gcse course outlines - hampton court house · 2014. 9. 6. · gcse course outlines gcse course...

GCSE Course Outlines

The GCSE Qualification is a two year process and requires hard

work and commitment on the part of both student and teacher. If a

student fails to put in the requisite amount of time, work and energy

the school reserves the right to withdraw them or not enter them for

any of the GCSE examinations.



hamptoncourthouse.co.uk • [email protected] • 020 8614 0857

W H Y S T U DY P H O T O G R A P H Y ?

Studying Photography for a GCSE is a highly respec-

ted ‘creative qualification’ that can help you to move

towards a creative career. Photography plays many

roles in our society from advertising and promotion to

fashion, sports, documentary and film.

W H AT I S T H E C OU R S E ?

Our Photography GCSE is structured in 3 ‘portfolio

projects’ over two years. These are: ‘Light’, ‘Movement’

and a ‘Chosen Exam Topic’. Students spend two terms

per project, producing a 20-page A2 portfolio with

practical experiments, visual studies and research; as

well as a finished 10-hour piece that realises their ideas.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Selwyn Leamy BA [email protected]

Selwyn is a professional artist who has

held a number of extremely successful

exhibitions and taken up residencies in both

Britain and Italy.

We want our students to build a strong visual language

in the rudimentary of Digital SLR photography,

Photoshop, animation, video and editing.

Students grow in self-confidence throughout the two-

year course, which provides them with a platform for a

lifelong interest and ability in photography and culture.

HCH GCSE students' photography work




The subject of computing is incredibly exciting. It

touches our lives from the cars we drive, to the movies

we watch, to the ways businesses and governments deal

with us. Understanding computing is a necessary skill

set for an educated person in the 21st century. Whether

you want to be a scientist, an engineer or the next Mark

Zuckerberg, studying computing will provide you with

valuable knowledge.

Computing is an incredibly creative subject. Creating

high-quality computing solutions is a highly creative

activity, and computing supports creative work in

many other fields. The best solutions in computing

exhibit high levels of elegance and beauty. Having a

computing GCSE will provide you with a foundation of

knowledge, problem solving and logical thinking that

will serve as a competitive advantage in your further

education and career, in whatever field you choose.

OCR Computing Course Details

This course gives students a real, in-depth understan-

ding of how computer technology works. The course

will give them an insight into what goes on ‘behind

the scenes’, including computer programming, which

many students find absorbing.

Students will develop critical thinking, analysis and

problem-solving skills, which can be transferred to

further learning and everyday life.

Students who wish to go on to higher study and em-

ployment in the field of computer science will find that

this course provides a superb stepping stone.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Ian Stoten B.Sc, PGCSE, M.Sc, MIFL, MBCS

Ian has a postgraduate from the University

of Surrey. He has a Master of Science and a

PGCE in Education and returns to London

after teaching at Central Nottingham

College; was an assistant housemaster at Frensham

Heights School for six years, where he was also Head

of ICT and Computing; Ian developed at Frensham a

passion for fencing with the Farnham and Aldershot

fencing club.

There are three units:

Computer systems and programming: this is assessed

by a written paper (1 hour 30 minutes), which has a

mixture of short- and long-answer questions.

Practical investigation: this will be on a topic chosen

from a set of options supplied by OCR (controlled

assessment).

Programming project: students create solutions to

computing tasks chosen from a set of options supplied

by OCR (controlled assessment).




E NG L I S H L A NGUAG E

English Language is essential for communicating

with others in school and in the wider world. It is also

fundamental to learning outcomes in all curriculum

subjects. In studying English at IGCSE, students conti-

nue to develop skills in speaking, listening, reading

and writing that they need to participate in society

and employment. The ICGSE is not only vital but it

is also an engaging course which allows students to

express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to

communicate with others confidently and effectively.

Teaching in all cases is to the Higher Tier which enables

awards in the A* to C range. Taken alongside English

Literature, the English Language grade is made up of

examination paper and five pieces of coursework (see

below).

The Examination

Paper One (4EAO/01) Reading and Writing.

70% – 60 marks (20 marks per section).

2 hour and 15 minute paper.

Section A – Reading – unseen passage with

comprehension style questions. (20 marks)

Section B – Reading and Writing – an article from

The Edexcel Anthology with comprehension style

questions. This is followed by a writing task based on

the above article. (20 marks)

Section C – Writing – one written piece testing the

ability to inform, explain and describe. (20 marks)

Coursework

Paper Three (4EAO/03) – Reading and Writing.

20% – 80 marks (40 for each assignment).

This unit consists of 2 written pieces of coursework:

Assignment 1 – critical/analytical writing based

on any text or texts from Section B of The Edexcel

Anthology (40 marks).

Assignment 2 – Writing to explore, imagine and

entertain (40 marks).

Paper Four (4EAO/04) – Speaking and Listening.

10% – 120 marks (40 for each assignment). This unit

is made up of 3 assignments/presentations:

i) individual, ii) pair work and iii) group work.

Set Texts

The Edexcel Anthology for IGCSE - this includes

pieces by Ellen MacArthur, Adeline Yen Mah, Joe

Simpson, Greenpeace, Sebastian Faulks, Wilfred

Owen, W. H. Auden, Guy de Maupassant etc.

Edexcel IGCSE English Language Student Book –

P. Taylor, R. Addison and D. Foster.

Gerry Cirillo MA [email protected]

Gerry is widely travelled and has a wealth of

teaching experience in countries and cultures

from the Sudan through Cairo to England.

ENGLISH




E NG L I S H L I T E R AT U R E

English Literature is as varied as it is inspirational. The

Edexcel IGCSE Literature ref lects the experiences of

people from many countries and times and contributes

to our sense of cultural identity. The IGCSE helps

students learn to become enthusiastic and critical

readers of stories, poetry and drama, gaining access

to the pleasure and world of knowledge that reading

offers. Looking at the patterns, structures, origins and

conventions of English also helps students understand

how language works. This is a good all rounder of a

course!

Teaching in all cases is to the Higher Tier which enables

awards in the A* to C range. To be taken alongside

English Language.

This is a 100% written examination course where stu-

dents are graded on their performance in two papers.

The Examinations

Paper One (4ETO/01) – Drama and Prose.

60% externally assessed paper – 60 marks (30 marks

per question). 1 hour and 45 minute paper.

Section A – Drama one choice from two questions on

J. B. Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’ (30 marks)

Section B – Prose – one choice from two questions on

John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ (30 marks)

N.B. This is a closed book examination.

Coursework

Paper Three (4ETO/03) –Poetry Coursework:

40% internally assessed paper – 30 marks.

This unit consists of one written piece based on

analysing a selection of poetry using poems from The

Edexcel Anthology Section C Poetry. (30 marks)

ENGLISH (continued)




The French GCSE programme is built to help students

develop an insight on French and the culture of French

speaking countries. It will allow the students to develop

an understanding of the language and will deepen their

understanding of English too. It is a good stepping

stone towards f luency in French and will prepare the

students towards A level and higher education. France

is also Britain's nearest neighbour and Paris is only two

and half hours away from London! The relationship

between the two countries is as ancient as the history

of Europe and the course will allow you to have access

to this.

French is also spoken all over the world by over 115

million people and will be an asset for students towards

future career and personal development.

Candidates learn about the culture of countries where

French is spoken and will be able to communicate with

young people in these countries. French is studied in

relation to everyday activities, personal and social

life, the world around us, the world of work and the

international world.

Candidates learn the skills of Listening, Speaking,

Reading and Writing.

Caroline Géhin BA MA [email protected]

Caroline is a native of France and has a

keen interest in all areas of French culture.

A skilled artist, Caroline initially trained

in the creation and restoration of stained glass before

entering the teaching profession in the mid 2000's.

FRENCH

The Examination OCR J730

Unit 1 Listening (A701) 40 mins 20%

Unit 2 Speaking (A702) 12–15 mins 30%

There are two speaking tasks. Candidates are given preparation time and then must speak on two given

topics for four – six minutes. These topics will be examined separately.

Unit 3 Reading (A703) 50 mins 20%

Unit 4 Writing (A704) 30%

There are two written tasks. Candidates are given preparation time and then must write two pieces on

two different topics. These topics will be examined separately.




We live in a time of rapid change. It is an exciting and

challenging period in history, and there is increasing

pressure on countries to develop quickly. Decisions

we make now will dramatically affect our future.

Problems such as global warming, destruction of our

reefs and forests, loss of important plants and animals,

pollution, increasing poverty, unemployment, ill health

and nutritional problems are some of the well known

results of inappropriate development. The course aims

to address such questions and to facilitate the pupil’s

understanding of the Earth. It examines how places and

countries differ, how natural and human environments

work, as well as examining the connections between

places, resources, people and development. Geography

examines why some places develop and are good places

to live, and why other places do not develop, or, in

some cases, are worse today than they were in the past.

T H E C OU R S E – E DE XC E L 5 G A

The course is split into four units:

Unit 1 – Geographical Skills and Challenges for the

Planet

This unit looks at geographical skills and is

examined at the end of the two year course. It also

includes climate change and sustainability.

Unit 2 – The Natural Environment

Tectonics option – earthquakes, volcanoes, hazards

and hazard mitigation.

The Watery World – looking at the themes of

sustainability in relation to our ever more thirsty

world.

Unit 3 – The Human Environment

Will the population carry on increasing? What are

countries doing about it and why?

Tourism. In a globalised world how tourism has

bought us closer and driven us further apart?

Unit 4 – Investigating Geography

This is taken as Controlled Assessment and a

fieldwork study. Out in the field it is under low levels

of controlled whereas back at school some of the

write up is under exam conditions.

Textbook: Tomorrow's Geography (3rd edition),

Mike Harcourt and Stephen Warren. Revision

Guides accompany the series.

GEOGRAPHY

Ben Ruddin BSc MSc [email protected]

Ben has travelled widely working for

NGO's and his work in the Peruvian Andes

informed the ‘Santuario Historico de Machu

Picchu Report’.




W H Y S T U DY A RT ?

Whether you dream of becoming a fashion designer, a

film director, an architect, a CG animator, a children’s

book illustrator or an exhibiting artist; GCSE art is the

perfect ‘first step’ towards your goal.

W H AT I S T H E C OU R S E ?

Our Fine Art GCSE course is structured as three

large ‘portfolio projects’ over the two years. These are:

‘Natural Form’, ‘Portraiture’ and a

‘Chosen Exam Topic’. Students spend two terms per

project producing a 20-page A2 portfolio. These portfo-

lios are full of visual studies and research on the topic.

As well as this, students produce a 10-hour final piece

that realises their ideas for each project. The GCSE art

exam, which is taken at the end of Year 11, is a 10-hour

exam, whereby the student makes a final piece for their

chosen exam topic.

Natalie Kavanagh BA [email protected]

Natalie is an accomplished artist who

obtained a Fine Arts degree from London

Guildhall. Natalie worked for a number of

years in the film industry and her degree

piece was shown at BAFTA.

ART

Throughout the course, students work in a balance of

teacher-led workshop sessions, where students learn

new skills and techniques, and controlled assessment

sessions, where they use their skills to develop their

own ideas and outcomes.

Students put their imaginations to work and build

strong visual vocabularies in drawing, painting and

sculpture. Students also grow in self-confidence and

develop a life long interest in art and culture.

Art and fashion design of HCH GCSE students




History is essentially the study of man. All human

emotions, fears, doubts and hopes are writ large in

our history. Not only does History provide us with a

record of our past, it also provides with a road map to

our future, a road map tragically often discarded by

politicians and prelates. History inf luences all areas

of our society and all areas of the world. A person

without History is essentially blind not just to the

beliefs and culture of their own country but also to

those of neighbouring nations. In this global age of

new emerging threats a full understanding of History

has become vital to all educated people.

History at GCSE provides students with the opportu-

nity to develop a detailed understanding of twentieth

century history. Students look at the emergence of one

super power and the eclipse of another – a phenomenon

many believe is being repeated now; while developing

their analytical skills through in depth studies of both

Germany and Russia.

W J E C – W E L S H JO I N T E DUC AT IO N C O M M I T T E E

The Examination

All candidates will be required to sit three written

examinations at the end of their second year of study.

Two of these examinations will be in depth studies

(Russia in transition 1914–1924 and Germany in transi-

tion 1929–1947) and will require a detailed knowledge

of the periods covered. Candidates will be expected

to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding

through a range of questions based primarily on source

material. The third examination will deal with an

outline study (The development of the United States

1929–2000) and this examination will require candi-

dates to demonstrate a greater breadth of knowledge,

but a less detailed level of understanding. In addition

to these examinations all candidates are required to

produce two pieces of controlled assessment. While

controlled assessment may be completed in the first

year of study, all written units will be taken at the end

of the second year of study.

EXAMINATION BOARD: WJEC: Welsh Joint

Education Committee

PAPER ONE (IN DEPTH STUDIES): two 1-hour

examinations 50% Russia in transition (1914–1924)

Germany in transition (1929–1947)

PAPER TWO (OUTLINE STUDY): 1 hour

examination 25%

The Development of the United States (1929–2000)

CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT

An investigation into an issue of historical debate or

controversy (25%)

HISTORY

Dominic Rhys Smith BA (Oxon)[email protected]

Dominic was awarded two academic prizes

while at Oxford University for his work on

European History.




W H Y S T U DY L AT I N ?

GCSE Latin introduces you to our shared Western

heritage. The course is a unique guide to understanding

the cultural and social aspects of the ancient world that

are still relevant in our own time. It does so by explo-

ring the literature of ancient Rome through readings

of and discussions about the most inf luential writers

of the time. Latin provides a solid foundation for the

development of our own language, while providing

a good background for the acquisition of other lan-

guages. A systematic and analytical language, learning

Latin helps students become more observant, precise

and logical. The GCSE Latin course is rigorous, but

highly enriching.

Latin at GCSE level is typically taken by pupils who

have attained a good pass at 13+ and have a keen

interest in language and linguistics; it is particularly

valuable in combination with French or Spanish (both

direct descendants of Latin), and provides an essential

basis for those seeking to expand, improve and refine

their English vocabulary and stylistic skills. In addi-

tion, pupils will encounter for the first time a number

of well-known Roman authors in the original Latin.

This is a work-intensive course, but the intellectual and

academic rewards are considerable. This is an essential

building block for those wishing to continue Latin at

A level.

The Examination Long Course Units

Unit A401H: Latin Language 1 (Mythology and

domestic life) (Higher Tier)

Unit A402H: Latin Language 2 (History)(Higher

Tier)

Unit A403H: Latin Prose Literature (Higher Tier)

Unit A404H: Latin Verse Literature (Higher Tier)

Unit A405H: Sources for Latin (Higher Tier)

Cambridge Latin Anthology. Cambridge University

Press.

LATIN

Lourdes Moya [email protected]

Lourdes has been involved in teaching for a

number of years both in LA and in the UK.

Lourdes is bilingual and has a long history

of seeking to develop cultural understanding in

under privileged areas – volunteering in some of LA's

primary schools and for the 'Iris Project' in London.




W H AT C A N YOU G A I N F RO M S T U DY I NG M AT H E M AT IC S ?

During the course of your study of Mathematics, howe-

ver long that may be (GCSE, A level, perhaps even

a degree), you will be given opportunities to develop

many skills. Some of these are specifically related

to mathematics, and some have relevance outside it.

Those skills that can be used in other contexts - such as

the ability to solve problems, communicate well, learn

quickly, organise your time – are called transferable

skills.

Although it may seem a long way off, chances are that

one day, degree-in-hand, you will be looking for a job.

Your transferable skills will be of particular interest to

potential employers, who will not just be concerned

with your performance in your subject, but in the ove-

rall contribution you can make to their organisation.

If you can convince an employer that you can work

well within a team, solve problems, organise, innovate,

adapt, and so forth, you will outshine your competitors

in the job market.

M AT H E M AT IC S G C S E OU T L I N E

Mathematics is a compulsory part of the curriculum

in Years 10 and 11; all students have four Mathematics

lessons a week in each year.

The Mathematics GCSE is examined by two written

papers, a calculator and a non-calculator paper, as-

sessing pupils’ understanding of the syllabus content.

Both of these papers are taken at the end of Year 11.

While we recognise the importance to all pupils of

achieving the best possible grades in their Mathematics

GCSE, the teaching of Mathematics at Hampton Court

House is not constrained by public examination sylla-

buses and students are likely to be also presented with

a considerable amount of additional material which

we consider useful, interesting or instructive to them.

Although some schools ask their more able students to

take the GCSE exam at the end of Year 10 in order to

get a head start on the AS material, we do not agree

with this approach. The way to develop strong mathe-

maticians, capable of taking on Maths and Further

Maths at A level, is to challenge them with problems

which require them to independently think rigorously

through multiple stages of calculation, rather than to

simply give them a cursory grounding in ‘more mathe-

matics’. To rush students through examinations early

only puts unnecessary limits on the curriculum that

can be covered, and therefore is in our opinion more

detrimental than it is advantageous: our policy is one

of enrichment rather than acceleration.

MATHEMATICS

Anja Lichtenau BSc [email protected]

Anja was born and educated in Germany

where she qualified as a teacher. Anja has

taught in a range of very different schools

and bring a wealth of experience to the Maths

Department.




W H Y S T U DY P S YC H OL O GY ?

Psychology is the science of behaviour and mental

processes. Psychology is a fascinating and life-en-

riching subject, which can prepare you for a wide

range of career options, such as counseling, nursing

and medicine, as well as other careers which require

an element of psychological understanding, such as

teaching, advertising, media, personnel management

and finance.

The Examination

There are three written papers and no coursework.

Pupils are expected to carry out some independent

research in preparation for Unit B543 (below)

which assesses students' understanding of research

methodology.

PSYCHOLOGY

The Course OCR J611

Unit B541 Studies and Applications in Psychology 1 written 1 h 15 min 40%

sex and gender, memory, attachment, obedience, atypical behaviour

Unit B542 Studies and Applications in Psychology 2 written 1 h 15 min 40%

criminal behaviour, cognitive development, non-verbal communication, the self

Unit B543 Research in Psychology written 1 hour 20%

research process: planning; doing; analysing

Core Textbook OCR GCSE Psychology, Mark Billingham and David Groves (Heinemann)

Other Resources Psychology, Science of Mind and Behaviour, Richard Gross (Hodder & Stoughton)

Adam Atkins BSc [email protected]

Adam teaches psychology, which is

increasingly seen as a ‘science’ at Hampton

Court House, although the courses

covers biological, behavioural and psychodynamic

approaches.




Students are awarded two IGCSE grades, ref lecting

the appropriate level of study of physics, chemistry

and biology. The course has clear, detailed and

comprehensive subject content with three separate

examinations at the end of a two year course. The as-

sessment of investigative skills is integrated within the

examinations, so that pupils develop a natural interest

in practical science and how it can be applied in the

real world. Furthermore, the IGCSE course provides

a sound foundation for progression to A level science

specifications.

The Edexcel Science IGCSE comprises 17 Science

sections from Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Biology (4BI0)

Section 1: The nature and variety of living organisms

Section 2: Structures and functions in living organisms

Section 3: Reproduction and inheritance

Section 4: Ecology and the environment

Section 5: Use of biological resources

Chemistry (4CH0)

Section 1: Principles of chemistry

Section 2: Chemistry of the elements

Section 3: Organic chemistry

Section 4: Physical chemistry

Section 5: Chemistry in society

Physics (4PH0)

Section 1: Forces and motion

Section 2: Electricity

Section 3: Waves

Section 4: Energy resources and energy transfer

Section 5: Solids, liquids and gases

Section 6: Magnetism and electromagnetism

Section 7: Radioactivity and particles

Adam Atkins BSc [email protected]

Adam is a keen Biologist who in the mould

of Darwin has sought to see as much natural

biology in the wild as possible. Adam

has visited every continent with the exception of

Antarctica.

SCIENCE




The language is studied in relation to everyday activi-

ties, personal and social life, the world around us, the

world of work and the international world. Students

develop the skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and

Writing, building a broader vocabulary and gaining

an understanding of grammar rules and usage. There

are also trips to Spain designed to complement the

students’ class work. Spanish has become a popular

GCSE subject and many graduates of HCH have gone

on to study the subject at A Level.

Structure of the course

Unit 1 – Listening (5SP01) – 20% GCSE course

Students will be tested on their ability to understand

spoken Spanish. Testing is through a variety of tasks

which require a response, written or non-verbal, to

demonstrate understanding.

Unit 2 – Speaking (5SP02) – 30% GCSE course

The focus of the speaking unit will be chosen by the

teacher in consultation with the student and will

relate to one or more of the following themes: media

and culture, sport and leisure, travel and tourism or

business, work and employment (or the centre-devised

option).

Unit 3 – Reading (5SP03) – 20% GCSE course

Students will be tested on their ability to understand

written Spanish. Testing is through a variety of tasks

which require a response, written or non-verbal, to

demonstrate understanding.

Unit 4 – Writing (5SP04) – 30% GCSE course

The focus of the writing unit will be chosen by the

teacher in consultation with the student and will

relate to one or more of the following themes: media

and culture, sport and leisure, travel and tourism or

business, work and employment (or the centre-devised

option).

SPANISH

Jose M Alvarez-Campos [email protected]

Jose studied philosophy at University to post

graduate level and has taught Spanish at

both GCSE and A Level.




All students in Years 10 & 11 follow Hampton Court

House's two-year cultural studies course, which is

delivered by the headmaster in one double lesson per

week. The course develops students' written and oral

analytical thinking skills, and introduces students to

a range of literary and cultural topics.

The course includes an online Edmodo group, which

requires students to contribute to debate and to view

assorted documentaries and films online.

CULTURAL STUDIES

Guy Holloway MA (Cantab), NPQH, [email protected]

Guy is one of the co-founders of Hampton

Court House and is currently Headmaster.

A passionate educationalist, Guy is also a

lecturer at the Institute of Education.

Year 11

AUTUMN TERM HM readers: Chekhov's The Lady with the Dog, Pré vost's Manon Lescaut,

Ibsen's A Doll's House

practical criticism; vocabulary building

SPRING TERM Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People /Teens & renowed focus on

productivity & time management ideas

Introduction to some key figures, thinkers nad/or works (eg. Darwin, Freud, Jung,

Marx, Locke, JS Mill etc)

SPRING TERM General GCSE preparation; essay writing against the clock creative writing,

practical criticism etc

As a theme running through each term: (i) the reading/study of certain set texts – ‘the HM reader(s)’ (ii) the active

acquisition of new words (all students to keep vocabulary books), (iii) the study of language, with special focus on

Romance languages, (iv) development of practical

criticism and précis skills, (v) development of students'

chronological understanding of cultural and political

events.

The HM Readers (Autumn Term) will typically be a

short novel or ‘novella’, of literary merit and standing.

Example works might be – Voltaire's Candide, Goethe's

Sorrows of Young Werther, Crane's Red Badge of

Courage, Chekhov Short Stories, Gogol's The Nose,

Flaubert's Trois Contes, St Mark's Gospel, Camus's

L'Etranger etc.

facebook.com/hamptoncourthouse

@HCH School

@GuyHolloway_HCH

www.hamptoncourthouse.co.uk

Dominic Rhys Smith

Head of Upper Years

[email protected]

Contact

Reception

020 8943 0889

[email protected]

Admissions

Registrar Sarah Carroll

020 8614 0857

[email protected]

Hampton Court House

Hampton Court Road

East Molesey

Surrey, KT8 9BS

gcse course outlines - hampton court house · 2014. 9. 6. · gcse course outlines gcse course...

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