysing sources of wisdom and the impact these have on religious practices
• comparing the varying ways of life from within the same religion 
• evaluating ethical issues and learning to use reasoned arguments to contrasting points of view
• comparing religious views to those held by non-religious people such as Humanists.

 

What extra-curricular activities are there?

There will be opportunities for workshops and talks by religious leaders, plus trips to places of worship.

What opportunities does this qualification help you to have?

People who have studied GCSE Religious Studies have found it a good foundation for further study of Religious Studies at A Level or related subjects including Philosophy, Law and Politics. You will develop many skills that are important for various careers, such as the ability to think logically, critically analyse and evaluate arguments. You will also develop skills of negotiation, debate and both written and verbal communication, which prove useful in careers which require working with others and dealing with clients. Employers will appreciate applicants who have a wider awareness of the world and its diversity, which will allow them to communicate effectively and respectfully with a range of stakeholders.

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

Ms Anderson, Mr Cooper or Miss Massey                   

Exam Board: AQA

Type of course: GCSE

How is the Sociology course assessed?

100% exam-based; consisting of two exam papers.

Each exam is 1hr 45 mins and worth 50% of the grade.

What topics / units will you study?                                                                                                           

Paper 1: Sociology of Family Life and Education

Paper 2: Sociology of Crime and Deviance and Social Stratification

Pupils will study sociological theory and methodology.
This includes the perspectives of Feminists, Functionalists and Marxists.

How to be successful

Pupils will discuss and debate social issues affecting the UK.  They will learn to explore various pieces of data in order to analyse and evaluate various claims.  Using this research they develop academic written skills to present opposing views on topics, supported by sociological theory, and including evaluation skills in which they criticise the view, sociologist or school of thought.

The course suits pupils who want to develop their knowledge of society, helping them to develop as well-informed and critically considered individuals as well as supporting them on their path to a host of careers in the public and private sectors.

What extra-curricular activities are there?

There will be guest speaker workshops from our local magistrates and opportunities to visit places of educational relevance such as the Suffragette Museum.

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, Politics, Law and English Literature.  Career pathways including Nursing, Teaching, Journalism, Management, Social Services, Police and Law are accessible from this qualification.  This subject also sets pupils up well for further study at higher levels, which may include the use of statistical data or research projects.

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 Rundle or Ms Anderson

* 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.