GCSE Information

Pack Head of year: Mr Guy Garden

68 school weeks until your GCSE exams Welcome to Year 10

Academic Year 2017-2018

Head of Learning – Mr Garden

Yr10 Team

Year Manager - Miss Gill

Academic Mentor – Mrs Craker

Tutors –

10 Blue – Miss Cooper

10 Green – Mr Nawaz

10 Orange – Mrs Myatt

10 Purple – Mrs Merrick

10 Red – Miss Seeley

10 Yellow – Mr Wise

Your son/daughter is now a year into their GCSE options and now

has a good grasp on what is expected of them over the next 2

years.

While I am so pleased with how positively they have all started the

year, there are a few things that I think all the students should

remember so that they get the best from the learning this year: -

1. Good communication between student, teacher and

parent

2. Positive Attitude to Learning and having a growth mind set

3. Excellent attendance and punctuality

4. Good revision techniques for studying at home

Please remember to check your emails as letters that come home

are now sent via email.

I LOOK FORWARD TO A PRODUCTIVE YEAR 10!

Art and Design

Exam Board WJEC / Educas

Year 10

Termly Project Breakdown

September - Christmas

Natural forms - exploring techniques cover in Year 9 in further detail and understand

how to present work professionally

January – July

Similarities and Differences - Official coursework project

Students’ will chose to develop work using one of the following themes: -

Natural Forms and Culture

Natural Forms and Places/Architecture

Natural Forms and Colour and Shape

Natural Forms and Food and Drink

Natural Forms and Man-Made Objects There are no official assessment points in this year.

Extra curricular opportunities

Art Sessions – Lunch and Afterschool 3.10 -4.10 (specific days only TBC)

Possible Art trip during autumn half term – details TBC

Equipment list

Set of graded sketching pencils - 2B, 4B, 6B pencils are essential

Good quality rubber and sharpener

A2 Flip file – to store completed coursework

A2 carry folder - to transport work to and from school for homework tasks etc.

Set of paintbrushes – optional

Set of watercolours (blocks of colour in a tin) - optional

Helpful Websites

Pinterest – Highcrest Academy Art page

BBC Bitesize - Useful glossary of terms and advice on techniques

YouTube step-by-step videos – search the technique you want

help/advice on.

www.studentartguide.com - lots of articles and advice from teachers and

students. Includes lots of examples of very high quality art portfolios from

all over the world. Perfect inspiration for Year 10 and 11

Progression into Year 11

Students will continue with their coursework project to develop their ideas into a

‘Final outcome’ right up to the Christmas holidays.

When students return in January they will receive an exam paper with a choice of

theme to develop a second portfolio for their ‘exam project’.

Students will be required to develop their ideas into another ‘Final Outcome’ which

will be completed during a 10 hour exam over 2 days.

GCSE Business Studies

Year 10

WJEC Business Studies

Topics:

Finance, human resources, marketing, business ownership, exchange rates,

ethics and social responsibility in business.

Coursework deadline:

March 2018

Assessment information:

One exam worth 75% exam and 25% coursework.

Website link:

http://www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/business-studies/business-studies-gcse/

BTEC Business

Topics:

Business ownership, the business environment, successful businesses, finance

such as profit and loss statements, break-even charts and cash flows,

branding, promotion, marking mix, customer service, and customers’ needs

and wants.

Coursework deadline:

There are three units that are 100% coursework that will take place over the

course of the three years. There is one exam which will take place in January

2019.

Website link:

http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-firsts/business-2012-

nqf.html

Design and Technology (Child Development)

Exam Board: OCR Child Development Level 1/2 Certificate - J818

Year 10

Term 1

Health and wellbeing in pregnancy

Diet during pregnancy

Exercise

Clothing

Term 2

Professionals involved in birth and pregnancy

Antenatal classes

Preparation for birth

Term 3

Birth

Reflexes

SBCU equipment

Subject specific resources

CGP – GCSE child development – “the revision guide”

OCR GCSE – Child development

Helpful Websites

BBC Bitesize home economics child development

Design and Technology (Child Development)

Exam Board: OCR Child Development Level 1/2 Certificate - J818

Year 10

Term 1

Health and wellbeing in pregnancy

Diet during pregnancy

Exercise

Clothing

Term 2

Professionals involved in birth and pregnancy

Antenatal classes

Preparation for birth

Term 3

Birth

Reflexes

SBCU equipment

Subject specific resources

CGP – GCSE child development – “the revision guide”

OCR GCSE – Child development

Helpful Websites

BBC Bitesize home economics child development

Drama

Exam Board: OCR

Year 10

In our GCSE (9-1) Drama qualification, students will complete three

components; one devised performance, one text performance and one

written exam. Students must study two different texts in the GCSE course.

Component title Component overview

Devising Drama

Component 01 / 02

Students will create their own devised performance

based on a chosen stimulus from the exam board

stimulus paper.

In addition to the performance, students will be marked

on an accompanying portfolio with evidence of the

process and decisions made whilst creating and

developing their performance.

Presenting and

Performing Texts

Component 03 / 04

Students will take part in a showcase, demonstrating

their chosen skills in a live performance. Students will

perform in or design for two performances from one text.

Students will be required to produce an accompanying

document which outlines their intentions for and

approach to the performance showcase.

Drama: Performance and

Response

Component 05

This component requires students to study text and

performance.

For Section A, students study one performance text in

detail from a set list given by the exam board. This

section of the paper will contain questions which require

short and medium length answers. It assesses students’

knowledge and understanding of how drama is

developed and performed.

In Section B, students will be required to analyse and

evaluate a live theatre performance they have seen

using accurate subject-specific terminology.

Design and Technology Engineering

Exam Board: OCR Engineering Design Level 1/2 Award/Certificate - J831,

J841,

Systems Control in Engineering Level 1/2 Award/Certificate - J833, J843

Year 10

Term 1

Many householders experience problems with flooding due to burst pipes or

extreme weather. Simple pumps that can be powered by an electric drill are

widely available to help remove water from flooded areas. However, testing

of some of these pumps has shown that they can fail to perform correctly.

You have been asked by a pump manufacturer to undertake product

analysis of both its own and competitors pump products to establish the

strengths and weaknesses of the designs. You will also consider the factors

that influence the design of these pump products.

Term 2

A new portable docking station is to be produced for use with MP3 devices or

phones.

The docking station will:

be battery powered

require easy access to replace batteries

connect to MP3 devices/phones using a 3.5mm jack plug

incorporate two speakers

incorporate an on/off switch

have a power on indicator

have a method to control volume

be compact

be free standing.

You must use hand and CAD drawing provide a solution to the above

problem

Term 3

Following feedback from customers, OCR Garden Machines has designed a

new pull cord handle for its range of petrol engineered garden tools. This

handle allows users to grip the pull cord with their full hand resulting in

increased grip and greater comfort for the user during use.

The product specification is shown below:

The pull cord handle must:

allow both adult male and female users to grip the handle comfortably

should not slip within the user’s hand

have a quality ‘solid’ feel

be a ‘one piece’ design that would allow large quantity production

allow ease of installation/replacement to standard cord sizes

not be damaged by petrol/oil

not require any surface finishing.

You must produce a Handle which satisfies all of the above constraints

Equipment list

Set of pencils

Set of colours

30cm ruler

Rubber and pencil sharpener

Helpful Websites

http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals-engineering-

design-level-1-2-award-certificate-j831-j841/

BBC Bitesize design and technology

Technology student.com

English Language and Literature

Exam Board: AQA

Year 10

Term 1

Literature Paper 2 Section B

Poetry - Love and Relationships Cluster

Literature Paper 2 Section B and C

Unseen poetry

Term 2

Literature Paper 1 Section B

19th Century Novel - A Christmas Carol

Literature Mock prep

Language Revision

Term 3

Language Revision

Literature Revision – Sets 1-3

Language Revision – Sets 4-6

Subject specific resources

AQA Poetry Anthology Love and Relationships Cluster

Unseen Poetry from the 19th and 20th Century

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Useful Revision Guides

Literature

Collins Snap Revision Text Guides - Romeo and Juliet: AQA GCSE English

Literature

Collins Snap Revision Text Guides - A Christmas Carol: AQA GCSE English

Literature

Collins GCSE Revision and Practice - For the 2017 Exams - GCSE English

Language and English Literature All-in-One Revision and Practice

Collins Snap Revision Text Guides - For the 2017 Exams - An Inspector Calls:

AQA GCSE English Literature

Language

Collins Snap Revision - For the 2017 Exams - Reading (for papers 1 and 2):

AQA GCSE English Language

Collins Snap Revision - For the 2017 Exams - Writing (for papers 1 and 2):

AQA GCSE English Language

Target Grade 3 Writing AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language Workbook

Target Grade 3 Writing AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language Workbook

Target Grade 5 Writing AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language Workbook

Target Grade 9 Writing AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language Workbook

Target Grade 9 Reading AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language Workbook

Target Grade 9 Writing AQA GCSE (9-1) English Language Workbook

Useful Websites

English Language: https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/examspecs/zcbchv4

English Literature: https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zckw2hv

Food Preparation and Nutrition AQA 8585

Year 10

Term 1

Food, Nutrition and Health.

Delving deeper into nutrients and their properties developing nutritional

labels.

Completing a skills checklist.

Learning about different dietary needs.

Food science experiments.

Term 2

Defining different types of cooking methods and understanding how heat is

transferred.

Learning about food storage and micro organisms

Food Choice – cultural, religious and moral.

Cuisines around the world.

Food labelling.

Term 3 – Plan and prepare 3 course meal (mock coursework)

Food Provenance – carbon footprint, organic, GM crops

Practice Exam technique.

Subject specific resources: (see attached)

AQA Skills checklist

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/food/gcse/food-preparation-and-nutrition-

8585/subject-content/food-preparation-skills

Revision Guide recommended:

CGP Food Preparation and Nutrition AQA

Optional: Question book to aid revision.

Equipment list:

Pupils may adapt any recipe given to them as they wish.

Any equipment they wish to present their food on.

Websites

http://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/site.aspx?siteId=19

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/foodtech/

http://explorefood.foodafactoflife.org.uk/

http://meatandeducation.redmeatinfo.com/resources

Geography

Exam Board AQA

Year 10

Term 1

Section 2 A - Challenges in the Human Environment

The Urban World

Urban change in the UK

Term 2

Section 2 A - Challenges in the Human Environment

Urban Sustainability

Section 2 B - The Changing Economic World

The Development Gap

Term 3

Section 2 B - The Changing Economic World

Visit to Oxford to look at sustainability

Collect and present data.

Recap of skill sets

Nigeria –NEE and the changing UK Economy

Assessments

These will take place at the end of every topic studied

Trips

Oxford trip, approximate cost £10

Equipment- Pen, pencil, ruler, rubber, glue and scissors… and of course some

colouring pencils are always useful!

Revision Guide CGP- AQA revision guide- sold in school at cost price of £3.50.

Reading List and Useful Websites

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035

(Geography example papers and specification)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zkw76sg

http://www.coolgeography.co.uk/

https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/media/Documents/magazine%20e-

reviews/March%202017/Geography_e-review_Mar2017.pdf?ext=.pdf

(Geography Review Magazine- worth subscribing too but you can also read

online articles)

History

Exam Board AQA

Year 10

Term 1

Conflict and Tension 1918-1939

Peace-making

League of Nations and the International Agreements

The origins and outbreak of the Second World War

Term 2

2A Britain: Health and the People; c1000 to the present day

Medicine stands still

The Beginning of Change

Students will study the importance of the following factors:

war

superstition and religion

chance

government

communication

science and technology

the role of the individual in encouraging or inhibiting change.

Term 3

2A Britain: Health and the People; c1000 to the present day

A revolution in Medicine

Modern Medicine

Assessments

These will take place at the end of every topic studied

Equipment- Pen, pencil, ruler, rubber, glue and scissors

Revision Guide CGP- AQA revision guide- sold in school at cost price of £3.50.

Reading List and Useful Websites

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/history/gcse/history-8145/specification-at-a-

glance

(History example papers and specification)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zkw76sg

http://www.johndclare.net/

Certificate in Digital Applications

Year 10

Qualification:

This is a Level 2 qualification equivalent to 1 GCSE with grades A*- C.

Topics:

Unit 1 (Developing Web Products): client brief and project lifecycle;

website design; website creation and testing; asset preparation. Unit 3 (Artwork and Imaging): designing and developing artwork and

images; image types (vector and bitmap); use of software drawing and

image editing tools; preparation of images for screen and print; creation

of a portfolio.

Assessment information: Unit 1 is taught during Year 10 and will be assessed

by a practical examination at the end of Year 10 (June 2018). This will count

for 25% of the final grade. Unit 3 will be taught during Years 10 and 11 and will

be assessed by a Summative Project completed during Year 11. This unit

counts for 75% of the final grade.

Website link: http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/digital-

applications-cida-dida/cida-2012.html

Mathematics

Exam Board: Edexcel

Year 10

Term 1

HIGHER FOUNDATION

9 Equations and inequalities

10 Probability

11 Multiplicative reasoning

9 Graphs

10 Transformations

11 Ratio and proportion

Term 2

HIGHER FOUNDATION

12 Similarity and congruence

13 More trigonometry

14 Further statistics

12 Right-angled triangles

13 Probability

14 Multiplicative reasoning

Term 3

HIGHER FOUNDATION

15 Equations and graphs

16 Circle theorems

17 More algebra

15 Constructions, loci and bearings

16 Quadratic equations and graphs

17 Perimeter, area and volume 2

Subject specific resources

Scientific calculator

Protractor

Useful Revision Guides

Collins Snap Revision Guides

Lonsdale Revision workbook

CPG Revision workbook

Useful Website

BBC Bitesize

Maths Made Easy

CorbettMaths

Maths Genie

Mr Barton Maths

MyMaths

Modern Foreign Languages

Exam Board:AQA

Year 10

Term 1

My Life at school and future career – Focus on the verb revision

My people and the wider community – Focus on description of people and

places

Term 2

Personal interests and future career – Focus on future and conditional tenses

Holidays – Revision of all time frames and grammar

Term 3

Mock revision

Focus on literature and translation

Equipment

Dictionaries & Verb table books

Oxford Learner's French Dictionary

Oxford Learner's Spanish Dictionary

Nathan French Conjugations (complete verb tables) or Bescherelle French

conjugations

The Everything Spanish Verb Book: A Handy Reference for Mastering Verb

Conjugation (Everything (Language & Writing))

Useful websites

http://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/exams-guidance/find-past-

papers-and-mark-schemes

www.languagesonline.org.uk

https://collins.co.uk/page/collinsgcserevision/flashcards

Recommended Revision Guides

Collins GCSE Revision (with audio)

Letts GCSE Revision Guide (with audio and workbook) New GCSE French AQA Complete Revision & Practice (with CD & Online Edition) - Grade 9-1 Course New GCSE Spanish AQA Complete Revision & Practice (with CD & Online Edition) - Grade 9-1 Course

Extra curricula activities

Clubs: Many clubs take place on a weekly basis in the MFL department, both

before school, during lunch or after registration time in the afternoon. For

example, all year 11’s French students attend grammar and conversation

catch up sessions on a Tuesday afternoon. A very popular Spanish club for

Year 9’s take place on Wednesday at lunch time and the list is consistently

updated and published in the Whole School Student Bulletin weekly. Hence,

help is always at hand. Just ask your class teacher or the Head of

Department.

Trips: The popularity of our residential trip to Spain for Year 9’s and Year 10’s

continues and a trip is currently being organised for the Summer 2018. Trips to

France and other places of interest are routinely announced on our website.

So, get on board and enjoy learning languages first hand. All enquiries to be

made to Ms Lucca, Head of MFL

GCSE Music OCR

Year 10

Area of study 1: My Music

Area of study 2: Shared Music – Solo and Accompaniment - Ensembles

Area of study 3: Dance music

Area of study 4: Descriptive Music

Coursework

Unit 1

For this unit (based on area of study 1), they will record one performance and

one composition for their own instrument. They will also write a commentary

which links both of these together.

Unit 2

In this unit they will record one performance that shows an understanding of

how parts work together (area of study 2). They will also produce one

composition or arrangement based on a task that they select. The tasks will

be linked to your learning in the areas of study, so they can choose to submit:

A piece for more than one instrument

A piece of dance music

A piece of Descriptive music

They will also keep a log, which tracks the progress of their composition, and

they write about how successful they feel their piece is in an evaluation.

EXAMS

Unit 3+ Unit 4 Listening and appraising.

For unit 3 they will create a short composition based on an idea, called a

stimulus, which will be set by OCR. They will be able to choose one idea that

suits them from range of stimuli, which will be given to them at the beginning

of the exam. They have up to 45 minutes to compose and present their

pieces.

Unit 4: Listening test

The listening test is a written exam, in which they will listen to extracts of music

and answer questions about them. The exam will last for about an hour. The

questions will be based on what they have learned in Areas of study 2,3 and

4.

Content Overview

Performance on the learner’s chosen instrument. Composition to a brief set

by the learner.

Integrated portfolio (01 or 02)

60 Marks Non-exam assessment

30%of total GCSE Ensemble performance. Composition to an OCR set brief.

Practical component (03 or 04)

60 Marks Non-exam assessment

30% of total GCSE

Listening and appraising. A written paper, with CD.

Aural recognition and context unheard/unfamiliar music from within the

Areas of Study 2, 3, 4 & 5.

The total length of performance required in component 1 or 2 and

component 3 or 4 combined is a minimum four minutes with at least one

minute as part of an ensemble. Learners can perform several short pieces for

either or both components.

The total length of Composing required in component 1 or 2 and component

3 or 4 combined is a minimum of three minutes.

GCSE PE

Exam Board OCR GCSE PE (9-1)

Year 10

60% Theory

40% Practical (3 different sports, either 2 individual sports and 1 team or 2 team and

1 individual sport). Includes an Analysis of Performance written task.

Topics covered in Year 10 Physical Training:

Components of Fitness

Applying Principles of Training

Preventing Injury

Analysis of Performance Task

Practical sports covered will include:

Badminton- singles and doubles

Trampolining

Athletics

Basketball

Handball

Expectation of students:

Students should be appropriately dressed in Highcrest PE kit for practical

lessons, including appropriate footwear for impact sports

Students are expected to represent the school in a variety of competitive

extracurricular sports

Students are expected to participate in sports clubs

Participate in sport outside of school, read about sport and watch sporting

programmes and documentaries to further develop knowledge and skills

Useful Websites:

Brianmac

Topend sports

BBC Sport

BT Sport

Sky Sport

Useful Publications:

OCR GCSE (9-1) PE Second Edition John Honeybourne £19.99 Hodder Education

My Revision Notes: OCR GCSE (9-1) PE £8.99 Hodder Education

Resistant Materials

Exam Board: AQA

Year 10

Term 1

Sustainability

Ways of converting timber

Construction of a table – students to create own design of legs

New joint – dowel

CAD/CAM design to table top

Term 2

Developing woodwork skills – mitre and halving joints, rebates

Construction of a picture frame

CAD/CAM to personalise frame

Term 3

Starting GCSE major project: Design context, research, design and

development of ideas

Extra curricular activities

Before school session once a week – day TBA

Lunch session – Wednesday

After school – day TBA

Essential Equipment

Pen + spare

Pencil + spare

Coloured pencils

Ruler 30 cm

Rubber

Sharpener

Helpful websites

www.aqa.or.uk Year 10 specification 8552

www.technologystudent.com contains information sheets and exercises to

enhance the study of D & T

www.bbc.co.uk/education BBC Bitesize resources for students: video/audio

clips by level and topic

GCSE Science

Exam Board AQA

Years 10

Topics to be covered over the whole GCSE course.

The order of the topics will depend on the group.

Each topic has a test.

There are plenty of revision opportunities built into the course.

Biology Chemistry Physics

Equipment needed to be brought to every lesson

Calculator

30cm ruler

Key dates TBC

Required practical lessons will be carried out when relevant within a topic

and assessed with an exam style question.

End of year exams in year 9 and 10

Trial exams in year 11

Exam dates in the summer of year 11

Combined science:

Triple science:

Suggested reading list

Students will be provided with a logon to the Kerboodle website which has

electronic copies of the textbooks which can be annotated.

If pupils wish to buy revision guides and workbooks, they are available in

bookshops and online. Please check they are for the correct exam

especially the start date 2016 as they sell the old ones off cheap!

Design and Technology (Textiles)

Exam Board: AQA (Design and Technology (8552))

Year 10

Term 1

Fibre and Fabric- natural – synthetics

Materials and components

Environment and sustainability

Students are to create a product to fit the theme “recycle fashion”. This will

be done as a controlled assessment

Students will plan and put on a fashion show

Term 2

Smart and modern materials

Students will create a product incorporating basic electronic components

Term 3

Begin controlled assessment (final)

Identifying and investigating design possibilities

Producing a design brief and specification

Generating ideas

Extra curricular opportunities

Trips to

V and A

Clothes show

Student fashion show

Pans

Helpful Websites

BBC bitesized

Vogue .com