1. GCSE Core Subjects Launch
Welcome to
Ralph Thoresby School
GCSE Core Subjects Launch
For Year 10 students

2. GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
The context
2 GCSE English qualifications:
English Language
English literature
Year-on-year increases in expectations, particularly to achieve a grade C

3. Band 0 1 2 3 4 5 Approximate grade U G F E D C B A A* Band 0 1 2 3 4 5
2014
Band
Approximate grade
U G F E D C B A A*
2011
Band
Approximate grade
U G F E D C B A A*

4. GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE – EDEXCEL
Overview of the Qualification:
EXAM – 60%
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT (CA) – 40%
Unit 1- English Today 20% (CA / June 2014 entry)
1A – Reading - compare 2 non-fiction texts (social networking) - CA/ 10%
1 B Writing for Purpose & Audience (social networking) - CA/ 10%
Unit 3 - The Spoken Language 20 % (CA / June 2014 entry)
3B – Spoken Language Study - CA/ 10%
3C – Writing for the Spoken Voice - CA/ 10%
Unit 2 - The Writer’s Voice 60 %( Exam / Jun 2014 entry)
2A – Novel - Exam/ 40%
2B – Writing - Exam/ 20%

5. GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE – EDEXCEL
Overview of the Qualification:
EXAM – 70%
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT (CA) – 25%
Unit 3 – Drama 25%
3A – Comparison of play & film version of The Merchant of Venice – 19%
3B – Study of a contemporary drama text – 6%
Unit 1 - Prose 50%
1A Study of Animal Farm by George Orwell - Exam/ 25%
1 B Study of Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck - Exam/ 25%
Unit 2 – Poetry 25%
2B – Response to unseen poetry (written by one of 15 named poets) – 10%
2C – Comparison of 2 poems from the anthology – 15%

6. Controlled Assessments
Replaced coursework 4 years ago
Completed in school / without support / exam conditions
Approximately 2 hours each
In school
3-4 weeks preparation
Study & prepare notes
At home
Prepare
Practice
Discuss
Work on notes

7.
Y10
Sum 2 (Year 9)
Unseen poetry (English literature exam)
Aut 1 (8)
Drama (English literature CA)
English language U2 writing practice
Aut 2 (7)
Novel (English literature exam)
Spr 1 (6)
U1 reading CA
Spr 2 (6)
exam writing practice
U1 writing
Sum 1 (5)
Sum 2 (7)
U3 spoken language study CA

8. Revision strategies for reading:
Read the novels. We strongly recommend that you buy the novels
Of Mice & Men and Animal Farm
You can order these from us today
Use websites
Practise annotating extracts
Make notes on key characters & themes
Practise writing about key characters and themes
Revision guides We strongly recommend that you buy a revision guide.
In school - £2

9. Revision strategies for writing (will also help for CA preparation)
Read different types of texts & make notes on HOW they are written (for example newspaper & magazine articles, leaflets, formal letters and websites)
Revise the features of different types of texts (e.g. writing persuade, argue, advise, inform, explain, comment and review)
Practise writing for different purposes and audiences
Practise difficult spellings
Revise punctuation rules and practise applying them
Use the websites below
(only the section on commissioned writing)
Revision guides We strongly recommend that you buy a revision guide.
In school - £2.50

10. Thank you for your support.
If you have any further enquiries please contact
Ruth Chuck (Leader of Learning in English at Ralph Thoresby) on or
Lucy Henderson (Key Stage 4 co-ordinator) on or
call

11. GCSE Mathematics
No coursework or controlled assessment.
Entirely assessed by examinations
Paper 1 – Non Calculator (100 marks)
Paper 2 – Calculator (100 marks)
Increased difficulty and more functionality

12. Two tiers:
Higher – Grades A* - D
Foundation – Grades C - G

13. Functionality and problem solving:
Students need to choose and use the most appropriate strategies to solve problems, e.g.

14. Functionality and problem solving:
Students need to choose and use the most appropriate strategies to solve problems, e.g.

15. Revising for Maths:
Little and often (throughout Years 10 and 11)
Practise questions
Attend after school support (Mondays)
Ask teachers for support or for additional work on specific topics
Repeat class work and homework activities that you have found difficult
- Ensure notes are accurate
- Use revision guides, mymaths, GCSE bitesize, justmaths

16. Thank you for your support.
If you have any further enquiries please contact
Avril McLeer(Leader of Learning in Maths at Ralph Thoresby) on or
Stewart McGill(Key Stage 4 co-ordinator) on
call

17. GCSE Sciences
The context

18. The combinations

19. The combinations

20. GCSE SCIENCEs – OCR 21st CENTURY SCIENCE
Overview of the Qualifications:
EXAM – 75%
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT (CA) – 25%

21. GCSE CORE SCIENCE – OCR 21st CENTURY SCIENCE
Overview of the Qualification:
EXAM – 75%
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT (CA) – 25%
Biology –25%
You and Your Genes, Keeping Healthy, Life on Earth
Chemistry - 25%
Air Quality, Material Choices, Chemicals in Our Lives
Physics –25%
The Earth in the Universe, Radiation and Life, Sustainable Energy
Controlled Assessment – 25%
Practical data analysis and Case Study of a controversial issue

22. GCSE ADDITIONAL SCIENCE – OCR 21st CENTURY SCIENCE
Overview of the Qualification:
EXAM – 75%
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT (CA) – 25%
Biology –25%
The Processes of Life, Growth and Development, Brain and Mind
Chemistry - 25%
Chemical Patterns, Chemicals of the Natural Environment, Chemical
Synthesis
Physics –25%
Explaining Motion, Electric Circuits, Radioactive Materials
Controlled Assessment – 25%
Practical Investigation

23. GCSE TRIPLE SCIENCE – OCR 21st CENTURY SCIENCE
Overview of the Qualification:
Same model as previous qualifications.
EXAM – 75%
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT (CA) – 25%
Students sit all the Core and Additional examinations for each of the
Sciences PLUS and extra unit – Further Biology, Further Chemistry, Further
Physics.
Controlled assessment – no PDA or CS but a Practical investigation

24. Controlled Assessments
Replaced coursework 3 years ago
Completed in school / initially with support (collecting data, carrying out investigations etc.) then written up in class without support / exam conditions
Approximately hours each although they are not time limited.

25. Thank you for your support.
If you have any further enquiries please contact
Jane Morrell (Leader of Learning in Science at Ralph Thoresby) on or
Richard Smith (Key Stage 4 co-ordinator) on or
call