Units/Modules

Component 01: Computer systems (Exam)

Component 02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming (Exam)

Course Description

Computer Science is the study of computational thinking. This involves lots of different aspects of problem solving and computational theory. In the problem solving sections of the course, you will learn how to break down problems of wide ranging complexity into identifiable inputs, processes and outputs. This can then be turned into algorithms (modelled using flowcharts and pseudo code), which you will then learn to convert into actual program code, using programming languages like Python.

When studying computational theory, you will learn all the concepts of how a computer actually works. You will learn how data and program instructions are stored and executed, how networks communicate, the everyday threats facing a network and how we can combat those threats along with a look at the legal and ethical framework that Computer Scientists must operate within.

Course Assessment

Component 01: Computer systems (90 minute examination: 50%)

Introduces students to the central processing unit (CPU), computer memory and storage, data representation, wired and wireless networks, network topologies, system security and system software. It also looks at ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns associated with computer science.

Component 02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming(90 minute examination: 50%)

Students apply knowledge and understanding gained in component 01. They develop skills and understanding in computational thinking: algorithms, programming techniques, producing robust programs, computational logic and translators.

Students are to be given the opportunity to undertake a programming task(s) during their course of study which allows them to develop their skills to design, write, test and refine programs using a high-level programming language. Students will be assessed on these skills during the written examinations, in particular component 02 (section B).

Potential Career and Progression Routes

A-Level Computer Science – Level 3 courses.

Studying computer science opens up a wide range of career pathways, given the ubiquitous nature of technology in today's world. Here are some common career paths for individuals with a background in computer science:

Software Developer/Engineer:

• Design, develop, test, and maintain software applications for various platforms and industries.

Web Developer:

• Create and maintain websites, web applications, and e-commerce platforms.

Data Scientist/Analyst:

• Analyse and interpret complex data sets to help organisations make informed decisions.

Network Administrator/Engineer:

• Design, implement, and manage computer networks to ensure efficient communication and data transfer.

Cloud Computing Specialist:

• Design, implement, and manage cloud-based solutions for businesses to enhance scalability and efficiency.

Mobile App Developer:

• Create applications for mobile devices, ranging from games to productivity tools.

Game Developer:

• Create interactive games for various platforms, working on both the design and programming aspects.

Units/Modules

French GCSE is made up of the following components:

25% Speaking

25% Listening

25% Reading

25% Writing

All exams are at the end of Year 11 and students can be entered for foundation tier (grades 1-5) or higher tier (grades 4-9)

Students can only be entered for one tier across all exams. The grading system is 9 (highest) -1 (lowest possible grade).

Course Description

We follow the AQA Exam in French. We study these three themes:

• Theme 1: People and lifestyle

• Theme 2: Popular culture

• Theme 3: Communication and the world around us

3.1.1 Theme 1: People and lifestyle

• Topic 1: Identity and relationships with others

• Topic 2: Healthy living and lifestyle

• Topic 3: Education and work

3.1.2 Theme 2: Popular culture

• Topic 1: Free-time activities

• Topic 2: Customs, festivals and celebrations

• Topic 3: Celebrity culture

3.1.3 Theme 3: Communication and the world around us

• Topic 1: Travel and tourism, including places of interest

• Topic 2: Media and technology

• Topic 3: The environment and where people live

Course Assessment

• Listening exam:This consists of a 35 minute exam for foundation tier and a 45 minute exam for higher tier. Students are assessed on their understanding of spoken extracts. 

• Reading exam:This is a 45 minute exam for foundation tier and 1 hour for higher tier. Students’ understanding of written language will be tested by a range of question types in English. 

• Speaking exam: There are 3 tasks - 

Role-play

Reading aloud task and short conversation 

Photo card discussion. 

• Writing exam: Foundation Tier (1 hour) Students will be required to produce a series of short written tasks in French with a translation. Higher Tier (1 hour 15 minutes) Students will be required to produce short and slightly longer written tasks with a translation in French.

Potential Career and Progression Routes

Learning a language opens doors to new countries, cultures, and experiences. It encourages strengths such as:

• Enhanced Problem Solving Skills.

• Improved Memory Function (long & short-term)

• Enhanced Creative Thinking Capacity.

It can lead into all career paths and is impressive to all employers!  

You could become:

• A Spy

• A translator or interpreter

• A CEO

• An influencer

• A teacher, and many more!

Units/Modules

There are three exams:

Paper 1 -  75 minute exam - Our Natural World 35%

• Global Hazards

• Changing Climate

• Distinctive Landscapes

• Sustaining Ecosystems

• Physical Geography Fieldwork 

Paper 2 - 75 minute exam - People & Society 35%

• Urban Futures

• Dynamic Development

• UK in the 21st Century

• Resource Reliance

• Human Geography Fieldwork

Paper 3 - 90 minute exam - Geographical Exploration30% 

• Students answer questions on information from a booklet.

• There are decision making questions where students have to justify their answer.

• Geographical   skills   are   assessed (Maps, statistics, graphs, photos…)

Course Description

Students travel the world from the classroom, exploring case studies in the U.K, new emerging economies (NEEs) and lower income countries (LICs). Topics of study include climate change, poverty, deprivation, global shifts in economic power and the challenge of sustainable resource use. Students are also encouraged to understand their role in society by considering different viewpoints, values and attitudes. We are proud of geography’s inclusion within the English Baccalaureate and its importance in the holistic development of students. This is an exciting and relevant course in a balanced framework of physical and human themes and investigates the link between them.

Potential Career and Progression Routes

Geography is the bridge across the arts and sciences. ‘A’ Level geography is an option that builds on the topics and skills learnt at GCSE. It’s often said that there is no such thing as a geography job; rather there are multiple jobs that geographers do. Examples of careers include:

• Environment & sustainability e.g conservation & landscape architecture

• Travel & tourism e.g TV researcher, travel writer

• Global issues e.g aid worker, human rights officer

• Physical systems e.g hazard management, meteorologist Society e.g marketing, advertising

Units/Modules

• Paper 1 Medicine in Britain, c1250-present and The British sector of the Western Front, 1914-18: injuries, treatment and the trenches (30%)  (1hr 15 mins)

• Paper 2 Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88 (20%), and The American West c1835 – c1895 (20%) (1 hour 45 mins)

• Paper 3 Weimar and Nazi Germany c.1918 - 1939 (30%) (1hr 20mins)

Course Description

Year 10

Throughout Year 10 we will study a range of time periods from medieval to the present day. 

Paper 2 units - ‘Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88. 

Paper 2 -‘The American West, c1835-c1895’. 

Year 11

Paper 3 topic. ‘Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39’. 

Course Assessment:

3 exams at the end of Year 11 – 100% of the GCSE grade 

Potential Career and Progression Routes

History is a very highly regarded and sought after subject. It leads to a wide range of careers and is one of the five subjects needed for the English Baccalaureate. History teaches interviewing and enquiry skills, suiting jobs which find out information – TV researcher, investigative reporter, market research, police etc. History requires extended, logical, reasoned debate in writing. It is essential for any job which requires writing reports, the Civil Service, law, journalism etc. Historical knowledge is essential for certain jobs, such as artist, architect, designer, librarian, archaeologist, archivist, tour guide etc. Historians solve problems and evaluate solutions- skills essential in management in industry and the public services, and in research and development teams in science and engineering.

Units/Modules

• Spanish GCSE is made up of the following components:

25% Speaking

25% Listening

25% Reading

25% Writing

• 
  All exams are at the end of Year 11 and students can be entered for foundation tier (grades 1-5) or higher tier (grades 4-9)

• Students can only be entered for one tier across all exams. The grading system is 9 (highest) -1 (lowest possible grade).

Course Description

We follow the AQA Exam in Spanish. We study these three themes:

• Theme 1: People and lifestyle

• Theme 2: Popular culture

• Theme 3: Communication and the world around us

3.1.1 Theme 1: People and lifestyle

• Topic 1: Identity and relationships with others

• Topic 2: Healthy living and lifestyle

• Topic 3: Education and work

3.1.2 Theme 2: Popular culture

• Topic 1: Free-time activities

• Topic 2: Customs, festivals and celebrations

• Topic 3: Celebrity culture

3.1.3 Theme 3: Communication and the world around us

• Topic 1: Travel and tourism, including places of interest

• Topic 2: Media and technology

• Topic 3: The environment and where people live

Course Assessment

• Listening exam: This consists of a 35 minute exam for foundation tier and a 45 minute exam for higher tier. Students are assessed on their understanding of spoken extracts. 

• Reading exam: This is a 45 minute exam for foundation tier and 1 hour for higher tier. Students’ understanding of written language will be tested by a range of question types in English. 

• Speaking exam: There are 3 tasks - 

Role-play

Reading aloud task and short conversation 

Photo card discussion. 

• Writing exam: Foundation Tier (1 hour) Students will be required to produce a series of short written tasks in Spanish with a translation. Higher Tier (1 hour 15 minutes) Students will be required to produce short and slightly longer written tasks in Spanish with a translation.

Potential Career and Progression Routes

Learning a language opens doors to new countries, cultures, and experiences. It encourages strengths such as:

• Enhanced Problem Solving Skills.

• Improved Memory Function (long & short-term)

• Enhanced Creative Thinking Capacity.

It can lead into all career paths and is impressive to all employers!  

You could become:

• A Spy

• A translator or interpreter

• A CEO

• An influencer

• A teacher, and many more!