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
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