The Sacred Heart Language College

Transcription

1 The Sacred Heart Language College KS4 Curriculum Booklet

2 Contents Letter from the Head teacher Art and Design 15 Business Studies 25 Citizenship/PSHE and Work-related Learning 13 Computer Science 23 Design and Technology 24 Drama 16 English Language 5 English Literature 6 Geography 19 History 20 ICT 22 Mathematics 7 Modern Languages 10 Music 17 Physical Education (Core) 12 Physical Education (GCSE) 18 Religious Studies 9 Science 8 Travel & Tourism (BTEC First Certificate) 21 2

3 March 2015 Dear Year Nine Student, I am delighted to write to you and introduce your KS4 Curriculum Booklet at this most important and exciting point in your school career. You will soon be completing your Key Stage 3 work and your level of attainment so far will be assessed in the summer through your Year 9 exams and teacher assessment of your work to date. This will give you valuable information to tell you how well you are doing and help you to set targets for the future. I know you will want to do your very best and your teachers at The Sacred Heart Language College will give you every support with this. This is also a time when you need to think about your future studies and, in particular, which subjects you will follow in your KS4 programme. Here at The Sacred Heart Language College we encourage everyone to follow 9 or 10 subjects, from a set core, i.e. subjects that everyone does, and from a range of options. In KS4, all girls will take a core GCSE programme in English, Maths, Science (Double or Triple Science), R.E., and a Modern Language. All pupils will also continue to follow lessons in Citizenship, PSHE and P.E. In addition over the course of this year there will be the opportunity across your subjects to develop and apply computing skills. Pathway One: Pathway Two: Academic 10 GCSEs Academic with Vocational Component 7 Core GCSEs, Travel & Tourism BTEC, Core Skills and one GCSE Option Our pathways approach to study at KS4 will ensure that you are taking the appropriate courses. The pathway you follow will be identified by your teachers. This is a very important time that will enable your success in the future. You will need to make informed choices and to do this you must find out as much as you can about the course details and what you as an individual need. Remember that your teachers are here to support you with these choices. In understanding your curriculum offer ahead please take the time to talk to your parents. Your Form Tutor and Head of Year will also help you. However, whatever the pathway that lies ahead, remember that you are responsible for your future success. Our thoughts and prayers as a community are with you. Yours sincerely, Miss G A Higgins Headteacher 3

4 Core Subjects All pupils study: English Language English Literature Mathematics Double Science RE A Modern Language PE Citizenship Work-related Learning Information on these subjects will be found in the next section. 4

5 English Language The new GCSE (9-1) in English language is a linear course. It consists of two externally examined components and one endorsement for Spoken Language. Students must complete all assessment in the same series. Component 1: Fiction and Imaginative writing Externally assessed Availability: May/June First assessment: May/June % of the Total GCSE Overview of content Study selections from a range of prose fiction. Develop skills to analyse and evaluate 19th-century fiction extracts. Develop imaginative writing skills to engage the reader. Use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately. Overview of assessment Section A Reading: questions on an unseen 19th-century fiction extract. Section B Writing: a choice of two writing tasks. The tasks are linked by a theme to the reading extract. The total number of marks available is 64. Assessment duration 1 hour and 45 minutes. Component 2: Non-fiction and Transactional Writing Externally assessed Availability: May/June First assessment: May/June 2017 Overview of content Study a range of 20th- and 21st-century non-fiction texts (including literary non-fiction). Develop skills to analyse, evaluate and compare non-fiction extracts. Develop transactional writing skills for a variety of forms, purposes and audiences. Use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately. Overview of assessment Section A Reading: questions on two thematically linked, unseen non-fiction extracts. Section B Writing: a choice of two writing tasks. The tasks are linked by a theme to the reading extracts. The total number of marks available is 96. Assessment duration: 2 hours. 60% of Total GCSE 5

6 English Literature The new GCSE (9 1) in English Literature is a linear course. It consists of two externally examined components. Students must complete all assessment in May/June in any single year. Component 1: Shakespeare and Post Literature Externally assessed Availability: May/June First assessment: 2017 Overview of content Study a Shakespeare play and a post-1914 British play or novel. Develop skills to analyse how the language, form, structure and context of texts can create meanings and effects. Develop skills to maintain a critical style and informed personal response. 50% of Total GCSE Overview of assessment Section A Shakespeare: a two-part question, with the first task focused on an extract of approximately 30 lines. The second task is focused on how a theme reflected in the extract is explored elsewhere in the play. Section B Post-1914 British play or novel: ONE essay question. The total number of marks available is 80. Assessment duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes. Closed book (texts are not allowed in the examination). Component 2: 19 th Century Novel and Poetry since 1879 Externally assessed Availability: May/June First assessment: 2017 Overview of content Study a 19th-century novel and a poetry collection from the Pearson Poetry Anthology. Develop skills to analyse how the language, form, structure and context of texts can create meanings and effects. Develop skills to maintain a critical style and informed personal response. Develop comparison skills. 50% of Total GCSE Overview of assessment Section A 19th-century novel: a two part question, with the first part focussed on an extract of approximately 400 words. The second part is an essay question exploring the whole text. Section B Part 1: ONE question comparing a named poem from the Pearson Poetry Anthology collection to another poem from that collection. The named poem will be shown in the question paper. Part 2: ONE question comparing two unseen contemporary poems. The total number of marks available is 80. Assessment duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes. Closed book (texts are not allowed in the examination). 6

7 Mathematics The Mathematics Department aims to show that mathematics is meaningful, stimulating and worthwhile. Emphasis is placed on the role of mathematics in the 'real world', and such skills as reasoning and problem-solving are developed, to build a foundation for further study, not only in mathematics, but in all other fields of learning. Mathematics is a means of communication and pupils are actively encouraged in oral and written work to acquire a feel for topics within the subject, thus leading to a clearer understanding of mathematical principles. The GCSE course covers the following topics, as identified in the National Curriculum, under the headings of: USING and APPLYING MATHEMATICS NUMBER and ALGEBRA GEOMETRY and MEASURE STATISTICS The Year 10 and 11 course builds on the work of the Key Stage 3 work already studied. The syllabus is presented through a combination of formal, investigative and practical work. Examination Entry is through Edexcel. GCSE REQUIREMENTS: There is no coursework component. Exam There are 2 papers, each worth 50%; a non-calculator and a calculator paper. Exam entries are made at one of two levels: TIER EXAMINATION GRADES AVAILABLE Foundation Papers 1 and 2 G, F, E, D, C Higher Papers 3 and 4 D, C, B, A, A* 7

8 Science All students in Key Stage 4 will study Core Science. This course aims to help students recognise the impact of science and technology on everyday life, make informed decisions about issues and questions that involve science and understand and reflect on the information in media reports and other sources of information. This is the equivalent of 1 GCSE grade. In addition, all students will also study for a further Science GCSE, in Additional Science. This is a concept-led course developed to meet the needs of students seeking a deeper understanding of basic scientific ideas, and gives the students an insight into how scientists develop scientific understanding of ourselves and the world we inhabit. Assessment: Core Science will be assessed through written examinations and a practical controlled assessment. Additional Science will be assessed through written examinations and a practical controlled assessment This course leads to two GCSE grades, which are independent of each other, e.g. A*C, DD, CB. There are two tiers of entry for all of the tests (Foundation and Higher), which have different degrees of difficulty both in examination and material studied during the course. The available grades for the two tiers reflect this difference. To reach the standard required to achieve a Science GCSE, students should expect to do a range of different activities for homework, including: simple investigations at home, practising examination style questions, personal research and writing up practical investigations. It should be noted that students greatly enhance their Science GCSE grades by giving sufficient time and effort to this work. We also offer Triple Science, where some pupils will learn the separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics counting for three GCSEs. 8

9 Religious Studies Students follow the AQA Religious Studies (B) syllabus. The exam consists of two written papers, each worth 50% of the marks and lasting 90 minutes each. The exam takes place in the summer term of Year 11. There will be no coursework. The marks from both units will be added together to give their overall grade. Internal assessment of student progress will take place throughout the year after each topic studied. The aim of the first half of the GCSE course is to introduce students to controversial issues which affect society and demand a response from Roman Catholics, as well as believers from other religious traditions and none. In the second half, students will be asked to grapple with philosophical and theological conundrums which test religious faith in the modern world. Throughout the GCSE course, students are expected to familiarise themselves with the content of the textbooks, conduct independent research on the topics studied, read voraciously, complete homework twice weekly and learn the skills of evaluation and analysis which will aid their development as mature thinkers who are passionately engaged in the dialogue between faith and reason. There will be a full mock GCSE in the winter term of Year 11. Therefore it is crucial that student revision for GCSE Religious Education begins early in Year 10. Year 10: Unit 2 - Religion & Life - students will study four topics from Roman Catholic Christian, Islamic and Jewish perspectives, with occasional reference to Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu perspectives. The areas studied are: Early Life Prejudice & Discrimination Planet Earth War & Peace Year 11: Unit 4 - Religious Philosophy & Ultimate Questions - students will study four topics from Roman Catholic Christian, Islamic and Jewish perspectives, with occasional reference to Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu perspectives. The areas studied are: The Existence of God The Problem of Evil & Suffering Immortality Science & Religion More information on the syllabus can be found by visiting the AQA website 9

10 Modern Languages As a specialist Language College, all girls are expected to continue with one of their languages into Key Stage 4, with some girls opting to study both. We offer a GCSE course in French and Spanish, which enables the girls to study familiar topics, such as Holidays and Education, in greater depth and to improve their knowledge of grammar. As part of their GCSE, students will be required to prepare two controlled assessments in writing and two others in speaking which they will start in Year 10. They will also gain the opportunity to work with our foreign language assistants, in order to improve their speaking and listening skills. As part of the curriculum, girls will get the opportunity to experience the language and culture, at first hand, on study trips abroad in Spain or France. Closer to home, they may have the opportunity to visit primary schools to teach what they know to younger learners as well as take part in the assemblies that we organise. Whichever language and course they study, they will be able, not only to develop competence in a foreign language, but also to gain key skills that will put them in an advantageous position in our multilingual, multicultural society. 10

11 GCSE Spanish/French Key features: There are four sections: listening and reading (each worth 20%); speaking and writing (each worth 30%) There are two tiers of entry for the Listening and Reading exams, Higher, and Foundation. Girls complete two speaking assessments over the course The writing component is in the form of 2 controlled assessments, which are marked by the board. Key topics studied include: Year 10: Family and relationships Holidays Health Free-time and The Media Year 11: My Town and The Environment Education and Work Shopping and Fashion Social issues 11

12 Core PE All girls will follow a PE course during years 10 and 11 at the school and at The Harrow Leisure Centre. Year 10 All Year 10s follow the SLA (Sports Leaders Award). This is a leadership qualification and successful candidates will be accredited with a nationally recognised award. The syllabus is designed to develop generic leadership skills which can be applied in a variety of sporting activities as well as contributing to the pupils personal and social education. We have introduced a basic first aid element for pupils in the summer term. Year 11 The pupils have a single lesson in Year 11. The students will then have the opportunity to be introduced to new activities such as table tennis, squash and swimming at the Harrow Leisure Centre. 12

13 PSHE/Citizenship Citizenship education is part of our core curriculum as it is compulsory for all schools to teach this subject. Personal, Social, Health, Economic Education (PSHE) is also part of our core curriculum. These subjects provide pupils with the opportunity to think about and discuss issues of importance in society, at local, national and global level. At Key Stage 4 the curriculum includes: Human rights and responsibilities How the economy functions Personal safety, healthy lifestyles Politics - the European Union, the Commonwealth and the United Nations Wider issues of global interdependence Citizenship is taught in a variety of ways: (i) in PSHE lessons (ii) in other subjects, most notably RE (iii) through assemblies and special days e.g. sessions in Activities Week (iv) through school trips Citizenship education, however, is not just about a body of knowledge. It aims to help pupils become informed, thoughtful and responsible citizens who are aware of their duties and rights. It seeks, therefore, to encourage a spirit of community service both within and outside school. Pupils are encouraged to use their Record of Achievement to reflect upon what this means to them. Work Related Learning Learning about the world of work is also compulsory at Key Stage 4. Like citizenship this is taught across the curriculum, and through important events such as business enterprise days and a period of work experience in Year

14 Pathway Subjects Which subjects you study will be governed in part by your allocated pathway: Pathway One - Academic Pathway Two - Academic (with vocational component) Possible subjects, depending upon chosen pathway are: Art, Drama, Music, PE - creative subjects Geography, History - humanity subjects Food Technology, Graphics, Product Design, Textiles - technology subjects Spanish - a second language Travel & Tourism ICT, Computer Science Business Studies Triple Science It is very important to make the right choices. The school will recommend a pathway for you which will assist this process. When you come to state your preferences for pathway subjects you will be asked to state a first and a second preference in each case. You must choose a different subject as your second choice. The following pages give information about the pathway subjects. 14

15 Art and Design The Art and Design GCSE is an exciting and enriching course for pupils who are: Keen to develop their visual skills Creative, enthusiastic and imaginative Able to sustain an investigation Willing to experiment and take risks in their work Willing to review their progress and make improvements Pupils will learn: A range of art, craft and design processes in two and three dimensions including the use of ICT How ideas, feelings and meanings are conveyed in images and artefacts How images and artefacts relate to their social, historical and cultural context A variety of genres, styles and traditions and the contributions of expert practitioners to continuity and change in art, craft and design The framework for Art GCSE consists of 4 assessment objectives: A01 - develop ideas through investigations A02 - refine ideas through experimenting and selecting appropriate resources and techniques A03 - record ideas, observations and insights A04 - present a personal, informed and meaningful response demonstrating analytical and critical understanding Assessment The exam has two components. Controlled Assessment:: Unit 1 - personal portfolio worth 60% of the marks. Final Exam: Unit 2 - Externally set assignment worth 40% of the marks. This includes a 10 hour final exam. 15

16 Drama The course views drama as an intellectual, practical and artistic subject that has its roots in exploration through improvisation and text. The intellectual strand is the way students use drama to explore issues, to think about their work and thus evaluate and develop it through explorative strategy, Drama Mediums, and the Elements of Drama. The practical strand concerns the skills of improvisation and they write coursework from their improvised scenes. The second part of the coursework they study a play and review a live performance and will also perform some of the scenes from the text. This holistic approach values learning in and learning through drama, fostering in the pupils an awareness of issues and curriculum themes as well as matters related to their own lives. Aims: To give pupils the opportunities to develop: creative and imaginative powers, and the practical skills for communicating and expressing ideas, feelings, and meanings in drama investigative, analytical, experimental and interpretative capabilities, aesthetic understanding and critical skills understanding of drama forms and awareness of contexts in which they operate knowledge and understanding of drama within a social and historical context Skills Drama GCSE requires pupils to develop the following skills improvisation skills inter-personal and group working skills the way in which ideas, feelings and meaning are conveyed through the language of drama a range of drama forms by recognising them in the work of others and by applying them in practical drama activities at least one play by examining the ways in which practitioners use their language of drama to realise a text in performance the ways in which ideas in drama can be recorded and interpreted how plays and ideas in drama relate to their social, historical and cultural context Edexcel GCSE Drama 2016 Assessment Controlled Assessment Unit 1: Drama Exploration worth 30% of the marks. Exploration of creative and structural aspects of drama. Controlled assessment - six hour practical exploration with 2000 word written evidence. Unit 2: Exploring Play Texts worth 30% of the marks. Exploration of a play text chosen by the school. Six hour practical exploration with 3000 word written response. Final Exam Unit 3: Drama Performance worth 40% of the marks. A devised or scripted play performed to an audience including a visiting examiner. GCSE drama is a good preparation for further drama study and a solid foundation for AS/A level in the subject. 16

17 Music Music is an exciting and creative GCSE. It is about making and listening to a wide range of music, from pop music to classical music and music from all over the world. You will use music technology throughout the course to create your compositions and for recording your performances. Music GCSE is a good preparation for further musical study, through its development of your performance, composition and listening skills. It provides a solid foundation for AS/A2 levels in Music or Music Technology. The qualification is split into 3 areas: Assessment Controlled Assessment Unit 1 - Performance worth 30% of the marks. You will perform (play, sing or sequence on cubase) two pieces. One of the pieces will be a solo and can be in any style or on any instrument or a vocal performance. The other performance will be an ensemble, where you will perform with other players or singers. Unit 2 - Composition worth 30% of the marks. You will create two pieces in different styles such as a pop song, a piece of dance music, an African Drumming piece or a piece using ternary or theme and variation form. You will use music technology (cubase) to help you compose your pieces. Final Exam Unit 3 - Listening Exam worth 40% of the marks. You will have a 90 minute written paper that will involve answering questions on 12 pieces of music studied throughout the course. 17

18 Physical Education The GCSE course consists of both practical and theory lessons. It includes the physical activities covered in the lower school but the topics are studied in much more depth. Other activities are also introduced. Practical: Candidates are assessed on their practical performance in four activities. The activities covered in school are: Athletics, Dance, Trampolining, Netball, Rounders, Exercise Activities The opportunity to be assessed in other activities will also be given, e.g. swimming, football. The candidates will also have to plan, perform and evaluate, under controlled exam conditions, a safe health-related exercise/training programme, designed to improve their performance in a chosen sport. All the practical sessions will focus on opportunities to improve their skills. They will also undertake other roles, develop their leadership skills and analyse and improve their performance, plus that of others. Knowledge of skills, tactics and rules in each activity will be necessary for the examination. Theory: The subject content covers: Analysis of performance in practical activities Principles of Training Safety and Risk Assessment. Factors Affecting Performance and Participation Applied anatomy and physiology Examination Content: The practical element covers 60% of the marks and is marked as coursework (controlled assessment). Candidates also have to perform and produce a Personal Exercise Programme (PEP) independent to their other practical activities. In addition, there is a two day practical examination in April/May of Year Eleven. The one theory paper of two hours duration is worth 40% of the marks. The girls wear their normal PE kit with tracksuits if necessary. The GCSE examination is taken with the Edexcel examining group. 18

19 Geography Geography is a dynamic subject. This GCSE gives the opportunities to develop:- a sense of place and an appreciation of the environment, as well as an awareness of the ways in which people and the environment interact an understanding of global citizenship skills and techniques, including map work, fieldwork and ICT an appreciation of people s values and attitudes on their perception of the world and their actions within it Examination Board: WJEC SPECIFICATION B Assessment: Unit 1: Written paper 1 hour (30% of final grade) Unit 2: Written paper 2 hours (45% of final grade) Unit 3: Controlled Assessment An enquiry based on fieldwork (25%) Three themes studied: Theme 1: Challenges of Living in a Built Environment Theme 2: Physical Processes and Relationships between People and Environments Theme 3: Uneven development and sustainable environments Key Skills are integral to the study of GCSE Geography. The following Key Skills can be developed through this specification at Levels 1 and 2: Communication Problem solving ICT Working with others Improving own Learning and Performance 19

20 History History offers exciting opportunities at GCSE level. The course will allow you the opportunity to study a wide range of key events from modern world history whilst gaining important and highly valued skills. What you will study: There are chances to explore: Germany, This will allow you to study the Nazi regime in detail and to analyse the reasons why Hitler was able to become leader of Germany. America, You will examine protest movements in modern American history including the struggle for Civil Rights and the womens movement for controlled assessment. Britain, This will enable you to focus on Britain before, during and after the Second World War. It is a sources based unit in which you examine a wide range of topics such as the experiences of Londoners during the Blitz and also the changing opportunities for women during the war. International Relations, This will examine the Cold War and includes events such as the Cuban missiles crisis and the building of the Berlin Wall. What you will gain: Studying History at GCSE has a number of benefits: It will allow you to gain a real understanding of events which still affect our world today. It will develop important skills. Studying GCSE History will improve your ability to argue a case, both in writing and orally. You will also gain experience of examining and critically evaluating evidence. It will prepare you well for studying History, or related subjects such as Politics and Law, at AS level. It is viewed highly by universities. 20

21 Travel and Tourism (BTEC First Certificate) In September 2004 the school started teaching this subject and it has proved to be very successful. What is a BTEC? BTEC courses are designed to provide specialist work-related qualifications as a preparation for future employment year olds take a Level 2 qualification which is equivalent to GCSEs. What does Level 2 and 3 mean? Level 2 describes a variety of courses. GCSEs are Level 2 courses, as is the BTEC First. A/S and A/2 courses are Level 3 courses, as are BTEC National Awards. Level 3 vocational courses are usually studied after the age of 16. Why are we offering a BTEC First in Travel and Tourism? This is a very popular vocational course given its emphasis on coursework. of? What does the BTEC Level 2 in Travel and Tourism consist This is an eight unit course which is assessed on coursework assignments. There are two external exams based on Unit 1 and Unit 7. There are 2 core units, which must all be completed: Unit 1: The UK Travel and Tourism Sector Unit 2: UK Travel & Tourism Destinations In addition there are four specialist units. There are two mandatory units: Unit 4: International Travel and Tourism destinations Unit 7: Travel and Tourism Business Environments How is this BTEC qualification assessed? The units are internally marked and externally assessed by a moderator. Grades will be awarded as follows: pass, merit or distinction (P, M or D). 21

22 Information and Communication Technology Since September 2010, we have been following the new AQA Information and Technology course (4520). This is a GCSE full course. ICT has always been a foundation subject but now it is a core subject in the Key Stage 4 curriculum. ICT is included in all GCSE courses, but this course will provide the relevant accreditation of a pupils ICT skills and capability. The new AQA ICT course (4520) is a good mixture of key theory and enjoyable practice. There is plenty of hands-on experience in a wealth of relevant situations. Course Content The course consists of four main sections: 1. Current and emerging technologies 2. A range of ICT tasks and techniques 3. Society s use of ICT 4. Collaborative working Scheme of Assessment 3 components: Unit 1 - Systems and Application in ICT 40% of the final marks, 1hr 30min exam in June 2016 Unit 2 - Applying ICT 30% of the final marks, 25 hours controlled assessment in Year 10 Unit 3 - Practical Problem Solving in ICT 30% of the final marks, 25 hours controlled assessment in Year 11 22

23 Computer Science The course gives students a real, in-depth understanding of how computer technology works. Students will no doubt be familiar with the use of computers and other related technology from their other subjects and elsewhere. However, this course will give them an insight into what goes on behind the scenes, including computer programming, which many students find absorbing. The course is particularly suitable for students with an aptitude for mathematics. Unit Unit A451: Computer systems and programming This unit covers the body of knowledge about computer systems on which the examination will be based. Unit A452: Practical investigation An investigative computing task, chosen from a list provided by OCR, which assesses the following: research, technical understanding, analysis of problem, historical perspective, use of technical writing skills, recommendations/evaluation 45 marks Assessment and Duration Written paper 80 marks 1 hour 30 minutes Controlled assessment Investigative task. OCR-set, scenario with a choice of research tasks. Weighting 40% 30% Unit A453: Programming project Students will need to: Understand standard programming techniques Be able to design a coded solution to a problem including the ability to: Develop suitable algorithms Design suitable input and output formats Identify suitable variables and structures Identify test procedures. Create a coded solution fully annotating the developed code to explain its function Test their solution: To show functionality To show how it matches the design criteria Identifying successes and any limitations. 45 marks Controlled assessment Programming task. Design, develop and test a solution to a problem within the OCR-set scenario. 45 marks 30% 23

24 Design and Technology You will have a choice of four GCSE Design and Technology courses on offer. In year 10 and 11 you will work in Food, Textiles, Product Design or Graphics. All of the subjects offered follow the same assessment system. This is broken down into two parts: 1. Controlled Assessment 60% 2. Written examination 40% All subjects follow a skills based course in the first year in preparation for the Final Controlled Assessment Project. All students are encouraged to use ICT as much as possible throughout the course. Pupils are expected to relate their coursework to industrial and commercial methods of manufacturing. Food Technology Materials in this area include the use of food. In addition, pupils will be expected to gain knowledge and experience in the use of equipment and tool associated with the manufacture of goods made from edible ingredients. The Final Controlled assessment Project is expected to take approximately 40 hours. It consists of the development and the completion of a threedimensional food product and a concise design folder, which supports the finished product. Textiles Technology Materials in this area include the use of textile fabrics made from both natural and synthetic fibres. In addition, pupils will be expected to gain knowledge and experience in the use of equipment and tools associated with the manufacture of goods made from these materials. The Controlled Assessment Project is expected to take approximately 40 hours. It consists of the development and the completion of a three-dimensional object made from textile fabrics and a concise design folder which supports the finished product. Graphic Products Materials in this area include paper, card and board, thermoplastics and modelling materials. In addition, pupils will be expected to gain skills and knowledge in using pens, inks, coloured and ordinary pencils, felt marker pens and various other graphical equipment. The Controlled Assessment Project assignment is expected to take approximately 40 hours. It consists of the development and the completion of a three dimensional graphical product and a concise design folder which supports the finished product. Product Design This is a diverse subject and materials in this area include the use of wood, metal and plastic, other materials can also be used such as card, textiles and food products. There is an emphasis on designing and producing complete products which can be evaluated for their commercial viability. In addition, pupils will be expected to gain knowledge and experience in the use of equipment and tools associated with the manufacture of goods made from these materials. The Controlled Assessment Project is expected to take approximately 40 hours. It consists of the development and the completion of a three-dimensional product made from one or a combination of these materials and a concise design folder, which supports the finished product. 24

25 Business Studies From September 2014 we will be offering Edexcel GCSE Business Studies. The course will provide an insight into how businesses are set up, how they are organised and what makes them successful. Students will require solid numeracy and literacy to demonstrate transferable skills such as independent and collaborating learning, building arguments, making informed judgements and analysis. These skills will be applied to a wide range of business situations. independent and collaborative learning building arguments making informed judgements analysis and evaluation The course will be made up of three units: Unit One - Introduction to small Business - Examination 25% Unit Two - Investigating a small Business - Controlled Assessment 25% Unit Three - Building a Business - Examination (50%) WHY STUDY GCSE BUSINESS STUDIES? We are all affected by and depend on business in our everyday lives. Through studying his course you will gain an insight into how the business world operates. You will study the essential characteristics needed to be a successful entrepreneur and will investigate the challenges and opportunities faced by new business start-ups. You will then explore the different functional areas in business including Finance, Marketing, Human Resources and Operations Management and how these influence and are influenced by business growth. 25