English Language
GCSE Edexcel 1EN0
E-Bacc
Reading, writing, speaking and listening skills have already played an important role in your academic career. In order to succeed in all subjects, as well as in the world of work, you will need high-level, practical language skills. Studying English Language will prepare you for life after high school, no matter where it leads you.
What will I study?
GCSE English Language comprises of two main components: Reading: fiction and non-fiction; and Writing: fiction and non-fiction. There will also be a Speaking & Listening element, which will appear on your certificate but will not be part of the main qualification.
Throughout the course, you will study a range of themed units and get to grips with an interesting variety of fiction and non-fiction texts. These will include:
• Newspaper and magazine articles;
• Biographical and autobiographical writing;
• 19th Century fiction;
• Analytical essays;
• Persuasive texts (adverts, flyers, articles, etc.)
What would I enjoy about English Language?
GCSE English Language has something for everyone. Do you enjoy reading? You will engage with a range of different texts. Do you love creative writing? Narrative writing is a compulsory part of the examination. Would you love to run your own business? We will learn to write letters and advertisements to help you attract customers.
What careers is it useful for?
Success on the GCSE English Language course will provide you with essential life skills which you will find transferable in any walk of life that you choose to follow. The study of English can be applied to almost any career, but particularly: writer, teacher, journalist, translator, copywriter, etc. It is also an essential GCSE for KS5 and college entry.
A level and degree level English courses are also rich in opportunities to develop your knowledge of our complex and ever-changing language.
How is it examined?
As part of the raised expectation of the GCSE, there are no tiered papers nor are there internal or controlled assessments. Every student will sit the same two examinations at the end of year 11:
• Paper One: Fiction and Imaginative Writing
• Paper Two: Non-Fiction and Transactional Writing
We will monitor your progress with a series of internal assessments and practice papers. We will also provide opportunities for mock exams so that you will be well prepared for your final exams.
English Literature
GCSE Edexcel 1ET0
E-Bacc
Throughout years 7 and 8, you have read, discussed and analysed a huge range of literature, from Shakespeare to modern novels and poetry from around the world. GCSE English Literature draws upon all of these experiences to help you become a critical, thoughtful and lifelong reader.
What will I study?
GCSE English Literature comprises of four main components: Shakespeare; Post-1914 literature; 19th Century novel; Poetry since 1789. The texts you study will encompass a range of novels, plays and poems from across the history of British Literature. We will choose texts that will be both challenging and accessible to our students. Popular choices include:
• Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet; Macbeth
• Post-1914 literature: An Inspector Calls; Blood Brothers; Journey’s End
• 19th Century Fiction: A Christmas Carol; Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
• Poetry: all students will study a collection of 15 poems provided by the exam board. The poems will be thematically linked and written between 1789 and the present day.
What would I enjoy about English Literature?
If you love reading, you will find the range of texts we study in this GCSE inspiring and challenging. Literature also lends itself to debate and discussion. If you have strong opinions, you will have the chance to share them. Finally, those with an analytical mind-set will embrace the opportunity to examine how and why a writer has made particular decisions in crafting a text.
What careers is it useful for?
Success on the GCSE English Literature course will provide you with a deep understanding and love of reading and literature. It will equip you with the ability to learn, analyse and discover more about the world of books, poem and plays. The study of English Literature can be applied to almost any career, but particularly: writer, teacher, journalist, theatre practitioner, media careers. It is also an essential GCSE for KS5 and college entry.
A level and degree level English courses are also rich in opportunities to develop your knowledge of British and world literature and its varied history.
How is it examined?
As part of the raised expectation of the GCSE, there are no tiered papers nor are there internal or controlled assessments. Every student will sit the same two examinations at the end of Year 11:
Paper One: Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature
Paper Two: 19th Century Novels and Poetry since 1789
We will monitor your progress with a series of internal assessments and practice papers. We will also provide opportunities for mock exams, so that you will be well prepared for your final exams.
GCSE Edexcel 1MA1
E-Bacc
In order to study this subject at A-Level you must achieve highly in GCSE.
Every student will have to study Mathematics at GCSE level. The GCSE course will equip students with a higher understanding of mathematics with a level of confidence and fluency that will provide a genuine foundation for the rest of their learning and working lives.
What will I study?
Students will be following the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) curriculum in order to sit the examination GCSE (9-1) Mathematics (1MA1).
Overview of content
Number
Algebra
Ration, proportion and rates of change
Geometry and measures
Probability
Statistics
What would I enjoy about Maths?
The problem solving concept which allows students to build their own reasoning and understanding of the connection of mathematics in its logical form.
What careers is it useful for?
Employers recognise the potential of employees who have a strong base in disciplinary subjects. Even if you already have the maths skills you feel you need, but you don’t have a qualification to prove it, your skills could be easily overlooked when searching for jobs or trying for a promotion. Finally it’s worth mentioning the importance of maths when applying for a job regardless of industry. You may be familiar with requirements such as “Maths and English GCSEs or equivalent”.
How is it examined?
The total time of examination is 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Paper 1: Non calculator (1 hour 30 mins)
Paper 2: Calculator (1 hour 30 mins)
Paper 3: Calculator (1 hour 30 mins)
GCSE AQA Combined Science: Trilogy 8464 or Separate Sciences: GCSE Biology (8461), GCSE Chemistry (8462), GCSE Physics (8463)
E-Bacc
In order to study this subject at A-Level you must take it for GCSE.
This course aims to develop students’ skills and curiosity through investigative work and builds a scientific understanding of the world. Over the three years, students will study a variety of topics including how science is used in the workplace. Through field-work, practical work and theory based lessons, students will build on testing and evaluating scientific theories. Students will gain an understanding of the effects of science on society; knowledge of the material, physical and living worlds; observational, enquiry and problem-solving skills as well as skills in communication, Maths and Technology.
All students will start GCSE Combined Science in Year 9. Throughout this GCSE course, students will be assessed regularly and moved into science sets that support students in achieving the next grade above their current grade.
Separate Sciences: At the end of Year 10, the students within the top sets will have the chance to opt in for 'Separate Sciences' and study additional science content. This course counts as an extra GCSE (3 science GCSEs instead of 2). Students at Pinner High School take this on as an extra GCSE in addition to their 4 option subjects, and will learn the additional content required for this course in the same time that students have for combined science. Therefore, students who opt in for Separate Sciences will be expected to work at a faster pace in lessons, as well as achieving the top grades across all 3 sciences.
What will I study?
GCSE Biology: Cell biology; organisation; infection and response; bioenergetics; homeostasis and response; inheritance, variation and evolution; and ecology.
GCSE Chemistry: Atomic structure and the periodic table; bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; quantitative chemistry, chemical changes; energy changes; the rate and extent of chemical change; organic chemistry; chemical analysis, chemistry of the atmosphere; and using resources.
GCSE Physics: Energy; electricity; particle model of matter; atomic structure; forces; waves; magnetism and electromagnetism; and space physics.
What would I enjoy about science?
Science is essential to making sense of the world we live in and for developing our planet further. It helps us to answer important questions and build technologies to improve our lives. Studying science at GCSE will ensure you are equipped with the fundamental knowledge about the world in which we live in. Science teaches methods of enquiry and investigation to stimulate creative thought.
What careers is it useful for?
Science will develop a wide range of skills such as communication, problem-solving, analysis, observational and critical thinking. If you want to go on to train as a doctor, vet, physiotherapist, nurse, pharmacist, architect, psychologist, engineer, sports trainer, beautician, food technologist, oceanographer, equestrian studies, then a strong knowledge of at least one of the sciences will be required. There are thousands of other careers for which it will be similarly essential.
How is it examined?
Six written exam papers of 1 hour 15 Minutes each or 1 hour 45 minutes for the separate sciences.