gcse

Curriculum:

At SV Academy, we offer a structured, supportive curriculum that embeds linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social and creative learning.

Key Stage 3 / Year 8 & 9:

Our Key Stage 3 (KS3) curriculum focuses on building the five ‘R’s for successful learning:

Readiness: Building curiousity, motivation, self-esteem and self efficacy, to enable students to have confidence in their ability and to be willing to take risks to increase their understanding

Resourcefulness: Creating an environment for students to learn from and with others, to respect their learning time and that of others and to learn creatively, in different ways, flexibly and to appreciate how to apply their learning

Resilience: Supporting students to stick to a task until it’s mastered, to keep going even under stress or pressure, and to manage feelings about learning and about teachers, peers and resources

Reflectiveness: Looking back and learning from the past, improving own learning and performance, practising and applying skills learnt.

Literacy and numeracy is embedded throughout the curriculum at Key Stage 3, although often approached in as creative and engaging manner as possible. KS3 students might find themselves analysing song lyrics or poetry, engaging in 1:1 reading with one of our reading mentors, writing complex instructions and scripts as part of a film project, using mathematical skills to plan a timeline or create a music beat. At KS3, the emphasis is on embedding reading, writing and numeracy as an essential, everyday skill, building confidence and encouraging a passion for the subject.

Key Stage 4 / Year 10 & 11:

At Key Stage 4, students follow

 

GCSE Maths

This course provides a strong foundation for further academic and vocational study and for employment, to give students the appropriate mathematical skills, knowledge and understanding to help them progress to a full range of courses.

*GCSE English Language

This course provides essential skills for Level 1 and Level 2 academic skills. Learners on the programme will have the opportunity to develop their speaking and listening skills, complete a spoken language study and produce a piece of writing for the spoken voice tasks.

*GCSE Drama

This course helps students develop an understanding of many creative and challenging activities. Assessment for the controlled assessment takes into account the student’s contribution during the preparation period as well as their final performance or design.

*GCSE Media Studies

This course offers extensive and meaning coverage of media theory and practice as well as practical work that integrates theories and concepts. There is a chance to study across a range of different media and opportunities to learn about real media products and industries.

*GCSE Music

This course offers students to learn about the musical language and explore the elements underlying the organisation of sound, through listening to music, performing individually and in a group, composing and appraising music.

 

What are GCSEs?

GCSEs - General Certificates of Secondary Education - are the main qualifications taken by 14- to 16-year-olds in schools and colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. But you can take them to gain a qualification in a subject you’re interested in at any age.

GCSEs are usually studied full time, taking two years to complete. Short courses are also available, and adult learners can take evening classes or teach themselves. There are no formal entry requirements and no age limits.

GCSE courses mainly involve studying the theory of a subject combined with some investigative work. Each qualification is at Level 1 or 2 on the National Qualifications Framework, depending on the grade you achieve.

Why take GCSEs?

GCSEs are highly valued by schools, colleges and employers. They are the first step towards a range of careers or further study. GCSEs have been used as a benchmark to judge student ability for more than 25 years.

How are GCSEs graded?

GCSEs are graded A* to G, although some papers are tiered according to ability and so don’t target the full grade range:

  • Higher tier: A*-D
  • Foundation tier: C-G

The A* grade was introduced in 1994 to differentiate the highest performing students from other A-grade candidates. If you don’t get enough marks to pass with a G, you will be awarded a U, which means ‘unclassified’.

How will I be assessed?

GCSEs are assessed through a combination of either exams or controlled assessment . The course specification will tell you how assessment works for a particular subject.

All GCSEs are linear, which means that you will take all of your exams at the end of your course. Controlled assessments are taken throughout the course and can include research, essays, projects, investigations, artwork, fieldwork, experiments or other practical work.

Does it matter what subjects I take?

Some subjects are compulsory at GCSE level:

  • English
  • Maths
  • Science

If you don’t achieve a GCSE grade C in English or maths, you will have to continue to study it in post-16 education until you do so (up until the age of 18).

Some schools have other compulsory subjects. Other than that, you can choose what subjects to take. You must be offered at least one course in each of these four subject groups:

  • Arts (including art and design, music, dance, drama and media arts
  • Design and Technology
  • Humanities (history and geography)
  • Modern Foreign Languages

You don’t have to choose one subject from each area, but remember that it’s useful to study a range of subjects at this stage to give yourself a wide range of options for later study and career choices.

Many courses at university or college will require you to take GCSEs in certain subjects. If you have a particular aim in mind you should check the requirements for that course and take the appropriate subjects.

What can I do once I've taken my GCSEs?

Getting your GCSEs can give you a number of choices, from further study to starting work or an Apprenticeship.

If you get five GCSEs at grades A* to C you could go on to study one or more Level 3 qualifications, such as AS/A levels, Applied A levels, BTEC Nationals, NVQs, BTEC Apprenticeships, or a combination of these.

If you get fewer than five GCSEs at grades A* to C you could go on to study one or more Level 1 or 2 qualifications, such as BTEC Firsts, NVQs, BTEC Apprenticeships, or a combination of these.