TOWNSEND CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL
ST. ALBANS
Year Ten
Curriculum and Coursework Information
The information included in this booklet outlines the curriculum content for each subject.
We do try to provide parents/carers with regular information about a child’s progress – both formally
and informally. For each year group there is a Consultation Evening, Grade Sheets and a Report.
There is also a Targeted Parent evening to try to provide additional support for those students who
were not fulfilling expectations. As well as this, as a parent/carer, you may at any point through the
year, contact the school to make an appointment with a particular teacher, should you have any
queries or concerns about your child’s progress.
We do thank you for your continued support and commitment to the school and appreciate that,
without this, the students would not achieve the successes they do. Should you have any concerns or
queries with your child’s studies, please do contact the subject teacher or Director of Learning for
that subject area. We have included a list of subject leaders within this booklet.
ART AND DESIGN
Examination Board - AQA
Year 10 students produce two projects during year 10 and 11 which represent 60% of the total marks awarded
for Art & Design. 40% is their externally set assignment. Students carry out research, produce observational
drawings and experiment using a wide range of materials, techniques and processes using their work to link to
artists, craft persons, designers and different cultures. They are marked on four assessment objectives which
are covered throughout the year and are regularly monitored by their teacher. Students also visit various
galleries and museums to enrich their studies.
COURSEWORK
Unit 1 Coursework (Natural Forms)
Unit 1 Ancient Cultures
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2014
Ongoing through years 10 & 11
Juliastubbs.co.uk
(40% of final grade)
(Worth 60%)
BBC Bitesize
Studentartguide.com
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY – BTEC Construction
Examination Board - Edexcel
BTEC extended 1st certificate: Construction.
This is a largely practical course suited to learners who wish to undertake employment in the construction
industry. All modules are continually assessed and include titles such as: Health and Safety in the construction
industry, Technical Drawing, Exploring and Performing carpentry operations, and the structure of the
construction industry. Pupils take a mixture of core and optional units, all combined to give an overall grade.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2014
Ongoing coursework throughout
(25% of final grade)
years 10 and 11. Worth 75% of
final grade
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY – Product Design
Examination Board - AQA
Product design allows students to follow a designing and making course that also involves elements of
electronics, mechanical systems and control. The assessment of the subject is based upon a controlled
assessment worth 60% of the overall mark, and a terminal examination worth 40%.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2014 (40% of final grade)
Controlled assessments take place Revision guides and exam practise
from April yr10 until March yr11.
books are recommended –
Worth 60%
available from DT department
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY – Food Technology
Examination Board - AQA
The specification studied is from AQA. In line with all other technology subjects, the course is assessed on 60%
coursework and 40% written examination. The coursework element is completed over 20 weeks in Year 11,
and comprises practical work as well as written. In preparation for this, the Year 10 course is made up of five
modules, each with an on-going project, all containing a large practical element, which is assessed at the
completion of each unit. Pupils all sit an end of year written examination.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2014 (40% of final grade)
Controlled assessments take place Revision guide is available from
from April yr10 until March yr11.
your teacher.
Worth 60% of final grade
ENGLISH
Examination Board - AQA
The English Language GCSE allows students to investigate and analyse language; to experiment and use
language creatively. This enables students to make ‘fresh', individual responses and encourages them to be
imaginative. Students are asked to exhibit their ability to speak and listen in functional contexts which require
them to discuss and present.
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENTS:
15% Extended Reading (Of Mice and Men) 15% Creative Writing (2 pieces)
10% Spoken Language Study
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
1 English Language exam in
Controlled Assessment for both “AQA GCSE English” guides published by
summer 2014
Literature and Language will be Nelson Thornes are recommended – see
(40% of grade)
carried out during yr10
your teacher
Language controlled
www.bitesize.com
assessments are worth 40%
www.englishbiz.co.uk
(Writing)
www.revisionworld.co.uk/gcse/revision
The English Literature GCSE allows students to experience a range of Literature with a wide variety of appeal
from contemporary and modern texts, texts from across the globe and texts which have a significant influence
on our English literary and cultural heritage. Students learn how to approach the study of Literature and how
to make engaged personal responses to texts. Students experience a range of literary genres. The specification
has two examined units and one Controlled Assessment unit.
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT
The significance of Shakespeare and the English Literary heritage: 25%
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
2 English Literature exams in
Controlled Assessment for both “AQA GCSE English” guides published
Summer 2014
Literature and Language will be
by Nelson Thornes are recommended –
carried out during yr10
see your teacher
(75% of grade)
Literature assessment is worth
www.bitesize.com
25% of final grade
www.englishbiz.co.uk
www.revisionworld.co.uk/gcse/revision
FUNCTIONAL SKILLS
Pupils learn core skills in English including reading for meaning, transactional writing and speaking and
listening skills.
FRENCH
Examination Board - Edexcel
Students follow the Edexcel GCSE course, which consolidates and extends vocabulary and grammar met in
earlier years, as well as introducing new topics. Students continue to develop their skills in listening, speaking,
reading and writing, using a variety of resources, and are encouraged to work more independently.
Assessment in each of the four skills takes place once each Term. There are also regular vocabulary tests. The
highest available grade at the end of Year 10 is a C. By the time they take their GCSE examination, students
should be able to communicate effectively with a sympathetic native French speaker.
COURSEWORK
There are controlled assessments in speaking and writing. These take place in the summer term of Year 10 and
the autumn and spring terms of Year 11.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2014
Controlled assessments:
Useful materials can be found on
(70% of final grade)
Year 10 - I speaking assessment
the Edexcel website
- 1 writing assessment
www.zut.org.uk
Year 11 - I speaking assessment
www.languagesonline.org
- 1 writing assessment
www.linguascope.com
Worth a total of 30% of grade
CGP books available
GEOGRAPHY
Examination Board - OCR (Specification B)
Year 10 will have studied Rivers and Coasts where they have learnt about coastal processes and features. They
also study population and settlement where they have learnt about population policies such as the One Child
Policy.
One piece of controlled assessment is based on fieldwork carried out on the Swanage field trip.
COURSEWORK – 1 controlled assessment worth 25% of the final grade.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2014
Controlled assessment from MayBBC Bitesize and BBC news website
2 exams – one based upon 3 topic
July yr10 – Worth 25% of grade
– topical geographical issues e.g.
taught, and one a pre release
natural hazards and over
booklet.
population
(Exams are worth a total of 75% of
CGP guide available from your
final grade)
teacher
National Geographic
GERMAN
Examination Board – Edexcel
Students follow the Edexcel GCSE course, which consolidates and extends vocabulary and grammar met in
earlier years, as well as introducing new topics. Students continue to develop their skills in listening, speaking,
reading and writing, using a variety of resources, and are encouraged to work more independently.
Assessment in each of the four skills takes place once each term. There are also regular vocabulary tests. The
highest available grade at the end of Year 10 is a C. By the time they take their GCSE examination, students
should be able to communicate effectively with a sympathetic native German speaker.
COURSEWORK
There are controlled assessments in speaking and writing. These take place in the summer term of Year 10 and
the autumn and spring terms of Year 11.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2014
Controlled assessments:
Useful materials can be found on
(70% of final grade)
Year 10 - I speaking assessment
the Edexcel website
- 1 writing assessment
www.zut.org.uk
Year 11 - I speaking assessment
www.languagesonline.org
- 1 writing assessment
www.linguascope.com
Worth a total of 30% of grade
CGP books available
HISTORY
Examination Board – Edexcel (Specification B)
During Year 10, the students investigate a development study on Crime & Punishment. They will also complete
a controlled assessment on the Vietnam War. These two modules make up 50% of their final GCSE grade.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
3 exams Summer 2015
Controlled assessment completed
Revision guides available from your
75% of grade
in Yr10, 25% of grade
teacher and BBC Bitesize website
LEARNING FOR LIFE KEY STAGE 4
The course aims to best prepare students for the challenges they may face when they leave school. This is
achieved by focussing on 3 key areas:
 Citizenship – learning about the rights and responsibilities as members or a diverse society being an
“active” citizen.
 Personal Wellbeing – Learning how to maintain physical, mental and emotional well being including
sexual health.
 Economic Wellbeing – Improving knowledge or Global Financial issues, incorporating Personal Finance,
Business and Consumer rights.
MATHEMATICS
Examination Board – Edexcel
GCSE mathematics is taught following the Edexcel linear course. They are continuing to build their problem
solving skills to apply their knowledge effectively in the all areas of data number, algebra and shape, space and
measures.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
All sets sit exams Summer 2015
None
Mymaths.co.uk, BBC Bitesize and
- Non Calculator paper
SAM Learning
- Calculator paper
Revision guides available from
teacher
PHYSICAL EDUCATION – GCSE
Examination Board – OCR
The theoretical aspect is worth 40% of the overall grade and is split into two units.
Unit B451: An introduction to Physical Education.
This unit focuses on Key concepts in Physical Education, Key processes in Physical Education, Opportunities,
pathways and participation in Physical Education.
Unit B453: Developing knowledge in Physical Education. This unit develops students' knowledge of Physical
Education and the concepts, processes and opportunities which are covered in unit B451 through four areas of
study: Developing skills, techniques and motivation; Developing physical and mental capacity; Informed
decision making using the principles of training and safe exercise; and Opportunities, pathways and
participation in Physical Education.
Both of these are externally assessed through written examination.
Controlled Assessment is worth 60% of the overall grade and is spilt into two units.
Unit B452: Analysing Lifestyle. In this unit students will be internally assessed in two sports as either a
performer, leader or official. Students also complete an Analysing Lifestyle task identifying weaknesses
and planning appropriate action to bring about improvement.
Unit B454: Analysing Performance. Students are internally assessed in another two sports as a performer.
They also complete an Analysing Performance task for one of their practical activities.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2015
Practical performance in four
SamLearning
(40% of final grade)
sports – Summer 2015
Bitesize
Analysing Lifestyle and Analysing
Performance tasks - 2014
PHYSICAL EDUCATION – non examination
The physical education curriculum allows students to experience practical participation in the following activity
areas: athletics, dance, games, health related fitness, and swimming. Students continue to develop the skills
and techniques required in each activity and apply them in complete versions of competitive games and
events. All students participate in inter-form competitions in several activities, and they begin to plan more
complex individual and team tactics and strategies within these competitions. Leadership qualities are further
developed through coaching the skills of an activity as well as officiating games. Students are encouraged to
take control of their own fitness levels and health. They develop the knowledge required to plan, perform and
evaluate a personal physical exercise programme. Students are assessed in each activity in accordance with
national guidelines for physical education.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Examination Board – OCR
In Religious Education the pupils follow the OCR Religious Studies ‘B’ Philosophy and Ethics course.
Students have studied topics as diverse as belief and nature of God to war and the relationship of religion with
the media. This encourages students to adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of
religion and fundamental questions.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2014
None
Revision materials are available
from the Shared Documents area
on school system. Revision pack
given out in year 11.
www.request.org.uk
SCIENCE – Core
Examination Board – OCR 21st Century
The Core Science course emphasises scientific literacy – the knowledge and understanding which candidates
need to engage, as informed citizens, with science-based issues. This qualification uses contemporary, relevant
contexts of interest to candidates, which can be approached through a range of teaching and learning
activities. This course comprises nine teaching units which are assessed through a combination of
examinations at the end of year 11 (worth a total of 75% of the final grade) and controlled assessment (worth
25%). Six of these units are studied in year 10.
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT
Case Study – Autumn Term Year 11
Project on an area of Science chosen by the student and from a list provided by the examination board. This looks
at different viewpoints that scientists or interested other parties may have an issue with e.g. ‘Are mobile phones
dangerous’? or ‘Should we keep animals in Zoos’?
Students will have to research sources of information, including the science relevant to the subject, compare
viewpoints and organise all this information into a structured report or case study which will be written up under
examination conditions.
Data Analysis Task (s) – Autumn Term Year 11
Work is based on a practical experiment that students carry out. The data is then interpreted and evaluated
under examination conditions.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2014
Controlled assessment will be
SAM Learning and BBC Bitesize
(75% of final grade)
completed in yr11
Revision guide books are available
(25% of final grade)
from science teachers. We
strongly recommend purchasing
these.
SCIENCE – Additional
Examination Board - OCR 21st Century
This GCSE is a concept-led course developed to meet the needs of candidates seeking a deeper understanding
of basic scientific ideas. The course focuses on scientific explanations and models, and gives candidates an
insight into how scientists develop scientific understanding of ourselves and the world we inhabit. This course
comprises nine teaching units which are assessed through a combination of examinations at the end of year 11
(worth a total of 75% of the final grade) and controlled assessment (worth 25%). Six of these units are studied
in year 10.
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT
Investigation - Autumn Term Year 11
Practical investigation carried out by the student. Students will have to devise a strategy for the investigation,
collect, interpret and evaluate data and then present it in a full report. The report will be written up under
examination conditions. This piece of work is worth 25% of the final GCSE grade.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2014
Controlled assessment will be
SAM Learning and BBC Bitesize
(75% of final grade)
completed in yr11
Revision guide books are available
(25% of final grade)
from your science teacher. We
recommend purchasing these.
SCIENCE – BTEC
Examination Board - Edexcel
BTEC Science is designed to provide a work –related qualification in Science. It has been developed to provide
the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to prepare learners for employment. The qualification is
75% internally assessed using a series of coursework assignments which are to be completed throughout the
duration of the course. Students will study units in Biology, Physics and Chemistry. An examination (at the end
of year 11) is worth 25% of the final grade. Successful completion of the course with a “pass” grade is the
equivalent to two GCSEs at grade C.
COURSEWORK
This course consists of coursework assignments which are given out throughout the year as directed by the
course tutor.
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2014
Ongoing coursework throughout
BBC Bitesize
(25% of final grade)
years 10and 11. Worth 75% of final SAM Learning
grade
SCIENCE – Triple
Examination Board - OCR 21st Century
Triple science is a combination of three GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. It provides the fullest
coverage of these subjects at Key stage 4. Triple science contains all the elements of core and additional
science plus three extra units. Successful completion of the course results in three separate GCSEs being
awarded. In year 10 students study nine units comprising Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT
The minimum requirement for the course is three complete investigations as described on the Additional
Science sheet. Each investigation will make up 25% of one GCSE. Autumn Term Year 11
Examinations
Coursework/Controlled
Recommended revision materials
Assessment deadlines
Summer 2014
Controlled assessment will be
SAM Learning and BBC Bitesize
(75% of final grade)
completed in yr11
Revision guide books are available
(25% of final grade)
from your science teacher. We
strongly recommend purchasing
these.