GCSE CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Summary of AssessmentUnit 1•Written Paper 1½ hours (40% final mark, one tier only)

Unit 2•Controlled Assessment – Child Study(30% final mark)

Unit 3 •Controlled Assessment – Child Focused Task(30% final mark)

Pathway through the Specification• The pathway through the specification is dependent upon many factors

which will vary from one school to another.

• Unit 2 must be completed in the first year.

• Unit 3 must be completed in the second year.

• It is not necessary or recommended that teaching follows the 6 core areas of study as set out in the specification.

• The controlled assessments can be used as a vehicle for teaching the specification.

Year 10 Term 1

It is suggested that work is taken from core areas 3 and 4, i.e. Pregnancy and Physical Development. At the end of the term include a basic introduction to PIES. This is in preparation for the start of Unit 2 controlled assessment in January.

Term 2

Work this term should be taken from core areas 4, 5 and 6, i.e. Physical, Intellectual, Social and Emotional Development as these will support Unit 2, controlled task. Teaching will be interwoven with some of the 15 controlled hours that have to be spent on Unit 2.

Term 3

Work this term could focus on core area 2 – Food and Health. The remaining Unit 2 controlled task hours.

Year 11 Term 1 Work this term would focus on the first core area – Family and Child. Time should be

spent on the introduction of Unit 3. Candidates can be given the opportunity to work through a Child Focused Task. This is a useful revision tool and prepares candidates for the timed task next term.

Term 2 Work this term will complete topic areas from core area 1. Candidates will be

required to complete the Unit 3 controlled task – 15 hours. Teaching and task will need to be interwoven to allow candidates time to collect research and materials/ ingredients.

Term 3 Revision and examination technique.

Unit 2 Controlled Assessment - Child Study

• To be completed in the first half of the course• Tasks are set by the WJEC and centres may choose from a bank of 3• The length of the study should be between 2,000 and 3,000 words• Candidates are allowed 15 hours of supervised classroom time• All work must remain in school in a secure place• Centres are advised to allow candidates to select their task prior to the beginning

of the supervised classroom session• Children studied must be under the age of 5 years• Each candidate must keep a Record Sheet for each supervised session in order to

maintain a record of time allocation

Pathway through the Child Study

Section Time Marks

Plan of Action 2 5

Introduction 2 5

Gathering Information 5 20

Interpretation 3 15

Evaluation 3 15

Plan of Action• Time plan indicating how the 15 hours supervised time is to be used

• Time plan for informal observations of the child

• Resources identified and discussed

• Preparation of initial questionnaire for parents

• Preparation of any work sheets / activities

Introduction• Aims of the study relevant to the selected task

• Factfile about the child

• Relevant background information on home and family

• Discussion of the focused area of development

• Norms of Development for the child in context with area of focus

NB: it should be noted the child’s identity must be protected, name should be changed and home address not given.

Gathering Information

• Essentially this is the visits made to the child. Each visit should include a Plan of Action, Method, Justification, and Results

• The focused area of development should be thoroughly investigated

• It is recommended that candidates are encouraged to observe their child in different environments

• Carrying out advanced preparation work is essential for each observation session

• It is recommended that there will be a record of the unsupervised observation sessions.

Analysis / Interpretation

• This section should contain a list of relevant norms of development and the results obtained from the observation sessions with the child

• Results and norms should be compared and candidates should offer an explanation for their findings

• Candidates should be encouraged to discuss and give their own personal thoughts

Evaluation Candidates should be encouraged to look back through their work carried out in the

classroom and with the child. This should be a discussion of their work success and failures. It should not be a repeat of the child’s abilities.

• Candidates should consider the benefits gained from their Plan of Action• They should consider the methods they used to collect the information• There should be some discussion as to what the candidate has learnt by carrying

out the Child Study• Reference should be made to the strengths and weaknesses of the work• Candidates should offer some suggestions of how the study could be further

developed

Unit 3 Controlled AssessmentChild Focused Task

• To be completed in the second half of the course• The tasks are set by the WJEC • Candidates will select one task from choice of two tasks• The task is internally assessed by the centres and externally moderated• Candidates are allowed 15 hours of supervised classroom sessions• Resources may be brought into school but all work must remain in a secure place

in school• Centres are allowed to offer guidance and assistance up until the commencement

of the supervised 15 hours• Each candidate is required to complete a Record Sheet for each supervised

session in order to maintain a record of the time allocation• Photographic evidence only is required for the practical element• The recommended length of The Focused Task is 8 sides of A3/16 sidesof A4

Pathway through the Child Focused Task

Section Time Pages MarksInterpretation & Analysis 3 2 10

Selection & Development of Ideas 3 2 10

Planning 3 2 15

Making 4 0 15

Evaluation 2 2 10

Analysis & InterpretationTo be completed in 3 hours covering 2 pages. Marks available – 10

• Clear and focused set of aims

• Keywords should be noted and explained

• Resources should be identifies

• Relevant research should be carried out – approximately 3-4 pieces

• Conclusions should be drawn

• A specification for the practical task should be given

To be completed in 3 hours covering 2 pages. Marks available – 10.

Include an initial brain shower with many ideas

Develop some of the more appropriate ideas. This would include sketches and/or diagrams, suggestions regarding materials as well as some discussion as to appropriateness of the ideas. For guidance it is suggested the food task develops 8 ideas, the other task approximately 4

Selection and rejection process via a criteria chart

Chosen idea / ideas should be clearly stated and fully justified

Final idea / ideas fully developed

Selection and Development of Ideas

PlanningTo be completed in 3 hours covering 2 pages. Marks available – 15.

• Initial planning / production of a prototype

• Experimentation with different ingredients or presentation for the food task

• Task 2 could include experimentation with different materials and finishes

• References should be made to health and safety

• A plan of action / order of work should be given, this may take the form of a flow chart

MakingCandidates carry out their plan of action to produce the practical outcome. Marks available – 15.

Marking must reflect: -

•The amount of assistance the candidate requires

•The level of skill demonstrated

•The final appearance of the task

NB: Photographic evidence must be included in the finished work.

EvaluationTo be completed in 2 hours covering 2 pages. Marks available – 10.

• Discussion of candidates ability to plan the task

• Consideration of the methods used to collect data

• Conclusions should be drawn to reflect an understanding of the task. Candidates should refer to their initial aims

• Candidates should discuss the presentation of their work – both practical and written

• Strengths and weaknesses should be identified

• Identification of possible areas of development