Optional Subjects

Through the course, pupils will:

• understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms, and data representation
• analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing and debugging programs
• think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
• understand the components that make up digital systems, and how they communicate with one another and with other systems
• understand the impacts of digital technology to the individual and to wider society
• apply mathematical skills relevant to Computer Science.

As part of the school’s Form Time Tutorial Curriculum, all students in Key Stage 4 have the opportunity to take part in a Programme of Computing Tutorials through the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA) which is an international award winning programme that will help students develop digital, enterprise and employability skills. Through the series of online challenges, students are able to unlock new opportunities and, ultimately, gain industry-recognised Awards that help them stand out from the crowd.

We live in an increasingly diverse UK that plays a prominent role in an interconnected world. GCSE Religious Studies is an opportunity to better understand the world around us and those that we live and work alongside. AQA GCSE.

Religious Studies offers a range of faith-specific options and a variety of relevant and contemporary themes. Students will learn how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture, and develop valuable skills that will help prepare them for further study.

Pupils have the opportunity to take GCSE Physical Education and make full use of the extensive facilities and departmental expertise offered at the school. Physical Education is practically based and the syllabus is designed to promote physical activity. The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:

• develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin physical activity and sport and use this knowledge and understanding to improve performance
• understand how the physiological and psychological state affects performance in physical activity and sport
• perform effectively in different physical activities by developing skills and techniques and selecting and using tactics, strategies and/or compositional ideas
• develop their ability to analyse and evaluate to improve performance in physical activity and sport
• understand the contribution that physical activity and sport make to health, fitness and well-being
• understand the key socio-cultural influences that can affect people’s involvement in physical activity and sport.

Knowledge is power!

Never has politics been more interesting. Never have young people been more engaged and never has it been so crucial that young people are aware of the political and legal processes which govern us all. This knowledge, together with an awareness of how to change and influence those institutions and processes for the better is the aim of this course. GCSE Citizenship is about informing young people of how the world in which they live operates and, crucially, encourages them to become active citizens within it.

We live in uncertain times and students will soon find themselves entering a fragile, dynamic yet unpredictable labour market. Those with a firm understanding of basic economics are likely to be highly employable in a wide range of professional roles. Many of our students leave The Math to take on a degree in Economics or one of many related areas in business, management or finance.

Economics is about people and their economic choices. This course enables students to appreciate we are all part of the economy and that economics relates to every aspect of our lives – from the decisions of individuals or families to the structures created by governments and producers. It will develop students understanding of how economic issues affect choices about resources and markets and vice versa.

OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Economics equips students with the skills and confidence to explore how consumers, producers and governments interact in markets nationally and internationally. It provides a well-rounded introduction to this subject and an excellent foundation for advanced study in Economics.

By learning how to explain and evaluate economic problems and possible solutions, students will acquire a way of thinking as economists and develop a logical approach to thinking and reasoning.

Almost everything around you has been created by Artists and Designers. In every job and career, there is an increasing need to be creative, imaginative and resourceful. The GCSE course in Art and Design: Fine Art provides the opportunity for you to do this as well as the opportunity to:

• Develop your artistic skills, techniques and abilities further
• Explore and develop the use of your creative imagination
• Develop your visual intelligence and the ability to interpret the visual world meaningfully
• Learn how to form and develop original ideas of your own
• Acquire the skill with which to express your ideas and feelings effectively
• Enrich your aesthetic experience by visiting galleries and museums
• Explore a wide variety of traditional and contemporary art materials and techniques.

This course offers a broad based experience which is excellent preparation for the GCE A level course in Product Design. This route gives the possibility of further study to degree level in a wide range of fields ranging from architecture, product design, graphic design, automotive design, stage design, engineering and product engineering.

You will need to be AT LEAST Grade 3 standard in performance by the start of year 11. You will need to be prepared to have regular lessons outside of Curriculum time on your chosen instrument.

Pupils wishing to opt for GCSE Music will need to perform to music department staff and be prepared to perform at other events throughout the school year.

The Photography course focuses on candidates gaining a foundation of skills in photography through the development of imaginative practical work in a variety of contemporary, digital and traditional forms. Everything around you has been designed and recorded by Artists and Photographers therefore this course can open up hundreds of HE and FE courses and careers in industry often generate significant earnings. On the course you will be encouraged to:

• Develop your artistic and practical skills, techniques and abilities further
• Develop your visual intelligence and the ability to use a wide range of professional equipment
• Learn how to form and develop original ideas of your own
• Acquire the skill with which to express your ideas and feelings effectively and creatively
• Enrich your aesthetic experience through trips and hands on experience with professionals
• Explore a wide variety of contemporary and traditional photography techniques

This GCSE in Drama aims to encourage students to be inspired, moved and changed by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. It aims to prepare learners to make informed decisions about further learning opportunities and career choices. Following this course in GCSE Drama will enable students to:

• actively engage in the process of dramatic study in order to develop as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds
• work imaginatively and creatively in collaborative contexts, generating, developing and communicating ideas
• reflect on and evaluate their own work and the work of others
• develop and demonstrate competence in a range of practical, creative and performance skills
• develop a basis for their future role as active citizens in employment and society in general as well as for the possible further study of drama
• consider and explore the impact of social, historical and cultural influences on drama texts and activities

Drama GCSE is a thought provoking, challenging and creative subject which requires from pupils a willingness to participate in practical work, and a determination to acquire new skills and knowledge. In return, the subject offers each student valuable transferable skills such as communication and cooperation and the opportunity to explore fundamentally what it means to be human.

Studying the Eduqas GCSE Drama course involves pupils exploring practical drama, acquiring theoretical knowledge and applying precise analytical skills in evaluating performance.

Pupils will study different theatrical practitioners, genres and performance styles and develop their devising skills in response to a variety of stimuli. Aspects of staging and design will be explored in relation to the set text; theatre visits will inspire pupils’ practical work and enable them to experience and evaluate live performance. Pupils will perform both scripted and non-scripted work.

The EDUQAS Drama GCSE fosters pupils’ creativity, personal growth, self-confidence, communication, analytical and evaluative skills through the acquisition of knowledge, skills and understanding and the exercise of the imagination. Crucial transferable skills are developed which universities and employers value highly.

It promotes pupils’ involvement in and enjoyment of drama as performers, devisers, directors and designers. It provides opportunities for students to attend professional and community performances and to develop their critical faculties as informed and thoughtful audience members. Pupils will be given opportunities to participate in and interpret their own and others’ drama. They will investigate the forms, styles, and contexts of drama and will learn to work collaboratively to develop ideas, to express feelings, to experiment with technical elements and to reflect on their own and others’ performances.

By studying GCSE Drama, pupils will learn more about the role of theatre within the arts and its contribution to social and cultural commentary and will come to appreciate that dramatic exploration-whether intended for audiences or not, provides significant opportunities for expressing cultural and personal identity and developing empathy.

The course is specifically designed to enhance both enjoyment and interest in History as well as providing enhanced understanding of the world we live in. In addition to this it will furnish pupils with many skills that are transferable, not only to other subjects but also to many potential careers. In opting to study History, pupils will be developing skills of analysis and evaluation and learning how to present coherent, rational arguments.

These skills are highly relevant to a wide range of careers, just a few of which are law, business, journalism, accountancy and public administration. They are also extremely relevant to studying any AS or A2 Level subject (particularly Government and Politics, Economics, English, Classical Civilisation and even Sciences), but are obviously also excellent for A2 Level History.

Geography is an excellent option to choose if you enjoy both a practical and academic subject, or if you are looking to keep your options open in terms of a career (but want a subject developing your mind, skills and knowledge which are transferable to a wide range of areas). It involves practical fieldwork which is assessed in the examination (no coursework). The aims of the course are:

• To build upon and expand many of the topics and issues which you have studied in Year 7, 8 and 9
• To develop a knowledge and understanding about a further range of places, environments and themes. You will look at a range of very topical human and physical issues and challenges facing our world (featuring a knowledge of the UK and a range of other countries)
• To acquire and apply skills and techniques through map work, fieldwork and the use of ICT and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• To develop an awareness of the ethnic, cultural and political diversity of society and to develop intellectual, practical and social skills
• To help you to make sense of your physical and human surroundings and how they inter-relate
• To develop a mind which is enquiring, flexible, able to sift and weigh evidence and to come to a balanced conclusion.

A Modern Language GCSE is a well-respected and highly regarded qualification. It is a requirement that all students study at least one of the following languages at GCSE: Spanish, French or Latin.

The new specification for French GCSE, with first teaching from term 6 in 2024, has been created to focus on key communication skills based on practical and high frequency vocabulary.

French as a foreign language is the second most frequently taught language in the world after English and French is the only language other than English spoken on five continents.

French GCSE is very popular and visits and trips, including a residential trip to Paris, are available to those taking GCSE and A level.

Pupils will be given opportunities to:

• communicate in the target language
• develop the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing;
• work with authentic materials including television, websites;
• meet native speakers in school and abroad;
• develop knowledge and understanding of countries and communities where French is spoken;
• achieve a suitable foundation for further language study and/or practical use of the target language (French).

A Modern Language GCSE is a well-respected and highly regarded qualification. It is a requirement that all students study at least one of the following languages at GCSE: Spanish, French or Latin.

The new specification for Spanish GCSE, with first teaching from term 6 in 2024, has been created to focus on key communication skills based on practical and high frequency vocabulary.

With the growing economy of South America, Spanish is the most needed language in the world of work, whether it be in finance or commerce.

Spanish GCSE is very popular and visits and trips are offered to those taking GCSE and A level.

Pupils will be given opportunities to:

• communicate in the target language
• develop the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing;
• work with authentic materials including television, websites;
• meet native speakers in school and abroad;
• develop knowledge and understanding of countries and communities where Spanish is spoken;
• achieve a suitable foundation for further language study and/or practical use of the target language (Spanish).

The components are designed to encourage candidates to:

• Enjoy reading and studying Latin and Latin Literature
• Develop a reading competence focused upon a selection of Latin literature
• Develop a critical insight into the way language is used to develop trains of thought, express feelings or to influence people
• Appreciate critically and make an informed and personal response to the language, literary forms, techniques and qualities of the texts
• Appreciate the way Roman culture shaped the language and literature of the period.

The components are also designed to encourage candidates to develop:

• An appropriate level of competence in the Latin language
• A sensitive and analytical approach to language generally
• An awareness of the influence of Latin on the languages of today
• An awareness of Roman culture and how it influences our own.