Year 8 Options - kingshurst.tgacademy.org.uk

Year 8 Options

PATHWAY

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All students in Year 9, 10 and 11 at Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst are expected to follow a broad and balanced personalised curriculum that aims to provide all students with the knowledge, skills and understanding to enable to continue their studies at Post 16.

Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst offers students the opportunity to study a wide range of courses including GCSE and BTEC qualifications. These courses have been selected to provide students with the opportunity to personalise their curriculum to suit their individual needs.

As part of the options process, students will be presented with information from each Head of Faculty explaining the qualifications that are on offer. This will be combined with the Options evening, where parents, carers and students will have the opportunity to discuss the qualifications with key members of staff. This interaction between staff, parents and students will provide students with guidance, enabling them to make the right options choices for them.

It is important for students to select a balanced curriculum but also to consider what they enjoy studying and also what would be useful for any future career aspirations.The so called ‘EBacc’ subjects are increasingly important and where possible students should aim to select subjects that provide a balance of EBacc and other areas of the curriculum.

This booklet provides information on the core part of the curriculum plus the option blocks and instructions for choosing option subjects. Each subject details brief information about what you will study and how you will be assessed.

All GCSE subjects now use the new 9-1 grading system instead of A*-G.

Please note that while will do our best to ensure that all students get their preferred options choices, we cannot guarantee this, and additionally that some courses and specifications are currently still being accredited so the information contained in this booklet is correct at the time of printing. We may not be in the position to offer all courses in booklet if the uptake is not sufficient for a course, or if we become unable to offer a particular qualification.

You will be able to access the options form online from Monday 28 January 2019.You need to complete it by Monday 11 February 2019.

Katie BarkerDirector of Curriculum Design and Timetable

All students will study a core curriculum of:• English• Mathematics

Students will then study 4 subjects from the option blocks below:

• Science• PE

Option 4Students to pick 1 subject plus a reserve choice from:• GCSE Art (Fine Art)• GCSE Business• BTEC Level 2 First Award in Children’s Play, Learning and Development (CPLD)• GCSE Drama• GCSE Food preparation and Nutrition• QCF Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty• Cambridge National Level 1/2 in IT in Creative iMedia• GCSE Media Studies• GCSE Music• BTEC First Award in Sport

Option 1Students to pick 1 subject from:• GCSE Geographyor• GCSE History

Option 3Students to pick 1 subject plus a reserve choice from:• GCSE Art (Fine Art) • GCSE Business• GCSE Dance• Cambridge National in Engineering Manufacturing• GCSE Food preparation and Nutrition• QCF Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty• Cambridge National Level 1/2 in IT in Creative iMedia• GCSE Media Studies• GCSE Religious Education• BTEC First Award in Sport• Cambridge National in Sports Studies

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Option 2Students to pick 1 subject from:• GCSE Art (Fine Art)• GCSE French• GCSE Geography• GCSE History• Level 1/2 Award in Hospitality and Catering• GCSE Spanish

PATHWAY

Please note you cannot take the following combinations of subjects:• GCSE Cambridge National in Sports Studies and BTEC Level 2 First Award in Sport • Level 1/2 Award in Hospitality and Catering and GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition

Please also note that you cannot take a subject in more than one option block.

CompulsoryEnglish Language

The specification is designed to assess students’ skills in English at all levels,providing questions that are accessible to all while stretching and challengingthe highest of achievers.

The specification is encapsulated within two equally-balanced papers, relatingto the topic and theme of writing tasks. The reading sources act as a stimulusfor writing tasks, providing students with a clear route through each paper.Paper 1 is centred around Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing, andlooks at how writers use narrative and descriptive techniques to engage theinterest of readers. Paper 2, Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives, looks athow different writers present a similar topic over time. The spoken languageunit will emphasise the importance of the wider benefits that speaking andlistening skills have for students.

The course is linear and examined at the end of Year 11. There are no longerany controlled assessment components within this new GCSE specification,therefore the exams are worth 100%. Students will be assessed over a 3½ hourperiod, split equally across two papers, giving them time to express their trueabilities and achieve the best possible grade.

GCSE

English Literature

All students are now required to study English Literature along withLanguage. Being a literate reader widens horizons and opens up a lifetime ofopportunities. Reading enables students to acquire knowledge and to build onwhat they already know.

The specification is examined across two papers. Paper 1 is centred around thestudy of a Shakespearean play and a 19th century novel. Students will receiveguidance on both of these texts during the course and will be steered in thedirection of a specified act and chapter of the texts at the beginning of theSpring term prior to the exam. Paper 2 is centred around modern drama, apoetry collection that has been taught and explored within lessons, and finallyunseen poetry.

The course is linear and examined at the end of Year 11. There are no longerany controlled assessment components within this new GCSE specification,therefore the exams are worth 100%. Students will be assessed over a 4 hourperiod, split over two papers, grouping similarly structured questions together. Students will be required to answer essay questions to communicate their responses to the texts that they are presented with.

CompulsoryGCSE

CompulsoryMathsGCSE Edexcel 1MA1

The course content is weighted as follows in the foundation and higher tiers:Foundation Number 22 - 28% Algebra 17 - 23% Ratio, Proportion and Rates of change 22 - 28% Geometry and Measures 12 - 18% Statistics and Probability 12 - 18% Higher Number 12 - 18% Algebra 27 - 33% Ratio, Proportion and Rates of change 17 - 23%Geometry and Measures 17 - 23% Statistics and Probability 12 - 18%

The assessments will cover the following content headings: 1 Number 2 Algebra 3 Ratio, proportion and rates of change 4 Geometry and measures 5 Probability 6 Statistics and probability

The qualification consists of three equally-weighted written examination papers at either Foundation tier or Higher tier. All three papers must be at the same tier of entry and must be completed in the same assessment series.Paper 1 is a non-calculator assessment and a calculator is allowed for Paper 2 and Paper 3.Each paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes long. Each paper has 80 marks. The content outlined for each tier will be assessed across all three papers.

The qualification will be graded and certificated on a nine-grade scale from 9 to 1 using the total mark across all three papers where 9 is the highest grade. Individual papers are not graded.

Foundation tier: grades 1 to 5. Higher tier: grades 4 to 9 (grade 3 allowed).

Which tier students are entered for will be based on their results in mock exams in order to see which paper will give them the bestoutcome.

CompulsoryCombined Science (Trilogy)GCSE AQA 8464

Students will either follow the combined science,or the triple science course. This will be decided by the Head of science, in conjunction with teachers, using assessment grades and targets.

Topics to be studied:

Biology 1 Cell biology 2 Organisation 3 Infection and response 4 Bioenergetics 5 Homeostasis and response 6 Inheritance, variation and evolution 7 Ecology Physics 18 Energy 19 Electricity 20 Particle model of matter 21 Atomic structure 22 Forces 23 Waves 24 Magnetism and electromagnetism As well as the content, students also have to complete a number of required practicals (Biology - 7 required practicals, Chemistry - 7 required practicals, Physics - 7 required practicals). Students are assessed on these within each exam paper.

There are six papers in total and this will gain you 2 GCSEs for the combined Science: 2 exams for biology, 2 exams for chemistry and 2 exams for physics. These exam papers are all taken at the end of Year 11 in the Summer exams. Each paper is 1hr 15mins, a total of 70 marks are available. Each paper is the equivalent of 16.7% of the GCSE. Each paper covers the following topics: Biology paper 1 - Topics 1 - 4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics Biology paper 2 - Topics 5 - 7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology. Chemistry paper 1 - Topics 8 - 12: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes Chemistry paper 2 - Topics 13 - 17: The rate and extent of chemical change;Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; andUsing resources. Physics paper 1 - Topics 18 - 21: Energy, Electricity, Particle model of matter,Atomic structure Physics paper 2 - Topic 22 - 24: Forces, Waves, Magnetism andElectromagnetism

Chemistry 8 Atomic structure and the periodic table 9 Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter 10 Quantitative chemistry 11 Chemical changes 12 Energy changes 13 The rate and extent of chemical change 14 Organic chemistry 15 Chemical analysis 16 Chemistry of the atmosphere 17 Using resources

Geography 21Options andGCSE AQA 8035

Over the three year GCSE course you will cover lots of interesting topics. Living with the physical environment Discover more about the challenge of natural hazards and the living world, physical landscapes of the United Kingdom and human interaction with them. This unit develops an understanding of the tectonic, geomorphological, biological and meteorological processes and features in different environments. It provides you with the knowledge about the need for management strategies governed by sustainability and consideration of the direct and indirect effects of human interaction with the Earth and the atmosphere. Challenges in the human environment This unit is concerned with human processes, systems and outcomes and how these change both spatially and temporally. You will develop an understanding of the factors that produce a diverse variety of human environments; the dynamic nature of these environments that change over time and place; the need for sustainable management; and the areas of current and future challenge and opportunity for these environments. Fieldwork and Geography skills Most importantly you will be able to attend two trips whilst studying Geography. One to a human environment to see the effect we have on place, and the second to Carding Mill Valley to complete a river study. Our fieldtrips are where memories are made, and give you the best opportunity at developing important skills in project managing.

Living with the physical environment Section A: The challenge of natural hazards Section B: Physical landscapes in the UK Section C: The living world Challenges in the human environment Section A: Urban issues and challenges Section B: The changing economic world Section C: The challenge of resource management Geographical applications Section A: Issue evaluation Section B: Fieldwork You will be assessed through 3 exams. Paper 1 will assess your knowledge and understanding of human geography, paper 2 will assess your knowledge and understanding of physical geography. Paper 3 will be based on 2 pieces of fieldwork that you will carry out over the course of the 2 years, testing skills and knowledge.

Choose GCSE Geography and you’ll learn how today’s world was shaped and understand the challenges we face in the future. You’ll also examine the Earth’s natural resources and the increasing battles between the man-made and natural world. This knowledge, paired withyour essential curiosity, will give you thesought-after transferable skills forsuccess in further educationand the workplace.

History 21Options andGCSE Edexcel 1HI0

During your time studying GCSE History in Year 9, this course will cover the changes in medicine from the Medieval period up until today with a case study upon changes during the First World War. We will cover topics like trepanning, sewers, surgery, X Rays and much more! Following this we will investigate how England changed between the Anglo-Saxon and Norman period, consider how power changed during this period of time and how this impacted life in England. During Year 10 we will be looking at Life in Weimar and Nazi Germany. This will build upon some of the work you will study in year 8. We will consider how, in the space of 20 years, there are two World Wars and how Hitler’s rise to power was possible. Finally, in Year 10 and 11 will we look at the events of the Cold War between 1945 and 1991; how close did the world come to total destruction in nuclear war, and how did we avoid this?

There will be three exams at the end of Year 11 with the following structure: Paper 1: Thematic study and historic environment will be 1 hour and 15 minutes and will cover the Medicine course. Paper 2: Period study and British depth study will be 1 hour and 45 minutes and will cover Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88 as well as Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91. Paper 3: Modern depth study will be 1 hour and 20 minutes and will cover Wei-mar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39.

If you want to know how the world has gotten this way, GCSE History will help you to understand. Historians develop skills in analysis, using evidence and justifying opinions. These skills are highly regarded for anyone looking to go onto further study and aiming for a wide range of careers such as law, journalism, teaching, publishing, archaeology, politics and the civil service. If you’re aiming high, choose GCSE History!

Art and Design (Fine Art)

Pick 1 subject and a reserve choice

GCSE OCR J1712Option

3Option

Pick 1 subject and a reserve choice4Option

You will explore, acquire and develop skills, knowledge and understanding through the application of techniques and processes specific to Fine Art such as painting, drawing, printmaking and mixed-media work. You will explore the work of other artists, historical and contemporary and different concepts within art and design. Then you will go on to develop ideas from your own drawings and photographs with a range of materials such as pencil, pen, ink, watercolour, acrylic paint, collage etc. finally developing a final piece. All of your work will be based on a theme like ‘Beneath the Surface’ or ‘Close Up’ which will be explored in detail.

The course consists of 2 elements, 60% Coursework Portfolio and 40% Set Task Exam. You are marked out of 120 marks for your Coursework Portfolio and 80 marks for your Set Task Exam, 200 marks overall. There are 4 Assessment Objectives that you will be assessed against for both the Coursework Portfolio and the Set Task Exam an they are; AO1 - Develop Artist Research, AO2 - Refine and experiment with ideas, AO3 - Record your observations and AO4 - Present a final outcome.

Career progression from obtaining an Art GCSE include: Graphic Designer, Animator, Illustrator, Computer Game Designer, Product Designer, Fashion Designer, Photographer, Theatre/Film Set Designer, Special Effects/Make up Artist, Jewellery Designer, Architect and many more.

French

Three themes are studied: - identity and culture; - local, national, international and global areas of interest; - current and future study and employment. Each theme then has a number of subtopics which are related to everyday life. We also cover grammatical content.

All four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking are assessed equally (25%). You have the option of Higher or Foundation tier, however, all papers need to be assessed within the same tier. There is no option of doing Foundation Listening but Higher Reading for example. Listening, writing and reading will be assessed on an exam basis during the exam period. Speaking will be assessed before the formal exam period around Easter of year 11 with your teacher; this will be sent to AQA for marking. Please ensure that you select to study the language that you are currently studying, so that you begin the course with a basic knowledge of the language studied which will help your confidence. If you have any questions about this, please speak to your languages teacher or Mrs Somerville.

If you enjoy communicating with people, discovering other cultures as well as understanding more of your own culture, seeing how a language works or even opening up your future job opportunities, French is for you! You will learn about where French is spoken in the world and might even go on a trip to France. By learning French, you will become more independent in your learning and develop your memory and self-confidence. Also, you will prepare yourself for your future career as being able to speak a language is a big plus that universities and companies look for.

GCSE AQA 86582Option

This structure has been designed to develop in learners the knowledge and understanding related to a range of hospitality and catering providers; how they operate and what they have to take into account to be successful. There is the opportunity to learn about issues related to nutrition and food safety and how they affect successful hospitality and catering operations. In this qualification, learners will also have the opportunity to develop some food preparation and cooking skills as well as transferable skills of problem solving, organisation and time management, planning and communication.

Unit 1: The Hospitality and Catering Industry will be externally assessed 90 minute exam. Learners apply their learning by considering all aspects of the vocational sector. They should acquire knowledge of all aspects of the industry and be able to propose new hospitality and catering provision for specific locations. Learners will be able to use their learning of different types of establishment and job roles to determine the best option. They will then apply their learning in relation to front of house and kitchen operations to determine how the proposed hospitality and catering provision will operate efficiently legally and financially viably whilst meeting the needs of their potential market. This unit provides a broad introduction to the vocational sector in a way that is purposeful and develops a range of transferable skills. Unit 2: Hospitality and Catering in Action is internally assessed. Learners apply their learning to safely prepare, cook and present nutritional dishes. They will draw on their learning of different types of provision and kitchen and front of house operations in Unit 1, as well as personal safety in their preparations. The content is relevant not only to employees within food production, but also those with a responsibility for food safety in the industry, nutritionists and managers and owners. This extends the learners appreciation of the whole vocational area beyondthe kitchen environment.

Level 1/2 Vocational Awardin Hospitality and Catering

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Please note you cannot take the following combinations of subjects:• Level 1/2 Award in Hospitality and Catering and GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition

SpanishGCSE AQA 601/8160/6

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Three themes are studied: - identity and culture; - local, national, international and global areas of interest; - current and future study and employment. Each theme then has a number of subtopics which are related to everyday life. We also cover grammatical content.

All four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking are assessed equally (25%). You have the option of Higher or Foundation tier, however, all papers need to be assessed within the same tier. There is no option of doing Foundation Listening but Higher Reading for example. Listening, writing and reading will be assessed on an exam basis during the exam period. Speaking will be assessed before the formal exam period around Easter of Year 11 with your teacher; this will be sent to AQA for marking. Please ensure that you select to study the language that you are currently studying, so that you begin the course with a basic knowledge of the language studied which will help your confidence. If you have any questions about this, please speak to your languages teacher or Mrs Somerville.

If you enjoy communicating with people, discovering other cultures as well as understanding more of your own culture, seeing how a language works or even opening up your future job opportunities, Spanish is for you! You will learn about where Spanish is spoken in the world and might even go on a trip to Spain. By learning Spanish, you will become more independent in your learning and develop your memory and self-confidence. Also, you will prepare yourself for your future career as being able to speak a language is a big plus that universities and companies look for.

BusinessGCSE AQA 603/0304/9


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The GCSE Business course will give you the opportunity to explore real business issues and how businesses work. Students will consider the practical application of business concepts. The units provide opportunities to explore theories and concepts in the most relevant way, through the context of events in the business and economic world. The knowledge and skills gained from this specification will provide you with a firm foundation for further study.

You will apply your knowledge and understanding to business decision making including: • the interdependent nature of business activity, influences on business, business operations, finance, marketing and human resources, and how these interdependencies underpin business decision making • How different business contexts affect business decisions • The use and limitation of quantitative and qualitative data in making business decisions.

The course requires students to draw on the knowledge and understanding to: • use business terminology to identify and explain business activity• apply business concepts to familiar and unfamiliar contexts • develop problem solving and decision making skills relevant to business • investigate, analyse and evaluate business opportunities and issues • make justified decisions using both qualitative and quantitative data including its selection, interpretation, analysis and evaluation, and the application of appropriate quantitative skills.

The format of the course:Paper 1: Influences of operations and HRM on business activity (exam 50%)• Business in the real world • Influences on business • Business operations • Human resources

Paper 2: Influences of marketing and finance on businessactivity (exam 50%)• Business in the real world • Influences on business • Marketing • Finance

Dance OptionGCSE AQA 8236 Pick 1 subject and a reserve choice

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Do you have an interest in dance and want to develop your own skills? If so this course is for you! Throughout the course you will study performance, safe practice, choreography and critical appreciation. The GCSE course includes a mixture of both practical and theory work to further develop a deeper understanding of dance whilst also improving your own performance skill. You will have the opportunity to choreograph dances for both yourself and others to perform. Dance includes physical activity which will not only improve your fitness levels but has also been proven to have a positive effect on mental wellbeing. As a performer you will develop leadership, confidence and team working skills that can also be applied across a wide range of further subject areas and the working world. There are plenty of career opportunities in the dance world, whilst you may become a professional dancer you could also consider becoming a choreographer, dance teacher and many more.

There are two key component areas to the GCSE course: Performance and Choreography provide 60% of the GCSE grade and a written exam based on Dance Appreciation provides the remaining 40% of the grade.

OCR Level 1/2 CambridgeNational Certificate inEngineering Manufacturing

3OptionPick 1 subject and a reserve choice

Develop industry relevant skills and knowledge to help you develop understanding, enthusiasm and a passion for learning that can be relevant to a future career. Engineering manufacture is a discipline of engineering dealing with different manufacturing practices and processes using the machines, tools and equipment that turn raw materials into new products. This qualification will enable your students to study these processes. It will also allow them to operate the tools and equipment used to make products from the requirements of a design specification, as well as use Computer Aided Design package Fusion 360 and CAM/CNC equipment.

There are 4 units that will be completed, one of them being an externally examined unit worth 25% of your final grade out of 60 marks: External examined unit - R109: Engineering materials, processes and production Students develop their understanding of a wide range of engineering materials and how their properties and characteristics impact on a design specification. They also examine different pro-duction processes and their applications. Centre-assessed task - R110: Preparing and planning for manufacture Students plan and apply appropriate processes to make pre-production product using hand-held tools, measuring and marking equipment safely. They then carry out a range of manually con-trolled machining operations and perform quality control checks to review their finished pre-pro-duction product. Centre-assessed task - R111: Computer aided manufacturing Students explore the role of computer applications in the design and manufacture of engineered products by creating computer-aided design (CAD) drawings to produce a batch of computer numerical control (CNC) manufactured examples of a product. They investigate methods used to compare items manufactured by manually controlled and CNC production, and develop their understanding of how computer control is used to produce engineered products in high-volume. Centre-assessed task - R112: Quality control of engineered products Students develop their knowledge and understanding of the techniques and procedures used, including ‘lean processes’ to ensure the quality of engineered products. They produce and imple-ment a detailed set of procedures for the quality control of engineered products in a ‘real world’ situation involving high-volume manufacture of products.

Food Preparation and NutritionGCSE Eduqas 601/8093/6


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The WJEC Eduqas GCSE in Food Preparation and Nutrition equips learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating. It encourages learners to take part in cooking experiments, enables them to make informed decisions about food and nutrition and allows them to acquire knowledge in order to be able to feed themselves and others affordably and nutritiously, now and later in life. Please be aware that you will have to bring in ingredients, and there are food experiments to learn about the functional and chemical properties of food, not just cooking dishes.

Component 1: Principles of Food Preparation and Nutrition Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes 50% of qualification This component will consist of two sections both containing compulsory questions and will assess the six areas of content as listed in the specified GCSE content. Section A: questions based on stimulus material. Section B: structured, short and extended response questions to assess content related to food preparation and nutrition. Component 2: Food Preparation and Nutrition in Action Non-examination assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated Assessment 1: 8 hours and Assessment 2: 12 hours 50% of qualification Assessment 1: The Food Investigation Assessment A scientific food investigation which will assess the learner’s knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to scientific principles underlying the preparation and cooking of food. Assessment 2: The Food Preparation Assessment Prepare, cook and present a menu which assesses the learner’sknowledge, skills and understanding in relation to theplanning, preparation, cooking and presentation of food. These assessments will be based on a choice of tasksreleased by WJEC annually.

Please note you cannot take the following combinations of subjects:• Level 1/2 Award in Hospitality and Catering and GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition

VCTC Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing & Beauty

The certificate Hairdressing & Beauty is an opportunity to study hair an beauty techniques to include, shampoo and conditioning, styling women’s hair, nail art application and presenting a professional image. This course is assessed by producing a portfolio of evidence. The portfolio will contain 3 units of which cover both theory and the results of their practical work. The portfolio is assessed by the teacher then checked by an external verifier to ensure that it is at the standard required. There is also a fourth controlled external assessment that is taken under exam conditions.

• Introduction to the hair and beauty sector • Monitor and maintain health and safety practice in the salon • Hairdressing consultation • Style and dress hair using a variety of techniques • Creative hairdressing design skills • Bridal hairstyling • Working with others in the hair and beauty sector • Presenting a professional image in a salon • Shampoo and conditioning • Styling women’s hair • Hair plaiting • The art of dressing hair • Nail art application

This qualification is suitable for people:• who are new to the hair and beauty industry;• who have little to no previous experience of working in a hair salon;• who are looking to develop their knowledge of healthand safety in such an environment.


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OCR Level 1/2 CambridgeNational Certificate inIT in Creative iMedia


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The IT in Creative iMedia course will develop students creative media skills through their practical use. They will provide learners with essential knowledge, transferable skills and tools to improve their learning in other subjects with the aims of enhancing their employability when they leave education, contributing to their personal development and future economic well-being.

The qualifications will encourage independence, creativity and awareness of the digital media sector. The Cambridge National in Creative iMedia will equip learners with a range of creative media skills and provide opportunities to develop, in context, desirable, transferable skills such as research, planning, and review, working with others and communicating creative concepts effectively.

Through the use of these skills, learners will ultimately be creating fit-for-purpose creative media products. The Cambridge National in Creative iMedia will also challenge all learners, including high attaining learners, by introducing them to demanding material and techniques; encouraging independence and creativity and providing tasks that engage with the most taxing aspects of the National Curriculum.

The qualification design, including the range of units available, will allow learners the freedom to explore the areas of creative media that interest them as well as providing good opportunities to enhance their learning in a range of curriculum areas

The course will consist of four units. Three coursework based and one examined unit.

Media StudiesGCSE Eduqas 603/1115/0


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Are you interested in careers in film, television, journalism, photography, magazines, web design, radio, social media or marketing? If so this is the course for you! Throughout the course you will study a range of media platforms to develop your knowledge and understanding of media production. You will analyse a range of media texts from across three media platforms (broadcast, print and online). For example, some of the current set products for study include: Spectre (James Bond film 2011), Luther (TV series 2010) and Bad Blood (Taylor Swift music video 2014). This GCSE course helps you to improve both your analytical and creative skills. You will develop important analytical and literacy skills as you respond to a variety of media products. In our state of the art Media suites you will also use Apple Macs equipped with a wide range of software including Final Cut Pro and Photoshop. You will also use a range of other equipment including cameras, lighting tools and green screen. As part of the course you will learn about a range of media industries and job roles - giving you a valuable insight into potential media industry careers whilst you develop important literacy and practical skills. There are two exams based on study and application of the media framework (media language, audience, representation and industries). A non-exam assessment (NEA) unit provides the remaining 30% of the overall grade. Component 1: Exploring the Media (90 minute exam) = 40% of GCSE Component 2: Understanding Media Forms and Products (90 minute exam)= 30% of GCSE Component 3: Creating Media Products (non-exam assessment - research, planning and production)= 30 % of GCSE

Religious EducationGCSE Edexcel 603/0079/6


Area of study 1: This paper focuses on the beliefs of Christians. However, students will study the views of Christians against the non-religious views of Atheists and Humanists in both the Marriage and the family and Matters of Life and Death units. Christian beliefs • Should Christians share the same beliefs? • Should only those who believe in Jesus and his resurrection get a place in Heaven? • Why do Christians believe we suffer? Do they offer good enough theodicies? Living the Christian Life • Should all Christian worship in the same way? • Is pilgrimage an crucial practise to being Christian? • Should Christianity engage in missionary work in the twenty-first century? Marriage and the family • Is marriage more important for Christians than non religious people? • Should Christianity accept same sex couples? • Should the church accept divorce? Matters of Life and death • Is Christianity and science compatible in answering how and why the world began? Should they be? • Is life special? And what does that mean about our views towards: war, abortion, self defence and capital punishment? • Should euthanasia be legalised in the UK? Should a Christian ever support it? Area of study 2: This paper focuses on the beliefs of Muslims. However, students will study the views of Muslims against the non-religious views of Atheists and Humanists in both the Crime and punishment and Peace and conflict units. Muslim beliefs • Should all Muslims have the same beliefs? • Do angels exist according to Muslims? • Is our life predestined? The Muslim response Living the Muslim Life • Should all Muslims have the same practices? • Will the act of Zakat (alms) alone solve poverty alone? • Are religious celebrations the most important Muslim practise? Peace and Conflict • Is religion alone the cause of all war? • Should Islam be a pacifist religion? • Should we have weapons of mass destruction in the twenty first century? Crime and punishment • What are the main causes of crime and is the Muslim religion successful in removing them? • How should we punish criminals and should we have shariah law in the UK? • To what extent should Muslims forgive criminals, if Islam believes Allah is merciful?

You will complete two exams at the end of year 11, both of which are1 hour 45 minutes. They each count for 50% of your grade.

If you choose GCSE Religious Studies you do not have to be religious yourself!This course will help you to understand a range of beliefs, to analyse andexplain your own beliefs and to consider a number of challenging but crucialmoral issuesfacing oursociety today.

Edexcel BTEC Level 1/2First Award in Sport


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The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Sport has been designed to provide an engaging and stimulating introduction to the world of sport. The qualification builds on learning from Key Stage 3 for those who may wish to explore a vocational route throughout Key Stage 4. The course has three core units that all students must complete and then students complete a further, optional specialist unit which will be selected at the beginning of the year. Core units: 1 Fitness for Sport and Exercise 2 Practical Sports Performance 3 Applying the Principles of Personal Training Optional specialist units: 4 The Mind and Sports Performance 5 The Sports Performer in Action 6 Leading Sports Activities

The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Sport includes one externally assessed unit. This will help learners as they progress either into higher levels of vocational learning or to related academic qualifications, by providing independent assessment evidence of learning alongside the portfolio-based assessment. This approach will also assist learners in developing a range of transferable skills, and in applying their knowledge in unfamiliar contexts. The remaining units are internally assessed. Internal assessment enables learners to develop a wider range of skills and provide evidence towards meeting the unit assessment criteria. Evidence for assessment can be generated through a range of activities, including written work, practical performance and verbal presentations.

Please note you cannot take the following combinations of subjects:• GCSE Cambridge National in Sports Studies and BTEC Level 1/2 First Award in Sport

OCR Level 1/2 CambridgeNational Certificate inSport Studies


Students have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge about different types of sport and physical activity, skills development and sports leadership to their own practical performance. Students will learn about contemporary issues in sport such as funding, participation, ethics and role models, and sport and the media. Students will develop an appreciation of sport locally and nationally, different ways of being involved in sport and of how this shapes the sports industry.

Mandatory Units: Contemporary issues in sport - written 1 hour exam. Developing sports skills - coursework Optional Units (all coursework): Sports Leadership Sport and the Media Working in the sports industry Developing knowledge and skills in outdoor activities.

Please note you cannot take the following combinations of subjects:• GCSE Cambridge National in Sports Studies and BTEC Level 1/2 First Award in Sport

BTEC Level 2 First award inChildren’s play, learning anddevelopment (CPLD)

Pick 1 subject and a reserve choice4Option

Do you want to work with children? Do you want to gain a broad knowledge and understanding of, and develop skills in, the early years sector, for example, of child development and using play to promote child development? Do you want to developed to reflect recent thinking and research in the early years sector? If so, the children’s play, learning and development course is for you. The course includes three key units to be studied, one of which is an externally assess exam and two of which are assessed via a variety of different assignments and coursework. These key units will cover the essential knowledge and understanding that learners need to develop a sound foundation of knowledge with child development and the chid care and related sectors of the workforce.

Component 1: Children’s Growth and Development - Assignment based assessment - Understand the characteristics of children’s development from birth to five years old. - Explore factors that affect growth and development. Component 2: Learning Through Play - Assignment based assessment - Understand how children play. - Demonstrate how children’s learning can be supported through play. Component 3: Supporting Children to Play, Learn and Develop - Exam based assessment This component builds on knowledge, understanding and skills acquired and developed in Components 1 and 2, and includes synoptic assessment. Learners will complete activities related to children’s play, learning and development, and will plan how to support children with individual needs.

The course will be mainly assessed through assignment based coursework and an exam unit at the end of the course.

Drama

Taking GCSE Drama will help you to develop skills in leadership, team working, problem solving and assertiveness. You will take on key roles including acting, devising and designing. You will work on both independent and collaborative performances to communicate a variety of different character types on stage. In addition to performance skills you will also study theatrical design and production, examining the costume, backdrops, lighting and sound used in performances. You will consider a wide range of plays, including Blood Brothers by Willy Russell. You will analyse and perform extracts from a range of published plays allowing you to develop your understanding of both language and performance.

You will complete three units: Unit 1: Devising Drama is internally assessed (40%) Unit 2: Texts in Practice (Practical) (20%) Unit 3: Understanding Drama is a written exam paper (40%)

GCSE AQA 8261 Pick 1 subject and a reserve choice4Option

MusicGCSE Eduqas 601/8131/X Pick 1 subject and a reserve choice

4Option

We’ll help you to grow your skills across music. As a performer, you’ll work with one of our specialist teachers to build your performance skills by learning to play an instrument of your choice. As a composer, we’ll teach you how to compose music to a brief as well as composing music in a style that you choose. You’ll have access to our Music ICT Suite where you can use advanced music writing software to create your master pieces. In addition to performance you will also develop your understanding of a range of music genres. Our GCSE specification includes a section dedicated to the history of pop music, from 1950’s Rock ‘n’ Roll to today’s solo artists. In music listening, you’ll sharpen up your ears and learn about music from across history and around the world.

You will be assessed in three main areas: Performing (30%) Composing (30%) Written exam listening paper (40%)

You must be prepared to learn to play an instrument.

Documents

Year 8 Options - kingshurst.tgacademy.org.uk