YEAR 10 COURSE
INFORMATION
2014 - 2015
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Specification
Topics covered
Examinations
Controlled assessment
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Subject
Head of Department
English Language
Mrs C. Curtis
Exam board
Cambridge IGCSE (Syllabus Code 0522)
Website
http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/igcse/subject?assdef_id=1029
Unit
Exam
Content (optional)
Examination (40%)
Paper 2: ‘Reading
Passages’
2 hours
Q1: Writing in response to a text (16%)
Q2: Language analysis (8%)
Q3: Summarising a text (16%)
Coursework (40%)
1: Creative writing
2: Writing to argue and persuade
3: Writing in response to a text
Speaking and Listening
(20%)
Individual speech followed by discussion with teacher.
Recommended additional reading materials
Non-fiction texts on contemporary topics (e.g. newspaper articles, BBC website).
Additional subject support available
MLE – English GCSE page.
Further information on re-takes
Only 1 draft of the coursework can be comment marked by the teacher. If students need to redo
coursework, they will need to do so in their own time and in agreement with their English teacher.
All exams will be sat at the end of Y11 so re-takes will not be possible.
Additional information
If a student misses a lesson for any reason it is crucial that he is proactive about catching up. All
lesson resources are on the English GCSE MLE page.
ENGLISH LITERATURE
Subject
Head of Department
English Literature
Mrs C. Curtis
Exam board
AQA
Website
http://www.aqa.org.uk/resource-zone/english/english-literature.php
Unit
Exam
Content (optional)
Unit 1 (40%)
Exploring modern texts
1 hour 30 minutes: Section A
Modern Drama; Section B
Exploring Cultures.
Analysis of An Inspector Calls and Of Mice and Men
(45 minutes per section).
Unit 2 (35%)
Poetry across time
(Taught in Y11)
Unit 3 (25%)
Shakespeare and the
English literary heritage
(Taught in Y11)
1 hour 15 minutes: Section A
Poetry cluster from
anthology; Section B unseen
poem.
Comparison of two poems from the ‘Place’ cluster
(45 minutes); analysis of an unseen poem (30
minutes).
Comparison of Macbeth and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
2,000 words, 3-4 hours.
Course text book
S Students are provided with poetry anthologies and copies of Of Mice and Men; An Inspector
Calls; extracts from Macbeth; and extracts from Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Recommended additional reading materials
Modern novels and plays, Shakespeare works, novels from the English literary canon, and modern
or English heritage poetry. Visit www.wcgs.org.uk/englishreadathon for recommended reads.
Additional subject support available
MLE – English GCSE page.
Further information on re-takes
All exams are taken in the summer of Y11 – there are no re-take opportunities.
MATHEMATICS
Subject
Head of Department
Maths
Miss G. Bird
Exam board
IGCSE: Edexcel Level 2 Certificate in Maths (IGCSE for State Schools) (Identical to the Edexcel IGCSE
Specification A)
Website
IGCSE: Edexcel Certificate – IGCSE for state schools:
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/igcse/edexcel-certificate/maths/Pages/default.aspx
Unit
Exam
Content (optional)
Edexcel Certificate in
2 papers of 2hrs
All students sit the Higher Level papers
Mathematics (IGCSE
each, one nonfor State Schools)
calculator, one
calculator
May 2015 (sets
1&2), May 2016
(sets 3-5)
Programme of Study
In addition to the syllabus for the IGCSE exam, students are taught the entire National Curriculum
and a number of enrichment topics. Students in sets 1-4 will also study for an additional, harder
qualification in Y11.
Course text book
Students are not issued with a course textbook as class resources come from a variety of sources.
However, this is the book kept in the classroom and most frequently used:
Higher GCSE Mathematics Revision and Practice by David Rayner pub Oxford ISBN: 978 019
9139262 (Amazon link for 5th Edition) (some sets have the older version of this textbook (ISBN:
978 019 9151141) (Amazon link for older edition)
Recommended additional reading materials
 Use of the website www.myimaths.com.
 You may already have a Mathswatch CD, which has video clips on every topic on the
syllabus together with practice questions which have clips going through the solutions and
a large number of worksheets. This is just as good for the IGCSE, but follow the menu for
the Linear GCSE. Some topics will not be on the IGCSE and there will be 3 topics on IGCSE
that are not on GCSE so not on the disc. Available via Parentpay. Print the receipt and take
it to your maths teacher who will exchange it for your CD. When out of stock the link
disappears but will reappear when new stock comes in.
 Additional course specific Textbook for IGCSE: Edexcel IGCSE Mathematics A Student Books
1 and 2 by Turner, Potts, Waite and Hony pub Pearson ISBNs 978-0435966911 (Amazon
Link Bk1) and 978-0435966928 (Amazon link Bk2)
 CGP Revision guides and Workbooks with answers for the Edexcel IGCSE are available from
school via Parentpay. Print the receipt and take it to your maths teacher who will exchange
it for your book(s). When out of stock the link disappears but will reappear when new stock
comes in.
 Nrich http://Nrich.maths.org has problems, usually of an investigative nature, targeted at
different age groups on themes that change monthly. Students can submit their solutions.
Stages 3 or 4 would be appropriate for students in y9.
 The following has information about how maths is used in the workplace and many articles
about maths in the real world Mathscareers
 The following is an online magazine, again with many articles relating Maths to the real
world. It is aimed primarily at older students Plus Magazine but the majority of articles are
accessible to y9 students.
Additional subject support available
The Maths clinic run by Maths staff is on Thursdays after school.
The Maths Ambassadors support club is run by Sixth Form students on Tuesday lunchtimes in Ma3.
Students are also welcome to see teachers at any other time if they need help, so long as the
teacher is not busy. They may ask any maths teacher for help or advice, not just their own teacher.
Further information on re-takes
Students in set 1 & 2 who don’t gain an A* in May will be expected to retake during y11.
Additional information
 Students MUST have their own scientific calculator (Casio fx83 recommended for GCSE but
Casio fx991 recommended for higher level courses – please ensure it is named) AND a
protractor and compasses, in addition to a ruler, pencil etc AND remember to bring them to
lessons and exams!
 Students in sets 1 and 2 will go on to study for a harder exam in y11 after taking their IGCSE
at the end of y10. Students in set 3 may be offered the chance to take a harder exam
alongside their IGCSE in y11.
 A level Mathematics is accessible to all students who gain an A grade in their IGCSE
Mathematics regardless of which set they are in.
FRENCH
Subject
Subject Leader
French
Mrs. A Gabriele (Faculty Leader of MFL)
Exam board: EDEXCEL
1. There are no external examinations taken in Year 10 unless the pupil has a French
background and wants to sit the exam beforehand. All internal examinations will take
place in the Summer Term.
2. In Year 10 there is a lot of preparation, material gathering and practice for the GCSE
external examinations and pupils complete two controlled assessments in the summer
term (1 speaking and 1 writing) which can count towards their GCSE.
3. For Topic Outlines:
a. Talking about activities, nationalities and places in town
b. Talking about television programmes, films and likes/dislikes
c. Describing past holidays
d. Shopping for food and drink
e. Eating at a restaurant
f. Talking about clothes and school uniform
g. Learning the parts of the body, describing symptoms and getting remedies
h. Talking about healthy living and lifestyle changes
i. Talking about school life and career aspirations
j. Learning about French-speaking countries
Course textbook
Edexcel GCSE French (higher) written by Clive Bell, Rosi McNab and Gill Beckett.
Each student has access to a copy of the textbook in class and is required to purchase an online
subscription to Active Learn which is mainly used for homework and extra listening and reading
exercises and to practise vocabulary and various grammar points. Through Active Learn students
also have access to the Edexcel GCSE French textbook learning content.
The course has a communicative approach and focuses on the 4 language skills (Listening,
Speaking, Reading and Writing) as well as grammar structures.
Pupils in Year 10 will complete controlled assessment style tasks at the end of each unit of study to
provide them with practice opportunities before their real assessments at the end of Year 10 and
in Year 11.
SPANISH
Subject
Subject Leader
Spanish
Mrs. A Gabriele (Faculty Leader of MFL)
Exam board: EDEXCEL
1. There are no external examinations taken in Year 10 unless the pupil has a Spanish
background and wants to sit the exam beforehand. All internal examinations will take
place in the Summer Term.
2. In Year 10 there is a lot of preparation, material gathering and practice for the GCSE
external examinations and pupils complete two controlled assessments in the summer
term (1 speaking and 1 writing) which can count towards their GCSE.
3. For Topic Outlines:
a. Describing holidays and weather
b. Talking about means of transport, directions and days out
c. Ordering in a restaurant
d. Talking about school life
e. Talking about clothes and school uniform
f. Talking about daily routine and chores
g. Talking about family and relationships
h. Describing people’s appearances and personalities
i. Describing jobs and talking about future plans
j. Talking about your home, your neighbourhood and your city
k. Learning about Spanish-speaking countries
Course textbook
Edexcel GCSE Spanish (higher) written by Anneli McLachlan, Leanda Reeves and Charonne Prosser.
Each student has access to a copy of the textbook in class and is required to purchase an online
subscription to Active Learn which is mainly used for homework, extra listening and reading
exercises and to practise vocabulary and various grammar points. Through Active Learn students
also have access to the Edexcel GCSE French textbook learning content.
The course has a communicative approach and focuses on the 4 language skills (Listening,
Speaking, Reading and Writing) as well as grammar structures.
Pupils in Year 10 will complete controlled assessment style tasks at the end of each unit of study to
provide them with practice opportunities before their real assessments at the end of Year 10 and
in Year 11.
HISTORY
Subject
Subject Leader
History
Mr B. Greenley
Specification: Edexcel History A – Modern World
http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/GCSE%20New%20GCSE/GCSE-History-A-SpecIssue-2-for-Web.pdf
GCSE examinations:
Option 2B: Russia 1917–39 (January) – Essay paper
Option 3B: War and the transformation of British society c1931–51 (June) – Source
Paper.
All modules to be examined in Year 11.
1. No controlled assessment – but we might add some more practice exercises when we start
the ‘real’ topic in the summer term. We will take a view based on the level of work required
in preparation for the GCSE modules.
2. Topics studied this year:
Bolshevik Russia 1917-24.
Stalin and the USSR 1924-39
Britain and the Second World War (1933-1951)
The Vietnam War (Controlled Assessment to take place in Winter term 2011 – Year 11).
GEOGRAPHY
Subject
Subject Leader
Geography
Examboard:
Mr A. Abbas
Edexcel Geography Spec. B
Website : http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse09/geography/b/Pages/default.aspx
Unit
Unit title
1
Dynamic Planet
Section A – Introduction to the Dynamic Planet
Compulsory topics: Restless Earth, Climate and Change, Battle for the
Biosphere and Water
World.
Section B – Small-scale Dynamic Planet
Optional topics: We will complete River Processes and Pressures.
Section C – Large-scale Dynamic Planet
Optional topics: We will complete Oceans on the Edge
2
People and the Planet
Section A – Introduction to People and the Planet
Compulsory topics: Population Dynamics, Consuming Resources,
Living Spaces and Making a
Living.
Section B – Small-scale People and the Planet
Optional topics: We will complete Changing Cities.
Section C – Large-scale People and the Planet
Optional topics: We will complete Development Dilemmas
3
Making Geographical Decisions
Overview of content
This unit will assess students’ ability to make decisions about
geographical issues and justify them.
The unit includes the pressures (conflicts), players and options that
are involved in making geographical decisions and which are related
to sustainable development and environmental issues.
Overview of assessment
Weight
Year
-ing Completed
Structure of
Assessment
25%
External
Assessment –
10 into mixture of multi11
choice, short
answer and
extended answer
25%
External
Assessment –
mixture of multi9 into 10
choice, short
answer and
extended answer
25%
11
External
Assessment –
mixture of multichoice, short
answer and
extended answer
using a pre-release
resource pack
This unit is assessed through a 1-hour, tiered, written examination.
50 marks are available, spread across three approximately equally
weighted questions.
The theme of the resource material will be released two years in
advance of the examination.
A pack of resource material will be pre-released for each sitting of the
exam. The material will
be available on a secure section of the Edexcel website in January and
hard copies will be sent to centres in February. Students should study
this material to give a context to the skills that they have learnt in this
topic. The exam will relate to this material.
4
Researching Geography
This unit is internally assessed under controlled conditions. Students
complete one of the fieldwork tasks from the list provided by Edexcel.
They must write up the fieldwork task under controlled conditions.
The task is marked out of a total of 50 marks, across the following
areas:
- planning, methods of data collection, data presentation and report
production, analysis and conclusions and evaluation.
The task will be marked by the teacher and moderated by Edexcel
25%
10
Controlled
Assessment task
Our students have almost completed Unit 1- Dynamic Planet and will move on to Unit 2
thereafter. We are planning run a Field Studies Trip to the FSC Amersham to undertake our
coursework which will be on the Rivers Topic in late April 2013. The Field Studies Trip will
allow the students to gather all the necessary data they will need to complete their controlled
assessment in school. Full submission of the controlled assessment will be in late June/early
July 2013. This will complete the ‘Researching Geography’ Unit 4 which constitutes 25% of the
overall GCSE.
SCIENCE
IGCSE Physics
Subject
Subject Leader
Physics
Mr. A Boothroyd
Pupils study the academically rigorous EdExcel IGCSE in Physics from Y9 to Y11. This course is
normally 2 years in length but in order to give opportunities for greater enrichment and
exploration this course is currently taken over 3 years at Wallington after which pupils undertake
their final exam in two papers.
Key subject aims:
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To impart a systematic body of scientific knowledge and the skills needed to apply this in
new and changing situations in many domestic, industrial and environmental contexts
To foster an appreciation of the practical nature of Physics, and develop experimental and
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investigative skills based on correct and safe laboratory techniques
To develop an appreciation of the importance of accurate experimental work and reporting
to scientific method
To enable students to form hypotheses and design experiments to test them
To enable students to evaluate, in terms of their scientific knowledge and understanding,
the benefits and drawbacks (including social, environmental and economic) of scientific and
technological developments
To enable students to select, organise and present information clearly and logically, using
appropriate scientific terms and conventions.
Assessment
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Single tier. Two exams in Y11. No coursework
Grading A* to G
Provides a sound foundation for progression to GCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and
Advanced level, and other comparable post-16 qualifications.
Legally called the EdExcel Certificate in Physics but entirely the same as the IGCSE 2009
specification and can be referred to as an IGCSE in all applications and correspondence.
IGCSE Biology
Subject
Subject Leader
Biology
Miss G. Farlow
Pupils study the academically rigorous EdExcel IGCSE in Biology from Y9 to Y11. This course is
normally 2 years in length but in order to give opportunities for greater enrichment and
exploration, this course is currently taken over 3 years at Wallington after which pupils undertake
their final exam in two papers. Our International GCSE in Biology aims to give students a
knowledge and understanding of biological facts, concepts and principles, while developing
experimental skills. Students will also learn to form hypotheses and design experiments to test
them. This is a single-tier qualification, suitable for delivery in schools and colleges, which is
assessed via two exams and graded A* to G.
Key subject aims:
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To give students a knowledge and understanding of biological facts, concepts and principles
To develop an appreciation of the significance of biological facts, concepts and principles
and the skills needed for their use in new and changing situations
To develop an appreciation of the importance of accurate experimental work in scientific
method and reporting
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To enable students to form hypotheses and design experiments to test them
To sustain and develop an enjoyment of, and interest in, the study of living organisms
To enable students to evaluate, in terms of their biological knowledge and understanding,
the benefits and drawbacks of scientific and technological developments, including those
related to social, environmental and economic issues.
Assessment and progression
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Single tier. Two exams. No coursework
Grading A* to G
Provides a sound foundation for progression to GCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and
Advanced level, and other comparable post-16 qualifications.
Legally called the EdExcel Certificate in Biology but entirely the same as the IGCSE 2009
specification and can be referred to as an IGCSE in all applications and correspondence.
IGCSE Chemistry
Subject
Subject Leader
Chemistry
Miss J Gallagher
Students study the academically rigorous EdExcel IGCSE in Chemistry from Y9 to Y11. This course
is normally 2 years in length but we teach it over 3 years in order to give students opportunities
for a greater understanding and in depth exploration. Our International GCSE in Chemistry aims
to develop an understanding of the unifying patters and themes of chemistry, as well as
experimental and investigative skills based on correct and safe laboratory techniques. Students
will gain an appreciation of scientific methods and learn to form hypotheses and design
experiments to test them. This single-tier qualification is suitable for delivery in schools and
colleges and is assessed via two exams, graded A* to G.
Key subject aims:
• To develop students’ understanding of the unifying patterns and themes of chemistry
• To further students’ appreciation of the practical nature of chemistry and develop experimental
and investigative skills based on correct and safe laboratory techniques
• To develop an appreciation of the importance to scientific methods of accurate experimental
work and reporting
• To develop students’ ability to form hypotheses and design experiments to test them
• To develop a logical approach to problem-solving in a wider context
• To develop an understanding of the widespread importance of chemistry and the way materials
are used in the world
• To show how the work of the chemist has social, industrial, technological, environmental ad
economic consequences for the community
• To prepare students for more advanced courses in chemistry or courses which require them to
have a knowledge of chemistry.
Assessment and progression
• Single tier. Two exams. No coursework
• Grading A* to G
• Provides a sound foundation for progression to GCE Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced level
Chemistry, and other comparable post-16 qualifications.
Legally called the EdExcel Certificate in Chemistry but entirely the same as the IGCSE 2009
specification and can be referred to as an IGCSE in all applications and correspondence.
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Subject
Subject Leader
Religious Studies
Mrs L. Jennings
In Year 10 students continue studying for the GCSE in Religious Studies. This is the OCR GCSE
Religious Studies B syllabus in Philosophy and Applied Ethics. Students study three of the four
ethics units in Year 10 focusing upon Buddhist Ethics. In Year 11 both sides of the course will be
completed before we commence revision.
The following units are covered during Year 10:
Medical ethics
Prejudice and discrimination
War, peace and justice
There is no controlled assessment. Students will be assessed formally through internal
examination in the Summer Term. This examination aims to introduce students to the structure
and format of the GCSE examination for Religious Studies.
ECONOMICS
Subject
Subject Leader
Economics
Mr A. Somerville
Exam board
OCR
Website
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-economics-j320-from-2009/
Unit
A591 (25%)
Exam
How the Market Works
Content (optional)
Microeconomics - Exam Year 11 June
A592 (25%)
How the Economy works
Macroeconomics – Exam Year 11 June
A593 (50%)
The UK Economy and
Globalisation
Pre-released case study January
Exam Year 11 June
Course text book (used in class – provided by the school)
A complete course for Economics IGCSE and O Level
Dan Moynihan and Brain Titley
Published by Oxford University Press
ISBN 978-0-19-915134-9
Recommended additional reading materials.
Edexcel ICGSE Economics student book by Rob Jones
Published by Pearson
ISBN 978-0-435991-28-9
This Student Book comes with an ActiveBook CD, excellent book with lots of real life examples.
Highly recommended.
OCR GCSE Economics Christopher Bancroft, Amy Chapman, Clive Riches
Endorsed by OCR
Published by Heinemann
ISBN 978-0-435-84905-4
This is an excellent book for revision, user friendly and written specifically for the syllabus.
BBC news website
Tutor2u.net
Additional subject support available
Drop in clinic after school for those students who need academic support.
There are no revision guides available commercially. The department has written a revision
guide. This can be found on the MLE along with past exam papers, mark schemes and exemplar
answers.
Further information on re-takes
There are no re-sits available under the new linear assessment.
Additional information
The Economics and Business Society is a club where students are welcome to come along and
enter national competitions. They can also write articles for the Society’s magazine. The Society
meets lunchtimes on Monday in EC1.
BUSINESS STUDIES
Subject
Subject Leader
Business Studies
Mr A. Somerville
Exam board
OCR
Website
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/gcse/blt/business_studies/index.html
Unit
A291 (25%)
Exam
Marketing and Enterprise
Content (optional)
Controlled Assessment pre-released task (Year
10 Nov/Dec)
A292 (25%)
Business and People
Exam Year 11 (June)
A293 (50%)
Production, Finance and the
External Business Environment
Pre-released case study
Exam Year 11 (June)
Course text book (used in class – provided by the school)
AQA GCSE Business Studies B Neil Denby and Peter Thomas
Recommended additional reading materials.
OCR GCSE Business Studies Revision Guide, Neil Denby
ISBN: 9781444107784 Published April 2010
OCR Business Studies for GCSE, Peter Kennerdell, Alan Williams and Mike Schofield. Second
(revised) edition
ISBN 0340983493
Additional subject support available
Drop in clinic after school for those students who need academic support.
Revision materials, past exam papers and exemplar answers can be found on the MLE.
Further information on re-takes
There are no re-sits available under the new linear assessment
Additional information
The Economics and Business Society is a club where students are welcome to come along and
enter national competitions. They can also write articles for the Society’s magazine. The Society
meets lunch times on Monday in EC1.
CLASSICS
Subject
Subject Leader
Classics
Mr B. Greenley
OCR Classical Civilisation
Controlled Assessment: Autumn Term Y11 – Aristophanes’ Lysistrata
No external examinations, internal during Summer Term.
Topics:
Y10 – Society in Athens, Homer’s Odyssey, Pompeii
Specification:
LATIN
Subject
Subject Leader
Latin
Mr B. Greenley
In Year 10 students progress to Books 3 and 4 of the Cambridge Latin Course and begin to
examine and analyse the core elements of literature required for their GCSE in year 11 taken
from the OCR specification.
Textbooks:
Cambridge Latin Course Books 3 + 4 (Provided by Mr Greenley)
OCR Latin Student Guide (Provided by Mr Greenley)
MUSIC
Subject
Subject Leader
Mrs J. Martin
Music
Specification:
Edexcel GCSE in Music (2MU01).
1 - No external examinations taken this year, internal during Summer Term.
2 - Controlled Assessment: Performance 30% due February of Year 11. Composition 30% one
December of Year 11, the other due March of Year 11.
3 - Year 10: All Areas of Study including each of the set works.
http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/GCSE%20New%20GCSE/GCSE-Music-Spec-issue2-for-web.pdf
ART & DESIGN
Subject
Subject Leader
Art & Design
GCSE
EXAMINATION BOARD – EDEXCEL
5AD01 & 5AD02
Miss L. Musselbrook
Topics Studied:
UNIT 1
Personal portfolio in Art & Design – 60%
Unendorsed (fine art, graphic design, 3D, photography, film)
UNIT 2
Externally set assignment – 40%
10 hour exam, 20 hours of preparatory studies. (There will be a 5 hour mock exam at the end of
Year 9 and a 10 hour mock exam at the end of Year 10 – the final exam does not take place until
the Summer Term in Year 11)
STRUCTURE OF COURSE
YEAR 9/10
Termly projects on topics like Pop Art, Fantasy & Surrealism, Viewpoints, Barriers, and Family
Tree.
Supporting studies in A3 art journal and developed main pieces each term. End of year exam with
exam paper set at least 6 weeks before exam.
ASSESSMENT – Journal assessment fortnightly, half term assessment and end of term assessment
on classwork and homework. End of year final grade.
(Art work can always be improved upon, students have a working grade throughout the year.)
Extension classes after school on Wednesday.
Subject
Design & Technology – GCSE (AQA)
Head of Department
Mr S. Weston
Core Skills
Design and Technology is a practical subject area which requires the application of knowledge and understanding when
developing ideas, planning, producing products and evaluating them.
The distinction between Designing and Making is a convenient one to make, but in practice the two often merge. For
example, research can involve not only investigating printed matter and people’s opinions, but also investigating e.g.
proportions, adhesives, colour, structures and materials through practical work.
Designing Skills
• be creative and innovative when designing;
• design products to meet the needs of clients and consumers;
• understand the design principles of form, function and fitness for purpose;
• understand the role that designers and product developers have, and the impact and
responsibility they have on and to society;
• analyse and evaluate existing products, including those from professional designers;
• to develop and use design briefs and specifications for product development;
• consider the conflicting demands that moral, cultural, economic, and social values and needs
can make in the planning and in the designing of products;
• consider environmental and sustainability issues in designing products;
• consider health and safety in all its aspects;
• anticipate and design for product maintenance where appropriate;
• design for manufacturing in quantity and to be aware of current commercial/industrial processes;
• generate design proposals against stated design criteria, and to modify their proposals in the light
of on-going analysis, evaluation and product development;
• reflect critically when evaluating and modifying their design ideas and proposals in order to
improve the products throughout inception and manufacture;
• use, where appropriate, a range of graphic techniques and ICT (including digital media),
including CAD, to generate, develop, model and communicate design proposals;
• investigate and select appropriate materials and components;
• plan and organise activities which involve the use of materials and components when developing or manufacturing;
• devise and apply test procedures to check the quality of their work at critical/key points during
development, and to indicate ways of modifying and improving it when necessary;
• communicate the design proposal in an appropriate manner;
• be flexible and adaptable when designing;
• test and evaluate the final design proposal against the design specification;
• evaluate the work of other designers to inform their own practice;
• understand the advantages of working collaboratively as a member of a design team;
• understand the need to protect design ideas.
Making Skills
• select and use tools/equipment and processes to produce quality products;
• consider the solution to technical problems in the design and manufacture process;
• use tools and equipment safely with regard to themselves and others;
• work accurately and efficiently in terms of time, materials/ingredients and components;
• manufacture products applying quality control procedures;
• have knowledge of Computer-Aided Manufacture (CAM) and to use as appropriate;
• ensure, through testing, modification and evaluation, that the quality of their products is suitable for
intended users and devise modifications where necessary that would improve the outcome(s);
• understand the advantages of working as part of a team when designing and making products.
Subject
Head of Department
Design & Technology – GCSE Resistant Materials (AQA)
Mr S. Weston
GCSE Resistant Materials has been designed to encourage students to be able to design and make products with
creativity and originality, using a range of materials and techniques. Students will be enthused and challenged by
the range of practical activities possible. A working knowledge of woods, metals, plastics and composite
materials will be required, but other materials may be used in addition. The use of new technologies is
encouraged in this specification.
The new specification is designed to foster awareness amongst students, of the need to consider sustainability
and environmental impact of their designing.
The specification retains much of the content of the very successful previous GCSE specification. It continues to
provide the students with the opportunity to design and make a product using a range of materials.
Changes have been made to the controlled assessment criteria; they now reflect the style of the GCE D&T
courses where mark ranges are defined for each component of the controlled assessment. The changes continue
to allow full credit to be given to students who undertake innovative work, including projects with a very high
CAD/CAM content.
This course provides an excellent route into GCE Product Design.
Materials & Components
Students should be aware of the processes and techniques which aid manufacture and of the commercial
application of a range of materials used in manufacturing their products in quantity.
It is expected that designing and making will address complete product issues and therefore deal with materials
associated with the making of production aids, e.g. jigs, moulds, templates etc. It will be important therefore
that students can utilise a variety of suitable materials and components.
Whilst undertaking product analysis activities, it is expected that students will make detailed references to the
materials used as well as the associated manufacturing issues.
Recommended Textbook
AQA GCSE Design and Technology: Resistant Materials Technology
Ian Fawcett, Roger Smith, and Mick Whittle
Price: £16.99
ISBN: 978-1408502730
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication date: 30/04/2009
Paperback: 176 pages
Subject
Design & Technology – GCSE Electronic Products (AQA)
Head of Department
Mr S. Weston
GCSE Electronic Products has been designed to encourage students to be able to design and make quality electronic
products with creativity, originality and flair using a wide range of electronic components with appropriate materials to
package the electronic circuit. Students will be enthused and challenged by the range of practical opportunities this subject
offers. The packaging of the electronic circuit can include individually designed cases made from a range of resistant
materials, textiles, card or recycled materials.
The new specification is designed to foster awareness amongst students of the need to consider sustainability and
environmental impact on their designing. The Specification retains much of the content of the very successful previous GCSE
Specification and continues to provide the student with the opportunity to design and make an electronic product using
new technologies and modern electronic devices.
Changes have been made to the controlled assessment criteria: they now reflect the style of the GCE Design & Technology
courses where mark ranges are defined for each component of the controlled assessment. The changes continue to allow
full credit to be given to students who undertake innovative work including projects with a very high CAD/CAM content and
exclusive use of microcontrollers.
This course provides an excellent route into GCE Systems and Control Technology and Product Design.
Materials and Components
Knowledge and understanding of materials and making processes should be of sufficient depth for students to make an
appropriate and reasoned choice when designing and making an electronic system.
Knowledge and understanding of the materials and processes listed in the specification may be tested in the written
examination, but knowledge of the properties and characteristics of other common materials will not be tested in the
written papers. It is expected that students through their coursework will be able to show a general knowledge of the
properties and characteristics of a wider range of materials, including textiles.
It is expected that much of the knowledge and understanding of components will be delivered through consideration of the
electronic building block circuits. Students should develop their understanding of the concepts of input, process and output
and the importance of feedback in controlling systems. They should be able to describe the function of the building blocks
and be able to combine two or more of them to satisfy a design specification.
Assessment
Recommended Textbook
AQA GCSE Design and Technology: Electronic Products
Richard Johnson, Samantha Forsyth, Neil Cafferky, Anderson Paul, Harry Longworth, and Keith
Mellens
Price: £16.99
ISBN: 978-1408504178
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication date: 29/06/2009
Paperback: 144 pages
HOSPITALITY & CATERING
Subject
Subject Leader
WJEC Hospitality & Catering
Miss D. Nunes
Introduction
At Key Stage 4, pupils undertake a Single Award in Hospitality & Catering.
The GCSE option will provide pupils with an opportunity to develop a wide range of practical skills in the
planning, preparation and serving of food. Pupils will study all aspects of the hospitality and catering
industry and pupils will be called upon to use the practical skills that they have acquired in KS3 to a
significant degree.
Pupils are taught twice a week and will, therefore, cook once a week. Pupils will be encouraged to source
their own ingredients for practical lessons and will be expected to research and provide their own recipes
for use in the practical lessons.
Assessment
GCSE Hospitality and Catering WJEC (Catering)
Catering Assessment: Single Award (Years 9 and 10)
TWO practical tasks (controlled assessments) from six externally set by WJEC – Task One is completed in
Year 9 and Task Two is completed in Year 10.
The two tasks are worth 60% of the final grade for the Single Award in Catering.
At the end of Year 10, one written paper of 1¼ hours - externally set and marked which is worth 40% of the
final grade.
Pupils are regularly assessed on class work (including practical tasks) and homework. At the start of the
academic year, pupils are given a Grade to aim towards and are encouraged to improve and develop
aspects of their work during the year in order to meet this Grade.
Assessments include self- assessment, peer assessment and class assessment which will allow pupils
to assess what they need to do to achieve their predicted grade.
Topics covered:

Food Preparation, Presentation and Service

Job roles and employment within the catering industry

Nutrition including special diets

Health, safety and hygiene

Types of services within the industry

Environmental Issues

Food packaging

Costings and Portion Control

Food Packaging and labelling

Convenience Foods

Menu planning

Food Legislation

Specialist equipment

Communication and record keeping
P.E.
Subject
Subject Leader
P.E.
Mr D. Johnson
1. AQA GCSE Full course
2. No external examinations but internal during the Summer Term.
3. Controlled assessment is related to aspects of the practical component and as such is ongoing
in practical sessions. Therefore, some controlled practical assessments will be carried out this
academic year - mostly Spring / Summer and into year 11.
4. We will have a strong focus on 'training' principles -which is linked to practical work. Other
topics for this year will be: The media, Competitions, Diet, Cultural & social factors, the demands
of performance: injury, the demands of performance: the difference between aerobic and
anaerobic exercise, Health, fitness and a healthy lifestyle.