GCSE - Teaching & Learning
(Back to 6th Form)
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Subject: French
Teacher M Bisserier / E Foex
Brief course outline
During the 2-year programme of study, pupils will learn a variety of lexis and grammar related to the areas below.
Lifestyle
Health
Leisure, Free Time and the Media
Work and Education
School/College and Future Plans
The examinations will test linguistic competence in the four skills:
• reading, writing, speaking and listening
For all purposes, students will be expected, as they progress linguistically, to:
• cope with a greater degree of unpredictability;
• deal with a widening range of potential problems;
• understand and use more accurately a widening
• range of vocabulary and structures, including some unfamiliar language;
• understand issues and opinions;
• discuss issues and give opinions;
• give full descriptions and accounts.
There are two controlled written assessments and two spoken ones, relating to the topic areas above. Pupils are prepared carefully for these assessments, which take place the asses at the end of each module studied.
To add a lively dynamic to the course, we invite all GCSE French pupils to attend one week-long study trip to France, in both year one and year two of the programme, where they stay in host families and study at a French language school in Montpellier.
Pupils always really enjoy the experience and, as a result, feel much more confident and are more competent in communicating, both in spoken and written language
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Subject: Spanish
Teacher Silvana Travaglia Sage
Brief course outline
During the 2-year programme of study, pupils will learn a variety of lexis and grammar related to the areas below.
Lifestyle
Health
Leisure, Free Time and the Media
Work and Education
School/College and Future Plans
The examinations will test linguistic competence in the four skills:
• reading, writing, speaking and listening
For all purposes, students will be expected, as they progress linguistically, to:
• cope with a greater degree of unpredictability;
• deal with a widening range of potential problems;
• understand and use more accurately a widening
• range of vocabulary and structures, including some unfamiliar language;
• understand issues and opinions;
• discuss issues and give opinions;
• give full descriptions and accounts.
There are two controlled written assessments and two spoken ones, relating to the topic areas above. Pupils are prepared carefully for these assessments, which take place the asses at the end of each module studied.
To add a lively dynamic to the course, we invite all GCSE Spanish pupils to attend one week-long study trip to Spain, in year one and year two of the programme, where they stay in host families and study at a Spanish language school in Seville.
Pupils always really enjoy the experience and, as a result, feel much more confident and are more competent in communicating, both in spoken and written language.
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Subject: Art and Design Graphic Communication
Teacher Mrs Pasieka
Graphics Communication (only available as a full-course)
Unit 1:
Portfolio of work covering / Illustration / Advertising / Packaging Design / Design for Print/communication and
computer graphics/Animation. The portfolio must include a minor project. The work is internally assessed and
externally moderated students should select and present materials which exemplify work carried out during their
course of study. In this year a minor project will be completed. Only a mock exam will be taken.
Brief course outline
Unit 1:
A continuation of the portfolio work but with emphasis on the creation of a major project. The total portfolio
submission will comprise approximately 45 hours of work.
Unit 2:
Externally Set Task 10 hour examination which is internally assessed and externally moderated. Students respond to
their chosen starting point from the issued exam paper (Feb) to produce a personal response, and work submitted
can take any appropriate form. The exam will take place in April. All coursework must be submitted by May 8th.
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Subject: English
Teachers Jeremy Lucas, Hadyn Cornner,
Tony Peek
Brief course outline
The specification as a whole is subdivided into units, each of which assesses a particular area of content (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
One Unit is externally assessed by written examination. There are two levels
for this; a Foundation Tier and a Higher Tier. The Foundation Tier assesses grades G to C and the Higher Tier assesses grades D to A* (with an allowed grade E). Controlled Assessment Units are not tiered.
Brief course outline
The specification as a whole is subdivided into units, each of which assesses a particular area of content (reading, writing, speaking and listening). One Unit is externally assessed by written examination. There are two levels for this; a Foundation Tier and a Higher Tier. The Foundation Tier assesses grades G to C and the Higher Tier assesses grades D to A* (with an allowed grade E). Controlled Assessment Units are not tiered.
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Subject: PE
Teacher Wayne Callaghan
Brief course outline
GCSE (Short Course) Units
2.1 GCSE Units
• Key concepts in Physical Education
• Key processes in Physical Education
• Opportunities, pathways and participation in Physical Education
• Two performances from two different activity areas
• An Analysing Lifestyle Task (AL)
• Developing skills, techniques and motivation
• Developing physical and mental capacity
• Informed decision making using the principles of training and safe exercise
• Opportunities, pathways and participation in Physical Education
• Two performances from any activity areas
• An Analysing Skill Performance Task (AP) for one activity
2.2 GCSE (Short Course) Units
• Key concepts in Physical Education
• Key processes in Physical Education
• Opportunities, pathways and participation in Physical Education
Unit B452: Practical Performance and Analysis
• Two performances from two different activity areas
• An Analysing Lifestyle Task (AL)
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Subject: Science (Form 4)
Teacher JS/KB/KS/SB
Brief course outline
The course is modular, consisting of 4 units: 3 one hour written tests and controlled assessments of practical skills.
Students sit one written paper every two terms, and may resit them only once to gain the best possible mark.
The three tested units consist of one each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics as detailed below, and together with the
remaining controlled assessment, lead to the award of a single GCSE.
Unit B1 covers:
“Influences on life”, including classification, DNA, species, variation, evolution, inheritance, genetic disorders, homeostasis,
senses, hormones, diabetes, plant hormones, effects of drugs, smoking and alcohol, pathogens and infections, feeding
relationships, pollution and carbon and nitrogen cycles.
Unit C1 covers:
“Chemistry in our world”, including extraction, recycling and properties of metals, the Earth’s atmosphere, rocks
and limestone, acid and neutralisation, chlorine, electrolysis of water, crude oil, combustion, acid rain, climate change,
biofuels, hydrocarbons, cracking and polymerisation.
Unit P1 covers:
“Universal physics” including the Solar system, telescopes, waves, electromagnetic spectrum and their uses and dangers,
the Universe, life-cycles of stars, red shift, ultrasound, seismic waves, earthquakes, resources for electricity generation,
generating and transmitting electricity, and energy efficiency.
Practice controlled assessments take place throughout the two year course.
Subject: Science (Form 5)
Teacher JS/KB/KS/MC
Brief course outline
The course is modular, consisting of 10 units: 6 twenty-minute multiple choice tests; 3 controlled assessments and an
internally assessed practical. Students sit one multiple choice test each term, and may resit them as many times as they wish to gain the best possible mark. The six multiple choice units consist of two each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics as detailed below, and together with the remaining four units, lead to the award of a single GCSE.
Unit B1 a covers
“Environment”, including competition, populations, food webs and evolution. “Genes”, including reproduction,
inheritance, gene therapy and cloning.
Unit B1b covers
“Electrical and chemical signals”, including the nervous system, senses, reflexes, hormones and fertility. “Use, misuse and
abuse” includes disease, the body’s immune system, and the types and effects of drugs.
Unit C1a covers
“Patterns in properties”, including the Periodic Table, atomic structure, and the chemistry of Groups 1, 0 and 7. “Making changes” includes oxidation, neutralisation, decomposition and chemicals in the home.
Unit C1b covers
“There’s only one Earth” including fuels, climate change, recycling, and uses of crude oil, air and sea water. “Designer products” includes new materials, fermentation, effects of alcohol and emulsifiers.
Unit P1a covers
“Producing and measuring electricity” including voltage, current and resistance, and cells. “You’re in charge” includes
electricity generation, motors, power in the home, and energy efficiency.
Unit P1b covers
“Now you see it, now you don’t” including waves and the uses and dangers of electromagnetic waves,
Subject: Additional Science (Form 4)
Teacher JS/SB
Brief course outline
The course is modular, consisting of 4 units: 3 one hour written tests and controlled assessments of practical skills.
Students sit one written paper every two terms, and may resit them only once to gain the best possible mark.
The three tested units consist of one each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics as detailed below, and together with
the remaining controlled assessment, lead to the award of a single GCSE.
Unit B2 covers:
“The components of life”, including plant and animal cells, DNA, protein synthesis, respiration and exercise, cell
division, growth, stem cells, plant growth and cloning, genetic engineering, enzymes, water transport in plants,
evolution, blood, the heart and circulatory system, and digestion.
Unit C2 covers:
“Discovering chemistry”, including chemical calculations, properties of metals, the Periodic table, atomic structure,
ionic compounds, and the reactions of Groups 1, 7 and 0, covalent compounds, metallic structures, chromatography,
energy changes and reaction rates.
Unit P2 covers:
“Physics for your future” including speed, velocity, acceleration, forces, momentum, stopping distance, work, energy
and power, electrical current, voltage and resistance, radioactivity, isotopes, half-life, chain reactions, nuclear power,
uses of radiation, and static electricity.
Practice controlled assessments take place throughout the two year course.
Subject: Additional Science (Form 5)
Teacher JS
Brief course outline
The course is modular, consisting of 10 units: 3 twenty-minute multiple choice tests; 3 written papers; 3 controlled
assessments and an internally assessed practical. Students sit one multiple choice test and one written paper every
two terms, and may resit them as many times as they wish to gain the best possible mark.
The six tested units consist of one each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics as detailed below, and together with the
remaining four units, lead to the award of a single GCSE.
Unit B2 covers:
“Inside living cells”, including fermentation, DNA, protein synthesis, respiration and exercise; “Divide and develop”,
including cell division, growth, stem cells, plant growth and cloning; “Energy flow” including food production, carbon
and nitrogen cycles and population and environmental change; “Interdependence” including adaptation, predation,
competition, pollution, species in peril and conservation.
Unit C2 covers:
“Synthesis”, including organic chemistry, polymers and chemical calculations; “In your element” includes properties of
metals, the Periodic table, ionic compounds, isotopes and the reactions of Groups 1, 7 and 0; “Chemical structures”
including covalent compounds, metallic structures, molecular models and medicines; “How fast? How furious?”
includes energy changes, reaction rates, reversible reactions and equilibria, and fertilisers.
Unit P2 covers:
“As fast as you can” including speed, velocity, acceleration, forces, momentum, stopping distance and risks; “Roller
coasters and relativity” includes work, energy and power, circular motion and relativity; “Putting radiation to use” including radioactivity and the uses and dangers of X-rays and gamma rays, half-life and the Northern lights; “Power of the atom” includes chain reactions, nuclear power, scientific theories, and static electricity.
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Subject : Art and Design
Teacher Mrs Pasieka
Brief course outline
Unit 1:
Coursework is comprised of a portfolio of work which may include work in Still-Life, Landscape, Portraiture and work from the imagination. The portfolio of work must include work in drawing and painting, printmaking, photography, textiles/three dimensional design/graphic. It is internally assessed and externally moderated. Students are required to select and present materials which exemplify work carried out during their course of study. In the first year of the course a minor project is created based on a theme. The only exam taken in this first year of the GCSE is a mock exam as a way of practising for the real exam in year 5.
Brief course outline
Unit 1:
a continuation of the portfolio submission with a concentration on the Major project. The total coursework submission will comprise approximately 45 hours of work. The Portfolio of Work must include more than one project for the Full Course and one project for the Short Course.
Unit 2:
Externally Set Task 1 with a 10 hour examination at the end of two month preparation time. It is internally assessed and externally moderated. The question papers are given to the students in February with the exam being sometime in April. The papers other a choice of themed starting points. Students need to respond to their chosen starting point to produce a personal response, and the work submitted can take any appropriate form.
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Subject: Chinese Mandarin
Teacher Wei Peirce
Objectives:
1. To introduce learners into a different language learning experience
2. To embed cultural awareness of the target language in class
3. Theory backup: cultural awareness aids language acquisition.
Note: Chinese written characters are not as frightening as most people have anticipated. Children are amazed at
what they are capable of themselves. They think that being able to write Chinese characters is very cool!
Pupils will learn lexis and grammar related to the following contexts:
1. Media and culture
• Music/film/reading
• Fashion/celebrities/religion
• Blogs/internet
2. Sport and leisure
• Hobbies/interests
• Sporting events
• Lifestyle choices
3. Travel and tourism
• Holidays
• Accommodation
• Eating, food, drink
4. Business, work and employment
• Work experience/part-time jobs
• Product or service information
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Subject: Drama
Teacher Tim Baker
Brief course outline
2 workshops (5DR01 and 02) plus a performance (5DR03)
• Workshop 1 on theme of Homelessness (from 5 stimuli)
• Workshop 2 on a published play (as yet unchosen)
• Review of a Stage Performance (possibly NOISES OFF)
Both workshops commanding a Controlled assessment from notes taken during the weekly workshops
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Subject: Business Studies
Teacher Mrs S Rodgers
Brief course outline
The GCSE in Business Studies is modular and is divided into three units. Unit 1 is taken in Form 4 with only one opportunity to retake the exam in Form 5.
Unit 1
Setting up a business, introduces candidates to issues concerning the setting up and operation of a business. It explores the activities of business and the reasons for success or failure. It encourages students to appreciate that businesses must operate with society and that this involves businesses engaging with a wide range of stakeholders who will hold differing perspectives.
The students study a range of business theories under the headings of:
starting a business enterprise, marketing, finance, human resource and operations management. When taken as part of a full course, this unit will be assessed by an external written assessment of 60 marks and one hour in length and is worth 40% of the course.
In addition to helping students acquire subject knowledge this course:
• provides an understanding of the commercial world and how finance is raised and used by the government to
pay forthe nation’s goods and services;
• encourages students to consider the practical application of business and econmic concepts;
• explores the theories and concepts in the context of events in the business and economic world;
• provides progression for students wishing to continue their studies to A Level Business Studies, A Level Business
Studies and Economics and A Level Economics.
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Subject: Mathematics B
Teacher A Sheldrake
Brief course outline
The course will cover a diverse range of topics from basic number work to statistical methods. In form 4 students will study two examinable modules. The first course of study will build the foundations required for form five.
These will include number, fractions, indices & standard form, sequences, graphs and algebra.
The second course of study will be statistics. In this module students will study differing methods of data collection and presentation. T hey will look at three common averages and when to use them. T hey will then study the relationships between two data sets and how to interpret their findings.
Brief course outline
In this year students will study topics covered in the first module to a higher level and in more depth. Studies will include bounds, linear and quadratic equations, simultaneous equations including graphical interpretation of the equations, inequalities, proportion, trigonometry and vectors. The studies in form five require the student to have achieved satisfactory results in form four to enable top grades to be achieved in the final year.
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Subject: Law
Teacher Roland Ellis
Objectives:
This specification encourages candidates to be inspired, moved and changed by exploring ways in which legal, cultural, historical, moral, political, religious and social factors interact to shape the world in which we live today.
Specific aims are to:
• actively engage in the study of law to develop as effective and independent candidates and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds;
• develop an understanding of the role of law in underpinning relationships amongst individuals, groups and institutions within society;
• develop enquiry, critical thinking and decision-making skills through investigation of legal issues which are important, real and relevant to the world in which we live, and base reasoned judgements and arguments on evidence.
• know the rights and responsibilities they have as individuals, appreciate their own contribution to society and develop skills which enhance their ability to act in informed roles within different contexts. Brief course outline
From September 2009 the GCSE is made up of four mandatory units. These units are externally assessed.
These four units are:
B141: The nature of law. Criminal courts and criminal processes
B142: Civil courts and civil processes. Civil liberties and human rights
B143: Employment rights and responsibilities
B144: Consumer rights and responsibilities
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Subject: Music
Teacher Vincent Wade
Objectives:
The Edexcel GCSE in Music aims are to
• encourage students to be inspired, moved and changed by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile
course of study
• develop broader life skills and attributes, including critical and creative thinking, aesthetic sensitivity, emotional
awareness, cultural understanding, self-discipline, self-confidence and self-motivation
• enable students to engage actively in the study of music
• develop musical skills and interests, including the ability to make music individually and in groups
• enable students to understand and appreciate a range of different kinds of music.
Brief course outline
Unit 1: Performing Music
• one solo performance and one ensemble performance
• Internally assessed and externally moderated
Unit 2: Composing Music
• two compositions, two arrangements, or one composition and one arrangement
• Internally assessed and externally moderated
Unit 3: Music – Listening and Appraising
• Knowledge and study of set works in the Areas of Study
• Western classical music 1600-1899
• Music in the 20th century
• Popular music in context
• World Music
This unit is assessed in a 1 hour and 30 min examination
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Subject: Geography
Teacher Mr Shaw
Physical Geography Unit 1 Water on the land:
A look at the processes and landforms associated with river environments from Waterfalls, V-shaped valleys to Meanders and Ox bow Lakes. What are the causes and impacts of flooding and how can we stop it? We also investigate water as a valuable resource and the need to conserve it in times of growing demand.
Unit 2 The Coastal Zone:
A look at the processes and landforms associated with coastal processes from beach formation to caves, arches and stacks. We investigate why the coastal zone is under threat from the sea and what can be done to protect areas of high value. We also seek to better understand the complex environment of salt marshes in terms of their ecology value as well as assess the role they can play in coastal protection.
Unit 3 Restless Earth:
The earth is indeed restless and there seems to be more earthquake and volcanic activity in recent years than previously. What are the processes responsible for tectonic activity and what on earth is a supervolcano? Again, we look at the causes and impacts of these deadly disasters and assess the ways (if any) to predict them and prevent loss of life. Understandably this unit includes lots of up to date case studies that are shocking in nature.
Human Geography
Unit 4 The Urban Environment:
More and more people are living in urban areas than ever before, but why? and what effect does this have on the areas that have been left behind? This exciting unit looks at town and cities and seeks to explain how they have grown and the problems faced due to rapid urbanisation. How do we manage cities? Is it possible to manage the waste of 20 million people and what should the cities of the future look like? All this and more to be discussed in this detailed unit.
Unit 5 Tourism:
Tourism is one of the world’s fastest growing economic sectors; we have all been tourists at one time or other. We discuss the problems and benefits that tourism can bring to both the people and the economy of a locality, and in particular assess the environmental impact of such activity. This unit also seeks to explain why many areas are declining as tourist areas and the reasons why certain destinations are becoming increasingly popular.
Unit 6 Globalisation:
We live in an increasingly interconnected world, a shrinking world where consumerism is king. What do we mean by globalisation? who are the winners and losers? and what are he problems and benefits surrounding the processes that drive this phenomenon? This unit links aspects of economics and politics to geography and is a thought provoking and highly interesting unit.
We offer a wide range of subject choices (see Academic
Handbook), with Spanish, Home Economics & Physical
Education having been recently added to the main
options list.
Non-native speakers are taught English
Language separately from native speakers. Students
may add extra subjects such as Music, Drama, Law etc.,
to their normal timetables. We also offer a reduced one
year GCSE Program to students in Form V.
Students are
pushed to achieve academic potential through a variety
of tactics: weekly drill tests in each subject, completing
the infamous red file of topic notes at Christmas break in
Form V, preparing for mock GCSE's in January and indeed
mock re-takes in February.
Coursework can often be
quite cumbersome as deadlines loom – Buckswood dedicates Saturday morning teaching in
Forms IV & V solely to subject coursework sessions, thereby
getting coursework finished early and making sure that the
main teaching timetable does not suffer from coursework
fall-out and fatigue.
Form V GCSE students have the chance to join a school initiated
revision camp at May half-term.
Form V is treated
very much like a “crammer” and the Form V Tutors exert
influence and control over a group of teenagers at a crucial
time in their education. GCSE students do not miss out on educational visits, with
the History, Geography, Business and Art Departments
prominent on the trips calendar. GCSE students are given
the chance to hone their debating skills annually with their
participation in a Model United Nations Assembly day.
GCSE students are encouraged to participate as much
as possible in all aspects of school life: sports teams,
prefect duties, after school clubs, the performing arts and
community service. Careers & further education advice,
including A Level Options presentations are offered in
Form V.
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