Key Stage 4 Subject Information

Transcription

1 Key Stage 4 Subject Information CENTRE FOR PROFESSIONAL A Guide for Students and Parents

2 Dear Parent/Guardian Over the coming weeks you will have the chance to decide, with your child, on the subjects they would like to study for their GCSEs. This booklet is the starting point of that process and will give you the chance to consider each course before deciding on the curriculum which will best reflect their personal talents and needs. Specifications may well change due to Government reforms. However, the basis of the subject will remain the same. This booklet provides a guide to each subject using the most up to date information available. At this stage it is not expected that students will have a definite idea of what they want to do when they leave school. However, it is important to ensure that students continue with a broad and balanced range of subjects so that they are fully equipped when they face the fast changing and demanding world of higher education, industry, commerce and business. We may invite you and your child into school for a personal interview about your choices over the next few months, but I also urge you to contact your child s tutor at any stage if you feel you need additional help or explanation. Yours sincerely Mrs L Henden Deputy Headteacher

3 The Curriculum Process The National Qualifications Authority sets a framework for educational qualifications in England and Wales. As students move from Key Stage Three to Key Stage Four of the National Curriculum, they take the first steps up a ladder which can lead to a wide range of high-level qualifications; University Degrees, Masters Degrees, Doctorates, Professional Diplomas and Awards, Higher National Diplomas and Certificates, etc. The first steps are Level 1 and Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework, and include GCSEs, BTEC First Diplomas & Certificates, and Level 1 & 2 NVQs. All GCSE subjects studied at Blue Coat are Level 2 so they require more hours per week than in lower school. Because of this, students need to study fewer subjects in Key Stage 4 than at Key Stage 3 in other words, some subjects have to be dropped before starting GCSE or equivalent qualifications. At Blue Coat, certain GCSEs/equivalents are compulsory - English, Maths, Science and Religious Studies. In addition, all students are required to attend lessons in Core PE and PSHE. These subjects are collectively known as core subjects. In most cases, students take four additional subjects; options. In addition, most students usually take a humanity subject and a language. Choosing options is a serious business. It needs careful thought, and discussion with parents/carers, tutors and relevant subject teachers. Talking to friends and older students is also really useful. However, it is highly unlikely that any choices made at this stage will close doors forever. The subjects which are likely to be vital for the vast majority of future careers are in the core.

4 The Options Process W/C Monday 29th January Tutor Time Tuesday 6th February Students Options Assembly L Henden Friday 9th February Head of Departments presenting options subjects Thursday 15th February Period 5 Pupil Option Fair Thursday 15th February 6-8pm Key Stage 4 Curriculum Information Evening Parent/Pupil Option Fair Thursday 15th March Year 8 Parent/Subject Consultation Evening Beginning to discuss options during tutor time. An options assembly will take place which will be presented by the Deputy Head, Mrs L Henden Option subjects will pitch to pupils the courses on offer. Pupils will have 30 minutes to visit the stalls set out in the Sports Hall where more information regarding options will be presented. Parents and students are invited to attend our Curriculum Information Evening. This is an opportunity for parents and students to find out more about the different subjects on offer, by visiting the subject stands. Talks from Mrs Henden and Mrs Shelley will take place at 6pm, and will be repeated at 6:45pm. All pupils will have appointments with all subjects. Monday 19th March Options Form deadline Tutors to finalise choices with the students and ensure that all forms are fully completed correctly. Form Tutors will collect all option forms, ensuring that all forms are fully completed and that students are happy with their choices. These will then be passed to Mrs Henden for collation.

5 Choosing Options Good luck! You are beginning one of the most exciting and challenging periods of your life. Choose what is right for you, work hard and enjoy it. In choosing options, students are advised to think about: Which subjects you are best at? Which you enjoy most/find most interesting? Which you feel are most likely to be useful to you in the future? Is there a new subject you would like to study? You are strongly advised to ignore: Whether you like/dislike your current teacher What your friends are doing. Because of timetable constraints, we cannot guarantee that everyone will be able to study all their option choices. Within those constraints, we will do our best to satisfy as many choices as possible. Students are given the opportunity to speak to their Year Head s about their subject choices. If there are any problems or changes to be made, these will be dealt with accordingly.

6 Core Subjects ALL STUDENTS WILL STUDY ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENGLISH LITERATURE MATHEMATICS SCIENCES RE Core PE (Non Examined) And a selection of four further options from predefined groups (see options form for details) Details about each of the courses available can be found in this booklet. The pathways of Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) or Trilogy (Combined Science) will be determined by the Science team at the start of Year 9 and may be subject to change over the coming year.

7 GCSE MATHEMATICS Exam board Higher QAN 601/4608/4 AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics 100% examination. Three papers, one non-calculator and two calculator papers. Number Algebra Shape and Space Statistics and Probability Any medical careers, engineering, architecture, teaching, computing or financial careers Mathematics is a great facilitating subject for most courses but especially Sciences, Computing and Economics.

8 GCSE ENGLISH & ENGLISH LITERATURE Exam board QAN 601/4836/6 Exam board QAN 601/4789/1 How is the subject examined? Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in English Language Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in English Literature Both GCSEs are assessed through two examination papers each. There is no coursework component. In Year 9 ALL students will follow components that are common to the English Language qualification to ensure that students can move between sets on completion of end of Year 9 assessments. All students will study GCSE English Language and Literature. English Language Students will study a range of texts drawn from the 19th 21st Century and across a range of genres and types. They will then be expected to comment on the language, content, context and structure of texts presented to them in the terminal examination. These texts will be UNSEEN and are designed to test students on the skills they have acquired across the three year course of study. Students will also be expected to respond to stimulus material to create their own pieces of imaginative and non-fiction writing. English Literature Students will study a range of literary texts which will include one play by Shakespeare, one 19th Century novel, a selection of poems (including some Romantic poetry) written since 1789 and a fiction or drama text from the British Isles from 1914 onwards. English is helpful for careers that are communication or arts based such as the law, journalism, advertising, PR, teaching, speech and language therapy and the media. Both the Language and Literature GCSE will equip students with the skills necessary for study at A Level subjects such as Psychology, RE, History, Sociology, Media as well further study in Literature and the combined Language and Literature A level.

9 GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES Exam board AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies Specification A QAN 601/8400/0 100% exam 2 exams in year 11 Each exam is 1 hour and 45 minutes long The exam structure includes both short and long answer questions, including essay questions. Paper 1 = The study of Christianity and Islam Beliefs, Teachings and Practices Paper 2 = Thematic Studies Relationships and Families, God and Revelation, Peace and Conflict, Crime and Punishment Law, Politics, Journalism, Teaching, Business Philosophy and Ethics, Psychology, Sociology, History

10 GCSE BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY & PHYSICS (TRIPLE) Exam board QAN AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Biology, Chemistry and Physics as 3 spate GCSEs Biology 601/8752/9 Chemistry 601/8757/8 Physics-601/8751/7 How is the subject examined? We follow AQA s new GCSE Science specifications in Biology, Chemistry, Physics. These will be assessed entirely by examinations at the end of Year 11. Practical work will be required as part of the course and forms part of the examinable material, through alone it does not contribute to the eventual grades achieved. The Course delivers 3 GSCEs, one in each discipline. During the course you will study key fundamental ideas for each Science such as Atomic structure, Cells and Energy. The course also covers a wide range of Scientific principles, many of which relate to everyday life and form a firm foundation for further study. The triple science course covers the same content as the trilogy specification, with some parts of the specification being covered in greater depth, and there is some additional content. This means that this qualification is an excellent choice if wishing to pursue a Science pathway in the future. Examples of excellent career choices that are accessible via a Science route include Health care Professionals, engineers and pharmacists. Students who obtain high grades in Science GCSEs will be well suited to study A Levels in Biology, Chemistry or Physics, or a BTEC in Applied Science.

11 GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE (TRIOLOGY) Exam board QAN AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Combined Science: Trilogy 601/8758/X How is the subject examined? We follow AQA s new GCSE Science specifications in Biology, Chemistry, Physics. These will be assessed entirely by examinations at the end of Year 11. Practical work will be required as part of the course and forms part of the examinable material, through alone it does not contribute to the eventual grades achieved. This course delivers 2 GCSEs covering the combined material. During the course you will study key fundamental ideas for each Science such as Atomic structure, Cells and Energy. The course also covers a wide range of Scientific principles, many of which relate to everyday life and form a firm foundation for further study. Examples of excellent career choices that are accessible via a Science route include Health care Professionals, engineers and pharmacists. Students who obtain high grades in Science GCSEs will be well suited to study A Levels in Biology, Chemistry or Physics, or a BTEC in Applied Science.

12 Exam board QAN 601/8092/4 GCSE HISTORY Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in History There are 3 written examinations at the end of Year 11. Crime and punishment in Britain, C1000 to the present day Early Elizabethan England, 1558 to 1588 Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918 to 1939 Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941 to 1991 If you want to follow a career in journalism, accounting, law, TV research, business and commerce, public sector, politics, tourism, town planning, building restoration, museums, teaching...gcse History will be useful AND FUN! You can continue to study History at A-Level, where we focus on Russia , the Wars of the Roses and the Tudors.

13 GCSE GEOGRAPHY Exam board AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Geography QAN 601/8410/3 There are three written examinations at the end of the course. There are three papers in the Geography GCSE. Paper 1: Living in the Physical Environment: this involves studying natural hazards of various types including the topical theme of climate change; the features and issues associated with the living world: tropical rain forests and hot environments and the physical landscapes of rivers and coasts, in particular, the issues associated with flooding and coastal management. Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment: this considers the issues presented of living in urban areas in lower and higher income countries. Managing services when there is growth and decline in cities and how to meet the needs of a variety of groups of people are investigated. Paper 3: Geographical Applications: Fieldwork plays an essential part of the GCSE Geography course. From the beginning of Year 9, we will revisit geographical skills that are tested across all three GCSE papers, to ensure that basic understanding is acquired to apply these to the content of the course. There are two compulsory day trips based upon physical and human issues. At present, the physical trip takes place in Year 10 and involves looking at sand dunes near Birkdale and the human theme will be studied in Year 11 and is based upon regenerating a city: the Olympic park in London. Ask the Geography Department for the wheel of job opportunities sheet: careers range from accountancy, advertising and marketing to specialist careers such as nature conservation; flood management and urban planning. A level Geography AQA

14 GCSE FRENCH Exam board AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in French QAN 601/8157/6 At the end of the course, you are entered for either Foundation or Higher tier and have three written exams, covering listening, reading and writing, and a speaking test conducted by your teacher. Each of these is worth 25% of your overall grade. During the GCSE course, you will study the following 3 Themes: Identity and culture Local, national, international and global areas of interest Current and future study and employment As well as learning the French language, you will also learn about cultural aspects of the French-speaking world. You will also be exposed to literary texts in the reading exam and learn the art of translating which is a really useful and rewarding skill. Learning a foreign language is a good transferable skill, is viewed highly by universities or future employers and is a valuable addition to your CV. 72% of businesses value foreign language skills among their employees. Careers could include: interpreter, school teacher, translator, journalist, TEFL teacher, tour manager. As well as studying French A-Level, learning a language compliments all subjects. It improves your communication skills, has a positive effect on your thinking skills, improves your memory and problem-solving skills and helps you multi-task.

15 GCSE GERMAN Exam board QAN AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in German 601/8159/X At the end of the course, you are entered for either Foundation or Higher tier and have three written exams, covering listening, reading and writing, and a speaking test conducted by your teacher. Each of these is worth 25% of your overall grade. During the GCSE course, you will study the following 3 Themes: Identity and culture Local, national, international and global areas of interest Current and future study and employment As well as learning the German language, you will also learn about cultural aspects of the German-speaking world. You will also be exposed to literary texts in the reading exam and learn the art of translating which is a really useful and rewarding skill. Learning a foreign language is a good transferable skill, is viewed highly by universities or future employers and is a valuable addition to your CV. 72% of businesses value foreign language skills among their employees. Careers could include: interpreter, school teacher, translator, journalist, TEFL teacher, tour manager. As well as studying German A-Level, learning a language compliments all subjects. It improves your communication skills, has a positive effect on your thinking skills, improves your memory and problem-solving skills and helps you multi-task.

16 GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE Exam board QAN OCR Level 1/2 GCSE (9-1) in Computer Science 601/8355/X GCSE Computer Science is one of the most exciting subjects your child can study. They will learn the inner workings of computers, mobile phones and space shuttles. The concepts they will understand will unlock the mysteries of cryptocurrencies and financial exchanges. They will be in demand in any field they enter. Students will complete two exams at the end of their course, each 90 minutes long. The first exam covers computer theory, and the way that computers work, while the second covers algorithms and programming. Unit 1 looks at computer theory, starting with the way CPUs are engineered and work. Students will examine each hardware component in turn, before studying networks and encryption. Finally, we ll look at the way information is stored on computers, and how it is exchanged between them. Unit 2 requires students to learn a programming language. We use Python, the same language used by NASA, Google and IBM. Over the three years of study they will learn to read and write Python code, ultimately creating their own software. Oxford University predicted in 2014 that 35% of jobs in the UK will be replaced by computers in the next 20 years. As such, Computer Scientists are in demand across all sectors. A number of local businesses, like JLR, are also actively looking to recruit Computer Scientists. Some potential careers include Software Development, Financial Trading, Scientific research, Artificial Intelligence and Engineering We offer Computer Science as an A level at Blue Coat School, and the subject also sits well alongside Maths or Design Technology. Both Coventry and Warwick Universities offer a range of Computer Science degrees.

17 GCSE CREATIVE imedia Exam board OCR Level 1/2 Cambridge National Certificate in Creative imedia QAN 600/7043/2 Interactive media plays an increasingly important role in our lives. We interact with it constantly, whether on our phones, computers, or televisions. In this course, students learn to understand and create their own media products. The Certificate in Creative imedia is awarded on four units, one of which is an exam. 25% of the final mark comes from the exam, with 75% coming from coursework tasks. The first unit students will study is Pre-Production Skills. All interactive media must be planned before it is created, and your child will learn methodical techniques for producing and evaluating media texts. Students will also learn how to create digital graphics, animations, and websites. In each of these areas they will plan and deliver a complete media text. Digital graphics, animation and web design are key areas of skills shortage in the UK. There are very few businesses that do not require a digital media presence. The skills your child will learn will be relevant to any industry they choose to enter. Students can use this qualification as a springboard into the creative industries of design, public relations or moving image. Blue Coat School offers an A Level in Media Studies that would provide an excellent next step from this course. We also offer a BTEC Extended Certificate in ICT that would develop some of the digital skills learned.

18 Exam board QAN 603/0295/1 GCSE BUSINESS STUDIES OCR Level 1/2 GCSE (9-1) in Business Business 1 Business Activity, Marketing and People (1 hour 30 minutes exam. 50% of the total GCSE) Business 2 Operations, Finance & Influences on Business (1 hour 30 minutes exam. 50% of total GCSE). External examinations worth 100% will be taken in Year 11. Students will begin the course with an Enterprise activity where they will create their own business idea and pitch this to an audience to gain an insight into the business world in a practical way. Following this, students start looking at Business Activity, including forms of business ownership, aims and objectives and business growth. Marketing is always a popular aspect of the course, covering market research and how to adapt the marketing mix to meet the needs of customers. Also included is finance, helping students to develop their numeracy skills further, human resources, operations and external influences. This course is suitable for any student interested in how businesses operate in the real world. It will give students an appreciation of the dynamic nature of the business world they will enter. This course is therefore vital, and suitable for everyone entering the world of work, in almost all professions. In particular accountancy, marketing, business consultancy or students interested in starting their own business. This course leads to many at post 16 including A Level Business Studies, A Level Economics, Vocational Business Course such as BTEC and Cambridge Technical, and also apprenticeships in any business environment.

19 Exam board QAN 603/0143/0 GCSE ECONOMICS Paper One - Introduction to business and the role of markets and money (1 hour 30 minutes exam. 50% of the total GCSE) Paper Two - Economics objectives and the role of government, and international trade and the global economy (1 hour 30 minutes exam. 50% of the total GCSE) External examinations worth 100% will be taken in Year 11. Economics is becoming an increasingly relevant and important subject area. What makes it such an attractive subject is the interesting, real-life nature of subject content and the relevance of it to society and the business environment. The course covers both micro and macro-economic factors. Unit one focuses on the basic economic problem and scarcity and choice and the key concepts of supply and demand, and how markets determine prices and output levels. It also covers factors such as how labour markets work, including concepts such as unemployment. Unit two looks at wider economic factors, such as inflation, unemployment and economic growth, and how the government can use different tools to control these in an economy. It also has an international flavour, looking at exchange rates, international trade and the impact of globalisation on society. This course is perfect for students wanting to enter careers such as banking or city trading. It is also ideal for careers in politics, or within any business institution. Economics is so valuable as it creates a clear understanding of society and the wider economic environment which is sought by most employers in diverse professional fields including law and medicine. OCR Level 1/2 GCSE (9-1) in Economics Students can go on to study A Level Economics, A Level Business Studies, or courses in areas such as Accounting and Finance.

20 GCSE SOCIOLOGY Exam board AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Sociology QAN 603/0798/5 There are 2 GCSE examinations at the end of Year 11. The sociological approach and research methods Social structures, social processes and social issues Families Education Crime and deviance Social stratification Careers in social work, youth work, police, human resources, probation, community and charity work, politics, local government and teaching amongst many others. You can continue to study Sociology at A-Level, where we focus on Families & Households, Education, Research Methods, Beliefs and Crime & Deviance.

21 GCSE PE Exam board OCR Level 1/2 GCSE (9-1) in Physical Education QAN 601/8442/5 Physical factors Affecting Performance (1) 30% Anatomy & Physiology Physical Training Theory 60% Two Exams Socio-Cultural Issues & Sports Psychology (2) 30% Sports Psychology Socio-Cultural & Well-being Practical 40% Performance with Physical Education Three activities AEP coursework GCSE (9-1) PE includes the compulsory study of: Applied Anatomy and Physiology, Physical Training, Sports Psychology, Socio-cultural Influences and Health, Fitness and Wellbeing. Alongside this are the skills of PE which are examined via the Non Exam Assessment (NEA) component. Sports Coaching & Development sector Physiotherapy Personal trainer Sports Psychology Physical Education Teacher A level Physical Education & BTEC Sport.

22 Exam board QAN 601/8069/9 GCSE ART Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Art and Design: Fine Art Over the 3 years students will complete 2 projects. They work in 20 page A2 flip files and will present their best work for assessment. Component 1: Personal Portfolio (coursework) 60%. This is completed between the beginning of Year 9 and the January of Year 11. Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (examination) 40%. This is completed between February and May of Year 11, culminating in a 10 hour practical exam. We set the theme in Year 9 as Land. Through this students learn the basics of drawing and painting. During Year 10 and Year 11 students will develop their own work which is personal to them and guided by their teacher. UK creative industries generate 91.8bn a year to the UK economy. Any career that involves creating, design or the visual image requires a grounding in GCSE Art. Studying Art equips students with the skills to enjoy, produce and engage with visual literacy throughout their lives, and it has immense value as a GCSE subject due to the independent nature of the course. We offer A Levels in Fine Art and Photography. You must have studied GCSE Art to take Fine Art A Level. We support University applications to all architecture and design courses including automotive, theatre, interior, fashion and textiles. All courses related to journalism, media, advertising and marketing. All courses related to the making of art : illustration, fine art, photography, fashion, jewellery and textiles.

23 Exam board QAN 601/8069/9 GCSE PHOTOGRAPHY Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Art and Design: Photography Over the 3 years students will complete 2 projects. They work in 20 page A2 flip files and will present their best work for assessment. Component 1: Personal Portfolio (coursework) 60%. This is completed between the beginning of Year 9 and the January of Year 11. Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (examination) 40%. This is completed between February and May of Year 11, culminating in a 10 hour practical exam. We set the theme in Year 9 as Land. Through this students will learn the basics of how to take a photograph and use editing programs such as Photoshop. There will also be some hand manipulation of photographs so having skill in art is an advantage. During Year 10 and Year 11 students will develop their own work which is personal to them and guided by their teacher. Studying Art based subjects such as Photography equips students with the skills to enjoy, produce and engage with visual literacy throughout their lives, and it has immense value as a GCSE subject due to the independent nature of the course. We offer A Level Photography. Typically if students want to take their studies in Photography beyond post-16 they will study Photographic courses at University in which we have a 100% first choice success rate. Students can also follow routes in Fashion, Media, Journalism, Marketing and Advertising. Photography is a great combination with Fine Art at GCSE and A Level.

24 Exam board QAN 601/8069/9 GCSE TEXTILES Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Art and Design:Textiles The coursework accounts for 60% of the overall mark and will be completed throughout years The exam unit the remaining 40%. The exam is a 10 hour practical which is fully prepared for over a number of weeks leading up. If you enjoy being creative, want to increase your practical skills and improve your analytical, communication and research abilities, textiles art and design is a great choice. Throughout the course you will develop skills in stitched, printed or decorative textiles., woven and Knitted textiles. Areas of study include fashion design and illustration, costume design, constructed textiles, printed and dyed textiles and digital textiles. Learning to experiment with a range of media, techniques and materials in response to a growing understanding of the work of relevant textile artist. The requirements of the course are to produce a portfolio of work showing initial explorations and ideas on a chosen theme by Christmas of year 11, plus a final piece or a range of final pieces. Fashion design Theatre designer Illustrator Museum curator Costume designer Architecture Textiles design Advertising Publishing Interior design Fashion and media journalism Retail design Exhibition design Teaching Art & Design Textiles A Level

25 Exam board QAN 603/0984/2 GCSE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Design and Technology 50% Non Examined Assessment (NEA) - 3 hour substantial design & make task. This includes substantial researching, designing, prototyping, development of a final outcome and evaluation. 50% Written Examination 2 hours paper based on core technical principles, specialist technical principles, designing and making principles. GCSE Design and Technology will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise. Our GCSE allows students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment. They will also have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth. Product or Industrial Designer Engineering including civil, automotive, mechanical, Architecture and Interior Design Theatre Set Design A Level Product Design Apprenticeships Further education courses such as BTECs in related subjects Furniture Design

26 GCSE FOOD PREPERATION & NUTRITION Exam board OCR Level 1/2 GCSE (9-1) in Food Preparation and Nutrition QAN 601/8379/2 Exam -Food preparation and nutrition = 50% Non-examined assessment Food investigation task = 15% Non-examined assessment Food preparation task = 35% This GCSE in Food Preparation and Nutrition equips you with the knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to feed yourselves and others better. You will develop practical cookery skills and techniques as you explore the underlying principles of food science, nutrition, food traditions and food safety. Heston Blumenthal s support will inspire you to be inquisitive, creative and confident cooks. Food and drink including bakery, dairy, confectionary, butchery, e.g. artisan baker, food technologist. Hospitality catering, e.g. chef, sous chef, pastry chef. Hospitality management, e.g. deputy general manager, front office manager. Clinical Dietetics. Food and Nutrition Management. Public Health Nutrition

27 BTEC HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE Exam board QAN 603/0395/5 Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Health and Social Care There is no exam in this course. There are two pieces of coursework marked by your teacher and one piece of timed coursework that is marked by the exam board. The course is made up of three components: Human Lifespan Development Health and Social Care Services and Values Health and Wellbeing During these components, we will look at how a person develops throughout their life and how their health and wellbeing can affect their life. We will also look at the different job roles and values needed to work within Health and Social Care. This course would be perfect for people who want to work within the NHS or in Social Care. It would also be beneficial for those who want to work with children in the future, such as an early years worker or teacher. It will also help you develop skills that would benefit you, no matter what your job choice. The next level of study would be Level 3 Health and Social Care, but this course would also lead onto A Level Psychology, A Level Sociology and A Level Biology.

28 GCSE MUSIC Exam board AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Music QAN 601/8361/5 Performance (30% of the final grade): perform solo and ensemble pieces on your chosen instrument, voice or via technology. This will be for a minimum of 4 minutes. Composition (30% of the final grade): Write 2 pieces of music; one piece is free, in your chosen style, the other is to a set brief. Listening and Analysing (40% of the final grade): 1hour and 30 minute exam paper with listening exercises and written questions using excerpts of music. What will I Study? On the course you will learn to: Develop your skills as a performer; both as a soloist and as part of an ensemble. Create your own music in a variety of different styles and genres. Use music software for composition. Listen and analyse a wide variety of pop, classical, world and experimental music. Music GCSE is for anyone who is passionate about making and creating music! The course is diverse and inclusive yet stretching and rewarding for all types of students. You must be willing to perform either on an instrument or using your voice and be committed to regular practice throughout the course. You will have opportunities to attend concerts to develop your understanding of different types of music and to spend time in our recording studio. Career opportunities include: musician, instrumental teacher, sound technician (TV, film, radio), music therapist, arts administrator, event manager, theatre stage manager, recording engineer, songwriter, composer, conductor, music publisher, teacher. The range of options are huge! Post 16 Choices: At Blue Coat we offer Music A level and BTEC Music Technology. Both courses are designed to lead on from GCSE Music. Many of our past students have gone on to study Music or Music Technology at University or Conservatoires and have been successful in creating a career in music.

29 GCSE DRAMA Exam board AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Drama QAN 601/8575/2 Scripted performance = 20% Devised performance & coursework = 40% Written examination = 40% GCSE Drama will stretch your creativity as you study a range of theatre styles through a mixture of practical and theory lessons. You will specialise in either performance or design (lighting, sound, set and costume) for the performance projects you will take part in. During the course, you will create an original piece of drama from scratch (contributing as a performer or designer) and produce a piece of coursework as an account of your experience. You will also perform or design for two extracts from a script. The final written examination will have questions for you on your performance and design ideas for the musical Blood Brothers and a live professional production that we will take you to see in Year 11. Careers in theatre, TV and film (actor, director, design & technical). Marketing, PR and communications. Journalism. Teaching. Personnel / human resources. Social work. Youth and community work. Leads to A Level Drama and Theatre. Also useful for A Level English and other creative subjects.

30 Make notes on your favourite subjects here