GCSEs

Links for GCSE examining boards for past papers:

• AQA
• OCR
• Edexcel

In years seven - nine all students follow a broad curriculum. In years ten and eleven (key stage 4) the curriculum will provide a certain amount of choice.  This will hopefully enable each student to create a set of subjects which best suit his/her interests, abilities and career needs when s/he leaves school.  Some subjects are compulsory. These are called core subjects.  In other curriculum areas there is a choice. All the core and option subjects are GCSE examinable subjects.
Core subjects taken by all students :  

• English                                     
• Mathematics                                     
• Science   
• Physical Education                                    
• Citizenship                                    
• Religious Education                                     
• Information and Communication Technology

English

• It develops your spoken language - your ability to speak and listen in different situations, some formal and some informal;
• it develops your reading - your ability to read and understand lots of different types of texts - books, poetry, plays, non-fiction and to understand how writers achieve certain effects;
• it develops your writing - your ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing, using all types of language, formal and informal, for different sorts of readers;
• it develops your understanding of how language works - how meaning is created in society from different types of language, how language changes from one place to another and through the ages.

Mathematics If your school offers this option, your ability will help place you in one of 3 tiers for year 10:

• Tier One is called Foundation
• Tier Two is  called Intermediate
• Tier Three is called Higher 
  The decision to enter you for examination at a particular tier is not generally taken until the middle of year eleven. 

Science is a core subject.

• 1 GCSE qualification for those taking the Single award scheme,
• 2 GCSE qualifications for those taking the Double or Applied award and
• 3 GCSE qualifications for those taking the Triple award.   

Most syllabi offer a broad, balanced Science course combining various aspects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Basic Astronomy and Geology. 

The double award scheme covers 12 modules over the period of two years: 

Life Processes and Living things

• Humans as Organism
• Maintenance of life
• Environment
• Inheritance and Selection

Materials and their Properties  

• Metals
• Earth Materials
• Patterns of Chemical Change
• Structures and Bonding

Physical Processes  

• Energy
• Electricity
• Forces
• Waves and Radiation 

The single award scheme covers 6 modules over the period of two years: 

Life Processes and Living Things  

• Life and Living Processes
• Environment, Inheritance and Selection

Materials and their Properties 

• Materials from their Oil and Ores
• Patterns, Structures and Bonding

Physical Properties           

• Energy and Electricity
• Forces, Waves and Radiation 

The triple award scheme covers 18 modules. They include the twelve modules covered in the double award and the following modules in addition: 

• Biology in action
• Moving and Feeding
• Aqueous and Organic Chemistry
• Chemistry in action
• Physics in action
• Forces and Motion 

There are two tiers: The Foundation tier is designed to cover grades G to C. The Higher tier covers grades D to A*.

GCSE in Applied Science Applied GCSEs have been designed to provide a broad education as a foundation both for training leading to employment, and for further and higher education.

The Applied GCSE is a double award and therefore worth two GCSEs with the following equivalence: 

Technology This includes the following options – more may be available at your school. 

Product Design This course looks at designing as a profession.  Candidates who have an interest in CAD/CAM software and digital imaging would be particularly suited to the course, Students who may envisage a career in designing/doing a design degree will be well suited to this course

Textiles This course will enable students to study fibres, fabrics, An emphasis on the use of ICT and knowledge of industrial practice is included

Graphic Products This course is concerned with 2D design work and making 3D models. These courses prepare pupils for AS and A levels in Technology 

Humanities:

Geography  Topics which may be covered:

• Earthquakes and volcanoes  - why and where they occur.
• Rivers  -  how these form and change
• Coastlines  -  how these form and change.
• Population  -  why and where people live.
• Industry  -      why and where it is located.
• Development  - why there are rich and poor countries. 

Geography gives a wide general knowledge of the world today and is a useful subject in many areas of study.

History The syllabus covered will vary according to each school.

Religious Education  The GCSE course in Religious Studies explores aspects of world faiths both thematically and from an ethical perspective. It is designed to be accessible to students of any religious tradition or none. Students will be expected to show an understanding of the main beliefs and practices of Two World religions. They will also be expected to explore the ethical teachings of these two faiths and examines the implications of those teachings for the way in which believers today confront a range of issues facing people. 

Modern Foreign Languages The study of a language will include finding out more about the people in all parts of the world. Languages commonly offered include French, German and Spanish

Art and Design The emphasis in this GCSE is on the process of developing both ideas and work.

Drama may include History, Sociology, Social Psychology and English Literature. Students are expected to see the world in the widest possible context and explore ideas and concepts using the dramatic form. 

Expressive Arts Two art forms: Music and Verbal Arts (creative writing) are included in this course. The students will be examined on their practical ability and their folder of written work, which supports the practical work. 

Applied GCSEs have been designed to provide a broad education as a foundation for further and higher education. Subjects available include:

• Business studies
• Applied ICT
• Applied Leisure and Tourism 
• Applied Health and Social Care

Citizenship is a National Curriculum subject. It enables pupils to develop knowledge, skills and understanding to become informed, active and responsible members of local, national and global communities. It provides pupils with an opportunity to address real life issues and show them how they can make a difference. Studies will include:

• Crime
• Managing money
• Rights and responsibilities in the world of work
• Consumer rights
• How the economy functions
• The media
• How and why Laws are made
• Government and Elections
• Europe
• Global Issues
• Business and Enterprise
• Challenging Racism and Discrimination 

OCR has begun the first stage of a planned release of free past papers onto the website. In response to your feedback, OCR have published 1,000 free-to-download 2006 past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports. There are a few exceptions where they cannot secure copyright, but the majority of qualifications are now covered.