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Senior School

GCSE Curriculum Overview – Senior School (Year 9 – 11)

Contents GCSE Curriculum Overview – Senior School (Year 9 – 11) .................................................. 1

GCSE Art & Design Edexcel Course code 2AD01 ............................................................. 2

(I)GCSE Biology Edexcel Course Code 4BI0 ...................................................................... 3

(I)GCSE Chemistry Edexcel Course Code 4CH0 ............................................................... 4

(I)GCSE Computer Science Edexcel Course Code 1CP1 .................................................. 5

GCSE Design & Technology Resistant Materials Edexcel Course code 2RM01 ............ 7

GCSE Drama Edexcel Course Code: 2DR01 ..................................................................... 9

GCSE Economics Edexcel Course code 4EC0 ................................................................ 10

(I)GCSE English Language (Edexcel 4EA0) and IGCSE World Literature (Cambridge

0408) .................................................................................................................................... 11

(I)GCSE Geography Cambridge Course Code 0460 ....................................................... 12

(I)GCSE History Edexcel Course code 4HI0 ..................................................................... 13

GCSE Music Cambridge Course code 0410 .................................................................. 14

(I)GCSE French Edexcel/Course Code 4FR0.................................................................... 16

(I)GCSE Spanish Edexcel/4SP0 ......................................................................................... 17

(I)GCSE Mathematics CIE/0580 Core and Extended ...................................................... 19

(I)GCSE Mathematics CIE/0580 Core ............................................................................... 21

CIE/0580 Extended + Additional Maths .......................................................................... 23

(I)GCSE Physical Education Edexcel/1PE0 ...................................................................... 25

(I)GCSE Physics Edexcel Course Code 4PH0 ................................................................... 27

(I)GCSE Chinese Cambridge Foreign Language Course code 0547 ............................ 28

Global Skills Overview of Units (non‐examined course) ............................................. 30

Senior School

GCSE Art & Design Edexcel Course code 2AD01

Year Michaelmas term Lent term Trinity term

9 Elements of Art

Line, Shape, tone –

natural

forms

Course introduction –

assessment criteria,

expectations – making

connections with artists’

work

Elements of Art

Texture/pattern,

colour– natural forms

Sketchbook development

– developing confidence

with materials

Natural forms –

producing a final

outcome Planning and

presenting a final, writing

an evaluation

10 Man‐made forms‐ ‘The

artists’ studio

Observation, research,

analysis of artists’ work

Manmade forms –

Working towards a final

outcome Evaluation

Examination

planning ‐ learning how

to work independently

11 Coursework review

Revisiting coursework

projects – gap – filling,

reworking finals, adding

to annotations

Externally set examination

planning

Externally set

examination

Planning culminating in 12

hour examination

Assessment: Coursework counts for 60% of the final grade. The other 40% are for the Externally Set Assignment in Year 11.

Senior School

(I)GCSE Biology Edexcel Course Code 4BI0


9 Classification, cells

Biological molecules and

movement in and out of a

cell.

Enzymes and Nutrition.

Fermenters and Fish

Farming

Human Physiology

Osmosis

Excretion

Human Physiology

Circulation

Respiration

Responses and co‐

ordination

10 Plants: Nutrition and Gas

exchange

Plants: Transport, co‐

ordination and

reproduction

Ecology and Mans

influence on the

environment.

Ecology

Feeding relationships

Cycles

Environment

Reproduction and

Inheritance

Sexual Vs Asexual

Male and female repro

systems

DNA

Genetic crosses and

pedigree charts

Mitosis and Meiosis

Variation and mutations

Evolution and Natural

Selection

11 Biological resources

Selective breeding

Genetic engineering

Cloning

Food production

Microorganisms

Fish Farming OVERVIEW

AND REVISION

OVERVIEW AND

REVISION

of YR 9, 10 and 11 work

Assessment:

Paper 1: 2 hours – 4BI0/1B 66.7% of total mark (120 marks) content not in bold

Paper 2: 1 hour – 4BI0/2B 33.3% of total mark (60 marks) content in bold and not in bold

Senior School

(I)GCSE Chemistry Edexcel Course Code 4CH0


9 States of Matter

Separation

Techniques Metal,

Metal oxides &

Metal carbonates+

Acid, Water

Formula & Equations

Tests for Gases

Rates of Reaction

Investigation

10 Atomic Theory

Periodic Table

Bonding

Tests for Ions

Quantitative Chemistry

Energetics

Energetics

Investigation

Reactivity and Extraction

of Metals

11 Oxygen and Oxides

Quantitative

Chemistry Acids and

Alkalis

Organic Chemistry

Equilibria

Revision

Assessment: Paper 1: 2 hours – 4CH0/1C 66.7% of total mark (120 marks) content from syllabus not in bold type.

Paper 2: 1 hour – 4CH0/2C 33.3% of total mark (60 marks) content from syllabus in bold and not in bold type.

Senior School

(I)GCSE Computer Science Edexcel Course Code 1CP1


9 Intro to Computer

Systems

Software Development

(Scratch)


Project


(Python) 5 Green

Machines (Group

Research) 6 HTML

7 Graphics

Python Software

Development

Projects

Games Design (Kodu)

App Idea (Group Work)

The Big Debate

Sound (Audacity)

Logic Gates

The Bigger Picture

Databases

App Shed

Web Design (HTML /

JavaScript)

App Inventor

Scratch Games Design 20

Programming Challenge

10 Python (Software

Development)

GreenFoot (Object

Oriented Games Design)

Databases

Computer Systems

Boolean

Logic Graphics

Boolean Logic

Visual Studio

Further Web Design

Boolean Logic

11 Advanced Computer

Systems

Computer Networks

Assembly Language

Artificial Intelligence

Controlled Assessment

DNA Computing

Wider Impact of

Computer Systems

Quantum Computing

Automated Systems

Final Exam Preparation

Assessment:

The Computer Science course is assessed using three different components.

Senior School

Component 1: Principles of Computer Science is a written examination lasting 1 hour

and 40 minutes with a total of 80 marks. This is completed in Year 11 and is 40% of the

overall qualification.

Component 2: Application of Computational Thinking is another written examination

lasting 2 hours. This is also worth 80 marks and a further 40% of the qualification. The

final 20% is achieved from Component 3: Project for a total of 60 possible marks.

Students will need to design and implement a project which is set by the examinations

board. This is internally assessed and then moderated. It is expected that it will take 20

hours to complete

Senior School

GCSE Design & Technology Resistant Materials Edexcel Course code 2RM01


9 Introduction to the course.

Workshop Health &

Safety. Assessing levels of

existing

D&T Knowledge within

the class.

Introduction to RM theory

with specific focused

practical tasks and ‘Starter

Mini Project.’

Topic 1 – Materials and

Components.

Topic 2 – Tools &

Equipment.

Continue ‘Starter Mini

Project’ introducing and

following the complete

Design Cycle.

Focus on health & safety,

quality of finish and

manufacturing techniques.

RM theory with specific

focused practical tasks.

Topic 4 – Analysing

Products.

Guided Mini project

focusing on ‘Creative

Design & Make Activities’

assessment criteria.



Topic 5 – Designing

Products.

Introduction to past theory

paper style questions.

10 Continuation of Guided

Mini project focusing on

‘Creative Design & Make

Activities’ assessment

criteria.



Topic 3 – Industrial &

Commercial Processes.

Topic 6 – Technology.

Topic 7 – Sustainability.

Internally assessed Design

& Make Activity based on

task selected from Edexcel

list.



Topic 8 – Ethical Design &

Manufacture.

Full theory past papers.

Internally assessed Design

& Make Activity based on

task selected from Edexcel

list.

Exam based design tasks

and past paper questions.

Senior School

11 Internally assessed Design

&

Make Activity based on

task selected from

Edexcel list.

Exam based design tasks.

Revision based theory and

practical tasks.

Assessment:

60% Coursework (50% Design / 50% Make) internally assessed

40% Exam (1hour 30min Theory Paper) externally assessed

Senior School

GCSE Drama Edexcel Course Code: 2DR01


9 The Night Circus

A Change is Gonna Come

Lord of the Flies

Stage Craft

Witches Through Time

Performance Unit

10 Ruth Ellis Surrealism

(Artaud)

Surrealism cont (Berfkoff)

Stanislavski Exploration

Stanislavski Exploration

Unit 1 Mock Exam

11 Unit 1 GCSE Drama Exam

(Exploration)

Unit 2 GCSE (play text)

Unit 3 GCSE Drama

(Performance) prep

Unit 3 GCSE Drama

(Performance) exam.

Assessment:

Unit 1 (5DR01)

Six‐hour practical exploration

Documentary response (recommended maximum 2000 words)

Unit 2 (5DR02)

Students will present their work as either performers or performance support students in

a single performance to an examiner appointed by Edexcel.

Unit 3 (5DR03) Students will present their work as either performers or performance

support students in a single performance to an examiner appointed by Edexcel.

Senior School

GCSE Economics Edexcel Course code 4EC0


9 Market System:

‐Role of Market

‐Demand and supply

Market System:

‐The labour market

‐Business economics:

‐Production

Business economics:

Production

Competition

10 Business economics:

Public and private sectors

Government and the

Economy

Five Macro‐economic

objectives

‐Policy Instruments

Government and the

Economy:

‐Policy Instruments

‐Relationships between

objectives and policies

The global Economy:

‐Globalisation

‐Growth and change in

international trade

11 The global Economy

‐Growth and change in

international trade

‐Exchange rates

Revision

‐Past papers

Assessment:

1 paper (2h30), total number of marks is 120

Senior School

(I)GCSE English Language (Edexcel 4EA0) and IGCSE World Literature (Cambridge 0408)


9 ‘Of Mice and Men’.

World Literature: Analysis

of Novel. Literary Essay

Skills.

Language: Written

coursework.

Non‐Fiction.

Language: Anthology

coursework.

‘Lord of the Flies’.

World Literature:

Empathic writing

coursework.

Language: Written

coursework.

The Art of Persuasion.

Language: Speaking and

Listening coursework.

Poetry. (Seamus Heaney)

World Literature:

Analysis for exam p2.

10 ‘The Whale Rider’.

World Literature:

Empathic coursework.

Language: Written

coursework. ‘Romeo and

Juliet’. World

Literature Drama study.



Short Stories.

World Literature: Critical

essay. Unseen exam prep.

Language: Reading

coursework.

Language and Identity.



Written coursework.

World Poetry.

World Literature: Critical

essay.

11 ‘A Doll’s House’.*

World Literature: Study

for exam.

World Literature and

Language: Examination

Preparation and

Coursework completion.

Examinations.

Assessment:

English Language: 70% Final Examination, 30% Coursework (20% Written & 10%

Speaking & Listening) World Literature: 50% Final Examination, 50% Coursework

Senior School

(I)GCSE Geography Cambridge Course Code 0460


9 Population Dynamics

Migration

Population structure

Population density and

distribution

Settlements and service

provision

Urban settlements

Urbanization Skills

10 Earthquakes

and Volcanoes

Rivers

Coasts

Weather

Climate and natural

vegetation

Development

Food production Skills

11 Industry

Tourism

Energy

Water

Environmental

risks of economic

development

Skills

20. Revision Pubic

Examinations

Assessment:

3 exams: Paper 1: Geographical Themes 45% Paper 2: Geographical Skills 27.5% Paper

3: Alternative to coursework 27.5%

Senior School

(I)GCSE History Edexcel Course code 4HI0

Year Michaelmas Term Lent Term Trinity Term

9

Autocracy and Revolt in

Russia 1881–1914

(Group A, Option 3,

Paper 1)

History Skills Evidence,

Essay Writing and

Presentation

(Consolidating 1/A3 and

Introducing 2/A6)

The Fall of Communism

in Europe 1979–1991

(Section A, Option A6,

Paper 2)

10

A World Divided:

Superpower Relations

1945–1962

(Group B, Option 8,

Paper 1)

History Skills:

Evidence, Essay Writing

and Presentation

(Consolidating 1/B6 and

Introducing 2/B4)

Conflict, Crisis and

Change: The Middle East

c1919–c1995

(Section B, Option B4,

Paper 2)

11

Revision of Year 9 A3 (1)

and A6 (2)

Revision of Year 10 B6 (1)

and B4 (2)

Revision IGCSE

Examination

Assessment:

Edexcel International GCSE in History comprises two assessments:

Paper 1 is a written examination. Students complete two depth studies from nine

choices. This is worth 50% of the final mark.

Paper 2 is a written examination. Students complete one historical investigation from

six choices and one breadth study in change from eight choices. This is worth 50% of

the final mark.

Senior School

GCSE Music Cambridge Course code 0410


9 Aural awareness, perception

and discrimination.

Music Theory Tasks: Standard

staff notation including

dynamics, tempo, expression

markings

Composing using Score‐

writing software Sibelius

Introduction to music of the

Baroque period.

Composition Task 1: Ground

Bass Project

Indian Classical Music:

introduction and practical

work

Major, minor, chromatic,

whole‐ tone, and

pentatonic scales

Introduction to music of

the Classical period.

Composition Task 2:

Using textures and

harmonic structure from

Music of the Classical

Period

Introduction to music

of the Romantic period

Introduction to music

of the C20th Century

Study of compositional

technique

Duple, triple, irregular

meter. Syncopation,

swing, polyrhythm.

10 Introduction to Latin

American Music

Composition ‐ written in a

Western, tonal style

Study of Western ensembles

and instruments: orchestras,

jazz bands, choirs, and

chamber music ensembles.

Ensemble Performance.

Introduction to Arab

Music and the Music of

Africa

Focus on texture and

structure. Composition in

any style of the

candidate’s choice

Introduction to

Chinese Music.

How to understand a

skeleton score.

Primary chords: I, IV,

and V(7); secondary

chords: II and VI.

Perfect, imperfect, and

interrupted cadences.

Structure Binary,

ternary, rondo, theme

and variations, ground

bass

Senior School

11 Introduction to Indonesian

Gamelan Music.

Set Work Study:

Mendelssohn: A Midsummer

Night’s Dream, Overture, Op.

21

Instrumental and/or Vocal

Effects

Solo Performance

Exam Preparation and

past papers

Ensemble

Performance.

Exam Preparation and

past papers

Assessment:

Course‐work: Performance 30%, Composition 30%, TOTAL 60% Formal Assessment

(written exam): 40%

Senior School

(I)GCSE French Edexcel/Course Code 4FR0


9 School life

Leisure activities

Home and region

Food and life style

Music, cinema, new

technologies

10 Holidaying in France

Shopping

Problems abroad

Accidents and

emergencies

Family relationships

Personal

relationships

11 Work, work experience

Pocket money The

environment

Unemployment, drugs,

care of the elderly

Future plans

Assessment:

There is a terminal examination in all four language skills, each worth 25% of the total

mark.

Senior School

(I)GCSE Spanish Edexcel/4SP0


9 Home and Abroad

(IGCSE TOPIC A)

Education and Employment

(IGCSE TOPIC B)

House, Home and Daily

Routines

(IGCSE TOPIC C)

House, Home and Daily

Routines (IGCSE TOPIC C)

The modern world

and the

environment

(IGCSE TOPIC D)

10 Home and Abroad

(IGCSE TOPIC A)

Social Activities, Fitness and

Health

(IGCSE Topic E)

Education and Employment

(IGCSE TOPIC B)

The subjunctive

Learning about the different

types of subjunctives in

Spanish

House, Home and

Daily Routines

(IGCSE TOPIC C)

11 The modern world and the

environment

(IGCSE TOPIC D)

the neighborhood

talking about the

environment

giving advice on how to

take care

of the environment

environmental campaigning

discussing global issues

and understanding global

citizenship

Oral exam preparation

describing first impressions

of a picture

describing a picture

linking personal experiences

and

preferences

comparing with other

situations

talking about the message

of the picture

Senior School

Assessment:

Paper 1 (Listening): 25% of IGCSE Spanish.

Comments: Externally assessed. 40min. The total number of marks is 50.

Paper 2 (Reading & Writing): 50% of IGCSE Spanish. Externally assessed. 1 hour and

30min. The total number of marks for the paper is 60, with 30 marks for reading and 30

marks for writing

Paper 3 (Speaking): 25% of IGCSE Spanish. 10min. The total number of marks is 40

Senior School

(I)GCSE Mathematics CIE/0580 Core and Extended


9 Number 1a

Algebra 1

Number 1b

Shape & Space 1

Handling Data 1

Number 2

10 Algebra 2

Shape & Space 2

Probability

Shape & Space 3

Number 3

Ext Number Ext Algebra

Ext Mensuration

11 Ext Geometry

Ext Trigonometry

Ext Graphs

Ext Sets, Vectors and

Functions

Ext Matrices and

Transformations

Ext Stats and Probability

IGCSE Exam

Senior School

Component Weighting

Paper 1 (Core) 1 hour

Short‐answer questions based on the Core curriculum. 56

marks. Externally marked.

35%

Paper 2 (Extended) 1 hour 30 minutes

Short‐answer questions based on the Extended curriculum.

70 marks. Externally marked.

35%

Paper 3 (Core) 2 hours

Structured questions based on the Core curriculum. 104


65%

Paper 4 (Extended) 2 hours 30 minutes

Structured questions based on the Extended curriculum. 130


65%

Assessment:

Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics is assessed via two components. All candidates take

two written papers. Candidates who follow the Core curriculum take Papers 1 and 3 and

are eligible for grades C to G. Candidates who follow the Extended curriculum take

Papers 2 and 4 and are eligible for grades A* to E.

Senior School

(I)GCSE Mathematics CIE/0580 Core


9 Number 1a

Algebra 1

Number 1b

Shape & Space 1

Handling Data 1

10 Number 2

Algebra 2

Shape & Space 2

Probability

Shape & Space 3

11 Number 3 Revision IGCSE Exam

Senior School

Component Weighting


Short‐answer questions based on the Core

curriculum. 56 marks. Externally marked.

35%


Short‐answer questions based on the Extended


35%


Structured questions based on the Core curriculum.


65%


Structured questions based on the Extended


65%

Assessment:





Senior School

CIE/0580 Extended + Additional Maths


9 Number

Algebra 1

Mensuration

Geometry

Algebra 2

Trigonometry

10 Graphs

Sets, Vectors and

Functions Matrices and

Transformations

Stats and Probability

Revision

IGCSE Exam

Additional Maths

11 Additional Maths Additional Maths Additional Maths

IGCSE Exam 0606

Senior School

Component Weighting


Short‐answer questions based on the Core curriculum. 56


35%


Short‐answer questions based on the Extended curriculum.


35%


Structured questions based on the Core curriculum. 104


65%


Structured questions based on the Extended curriculum. 130


65%

Assessment:





Senior School

(I)GCSE Physical Education Edexcel/1PE0


9 Theory –

skeletal/muscular system

Personal Exercise Plan

(PEP) – Physical training

components of fitness,

fitness testing Practical

– skill development (2

activities)

Theory – respiratory/

cardiovascular system


(PEP)

– training methods,

principles

of training, SMART

Practical – skill

development (2 activities)

Theory –

aerobic/anaerobic/short

and long term effects of

exercise review/exam

preparation, long answer

preparation. Personal

Exercise Plan (PEP) –

PARQ and PEP

planning

Practical – skill

development (2 activities)

10 Theory – Movement

analysis, Use of data


(PEP) – carry out/ monitor

PEP

Practical – development

of advanced skills for

chosen activities

Theory – Physical training:

LT

effects of exercise,

optimize training, warm

up/ cool down Personal

Exercise Plan (PEP)

– development/

evaluation of PEP

Practical – development

of advanced skills for

chosen activities

Theory – Health, fitness,

well‐being

Theory – sport psychology

and socio‐cultural

influences Practical –

development of advanced

skills for chosen activities

Senior School

11 Theory – Fitness and

body systems, health and

performance


(PEP) – completed

Practical – confirm

activities/practice

assessment

Theory – revision and

exam preparation

Practical – exam

preparation

and exam

filming/moderation

Revision Exam

Assessment:

2 exams assessing your theoretical knowledge (60%). Coursework assessment:

Practical performance in 3 activities (30%), 1 team/1 individual/1 other Personal Exercise

Plan

Senior School

(I)GCSE Physics Edexcel Course Code 4PH0


9 Density

Change of state

Properties of waves The

electromagnetic spectrum

Mains electricity

Energy and potential

difference in circuits

Movement and

position Astronomy

10 Light and sound

Ideal gas molecules

Magnetism

Electric charge

Energy transfer Work and

power Energy resources

and electricity generation

Forces, movement, shape

and momentum. Pressure

11 Electromagnetism

Electromagnetic induction

Radioactivity

Particles

Exam Revision

IGCSE Exam Prep

Assessment:

Paper 1: 2 hours – 4PH0/1P 66.7% of total mark (120 marks) Content from syllabus not in

bold type.

Paper 2: 1 hour – 4PH0/2P 33.3% of total mark (60 marks) Content from syllabus in bold

and not in bold type.

Senior School

(I)GCSE Chinese Cambridge Foreign Language Course code 0547


9 Introduction to the whole course Personal Life Me and my Family Someone's Physical Appearance and Personality Geographical Surroundings Home Chores and Daily Routine

Weather and Climate All Kinds of Transport Shopping Restaurant and Café Hotel

Travelling Festivals and Holidays Sport and Leisure Hobbies Sports and Sporting Events

10 Health Healthy Life Styles Education, future career and training School School life

Future career plans Job application and interview Work experience Working Language Public service

Media Internet Chinese culture About China Chinese language

11 Celebrity Young peoples issues Natural and made Environment

Revision course and examination skills Past papers Oral assessment

Senior School

Component Weighting

Paper 1 Listening – approximately 35 minutes

Candidates listen to a number of recordings and answer

questions testing comprehension

30 Marks Externally Assessed

25%

Paper 2 Reading – 1 hour 15 minutes

Candidates read to a number of texts and answer questions

testing comprehension


25%

Paper 1 Speaking* - approximately 15 minutes

Candidates complete two role plays, a topic

presentation/conversation and a general conversation.

100 Marks Internally Assessed/Externally moderated

25%

Paper 1 Writing – 1 hour 15 minutes

Candidates respond in the target language to three tasks


25%

Senior School

Global Skills Overview of Units (non‐examined course)

Aims: Deliver a course which prepares students for some of the challenges of the IB

Diploma. Allows students to debate current world issues and learn the skills needed for

the IB, such as critical thinking, TOK and extended writing.

Year

9

11

Michaelmas Term Lent Term Trinity Term

9 Introduction:

Who am I? What influences

me?

How global am I?

Library Research Skills

The United Nations:

Human Rights

War/ 20th Century Conflict

/ Bringing about peace

Rights of the Child

Debating

History of UN

Structures and functions of

MUN

MUN:

Set up committees debate

key topics and

issues:

Trade vs Aid

A cure for HIV?

Disabled Rights

Child soldiers

Recycling Water

Wars

Research Skills

Development:

Key project to research as

a group.

Intermediate technology, a

solution for LIC problems.

Design for the other 90%

11 Study Skills Course

Learning to learn:

Techniques for studying

and revising.

How to make effective

notes, mind mapping,

organisation.

Relaxation and how to

revise.

Work experience?

How does the IBDP work?

How will I study?

How to budget time

effectively.

Looking at CAS and TOK

What are they?

IGCSE Exam Prep: Exam

technique skills revision

sessions

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