What your child
will be learning in
Key Stage 4
Parental Guide to the KS4 Curriculum
2012-2013
Dear Parents
The purpose of this booklet is to inform you how you can support your child’s learning in at Key Stage 4.
If you have any questions about the overall curriculum, or anything contained in this booklet, please contact: Andrew Mead, Deputy Headteacher (phone: 01258 451121 ext. 213, or e-mail: ). For questions regarding individual subject content, please contact the staff listed below:
Subject / Subject leader / E-mail addressEnglish / Mr S. Gillett /
Maths / Mr J. Knightbridge /
Science / Rev. T. Meachin /
Art / Mrs G. Amey /
Dance / Miss C. Kelly /
Design & Technology / Mr C. Ellis /
Drama and Performing Arts / Mrs B. Mutimer /
MFL / Ms L Guégan /
Geography / Mrs C. Hide /
History / Mr P Harrison /
ICT / Mrs K. Tylor /
Music / Mr J P Dubock /
PE / Mr B. Williams /
PSRE / Mr S. Harrow /
Heads of Year: Year 10: Mr G Clarke ()
Year 11: Mr A Young ()
Deputy Headteacher: Mr A Mead ()
The Blandford School
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
How you can support your child in:
English
Within the English Faculty students are divided into new classes which are designed to meet the needs of our different students.
- AQA English Language and Literature
Most students will study for two separate qualifications in Language and Literature and will be taught in mixed ability classes where they will do both controlled assessments and examinations
- AQA English
Some students will work towards a single English qualification which will include both Language and Literature work which is assessed through controlled assessments and an examination.
- AQA Entry Level
A few students will be in smaller classes which offer additional support by a teacher assistant. Although beginning with the basic skills of the Entry Level course, it is hoped that most if not all students will pick up GCSE English later in the two year KS4 cycle.
GCSE English Language
External examination
40% of the total GCSE marks
2 hours,15 minutes ~ 80 marks
Section A: Reading
20% of the total GCSE marks ~ 40 marks
Section B: Writing
20% of the total GCSE marks ~ 40 marks
Unit 3: Understanding spoken and written texts and
Controlled Assessment
40% of the total GCSE marks ~ 80 marks
Part a: Extended reading
15% of the total GCSE marks ~ 3–4 hours 30 marks
Part b: Creative writing
15% of the total GCSE marks ~ 3–4 hours 30 marks
Part c: Spoken Language Study
10% of the total GCSE mark ~ 2–3 hours 20 marks
Unit 2: Speaking and Listening
Speaking and Listening Controlled Assessment
20% of the total GCSE marks( 45 marks)
GCSE English Literature
External examination ~ Unit 1: Exploring modern texts
40% of the total GCSE marks - 1 hour 30 mins (60 marks)
Section A: Modern prose or drama
20% of the total GCSE marks - 45 mins (30 marks)
Section B: Exploring cultures
20% of the total GCSE marks - 45 mins(30 marks)
PLUS
External examination~ Unit 2: Poetry across time
35% of the total GCSE marks
1 hour 15 mins(54 marks)
Section A: Poetry cluster from the Anthology
23% of the total GCSE marks
45 mins (36 marks)
Section B: Responding to an unseen poem
12% of the total GCSE marks
30 mins(18 marks)
Higher Tier: Candidates answer one compulsory question about the poem (18 marks).
Foundation Tier: Candidates answer one compulsory question about the poem. The question will be in two parts (18 marks).
• Part a will ask candidates about the ideas in the poem.
• Part b will ask candidates to write about the methods used by the poet.
Unit 3: The significance of Shakespeare and the English Literary Heritage
Candidates complete one Controlled Assessment task which asks them to make links between a play from Shakespeare and any other text, of any genre, from the English (or Welsh or Irish) Literary Heritage (40 marks). They may draw on multi-modal versions of the texts, for example stage productions, film and/or audio versions to enrich and inform their understanding of the text.
GCSE English(Single Entry)
External examination
40% of the total GCSE marks
2 hours15 minutes -80 marks
Section A: Reading
20% of the total GCSE marks - 40 marks
Section B: Writing
20% of the total GCSE marks - 40 marks
Unit 2: Speaking and Listening
Controlled Assessment
20% of the total GCSE marks
45 marks
Unit 3: Understanding and producing creative texts
Controlled Assessment
40% of the total GCSE marks
6–8 hours - 90 marks
Part a: Understanding creative texts (literary reading)
20% of the total GCSE marks 3–4 hours - 45 marks
Part b: Producing creative texts
20% of the total GCSE marks 3–4 hours - 45 marks
Entry Level English
Three levels of award are available: Entry 1, Entry 2 and Entry 3. Candidates should submit for assessment and moderation evidence from five component units as follows:
Reading
Candidates should submit evidence for two units:
One Reading unit based on literary material 9 marks
One Reading unit based on non-literary material 9 marks
At least one of the units must be an externally-set core unit.
Units will be internally assessed and externally moderated.
+
Writing
Candidates should submit evidence for two units, each worth 9 marks. At least one of the units must be an externally-set core unit.
Units will be internally assessed and externally moderated.
+
Entry Level Certificate Speaking and Listening
Candidates should submit evidence for one unit worth 9 marks.
This unit must be an externally-set core unit and will be internally assessed and externally moderated.
Book Club
This year Miss Biggs and Mrs Rees are going to start a new reading group aimed at GCSE and A level students who would like to share and discuss the novels (and perhaps poetry) they are reading or have read. The group will meet on Tuesday lunch times each week in 305 and will be open to all interested students.
Maths
Students start their GCSE course in the Summer Term of Year 9 after their KS3 SATs in the March of that year. Students will sit either the Higher tier (grades A* to D) or Foundation tier (grades C to G) of the Edexcel linear exam (2MB01), this is broadly based on what ability group the students are in.
Set 1 and 2 will always cover the Higher Tier syllabus although there may be some students in set 2 who will be entered for Foundation (a decision has to be made before the February of year 11).
Sets 3,4 and 5 will cover the Foundation tier syllabus although some set 3 classes will be covering aspects of the Higher tier syllabus, this allows us the opportunity to move students up an ability group during years 10 and 11 and thus providing the opportunity for the student to achieve a grade B.
Students will sit two exams at the end of year 11, a non calcualtor paper and a calculator paper, both 1hr 45m long. There is no coursework, no modules and no practical work required.
Every student on the GCSE course will sit a mock exam at the end of each term, the results of which are used to identify topics that the students are good at and topics that need more development. Their Maths teacher will use the data to plan interventions to help all students overcome any difficulties.
The Maths Pages of FROG have further information including;
Grade descriptors / Links on how you can help your child / Link to a student copy of the syllabus via the GCSE tab / Help is always availableThere are further links at the bottom of the Maths FROG page to the MyMaths and MathsWatch revision materials.
Science
- Useful revision websites
On FROG – go to SUBJECTS then SCIENCE then GCSE Science
- Exam/coursework weighting and Controlled Assessments - what they are andhow students can prepare for them
Coursework is worth 25% of each GCSE in science and takes place during normal lessons (but under exam conditions). They are called ISAs, each one takes about 4 lessons and includes 2 written examinations. You must be present for all 4 lessons in order to complete the ISA. You can’t retake an ISA. Each written exam is worth 25% of the GCSE. If you are taking Further Science you will do an ISA for each subject (i.e. 3). If you are not taking Further Science you will do an ISA for Core Science and an ISA for Additional Science. For all examinations and ISAs your literacy skills will be very important. Being able to write neatly, spell correctly and read scientific English will help you – read scientific articles to help prepare for this.
- The exam board
AQA
- Key dates
ISAs will take place in the Autumn and Spring terms. The dates will be published early in the Autumn term so that you can ensure that you are able to attend the lessons involved. For year 10 students starting GCSE sciences in September 2012 all your examinations will be in the summer of year 11.
- How students can prepare for exams
Working on past papers is an excellent way of doing this.
We strongly advise you to buy a revision guide – you will receive information about this early in the Autumn term – we proved them much cheaper than you could buy them in a bookshop.
- Useful equipment
It is essential to bring pens (black is required for controlled assessment and examinations), pencils and an eraser, 30cm ruler, a protractor and a calculator to all science lessons.
- Newspapers/magazines that they might want to subscribe to
Many newspapers include a section about science, environment or technology.
They also have websites e.g.
Most public libraries will stock science magazines such as ‘New Scientist’, National Geographic, Scientific American, and Nature. They also often have good websites e.g.
Art (AQA GCSE Fine Art)
Useful revision websites:
- BBC BITESIZE Art and Design,
- Tate Britain,
- National Gallery, London,
- MOMA,
- National Portrait Gallery,
Exam/coursework weighting:
- Coursework 60%; Exam work 40%.
- Students work for four terms on their coursework and one term on their exam work. Students will complete three Units for their coursework and the best two arepicked. Students have to produce a final piece that has all the research for it. This research includes thoroughartist research related to the topic, experiments and media tests, subject matter investigated that informs the student'sideas and their development. Sixty out of eighty of the marks are awardedforthe sketchbook research work.
Success criteria (where appropriate)
Below are the assessment criteria that your art work will be marked against. Every project you complete is marked and the same marking criteria are always used. Make sure you understand what each box means so that you can work hard to reach your full potential in regards of each area.
This is the marking details produced by the exam board, AQA:AO1 / AO2 / AO3 / AO4
Develop their ideas through investigations informed by contextual and other sources demonstrating analytical and cultural understanding. / Refine their ideas through experimenting and selecting appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes. / Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to their intentions in visual and/or other forms. / Present a personal, informed and meaningful response demonstrating analytical and critical understanding, realising intentions and where appropriate, making connections between visual, written, oral or other elements.
This is what it actually means:
AO1 / AO2 / AO3 / AO4
Looking at artists, craftspeople and designers to help your work. Showing that you can analysis art that inspires you and showing that you understand the cultural background to the art. / Using lots of different materials like painting and printing. Experimenting to see what works and what doesn’t. Improving your work as it progresses. / Writing and drawing your ideas out – making these ideas link to your research from A01. This includes brainstorming – visually and written. Drawing from objects in front of you. / This is the work that you make at the end of the project (it might not just be one piece). This should be linked to your inspirations (A01), your experiments (A02) and your drawings and finished ideas (A03).
For studentsaiming to achieve an 'A' grade in Art, students need to show:
- Thoroughly researched work in all areas which includesconfident and competent drawing and experimental work, very knowledgeable about the characteristics of their chosen media and the art elements, reflecting through all their researchtheir intent and knowledge of the artists and all techniques used in their work and the work of others.
- Attention to finedetail and understanding of light direction and how to achieve these elements in their work helps to make a more refined final piece.
For students aiming to achieve a 'B' grade in Art, students need to show:
- Sound observational recording skills using drawing as well as other methods like photography.
- Good research skills, reflecting their interests, experimentsand knowledge of the media and materials used works well in developing their pieces.
For students aiming to achieve a 'C' grade in Art, students need to show:
- How they carefully plot their projects, developing their skills to show good presentation and care in the sketchbook.
- Understanding how to achieve good composition and balance in their work helps the final composition as well as students reviewing their work using connectives helps to secure a pass grade.
Key dates:
- December 2013 Coursework should be completed.
- January 2014 Exam paper handed out.
- Mid March 2014 ten hour exam time starts.
How students can prepare for exams:
- Completion of all tasksset are reflective of all the necessaryassessment objectives . Drawings of the chosen subject matter are important aswell asthe experimenting, ideas and development and artist connections. All these need to be reflected in the final piece/s along with reviews as well as justifying their choices.
Controlled Assessments - what they are andhow students can prepare for them:
- Students have to show 45 hours worth of work in their two courseworkprojects. This work can be seen in their sketchbook research workas well as their two finalpieces.
The timings of lunchtime and after school clubs:
- Two after school sessions are held every week and often the art rooms are open during lunchtimes. Students can work in any room and use the advice of any teacher in those particular rooms as well as their usual GCSE teacher.
Useful equipment:
- The Art Department put together material packs so that all students have the main artist materials to start the course. This includes for £12; set of paintbrushes, watercolour tin, rubbers, pencil set, A3sketchbook, A3 wet weather plastic folder. If you tried toget the same quality of materials from agood art retailer it would cost a lot more.
- We would strongly suggest that students also invest in a pack of acrylic paints so that they can complete work at home.
Newspapers/magazines:
- Newspaper articles about artists, art works and exhibitions are always useful to have so that students can quote from them or stick them into their books. These could be put into a scrap book.
Business Studies
Exam board: OCR
Exam/coursework weighting:
Belief and Ethics
At KS4 students study two courses: Religion & Life and Religion & Society examined by EdExcel.
The Units studied include:
Religion & Life
Believing in God
Matters of Life and Death
Marriage & Family Life
Religion and Community Cohesion
Assessed by a 90 minute exam at the end of Year 11: 50% of total mark.
Religion & Society
Rights & Responsibilities
Environmental & Medical Ethics
Conflict & Peace
Crime & Punishment
Assessed by a 90 minute exam at the end of Year 11: 50% of total mark.
Key dates:
May 2013: Yr 10 Mock exam
Nov 2013: Yr 11 Mock exam
May 2014: 2 x 90 minute GCSE exams
Exam Preparation
- Students practice past exam questions throughout the course.
- Homework tasks on FROG comprising key word tests and past questions
- Mark schemes available on FROG for students to self assess their work
- Revision Guides for both courses on FROG with practice questions and key exam information
- Revision sessions prior to exams
Extra study recommendations:
Students would do well to be aware of any moral issues arising in the news or in film/tv programmes. Also news items showing the impact of religion and beliefs on society/global affairs.
Dance
Exam Board: AQA GCSE Dance
Useful revision websites/background reading
Specification and Set Dance: Unit 2
AQA GCSE Dance: Student's Book ISBN-13: 978-1408504192
Exam/coursework weighting and Controlled Assessments
Written Exam: Unit 1
Candidates will answer a short and concise written paper focusing on their knowledge of two professional dance works.
20% of final grade