You have to study for GCSEs in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Combined or Triple Science. You will also have lessons in PE which are non-examined.
Staff Contact – Ms Helen Trute (helen.trute@scwa.org.uk)
Students study a range of Literature texts from the Seventeenth Century to the present. English Literature explores how writers use a range of methods to convey their ideas and how they are influenced by their context.
Students will study:
100% terminal assessment
English Literature is studied alongside English Language throughout KS4. The study of literature enables you to develop opinions of your own and structure convincing arguments in order to support a point of view. Academic analytical skills are developed and you will be encouraged to approach texts from a range of perspectives. The texts studied date from 1600 and provide invaluable insights into the world and will act as useful cultural reference points throughout life. Success in this subject could lead to further study at KS5 as well as careers in: Academia, Business, Creative Media, Journalism, Law, Performing Arts and Teaching
Staff Contact – Ms Helen Trute (helen.trute@scwa.org.uk)
A course where students develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
Students learn to read, understand and analyse a wide range of different fiction and non-fiction texts covering the 19th, 20th and 21st century time periods as well as to write clearly, coherently and accurately using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures.
English Language is essential to all students’ success: the skills of critical reading and writing to effectively communicate ideas are central to success in the workplace and academia. This qualification will aid success in any career, as the world of work always requires us to communicate with others and work as part of a team. If it proves to be a subject you are passionate about, you may consider a career in the following: Advertising & marketing, Business & consultancy, Journalism or the media, Law & politics, Linguistics and Teaching
Staff Contact – Ms Andrea Ogunbameru (andrea.ogunbameru@scwa.org.uk)
Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 to 1) in Mathematics is a tiered qualification. There are two tiers:
The assessment for each tier of entry consists of three externally examined papers all three must be from the same tier of entry. Students must complete all three papers in the same assessment series.
The content of GCSE mathematics includes knowledge, understanding, and skills outlined in the specifications. The essential subject content provides a framework for developing a comprehensive study, covering a full range of topics in Number, Algebra, Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change, Geometry and Measures, Probability and Statistics.
Paper 1: Weighting 33.33% of the total GCSE.
Paper 2: Weighting 33.33% of the total GCSE.
Paper 3: Weighting 33.33% of the total GCSE.
GCSE Maths is an essential qualification to have. It’s a benchmark qualification for further education and a host of employment opportunities. Maths underpins so many parts of our lives from adding up the total of our shopping to the engineering behind our cars and our computers. Just as languages provide the building blocks and rules we need to communicate, Maths uses its own language, made up of numbers, symbols and formulas, to explore the rules we need to measure or identify essential problems like distance, speed, time, space, change, force and quantities. Studying Maths helps us find patterns and structure in our lives. Practically, Maths helps us put a price on things, create graphics, build websites, build skyscrapers and generally understand how things work or predict how they might change over time and under different conditions. Studying Maths helps you develop skills in logical thinking and statistical or strategic knowledge, which are valued by employers across many job sectors for example:
Actuarial analyst, Actuary, Aerospace engineer, Business analyst, Chartered accountant, Data analyst, Forensic accountant, Insurance underwriter, Investment analyst, Investment banker, Meteorologist, Operational researcher, PPC specialist, Quantity surveyor, Research scientist (maths), Secondary school teacher, Software tester, Statistician, Stockbroker and Leadership roles across all sectors
Staff Contact – Ms Fareena Malik (fareena.malik@scwa.org.uk)
Combined Science involves the study of all 3 Sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics with two GCSE Science qualifications being attained upon successful completion of the course. The course is assessed through 100% terminal examination.
Two tiers are available for this qualification, Foundation and Higher. The content is the same for both tiers. A student taking Foundation Tier assessments will be awarded a grade within the range of 1–1 to 5–5. A student taking Higher Tier assessments will be awarded a grade within the range of 4–4 to 9–9.
This qualification is graded on a 17-point scale: 1–1 to 9–9 – where 9–9 is the best grade.
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
There is also a ‘Required Practical’ element that is not explicitly assessed but compulsory and will be addressed in the final exams.
There are six papers: two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas, through multiple choice, structured, closed short answers, and open response questions.
40% of marks will be based on demonstrating knowledge and understanding; 40% of marks will be based on applying that knowledge and understanding and 20% on analysing given information and ideas.
There is also an increased maths/numeracy component to the examinations. Overall 20% of marks will be derived from numeracy-based questions (10% from Biology, 20% from Chemistry and 30% from Physics)
We have put together an A-Z list of careers in Science to give you an idea of the number of doors a good Science qualification can open.
Aerospace Engineer, Anthropologist, Archaeologist, Architect, Astrophysicist, Athletic Trainer (in demand!) Aviation Inspector, Biochemical Engineer, Biochemist (in demand!), Biologist, Botanist, Cartographer or Photogrammetrist, Chemical Engineer, Chemical Technician, Chemist, Civil Engineer, Climate Change Analyst,Criminologist, Dentist, Dietician or Nutritionist, Doctor, Ecologist, Electrical Engineer, Endocrinologist (in demand!), Entomologist, Environmental Compliance Inspector, Environmental Scientist, Ethologist, Food Science Technician (in demand!), Food Scientist, Forensic Science, Fuel Technologist, Geographer, Geologist, Geoscientist, Haematologist, Hydrologist, Industrial Health and Safety Engineer, Marine Biologist, Materials Scientist, Mechanic, Mechanical Engineer, Meteorologist, Microbiologist, Neurologist, Nuclear Engineer, Nuclear Monitoring Technician, Nuclear Power Reactor Operator, Nurse, Occupational Health & Safety, specialist, Ornithologist, Palaeontology, Paramedic, Pathologist, Pharmacist, Physicist, Pilot, Psychologist, Seismologist, Soil and Water Conservationist, Sound Engineer, Surveyor, Teacher (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) , Vet, Volcanologist, Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant & System Operator and Zoologist.
Staff Contact – Ms Fareena Malik (fareena.malik@scwa.org.uk)
Students choosing Separate (Triple) Sciences as an option will gain three separate GCSE qualifications, one in each science. The course covers the same areas as the combined science GCSE but in more depth. Additionally, students will study a unit of space physics. This course is more demanding than the combined science course but is great preparation for those wishing to study science or something science related in the future.
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
There is also a ‘Required Practical’ element that is not explicitly assessed but compulsory and will be addressed in the final exams.
There are six papers: two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas, through multiple choice, structured, closed short answers, and open response questions.
40% of marks will be based on demonstrating knowledge and understanding; 40% of marks will be based on applying that knowledge and understanding and 20% on analysing given information and ideas.
There is also an increased maths/numeracy component to the examinations. Overall 20% of marks will be derived from numeracy-based questions (10% from Biology, 20% from Chemistry and 30% from Physics)
We have put together an A-Z list of careers in Science to give you an idea of the number of doors a good Science qualification can open.
Aerospace Engineer, Anthropologist, Archaeologist, Architect, Astrophysicist, Athletic Trainer (in demand!) Aviation Inspector, Biochemical Engineer, Biochemist (in demand!), Biologist, Botanist, Cartographer or Photogrammetrist, Chemical Engineer, Chemical Technician, Chemist, Civil Engineer, Climate Change Analyst,Criminologist, Dentist, Dietician or Nutritionist, Doctor, Ecologist, Electrical Engineer, Endocrinologist (in demand!), Entomologist, Environmental Compliance Inspector, Environmental Scientist, Ethologist, Food Science Technician (in demand!), Food Scientist, Forensic Science, Fuel Technologist, Geographer, Geologist, Geoscientist, Haematologist, Hydrologist, Industrial Health and Safety Engineer, Marine Biologist, Materials Scientist, Mechanic, Mechanical Engineer, Meteorologist, Microbiologist, Neurologist, Nuclear Engineer, Nuclear Monitoring Technician, Nuclear Power Reactor Operator, Nurse, Occupational Health & Safety, specialist, Ornithologist, Palaeontology, Paramedic, Pathologist, Pharmacist, Physicist, Pilot, Psychologist, Seismologist, Soil and Water Conservationist, Sound Engineer, Surveyor, Teacher (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) , Vet, Volcanologist, Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant & System Operator and Zoologist.
This is a non-examined, compulsory subject. All Year 10 and 11 students will partake in PE lessons
In both Year 10 and Year 11, all pupils will obtain the opportunity to choose from different sporting pathways and experience a variety of specific sports appropriate for each pathway. Throughout this time, pupils will increase their own knowledge and understanding of the rules, regulations and tactics for each activity as well as enhancing their own and others skills and techniques required for each sport. The pathways offered will be dependent on numbers of students who opt for each pathway and the teaching allocation.
You will be taking part in traditional PE sports as well as learning about fitness and creating habits for life. These will mainly consist of team based sports, as well as some gym based activities. You can expect from your lessons, skill development, game play, coaching of tactics, opportunities to officiate, learning how to use fitness equipment and planning to improve/maintain fitness levels.
Pupils will not be assessed in their practical performance against the national curriculum criteria throughout the whole of Key Stage 4 core PE. However, they will be expected to participate to the best of their ability and will have opportunities to develop personal skills and qualities as a performer, official, leader and coach.
Although there is no qualification that can be ascertained in core PE, it provides opportunities for pupils to develop personal skills such as knowledge, structure, communication, organisation, target setting, effective use of language and qualities such as independence, leadership styles, teamwork, confidence, competence, motivation, enthusiasm and humour all of which future employers look for when at an interview.
