GCSE COURSE GUIDE 2018-20A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO OUR GCSE COURSES

CONTENTS

CONTACT

2 Changes to GCSEs 3 Flexibility and Support 3 Core Subjects 3 Optional Subjects 4 Selecting your GCSEs 5 Careers Guidance 6 Coursework7 GCSE Courses - see individual sheets: English Language English Literature Mathematics

Trilogy: Combined Science Trilogy Biology Chemistry Physics

Art & Design Computing Design Technology Drama French Geography History

Music Physical Education Religious Studies Spanish

Colston’s Upper school (11 YRs - 18 YRs)Bell HillStapletonBristolBs16 1BJ

Headmaster:Mr Jeremy McCulloughSchool office & admissions:0117 965 5207Enquiries email:enquiries@colstons.orgAdmissions email:admissions@colstons.orgFind us on Facebook and twitter:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colstons-schoolhttps://twitter.com/colstonsschool

Changes to GCSEsNext September, our Year 10 pupils will begin the important two-year period leading to their GCSE examinations. Follow recent reforms pupils entering Year 10 in 2018 will take reformed GCSE qualifications in all subjects. Pupils will receive grades on a scale of 1-9 (with 9 being the top grade). Previous GCSEs were graded on a scale of A*-G. The diagram below shows how the old and new GCSE grades relate to each other.

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Mapping old and new GCSE grades

NEW GCSE GRADES

OLD GCSE GRADES

6 GRADES

4 GRADES

A*

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 U

20%

A B C D E F G U

GRADE 5 IS A ‘GOOD PASS’

GRADE 4 IS A ‘PASS’.THIS IS THE GRADE

USED BY UNIVERSITIES.

CORE SUBJECTSPupils will study either 8 or 9 GCSEs, depending on which pathway they take. The following ‘Core’ GCSE subjects are compulsory for all pupils: English Language English Literature Mathematics Science (Triple or Trilogy Combined Science) In addition to their GCSE courses, all pupils will continue to have lessons in Games / Sport.

OPTIONAL SUBJECTSWe offer a broad range of optional GCSE subjects.Pupils are asked to choose either three or four from the list below.

OPTIONAL GCSE SUBJECTSArt & DesignComputingDesign and TechnologyDramaFrenchGeographyHistory

MusicPhysical EducationReligious StudiesSpanish

Flexibility and SupportTo give our pupils the flexibility to choose the subjects that interest them and provide them with the right level of support we have created 4 pathways. All of the pathways allow all of our pupils to achieve the top grades and the number of GCSEs needed to get them into even the most competitive of universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

GCSE PathwaysA flexible route to achieving success at GCSE

PATHWAY 1A

PATHWAY 1B

PATHWAY 2

PATHWAY 3

Pupils in Set 1 and 2 Science

Pupils in Set 1 and 2 Science

Pupils in Set 3 and 4 Science

Pupils in Set 3 and 4 Science, who are also in Set 4 English and/ or Set 4 Maths

• English Language• English Literature• Mathematics• Science (Triple)

• English Language• English Literature• Mathematics• Trilogy Combined Science

• English Language• English Literature• Mathematics• Trilogy Combined Science

• English Language• English Literature• Mathematics• Trilogy Combined Science

• 3 optional GCSE subjects

• 4 optional GCSE subjects

• 4 optional GCSE subjects(excluding Triple Science)

• 3 optional GCSE subjects• Additional support with English, Mathematics and study skills

3 GCSE COURSE GUIDE 2018-20

Selecting GCSEsIt is important that pupils make informed choices about their GCSE options. This booklet provides information about each GCSE course and how it is assessed. Pupils have a range of people they can talk to for advice and guidance throughout this process:

• SUBJECT TEACHERS can advise pupils on the suitability of a particular GCSE course. • HEADS OF DEPARTMENT will be able to provide more detailed information on the content of the various GCSE courses. • HEADS OF HOUSE AND TUTORS have been following their pupils’ progress closely and will have a good idea of how a particular option would suit each of them as an individual. • THE HEAD OF CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY can give expert advice on the careers implications of subject choices and is always happy to talk to pupils and parents.• PARENTS know their children better than anyone and will have a very good idea of which options they should follow.

DOUBLE OR TRIPLE SCIENCESPupils in science sets 1 and 2 are encouraged to study the triple science qualification (3 GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics). The triple science qualification is well regarded and provides a good grounding for the study of A Level sciences. Those who study triple science will be able to study a further 3 optional subjects.

Pupils who study the Trilogy Combined science qualification are still able to study the sciences at A Level. The trilogy combined science qualification best suits those with interests in other areas, e.g. arts or humanities or those in science sets 3 and 4, who would struggle to meet the demands of the triple science course.

PATHWAY 3With the increased demand of the reformed GCSEs, we offer pupils in Pathway 3 additional support with their mathematics and English GCSEs. By focusing on 8 GCSEs they can achieve the best possible grades - and still apply to any university, including Oxbridge or other Russell Group universities.

CHOOSING YOUR OPTIONSParents should complete the on-line 2018-20 GCSE Options Form by 28th February 2018. The form asks for six choices in order of preference. Naturally, we will aim to provide as many people as possible with their first four choices, and this should prove possible in the vast majority of cases. If any problems arise with combinations of choices, we will discuss this with the pupils and parents.

Pupils are able to change their GCSE option choices following this deadline, but the options available may be more restricted as we will have fixed the options blocks within the timetable.

GCSE COURSE GUIDE 2018-20 4

Careers GuidanceCareers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) forms an important part of the PSHE and tutorial programmes in Years 7 - 13. The programme is managed by our highly qualified Head of Careers and Employability and aims to promote self-awareness regarding individual strengths, weaknesses and interests relating to the world of work, and to motivate and enable pupils to explore and research careers using a range of resources.

Year 9 pupils receive a series of talks and tutorials designed to support them to make informed decisions about their optional GCSE subjects. They also complete the STEPS careers booklets to learn how to identify their personal qualities and skills, how to access reliable sources of information, find out about careers and to plan for their future.

CEIAG continues in Year 10 and aims to develop further pupils’ awareness of their own abilities, skills and interests and to expand their knowledge of career and educational opportunities. All Year 10 pupils take part in a week’s work experience in June, which can prove very useful in introducing them to the world of work and as a means of testing out a career interest.

In Year 11, a range of employability topics are covered through PSHE lessons and individual sessions. All Year 11 pupils receive a structured and impartial one-to-one careers interview. This process aims to help Colston’s students to feel fully informed about post-16 choices, as well as to feel equipped to make similar decisions in the future.

Careers and employability provision continues throughout the Sixth Form as part of our innovative Future Leaders programme. Through partnerships with a range of world-class organisations, this programme provides opportunities for students to further develop their employability skills.

5 GCSE COURSE GUIDE 2018-20

CourseworkCoursework still forms an important part of some GCSE courses. This involves work that pupils complete independently, either during or outside lesson time, or a combination of both.

Teachers will provide pupils with guidance about coursework requirements and submission dates, which must be adhered to. However, teachers are not allowed to do the work for the pupils and neither is anyone else. Pupils will be asked to sign a statement to verify the work they have completed is their own before their coursework is submitted to the examining board.

Coursework marks will count towards the final examination grade, together with the marks for written examinations taken at the end of Year 11. The work is marked by the pupil’s teacher and is then externally moderated in order to ensure that the marking is fair and accurate.

The proportion of marks awarded for coursework varies from subject to subject. Please see the individual subject pages for precise details.

GCSE COURSE GUIDE 2018-20 6

COLSTON’S UPPER SCHOOL BELL HILL STAPLETON BRISTOL BS16 1BJTEL: 0117 965 5207 ENQUIRIES@COLSTONS.ORG

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