GCSE INDUCTION BOOKLET For YEAR 10 INFORMATION 2014-16 INFORMATION The Royal Alexandra and Albert School Foreword Dear Parents/Guardians Each year at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, we look to find more ways to help our learners succeed through their level 2 studies (GCSEs and BTECs). This year we thought a booklet outlining the course details of each subject, along with the breakdown of the course, the coursework deadlines and those all-important exam dates would go some way to preparing our learners, along with yourselves for their forthcoming examination period. Accompanying these pages we have included the details we thought you and each learner would need to know in order to best prepare themselves, including some revision tips, details of Special Educational Needs procedures and relevant contact details. This information is available not only as a paper copy but electronically through the school web-site (www.raa-school.org.uk). We hope you will let us know any areas for improvement within the booklet as we foresee this as a part of the Key Stage 4 induction programme for years to come. Always ensuring you of our best intentions. Miss C. Kaye KS4 Intervention Co-ordinator/Head of Year 11/Head of PE 2 The Royal Alexandra and Albert School Contents Art & Design BTEC Business GCSE Business Citizenship Computing Countryside & Environment Drama English Language English Literature Food Technology French Geography History Horse Care Maths Music Physical Education Religious Studies – Short Course Product Design Science – Double (A + Additional) Science – Triple Spanish Learning Support Careers and Work experience Contact Details Glossary Revision Tips 3 The Royal Alexandra and Albert School Course Title WJEC Art & Design (4000SA) Course Overview During this two year course learners complete two projects and one externally set exam project. Coursework accounts for 60% of the final GCSE grade, leaving 40% for the externally set assignment. In Year 10 pupils complete a year long project based on The Seven Deadly Sins. The Unit is divided into the 4 WJEC Assessment Objectives. The unit is spread out over the year to give pupils ample time to fulfil each of the assessment objectives to their fullest potential. Within Year 10 pupils are introduced to a wide range of artistic skills including drawing and painting, ceramics, glass art and glass fusing, photography, textiles and fashion and printmaking. From the Spring Term, Year 10 pupils use the theme and the skills they have been taught in the Autumn Term to develop their own final piece of work which is hoped shows great understanding of skills taught and confidence in their own development.. In the Autumn Term of year 11 pupils are given a Mock exam paper which is set by Art Staff. The aim of this is to give pupils an insight to the final exam. As with the final exam, the Mock paper allows eight weeks to complete preparatory studies in a sketch book and learners will have two days in exam conditions to complete a final design based on their studies. The final exam takes place at the end of the Spring Term in Year 11 and is followed by an exhibition of pupils artwork over the course of the GCSE is held annually in Gatton Hall. One to one tutorials take place once a week to make sure pupils are on task with their work. The Art Department is also open each evening until 6pm to give pupils access to the departments resources and to take part in extra sessions. Art Staff also present workshops to pupils on Saturday afternoons. Summary of Assessment Coursework (60% of GCSE) The Seven Deadly Sins Mock Exam Paper. External Exam Paper ( 40% of GCSE) Resources Used Text Book Revision Guide Websites Other GCSE Art and ‘ART SHOP’ Design: Learners can purchase a ‘starter pack’ from the Lonsdale Press school art shop, these contain a number of Revision materials to get learners started in their project ISBN: work. 9781903068908 Exam board website www.wjec.co.uk Coursework Deadlines Year 10 Year 11 Unit 1 – The Seven Deadly Sins Mock Exam – January 2016 Exam Dates Title Exam Code Duration Date Year 11 Art - 2 day Mock exam 2 days Autumn Term Art – 2 day conditioned 2 days Summer Series 2016 exam 4 The Royal Alexandra and Albert School 5 The Royal Alexandra and Albert School Course Title EDEXCEL BTEC Business Course Overview What is the Level1/Level 2 BTEC First Award in Business? The qualification aims to give you a practical understanding of what “being in business” entails and it will help you to develop the knowledge, understanding and competency needed when considering entering employment in this sector. Compared to the GCSE course there is a great emphasis on researching and assessing specific business’ performance and there is a real emphasis on independent working. Summary of Assessment The course comprises four units two core and two specialist – see below and you will be assessed on each unit you take. Each unit will focus on teaching of the theory and relevant examples with the assessment coming towards the end of the topic or unit. Due to changes in the BTEC process you will only attempt the assessed task once and it will not be remarked. Each assessment you take is designed by department and is verified by the exam board. The BTEC grading system is different to the traditional GCSE. Grades at Level 2 are: Distinction Starred (A*), Distinction (A), Merit (B), Pass (C) or Level 1 (D). Resources Used Text Book Revision Guide Websites Other No text book is required For Unit 2 exam: These will be advised during lessons, Students for the course, however BTEC First in however BBC Bitesize is useful to review will be should you wish to Business Revision theory: given purchase we would Guide ( 978- http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/bu relevant recommend: BTEC 1446906682) and siness/ hand-outs First Business 2012 - BTEC First in throughout BTEC First Business: Business Revision the Student Book ( 978- Workbook ( 978- course. 0007479795) 1446906699) Exam board website Edexcel BTEC - http://www.edexcel.com/quals/firsts2012/business/Pages/default.aspx Coursework Deadlines and Unit Information Unit 1,2,3 & 6 Core units: Unit 3 deadline – Unit 1 – Enterprise in the Business World February 2015 This core unit introduces pupils to the language and terminology used in business. It explores Unit 6 deadline – what businesses do, trends that affect them, how they operate and the factors that influence June 2015 their success. Pupils will explore different types of business ownership and how these relate Unit 2 online to the size and scale of a business, as well as how the type of ownership impacts on the exam – January responsibilities of the owners of a business. 2016 Unit 2 – Finance for Business Unit 1 deadline – The second core unit focuses on business finance in which pupils will explore the types of May 2016 costs that businesses incur, from the initial start-up costs involved in setting up a business to the ongoing daily costs of running an organisation. Pupils will also learn about financial Specific planning as well as how to calculate fixed and variable costs, break even and cash flow deadlines will be forecasts. Note: this unit will be externally assessed with an online exam. given at the start of each unit. Two specialist units, these are currently: Unit 3 – Promoting a Brand A successful business promotes itself to customers through its brand and image. This unit investigates what it takes to build a brand and the importance of it to a business. The unit also explores the promotional mix of an organisation. Unit 6 – Introducing Retail Business The retail sector is a large part of the UK economy. This unit explores the structure of the retail industry, the different types of retailing and how the retail sector relates to the wider economy. Exam Dates January 2016 – Unit 2: Finance - online exam sat in class. 6 The Royal Alexandra and Albert School Course Title EDEXCEL GCSE Business (2BS01) Course Overview This course follows the traditional GCSE format and is mainly exams based. The course focuses on many of the theoretical aspects of the course ranging from finance, to advertising, to ethics. This course is helpful to those who wish to run their own business in the future or those wishing to study the topic at a higher level. You will learn about a range of business. If you have an enquiring mind and are interested in learning about the world around you, how businesses are set up and what it is that makes someone a great entrepreneur. This course will help you understand all this and more. Summary of Assessment This is a traditional GCSE course in Business and is mainly exam based with some controlled assessment. Pupils will study 3 units. Unit 1 ‘Introduction to Small Business’ will give pupils an insight into the world of small business and look at what makes someone a successful business person. Pupils will find out how to spot an opportunity and develop an idea and turn it into a successful business over the course of Units 2 and 3. Both Unit 1 and Unit 3 exams will be sat at the end of Year 11 and Controlled Assessment will take place during Year 11. Resources Used Text Book Revision Guide Websites Other No text book is required for the Revise Edexcel GCSE These will be advised during Students will be course, however should you Business Revision Guide: lessons, however BBC given relevant wish to purchase we would Units 1, 3 & 5 (978- Bitesize is useful to review hand-outs recommend: 1446903735) theory: throughout the Unit 1 - Edexcel GCSE http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools course. Introduction to Small Business Revise Edexcel GCSE /gcsebitesize/business/ (9781846904967) Business Revision Workbook: Units 1, 3 & 5 Unit 3 - Edexcel GCSE (978-1446903766) Business: Introduction to Economic Understandin Edexcel ‘GCSE Business -Building a Business’ (9781846904974) Exam board website http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse09/Business/Business/Pages/default.aspx Coursework Deadlines and Unit Information Unit 2 – Investigating a Small Business (5BS02) Unit 1 – Introduction to Small Business (5BS01) This unit contains five topics: The exam board will provide a list of tasks to • spotting a business opportunity choose from. Students will be free to choose their • showing enterprise task and the small business on which their • putting a business idea into practice coursework will be based. The tasks will relate to • making the start-up effective Unit 1 content and out of a total of 40 marks. • understanding the economic context. This unit will be assessed externally in a 45 minute exam. The coursework will be written up under exam This exam is multiple choice. conditions, within a timeframe of 3 hours. The preparation for this write up is a maximum of six Unit 3 – Building a Business (5BS03) hours and will be done independently as prep. The This unit contains five topics: task is internally marked by teachers and • marketing moderated by Edexcel. • meeting customer needs • effective financial management A practice controlled assessment will take place in • effective people management the Summer term of Year 10, with the assessed • the wider world affecting business. piece of work taking place in the Spring term of This unit will be assessed externally in a 90 minute exam, Year 11. with full written answers required. Exam Dates Unit 1 and Unit 3 exams will take place in Summer 2016 series as set by the exam board. 7 The Royal Alexandra and Albert School Course Title EDEXCEL Citizenship Studies (2CS01) Course Overview GCSE Subject Aims • To engage with topical citizenship issues and contribute to debates on challenges facing society involving a wide range of political, social and ethical ideas, issues and problems in context (local to global). • To develop and apply understanding of key citizenship concepts (justice, democracy, rights and responsibilities, identities and diversity) to deepen their understanding of society and how communities change over time. • To use an enquiring, critical approach to distinguish facts, opinion and bias, build arguments and make informed judgements. • To develop the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to take action with others, in order to address citizenship issues in their communities. Course Description • Over two years pupils will cover work in the following areas: • Political, legal and human rights and freedoms in a range of contexts from local to global. • Civil, criminal law and the justice system – police, youth offending teams, courts, lawyers, prisons and probation. • Democratic and electoral processes and the operation of parliamentary democracy. • The development of, and struggle for, different kinds of rights and freedoms both in the UK and abroad. • The media. • Policies and practices for sustainable development. • The economy in relation to citizenship and the relationship between employers and employees. • Origins and the implications of diversity and the changing nature of society in the UK. • The European Union Summary of Assessment • Unit 1: Citizenship Today (externally assessed unit worth 20% - taken at the end of Year 11) • Unit 2: Participating in Society (controlled assessment worth 30% - taken in Spring of Year 10) • Unit 3: Citizenship in Context (externally assessed unit worth 20% - taken at the end of Year 11) • Unit 4 Citizenship Campaign (controlled assessment worth 30% - taken in Autumn of Year 11) Resources Used Text Book Revision Guide Other Citizenship Today Student Collins Revision: GCSE Students should be watching the Book Endorsed by Edexcel by Citizenship by Jenny Wales news and reading a variety of Jenny Wales 978-0-00- newspapers on a regular basis. 731264-1 • May 2009 Website: The Day: Explaining Matters http://theday.co.uk/ Exam board website Edexcel: http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse09/citizenship-studies/Pages/default.aspx Coursework Deadlines Unit 2: Participating in Society - Spring 2015 Unit 4: Citizenship Campaign - Autumn 2015 Exam Dates Title Exam Code Duration Date Unit 1: Citizenship Today 5CS01 60mins Summer Series 2016 Unit 3: Citizenship in Context 5CS03 75mins Summer Series 2016 8 The Royal Alexandra and Albert School Course Title EDEXCEL Land-Based Studies Course Overview In Year 10 students will work towards the Level 2 Certificate in Countryside and Environment by studying the following Core Units: Introduction to Plant Science; Conservation and Improvement of British Habitats. In Year 11 students will either continue with the Level 2 Countryside & Environment Units or progress to the Level 2 Extended Certificate. In addition to the Core Units, students will study a range of Countryside related subjects and skills. These include: Electric and Stock Fencing; Felling Small Trees, Tool Maintenance and Greenwood Crafts. This course will suit those who wish to work in countryside related occupations and provides the opportunities to develop a range of countryside skills. Land-based Studies at Key Stage 4 is an excellent preparation for our own 6th form course - the L3 BTEC in Countryside Management or more specialised qualifications at local Agricultural Colleges. We have good links with Plumpton, Merrist Wood, Sparsholt and Nescott and many of our students continue their studies at one of these colleges. Summary of Assessment Continuous assignment based assessment geared to individual aspirations and abilities. Resources Used Text Book Revision Guide Websites Other Various – course booklets and Safety boots. None None worksheets link to these All-weather clothing essential. Exam board website http://www.edexcel.org.uk Coursework Deadlines Year 10 - Continuous. Year 11 - Continuous (Final deadline end of June). Exam Dates Title Exam Code Duration Date Year 11 – N/A Year 10 – N/A 9 The Royal Alexandra and Albert School Course Title WJEC Drama (4150LA) Course Overview During this course, as well as being assessed on performance, design and directing skills and knowledge; pupils will also develop a range of wider transferable skills including leadership, independent study skills, teamwork, communication skills, working to deadlines, self-expression and development of creativity. They will develop a solid understanding of the history of the theatre; a practical understanding of the philosophies and practices of a number of different drama practitioners and will be given the opportunity to learn a range of performance and performance support skills. What you will learn Although this is a largely practical course, candidates should be advised that it is by no means a ‘soft subject’ and there is a substantial written element to the course, including a 90 minute written exam. The course breaks down into three units: ‘Devised Performance’ where pupils create, develop, rehearse and perform a piece of original theatre within a specific genre or in the style of a chosen practitioner; ‘Performance from a Text’ where pupils research, rehearse and perform scenes from a published play text and ‘Written Examination’ where pupils demonstrate their understanding of the subject through examination on a set text from the point of view of director, performer and designer. How you will learn During curricular time, pupils will carry out an induction unit which introduces them to the history of theatre and a range of current and past practitioners through a combination of research tasks, classroom sessions and practical workshops. Following this, they will embark on a full mock examination including a devising unit, performances from a text and a series of written practise papers. Once this has been completed (towards the end of Y10), the examination work will commence as detailed below. Summary of Assessment Unit 1: Devised Practical Performance (4151/01) – 60% Controlled Assessment, internally marked, externally moderated Task one – 40% Devised Performance (AO1, AO2) Candidates will devise a practical performance based on a theme, linked with a practitioner or genre. • Candidates may choose either acting or a theatre design skill; • Teachers record the work on DVD/Video; • Internally assessed and externally moderated with task two. Task two – 20% Devised Performance Report (AO3) Candidates will complete a written report on the practical work they completed in Task One, under formal supervision. The planning and preparation of all written work will be done in class and independently but pupils are not permitted to draft their written work in advance of the controlled writing sessions. They will write their coursework at a computer over a number of lessons under exam conditions. • The report should include details of live performances candidates have seen, that have influenced their practical work; details on decision making; the inclusion of technical elements, the content of the piece and an evaluation of their own final performance and that of the group; • Internally assessed and externally moderated with task one. Unit 2: Performance from a Text (4152/01) – 20% Externally marked Candidates will be assessed on either their acting or a theatre design skill, in a scene from a published play. • Candidates to work in groups of between 2 to 5 members; • No more than two additional design candidates per group, each working on a different skill; • Externally assessed by a visiting examiner in April/May. Unit 3: Written Examination (4153/01) – 20% Candidates will be assessed on their ability to analyse one set text as an actor, designer and director and to evaluate practical work completed in Unit 2. Resources Used Text Book Revision Guide Websites Other Texts provided by school N/A Exam board website www.wjec.co.uk Coursework Deadlines Y10: Mock Unit 1 Spring half term 2015 Y11: Unit 1 end of Autumn term 2015 Mock Unit 3 during Assessment Week 2015 Exam Dates Title Exam Code Duration Date Unit 3 4153/01 90 mins Summer Series 2016 10