Middle School Curriculum 2024-2026

GCSE Courses In the pages that follow, you will find details of the GCSE and IGCSE courses on offer to pupils who are starting Senior 10 in 2024. These comprise those which are mandatory for all pupils, and those which are optional. In each case, the specification codes have been included and more information on each course can be found by visiting examination board websites. The delivery of these courses has been developed and refined by our expert teachers in order to provide the best experience for our pupils. In terms of the subjects listed, it is worth noting the following: • For each subject, we have chosen the IGCSE or GCSE course that we feel provides the best educational experience and preparation for more advanced study. • Some subjects have Non-Examination Assessment (NEA) which contributes a significant amount to the final grade, and this may be in the form of performance and analysis, or a sustained independent project. For other subjects, the grade is wholly determined by attainment in terminal examinations. All examination times quoted do not include any extra time. • Occasionally, it is not possible for a pupil to study his or her chosen subjects because of timetable constraints. For this reason, we ask for a reserve option. • Courses will only run if there are sufficient pupils to make them viable.

Core Subjects

All pupils will take I/ GCSE examinations in:

• • •

English Language English Literature

Mathematics

Some pupils will also have the opportunity to take a Level 2 qualification in Further Mathematics.

Science Pupils can choose to take three separate sciences as individual IGCSEs (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) or they can choose to take IGCSE Double Award Science. The Double Award provides a broad curriculumwhich covers the core principles of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. As well as acquiring knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts, the course allows pupils to develop their analytical and logical thinking skills. As there is less content to cover, the course is suited to pupils who would benefit frommore time to consolidate their learning.

Double Award

Triple Award

The GCSE courses which make up the Middle School Curriculum can be summarised thus:

Number of IGCSEs awarded

3 – One for each Science based on the total marks across both papers for each individual Science.

2 - The final grades awarded will be two identical or consecutive grades (e.g. 9-8, 7-7 etc.) and will be derived from grade boundaries which consider the total mark across all three Sciences. 3 – One for each Science. Pupils will sit Paper 1 only in each Science. There is approximately a third less content in each Science compared to that covered for an IGCSE in each individual science.

English and Maths English Language English Literature Mathematics

Science

One Language

Any three further options

Chosen from French German Latin Mandarin Spanish

Chosen from Art Classical Civilisation Computer Science Dance Design & Technology

Double Award or Triple Award

German History Latin Mandarin Music Physical Education Religious Studies Spanish

Number of examinations

6 – Two for each Science. Pupils will sit Paper 1 and Paper 2 in each Science. All of the content in the specifications will be covered. Content in bold is Triple Award content only.

Amount of content

Drama French Geography

Curriculum time

Double and Triple Award Science will both be covered during the same number of lessons. Some content has already been covered in Senior 9. It is possible to take Science A-Levels having taken Double Award Science, but Triple Award Science is much better preparation for Science A-Levels and covers some of the areas which are studied in the first year of the A-Level courses.

3 GCSEs

2 or 3 GCSEs

1 GCSE

3 GCSEs

Preparation for A-Level

Languages

All pupils must take one language to GCSE. The language must have been studied previously in Senior 9 and will be chosen from:

• • • • •

French

German

Latin

Mandarin

Spanish

A second language may be studied as an optional subject.