GCSE Assessment 2018-2020 A guide to the KS4 courses followed at Loreto College
Teaching Groups Pupils are taught in ability-based sets for the compulsory subjects of RE, English, Maths, Science and French. All other subjects are taught to mixed ability groups. Grades All GCSEs will be graded from 1-9. Grade 4 will broadly equate to an old grade C, and will be considered a pass. Pupils who do not achieve a pass in Maths and English will be required to resit these exams in Year 12. Grade 5 will broadly equate to a high C/low B, and will be considered a good pass. Grade 9 will be awarded to only the top 3% of candidates. Tiers Most subjects have one tier of entry, which means that all pupils are entered for exactly the same assessments. However some subjects have two tiers of entry. This means that some pupils will be entered for Foundation Tier assessments, allowing them to access only the lower grades, while others will be entered for Higher Tier assessments, allowing them to access only the Higher grades. It is important that all pupils are entered for the right tier so that they can gain the grade they deserve. Summary of Internal Assessments The vast majority of marks for GCSEs are awarded for performance in exams taken at the end of Y11. However, the following subjects all feature some assessed tasks which will be completed in school at the times indicated. This work will then be either marked or moderated by the exam board. Weighting Timing Art 60% Ongoing Computer Science 20% Y11 Term 1 Drama 60% Y11 Terms 1 & 2 Food 50% Y11 Terms 1 & 2 Music 60% Y11 Terms 1 & 2 PE 40% Y11 Term 1 Exam board websites All of the courses we offer are assessed by one of these four exam boards: - http://www.aqa.org.uk - http://www.ocr.org.uk/ WJEC Eduqas - http://www.eduqas.co.uk/ Pearson Edexcel - https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/home.html 2
GCSE Fine Art Edexcel Personal Portfolio Assessment Type Ongoing internal assessment externally moderated Weighting 60% Externally Set Assignment Assessment Type 10 hour exam at end of Y11 GCSE Art, Craft & Design Edexcel Personal Portfolio Assessment Type Ongoing internal assessment externally moderated Weighting 60% Externally Set Assignment Assessment Type 10 hour exam at end of Y11 GCSE Biology Yes Biology Breadth Biology Depth 3
GCSE Business Influences of operations and HRM on business activity Influences of marketing and finance on business activity GCSE Chemistry Yes Chemistry Breadth Chemistry Depth 4
GCSE Classical Civilisation Myth & Religion Literature & Culture GCSE Combined Science Yes Biology Weighting 26.33% Chemistry Weighting 26.33% Physics Weighting 26.33% Component 4 Data Analysis Weighting 21% 5
GCSE Computer Science Computer Systems Assessment Type 1½ hour exam at the end of Year 11 Computational thinking, algorithms and programming Assessment Type 1½ hour exam at the end of Year 11 Programming Project Assessment Type Undertaken at start of Y11: internally assessed & externally moderated Weighting 20% GCSE Drama Understanding Drama Devising Drama Assessment Type Moderated Performance internally examined and externally moderated Texts in Practice Assessment Type Examined Performance at some point in the first two terms of Y11 - an examiner will visit the school Weighting 20% 6
GCSE English Language Explorations in Creative Reading & Writing Writers Viewpoints & Perspectives Spoken Language Assessment Type Internally assessed by teacher in summer term of Y10 Weighting 0% of GCSE Separate endorsement GCSE English Literature Shakespeare & the 19 th century novel Modern Texts & Poetry Assessment Type 2 hour 15 minute exam at the end of Y11 Weighting 60% 7
GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition WJEC Eduqas Principles of Food Preparation & Nutrition Food Preparation & Nutrition in action Assessment Type Practical work internally assessed & externally moderated Task 1 Investigation completed in Y11 Autumn term (15%) Task 2 Practical completed in Y11 Spring term (35%) GCSE French Pearson Edexcel Yes Listening & understanding in French Assessment Type 45 minute (HT)/35 minute (FT) exam at the end of Y11 Weighting 25% Speaking in French Assessment Type 20 minute exam at the end of Y11 Weighting 25% Reading & understanding in French Assessment Type 1 hour (HT)/45 minute (FT) exam at the end of Y11 Weighting 25% Component 4 Writing in French Assessment Type 1 hour 20 min (HT)/1 hour 10 min (FT) exam at the end of Y11 Weighting 25% 8
GCSE Geography Living with the physical environment Weighting 35% Challenges in the human environment Weighting 35% Geographical applications Assessment Type 1 hour 15 minute exam at the end of Y11 Weighting 30% GCSE History Understanding the modern world Shaping the nation 9
GCSE Latin Latin Language Verse Literature Assessment Type 1 hour exam at the end of Y11 Weighting 25% Prose Literature Assessment Type 1 hour exam at the end of Y11 Weighting 25% GCSE Maths Edexcel Yes Paper 1 (non-calculator) Weighting 33.33% Paper 2 (calculator) Weighting 33.33% Paper 3 (calculator) Weighting 33.33% 10
GCSE Music Edexcel : Performing Assessment Type Practical work in Y11 internally assessed, externally moderated Weighting 30% : Composing Assessment Type Practical work in Y11 internally assessed, externally moderated Weighting 30% : Appraising GCSE Physical Education Physical factors affecting performance Assessment Type 1 hour exam at the end of Y11 Weighting 30% Socio-cultural issues & sports psychology Assessment Type 1 hour exam at the end of Y11 Weighting 30% Performance in physical education Assessment Type Practical work undertaken in Y11 term 1 Internally assessed & externally moderated 11
GCSE Physics Yes Physics Breadth Physics Depth GCSE Religious Education Catholic Christianity Assessment Type 1¾ hour exam at the end of Y11 Judaism & Ethics Assessment Type 1¾ hour exam at the end of Y11 For further information on all of these courses, please visit the Loreto College website and click on the Curriculum tab: 12