GCSE Subjects

Exam board: OCR

Students are able to explore a wide variety of mediums including drawing, painting, printmaking, digital and photographic processes, ceramics and mixed-media techniques, as well as a number of themes within the history of art.

Work is assessed: 60% Coursework, 40% Set Task (undertaken over one term and finishing with a 10 hour exam over two days.)

Exam board: Edexcel

Students investigate small business, looking at enterprise and entrepreneurship. They learn how to put business ideas into practice and understand what makes a business effective and the external influences that affect it. They also learn about Marketing, Human Resources, Operations and Production, Finance and Accounts.

Exam board: OCR

There are two main subjects: Women in Greece and Rome & War and Warfare.

There is no Latin or Greek language in the GCSE Classical Civilisation course. You do not need to have studied Classical Civilisation previously - a lively interest and curiosity are more important.

Exam board: OCR

Students will study: Hardware, Software, Ethical, legal cultural and environmental concerns, Algorithms, Pseudocode, Programming using Python, Boolean operators and logic, Translators and languages, Data representation.

Exam board: Pearson Edexcel

Students combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices.

Students start by learning about and working with wood, metal and plastic. Further projects encompass metal casting, welding, electronics and smart materials. They also look at traditional graphical communication skills, then move on to using industry standard computer-aided design software.

Exam board: Edexcel

Students will work on three texts by well-known playwrights and explore the various options and choices facing a drama practitioner today. They will also take a final practical examination where they will work in a group and create or develop a piece of theatre which is then marked externally by a visiting examiner.

Exam board: French iGCSE Edexcel (4FR1)

Our course allows students to develop their ability to communicate with French native speakers in both speech and writing. They will study across a variety of contexts relevant to their age and interests and will also develop a greater awareness of culture of French-speaking communities and countries. These contexts vary from future aspirations to holidays and travel. Students will develop and use their knowledge and understanding of French grammar progressively through their course of study. The course is taught with a wide range of integrated ICT solutions, which allows our linguists to contextualise their language skills in today’s digital world. During the course students also have the opportunity to practice with a native language assistant on a weekly basis in order to improve their confidence in French. Students will also have the chance to put these skills into action on a trip, which takes place every two years and includes lessons in the mornings and then cultural activities in the afternoons.

Having studied French previously is highly recommended.

Exam board: Edexcel International GCSE (2017)

Students study 2 modules:
Physical Geography: Hazardous Environments; Coastal Environments. Coastal fieldwork.
Human Geography: Urban Environments; Economic activity and energy; Fragile environments and climate change. Urban fieldwork.

Exam board: Cambridge iGCSE History (Option B)

Students study for 3 written papers:
Section A: The twentieth century: international relations since 1919.
Section B: Germany, 1918-45

Exam board: Eduqas

Students study:
Language (which includes reading stories about Roman mythology and history).
Literature and Sources: a range of written and visual sources, currently based on the theme of Love and Marriage.
Literature (Narratives): an extract of Latin by one author, currently Suetonius’ account of the reign of the infamous Emperor Nero.

Students must have studied Latin up to F4 (Year9) and have a sound grasp of the vocabulary and language covered.

Exam board: Edexcel

GCSE course covers 5 topics: 
Identity and culture; Local area and travel; Future aspirations, study and work; International and global dimension.

We study the vocabulary and grammar through all four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking and explore aspects of Chinese family life, festivals, foods and traditions.

Previous study of Mandarin is essential.

Exam board: Eduqas

Students study a huge range of music from four wide areas: Musical forms and devices, music for ensemble, film music, popular music and includes detailed study of two set works, Badinerie by Bach, and Africa by Toto.
Students also develop their performing as singers or instrumentalists, performing solos or ensembles. They also learn to compose their own pieces in a range of styles.

Exam board: AQA

Student study: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport, Socio-cultural influences and wellbeing in physical activity and sport.

Students also have a Non-Examined Assessment (NEA): practical performance in 3 activities, analysis of performance in 1 activity.

Exam board: Spanish iGCSE Edexcel (4SP1)

Our course allows students to develop their ability to communicate with Spanish native speakers in both speech and writing. They will study across a variety of contexts relevant to their age and interests and will also develop a greater awareness of culture of Spanish-speaking communities and countries. These contexts vary from the world of work to international and global affairs. Students will develop and use their knowledge and understanding of Spanish grammar progressively through their course of study. The course is taught with a wide range of integrated ICT solutions, which allows our linguists to contextualise their language skills in today’s digital world. During the course students also have the opportunity to practice with a native language assistant on a weekly basis in order to improve their confidence in Spanish. Students will also have the chance to put these skills into action on a trip, which takes place every two years and includes lessons in the mornings and then cultural activities in the afternoons.

Having studied Spanish previously is highly recommended.

Exam board: OCR

Students explore a wide variety of media including dyed and printed textiles, drawing, mark-making, collage, appliqué, fabric manipulation, hand and machine embroidery, constructed textiles, laser cutting and smart/modern materials.

60% of the exam is coursework portfolio, 40% is a set task.

It may also be possible to take a GCSE in another language if you are a native or fluent speaker, but you will need a tutor to help prepare you for this.

We can provide: Cantonese, Korean, Russian, Japanese, and German. Other languages can be arranged.