ENGLISH and ENGLISH LITERATURE

Eaton Bank School

Congleton

February 2010

Dear Students

You have important decisions to make in the next few weeks. The choices you make will influence your future. Over the next two years, during your GCSE, BTEC or Diploma course, you will acquire knowledge, skills and personal qualities that will equip you for successful and happy lives. This year there are even more choices than ever with a range of new qualifications.

Fortunately, you do not have to make these decisions alone. Parents and teachers will be more than willing to help. Make sure that you read carefully all of the course descriptions given in this booklet. Ask the subject teachers questions if you are unsure. Consult the Connexions team. Talk to students already studying the courses. In short, do your homework so that when you come to Options Evening on Thursday 4th February, you will already have some ideas about which options you would like to choose.

The meeting will be in the hall at Eaton Bank School and it will begin at 7.00pm. Mr Roberts and I will talk to you about the experiences that you can expect during the two years. Afterwards, Heads of Department and Diploma deliverers will be available for you to ask questions about specific subjects. This should enable you to make your final decisions. Options Forms must then be given in on Friday 12th February.

If you are worried and need guidance before the Options Evening you can talk to me or any of your other teachers. We are here to help!

Yours sincerely

Ann Webb

Deputy Head

Welcoming you to your KS4 Studies at Eaton Bank

This is an important time for you. The next two years will be significant in shaping your future careers. We want you to succeed and will support you every step of the way.

Our pledge

We will provide a learning environment that is stimulating and supportive so that all of you can reach your potential.

We will guide you through making appropriate decisions.

Our expectations

We will expect you to follow a broad and balanced curriculum.

We will have very high expectations of all of you.

We will expect you to work hard and manage your time effectively.

We will encourage you to take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

Your Courses at Key Stage 4

This booklet contains details of all of the subjects at Key Stage 4, including both the compulsory and optional subjects.

Compulsory Subjects:

GCSE English
GCSE English Literature
GCSE Mathematics
GCSE Science – Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Physical Education
Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic Education
IT– OCR Nationals

Optional Subjects: You must choose either FOUR other GCSE subjects or opt to study one of the diplomas on offer which take roughly the same time as 5-6 GCSEs:

GCSE Options

This gives you great freedom of choice but also requires you to show responsibility and choose wisely.

It is very important that you study a broad curriculum so that you leave your options for the future as varied as possible. We strongly recommend that you choose a broad selection from Design Technology, Humanities, ICT, Modern Foreign Languages, Physical Education and a Visual or Performing Arts course.

BTEC Firsts

BTEC Firsts are Level 2 qualifications that are the equivalent of traditional GCSEs at grades A* to C. In 2007, there was a 50% increase in BTEC uptake across schools in the UK. There are currently over 60 BTEC First qualifications available and at Eaton Bank we intend to offer a number of BTEC Firsts across a range of subjects. Teachers will guide students towards BTECs if they feel that these courses will help them to secure their best possible outcomes.

BTEC qualifications are delivered and assessed by our teaching staff who use a variety of assessment opportunities appropriate to the outcomes being assessed. These may include, for example, projects, presentations and case studies. Outcomes are measured using grading criteria, or Pass, Merit or Distinction. All assessment is quality assured through internal verification and sampled through a range of external verification activities led by Edexcel, one of the examination bodies.

The Diploma

In 2008 a new qualification for 14-19 year olds, at three levels, was introduced – The Diploma. The Diploma is a qualification based around employment sectors, combining academic study with practical experience. Students will study Diplomas alongside the compulsory subjects. It takes broadly the same time as 5-6 GCSEs and will be offered at Level 1 and 2 depending on the aptitude of the student. Please read through the booklet to the section on Diplomas to find out more information.

Supporting You Through Your Key Stage 4 Courses

You will be guided every step of the way. Your Tutor and Head of House will play a key role in monitoring your progress across all of your subjects. You will be shown how to study effectively, prepare for examinations and manage your time. If you require support at any time you can talk to your Form Tutor as well as your subject teacher.

Some students will receive additional support on our Assertive Mentoring Programme. This will provide focused support for those students where, for whatever reason, it is felt that they are not maximising their potential. Mentoring involves meeting with a mentor on a regular basis for a one-to-one progress discussion. You will review your achievements to date and set targets for improvement. Your parents will be kept informed, as appropriate, throughout the mentoring process.

Skills For Life

We believe that there are skills that need to be developed to prepare you for your future as adult citizens.

Work Experience

All students will have a Work Experience Placement. The placement currently lasts for one week. During that time you will be in a real work place environment whether it be a bank, laboratory, factory, shop, school or office. You will be able to select from a wide range of experiences, the one that most suits you. You also have the possibility to organise a placement yourself to guarantee it is appropriate! A successful work placement is as important as a qualification. Employers are keen to find out about what you did on work placement and particularly, what you learnt.

Information & Communication Technology

Information and Communication Technology is of central importance, whatever your chosen subject combination. At Eaton Bank School, as well as learning to use the usual industry-standard software such as databases, spreadsheets and word processing, you will be encouraged to use ICT as a tool. In all subject areas you will be able to use the internet to research topics and broaden your understanding of each subject.

Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic Education.

Beyond the Key Stage 4 courses we believe that education has an even broader function – that is to more fully understand the world in which we live. To achieve that aim, we focus the PSHCEE carousel throughout Year 10 and Year 11 on issues related to health, relationships, financial education and understanding the effect we as individuals can have on a local or global stage.

Students will complete a two-year course based on the following modules:

Year 10Moral IssuesSex and Relationships Education

Careers/Progress FileGlobal Citizenship

Year 11Crime and PunishmentHealthy Relationships

Finance CapabilityCareers/Progress File

Students have the opportunity to enhance their skills in areas such as debate and presentation, research and the analysis of a wide variety of issues. Each module of the course will last for approximately 8 weeks with an assessment at the end of each topic area.

One of the most important aims of the PSHCEE carousel is to realise awareness of issues that may at some stage affect some or all of us – this time is to be used to ask questions – Why is safer sex important? What does APR mean? Why doesn’t “LIFE” mean “LIFE”? How can I make a change that will affect someone on the other side of the world? – to name but a few.

‘The Eaton Bank Challenge’ is a range of experiences which aims to develop the skills and competencies of our students. These experiences go beyond the requirements of the National Curriculum and aim to develop ‘the whole learner’ and prepare them for all aspects of life and not just academic success. They have been agreed by the staff, students and governors of the school.

The ‘Eaton Bank Challenge’ is based on the principle that ‘Every Individual Matters’ and should be:

Healthy
Safe
Enjoying and Achieving
Making a positive contribution
Experiencing economic well-being
Having local access to opportunities

Students will be involved in the following activities at some stage in their time

at Eaton Bank:

A Performing Arts experience
Democracy in action

Fund raising for charity
An ecological awareness experience
A Community action project
Work / vocational experience
A sporting experience
A residential experience

A competitive experience

A spiritual experience
A regional and an international learning experience
A presentation to outside agencies
An opportunity to lead
Having a voice
Delivering an assembly
Being part of the running of the school for a day
A one to one meeting with a senior member of staff

A Careers programme
A social event
An outward bound event

Being part of a family

Survival skills

A multi cultural experience

Work Related Learning and Enterprise

During Key Stage 4, all students will have the opportunity to learn in the “work” environment, they will be encouraged to take risks, manage finances and develop an awareness of business. They will support and develop their learning in real world problem based, collaborative projects. Students will have responsibility for the project’s development and the finished product!

Beyond the Classroom

The Curriculum in Year 10 and 11 is not just about studying. Examination success is clearly a vital aspect of your schooling, but at Eaton Bank School we will encourage you to look for opportunities beyond the classroom. As individuals, we all need to balance work with play. You will be able to select from a wide range of extracurricular activities. These will include: school productions involving drama, dance and music; fashion shows; pop festivals; sporting activities and a wide range of activity clubs.

Your Future

It will not be long before you start to look and think beyond your courses at the end of Year 11. Staying on at the Eaton Bank Sixth Form Centre will provide you with the opportunity to carry on your studies, eventually to ‘A’ Level. At the Sixth Form Centre, you will be taught by teachers who already know you. You will have your own Centre with I.C.T. facilities and a social area. During Year 11 you will be given a Sixth Form Prospectus and an Application Form and your teachers will advise you as to which courses are most suitable for you.

Careers guidance will be an important aspect of your time in Year 10 and 11. All students are entitled to a careers interview with Connexions. Mrs Rowarth, (Connexions) and Mr Turner (Work Related Learning, Careers & Enterprise Coordinator) will provide you with the support that you need in finding the most suitable career path for you. During the two years there will be opportunities for you to develop interview skills and master the technique of application writing. Representatives from the world of work will come to school to explain to you about their job, the qualifications needed and future career progression. You will have the opportunity to attend careers fairs and, of course, you will have your Work Experience Placement in Year 10.

The following courses are offered at Eaton Bank School

Catering

Graphic Products

Product Design

Resistant Materials

Business Studies

Business Communications

ICT

CiDA – Certificate in Digital Applications

Geography

History

Religious Studies

French

German

Spanish

Art & Design

Art – Textiles

Dance

Drama

Music

Physical Education

Certificate in Salon Services (Hairdressing/Beauty Therapy) in collaboration with Macclesfield College

Diploma in Engineering in collaboration with Macclesfield College

Diploma in Manufacturing in collaboration with Macclesfield College

Diploma in Society, Health and Development in collaboration with Macclesfield College

The Land Based Diploma in collaboration with Reaseheath College in Nantwich

The Diploma can not be studied with any other options

Choosing from this list needs to be done carefully. An example of a broad choice would be Dance, D&T – Product Design and Geography or Business Studies, Drama or Art. However, it would be possible to double up in one area choosing, for example,

History, Religious Studies and Physical Education

ICT, D & T - Catering, and D & T - Product Design

French, Spanish and Music

It would not be possible, or wise, to choose 3 subjects which were too similar such as:

Art & Design, Art - Textiles

Dance, Drama and Music

Business Communications, Business Studies and CiDA

Geography, History and Religious Studies

You need to think about your selection carefully and ask questions if you are unsure.

Once you have made your choices and returned your form to your tutor, we will look at your selections and discuss them with students who the teachers feel have not chosen wisely. Parents will be invited to be part of this process.

The rest of this booklet gives you details of all of the courses on offer so that you can make an informed decision.

1. Core Subjects

2. Options Across the Curriculum

3. Options Form

English Language and English Literature

Head of Department : Miss Shelley Boswell

How are you reading this? How do you learn and pass on what you learn to others?

You are already an expert at English, and your GCSE courses in English Language will help you build upon and develop further the key skills of communication. The courses will help you understand and use both written and spoken words. English Literature helps us share the lives of other people and often puts into words experiences we all have, but in an exciting and interesting manner.

In your English studies you will be involved in reading novels, stories, plays and poems as well as studying newspaper and magazine articles, films and television.

EXAMINATION ASSESSMENT:

All students will be assessed for English Language and English Literature. Their results will be based on their performance in external examination which will be 40% of their total GCSE English Language marks and 60% Controlled Assessment. English Literature will be assessed in external examination which will be 75% of their total marks and 25% will be Controlled Assessment

The syllabus for 2010 is outlined below.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE (AQA Syllabus)

Unit 1: Understanding and Producing Non-Fiction Texts

Unit 2: Speaking and Listening

Unit 3: Understanding Spoken and Written texts and Writing Creatively

ENGLISH LITERATURE (AQA Syllabus)

Unit 1: Exploring Modern Texts

Unit 2: Poetry Across Time

Unit 3: The Significance of Shakespeare and the English Literary Heritage

Unit 4: Approaching Shakespeare and the English Literary Heritage

Unit 5: Exploring Poetry

For the terminal examinations, candidates will be entered for 1 of 2 tiers:

Tiers of Entry Possible Obtainable Grades

Foundation (F)G,F,E,D,C.

Higher (H)D,C,B,A,A*

COMMITMENTS/DEADLINES:

Homework assignments will be set regularly over the two years of the course and will be marked by subject staff. Moderating procedures will be standardised externally. It is important that students are responsible in planning their workload over time and meeting the stipulated deadlines.

Media Studies

In a world where the media is becoming a more significant part in people’s lives it is imperative that we prepare our students to respond critically and thoughtfully to the media texts around them. Therefore, every GCSE student studying English will also gain a qualification in Media studies. Some students will take an additional qualification in GCSE Media, whilst others will study for a BTEC in Creative Media. This is an exciting opportunity and students’ teachers will decide on the qualification suitable for the group.

Mathematics

Head of Department: Mr L Marling

Recently there have been two national changes to GCSE Mathematics. There are now only 2 levels of entry:

Higher - grades A* to D

and Foundation - grades C to G

This brings Mathematics into line with all other GCSE subjects.

There is no coursework requirement. (Although GCSE statistics still has a coursework component.)

With the advent of this new structure, we here at Eaton Bank have taken the opportunity to tailor the Mathematics courses we offer better to the needs and aspirations of our students.

We want to prepare Sets H1 and H2 for AS/A2 Mathematics

These sets will study for 2 GCSEs in Mathematics

GCSE Mathematics (OCR GCSE Mathematics A ~ J567)

and

GCSE Statistics (AQA Statistics 3311)

Both courses are linear.

Assessment:

GCSE Statistics1 x 2.5 hour written paper75%June of Year 10

1 piece of coursework25%during Year 10

GCSE Mathematics2 x 1hr 45min written papers100%June of Year 11

We want students in sets H3, H4, F1 and F2 to achieve a GCSE grade C+

These sets will follow the OCR GCSE Mathematics (J567 or J562) course.

These courses are linear. The modular option is no longer available for June 2012.

We want students in sets F3 and F4 to study Maths practically

These students will also follow the OCR GCSE Mathematics C modular course, BUT will complete it in Year 10.

Assessment:

The best 2 module scores from 3 attempts50%across Year 10