Ratcliffe College - GCSE Handbook

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENGLISH LITERATURE CORE SUBJECTS It is expected that all students in Years 10 and 11 will follow a course leading to a GCSE in English Language. In many cases this qualification will be taught alongside the GCSE in English Literature, although some students may choose the single Language qualification. Your English teacher will advise you about which option is best for you. The English Language examinations will assess the two main areas of English study: reading and writing. You will need to read and study a wide variety of texts from a range of times and authors, including 19th century fiction, non-fiction and literary non-fiction. All written work will require you to write as clearly and accurately as possible with a sense of appropriate audience and purpose. You will also have an additional qualification called ‘Spoken Language Endorsement’ which is graded: pass, merit or distinction. Examination Details Paper 1 – 1 hour and 45 minutes Fiction and Imaginative Writing (40%) · Reading: Questions on an unseen 19th century fiction extract. · Writing: A choice of two writing tasks. Paper 2 – 2 hours Non-Fiction and Transactional Writing (60%) · Reading: Questions on two thematically linked, unseen nonfiction extracts. · Writing: A choice of two writing tasks. In addition to studying English Language, many students will also follow a Literature course involving the reading and discussion of poetry, plays and novels. The English Literature qualification will be taught consecutively with the English Language qualification since there is a degree of overlap in the examined skills. This will result in the award of two separate GCSEs. The course provides an excellent foundation to study English Literature at A Level and beyond. Students will experience a range of literature with a wide variety of appeal, including texts which have had significant influence on our English literary and cultural heritage. You will be involved in a considerable amount of discussion, both in class and in small groups. In addition, you will have opportunities to go on a variety of visits to the theatre or places of literary interest. Examination Details Paper 1 – 1 hour and 45 minutes Shakespeare and Post 1914 Literature (50%) · Shakespeare: A two part question. · Post-1914 British play or novel: One essay question. Paper 2 – 2 hours and 15 minutes 19th century Novel and Poetry (50%) Wide personal reading is encouraged, and you will be expected to undertake a considerable amount of this, as well as pursuing your own interests, in order to broaden your response to texts. · 19th century novel: A two-part question · Poetry: · One question comparing two poems from the collection. · One question comparing two unseen contemporary poems. -12-
MATHEMATICS The GCSE course builds upon the foundations laid in Key Stage 3 with a comprehensive Scheme of Work designed to cover the full syllabus while providing plenty of opportunities for investigative work and stimulating practical applications of Mathematics. The GCSE course will cover the following content headings, with the assessment weighting: Number Foundation Tier 25% Higher Tier 15% After GCSE A minimum of a grade 7 at the Higher Tier will be necessary if you wish to study Mathematics in the Sixth Form. Approximately one third of Sixth Form students take Mathematics at A Level. An A Level in Mathematics is a sought after qualification and highly regarded by many Higher Education Establishments and employers. Many students leave Ratcliffe to read Mathematics-related subjects in Higher Education. Examination Details Final Examination (100%) There are written papers at two levels: Higher Tier Paper 1 - 1 hour 30 minutes Non-calculator (33%) Paper 2 - 1 hour 30 minutes Calculator (33%) Paper 3 - 1 hour 30 minutes Calculator (33%) • Each paper has 80 marks • The content outlined for each tier will be assessed across all three papers • Each paper has a range of question types; some questions will be set in both mathematical and nonmathematical contexts • A formula sheet (with not many formulae) is given at the front of each examination paper CORE SUBJECTS Ratio, Proportion & Rates of Change Algebra Statistics & probability Geometry & Measures 25% 20% 15% 15% 20% 30% 15% 20% Foundation Tier Paper 1 - 1 hour 30 minutes Non-calculator (33%) Paper 2 - 1 hour 30 minutes Calculator (33%) Paper 3 - 1 hour 30 minutes Calculator (33%) The course is divided into smaller ‘units’ (consisting of a few chapters) and each ‘unit’ is assessed via a test with results being used to monitor your progress. As the GCSE examination approaches a comprehensive revision programme is undertaken, in which you will sit a series of past GCSE papers under examination conditions. You will also need to memorise many formulae. Whilst noncalculator methods are an important part of Mathematics teaching and, indeed, the GCSE examination will be assessed via a non-calculator examination paper, all students will need a scientific calculator for use at GCSE. We recommend the use of a Casio FX-83ES. -13-
Page 1 and 2: GCSE Options Information 2018-19 CO
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS Headmaster’s Introductio
Page 5 and 6: SECTION 1 The Key Stage 4 Curriculu
Page 7 and 8: Making your choices • You will be
Page 9 and 10: Careers Choosing GCSE subjects is o
Page 11: SECTION 2 The Core Curriculum This
Page 15 and 16: RELIGIOUS STUDIES By its very natur
Page 17 and 18: SCIENCE: TRIPLE AWARD If you are al
Page 19 and 20: SECTION 3 Option Studies This Secti
Page 21 and 22: COMPUTING This qualification will b
Page 23 and 24: After GCSE Design Technology is an
Page 25 and 26: FOOD PREPARATION AND NUTRITION Ever
Page 27 and 28: HISTORY History is about the most i
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Page 31 and 32: Examination Details Examination 1:
Page 33 and 34: PHYSICAL EDUCATION Do you enjoy pla
Page 35 and 36: SECTION 4 Life Beyond the Classroom
Page 37 and 38: Activities Available at Ratcliffe C
Page 39 and 40: Boarding at Ratcliffe College For m

Ratcliffe College - GCSE Handbook

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