GCSE Induction Booklet - Royal Alexandra and Albert School

31 Pages·2011·2.84 MB·English

The Royal Alexandra and Albert School

Foreword

Dear Parents/Guardians

Each year at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, we look to find more ways to help our
learners succeed through their level 2 studies (GCSEs and B-TEC and OCR Nationals).

This year we thought a booklet outlining the course details of each exam subject, along with
the breakdown of the course, the coursework hand-in times and those all important exam
dates would go some way to preparing our learners, along with yourselves for their
forthcoming examination period.

Accompanying these pages we have included the details we thought you and each learner
would need to know in order to best prepare themselves, including some revision tips,
details of Special Educational Needs procedures and relevant contact details.

This information is available not only as a paper copy but electronically through the school
web-site (www.raa-school.org.uk).

We hope you will let us know any areas for improvement within the booklet as we foresee
this as a part of the Key Stage 4 induction programme for years to come.

Always ensuring you of our best intentions

Miss C. Kaye Mr G. Bendall
Acting Head of PE Senior Assistant Head

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The Royal Alexandra and Albert School

Contents

Art & Design
BTEC Business Studies
GCSE Business Studies
Citizenship
Countryside & Environment
Dance
Drama
English
English Literature
Food Technology
French
Geography
German
History
Horse Care
Information Communication Technology (ICT) (OCR Nationals)
Maths
Music
Physical Education
Religious Studies – Short Course
Resistant Materials/Product Design
Science
Science - Additional
Science – Triple
Spanish

Learning Support
Contact Details
Revision Tips

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The Royal Alexandra and Albert School

Course Title

Art & Design (1027)
Course Overview
During this two year course learners complete two projects and one externally set exam project. Coursework
accounts for 60% of the final GCSE grade, leaving 40% for the externally set assignment.

In Year 10 pupils complete a year long project based on Natural Form. The Unit is divided into the 4 AQA
Assessment Objectives. The unit is spread out over the year to give pupils ample time to fulfil each of the
assessment objectives to their fullest potential. Within Year 10 pupils are introduced to a wide range of artisitic
skills including drawing and painting, ceramics, glass art and glass fusing, photography, textiles and fashion and
printmaking. From the Spring Term, Year 10 pupils use the topic of natural form and the skills they have been
taught in the Autumn Term to develop their own final piece of work which is hoped shows great understanding of
skills taught and confidence in their own development..

In the Autumn Term of year 11 pupils are given a Mock exam paper which is set by Art Staff. The aim of this is to
give pupils an insight to the final exam. As with the final exam, the Mock paper allows eight weeks to complete
preparatory studies in a sketch book and learners will have two days in exam conditions to complete a final
design based on their studies.

The final exam takes place at the end of the Spring Term in Year 11 and is followed by an exhibition of pupils
artwork over the course of the GCSE is held annually in Gatton Hall.

One to one tutorials take place once a week to make sure pupils are on task with their work. The Art Department
is also open each evening until 6pm to give pupils access to the departments resources and to take part in extra
sessions. Art Staff also present workshops to pupils on Saturday afternoons.

Summary of Assessment

Coursework (60% of GCSE)
Natural Form.
Mock Exam Paper.

External Exam Paper ( 40% of GCSE)

Resources Used
Text Book Revision Guide Websites Other
GCSE Art and ‘ART SHOP’
Design: Learners can purchase a ‘starter pack’ from the
Lonsdale Press school art shop, these contain a number of
Revision materials to get learners started in their project
ISBN: work.
9781903068908

Exam board website

www.aqa.org.uk

Coursework Deadlines
Year 10 Year 11

Unit 1 – Natural Form Summer Term 2012 Mock Exam – January 2013

Exam Dates
Title Exam Duration Date Start Time
Code
Year 11
Art 2 day Mock exam 1027 2 days Autumn 8.30
Term
Art – 2 day conditioned 1027 2 days TBC 8.30
exam

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The Royal Alexandra and Albert School

Course Title
BTEC Business
Course Overview
What is the Level 2 BTEC First Certificate in Business?
The business world comprises an enormous variety of different careers.The BTEC First Certificate in
Business aims to give you a practical understanding of what “being in business” entails, and it will help
you to develop the knowledge, understanding and competency needed when considering entering
employment in this sector.
Summary of Assessment
You will be assessed for each unit you take. Each assessment you take is designed by the Head of Business Studies to
cover specified outcomes which are needed to achieve a pass, merit or distinction. The difference between grades is the
quality of responses. To get a merit grade, pupils need to show that they can give a higher level of response than for a pass.
A distinction grade needs the best response of all.

You will be assessed for each unit you take. Each assessment you take is designed by the Head of Business Studies to
cover specified outcomes which are needed to achieve a pass, merit or distinction. The difference between grades is the
quality of responses. To get a merit grade, pupils need to show that they can give a higher level of response than for a pass.
A distinction grade needs the best response of all.
Resources Used
Text Book Revision Guide Websites Other
BTEC First Business Study N/A www.bbc.co.uk Students will be given
Guide www.bized.co.uk handouts when
(Issued to students at the www.s-cool.co.uk appropriate.
beginning of the course) www.tutor2u.net
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
BTEC Business 2nd Edition; www.disneylandparis.com
Carol Carysforth and Mike Neild www.cadburyworld.co.uk
Heinemann Publishers
2006
ISBN: 978 0 435499 07 5
Exam board website
www.edexcel.co.uk
Coursework Deadlines and Unit Information
Unit 1, 2 and 3 Unit 1: Business Purposes
The aim of this unit is to enable you to understand the nature of business organisations and the
Unit 1 deadline – business environment in which they operate. You will do this by looking at the range of organisations
Summer 2012 that exist locally, regionally and nationally and by considering the business framework in which they
Unit 2 deadline – operate. There will be a particular focus on businesses in the local context with which learners will be
Summer 2013 familiar.
Unit 5 deadline –
Summer 2013 Unit 2: Business Organisations
The aim of this unit is to enable you to understand the aims and objectives of business organisations
and how they are organised into functional areas to meet their business aims and objectives. You will
do this by looking at examples of local and national organisations and for which information is readily
available. There will be a particular focus on businesses in the local context with which you will be
familiar.

Unit 3: Financial Forecasting for Business
The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand the financial aspects of running a business.
You will do this through looking at the key concepts used by businesses to manage their money, and
forecast their finances for the future.
Exam Dates
None – 100% Coursework
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The Royal Alexandra and Albert School

Course Title
GCSE Business
Course Overview

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t studied business prior to taking this course. You might have an interest in business, and
want to start your own business one day. You may have an enquiring mind and be interested in learning about the world
around you, how businesses are set up, and what it is that makes someone a great entrepreneur. This course will help
you understand all this and more.

Summary of Assessment

While studying the first two units of this course you are likely to learn a lot of new things. You will be introduced to the
world of small businesses and will look at what makes someone a successful business person. You will find out how to
develop an idea and spot an opportunity, and turn that into a successful business. You will understand how to make a
business effective and manage money. You will also see how the world around us affects small businesses and all the
people involved.

Resources Used
Text Book Revision Guide Websites Other
Edexcel GCSE Introduction Edexcel GCSE www.bbc.co.uk Students will be given handouts/ppt’s
to small business ISBN Business Exam www.bized.co.uk where appropriate. Outside business
:9781846904967 Skills Practice www.s-cool.co.uk people will come in and speak to
Workbook – www.tutor2u.net pupils. Young Enterprise will be run as
Edexcel GCSE Business Support: ISBN: an extra curricular club/activity. Extra
Studies: Controlled 9781446900529 curricular trips/outings will be available
Assessment Workbook to students.
ISBN: 9781846906923

Edexcel GCSE Business:
Introduction to Economic
Understanding ISBN:
9781846904998
Exam board website
www.edexcel.co.uk
Coursework Deadlines
Unit 2 –Investigating Small Business This unit is internally assessed under controlled conditions. Students
Controlled Assessment complete one Edexcel-set task with a total of 40 marks.
Research/investigation – approximately two weeks of curriculum time
You will be given a list of controlled assessment (a maximum of six hours). Analysis/evaluation of task (final write up)
task to choose from. The tasks will be based – approximately one week of curriculum time (a maximum of three
on what you have studied in Unit 1. hours). The task is internally marked by teachers and moderated by
Edexcel.
Exam Dates
Title Exam Code Duration Dat Useful Information
e
Introduction to Small Business Unit code 45 Mintues. TB Multiple-choice and objective
5BS02 C test questions with a total of
Unit 1 – Examination: You will take a written 40 marks.
examination paper with multiple choice and
objective test questions based on the Unit.
Introduction to Economic Understanding Unit code Written TB Questions will comprise of a
5BS05 examination: 1 C combination of multiple-
Unit 5 Examination – The questions will be a hour 30 choice, short- and extended-
mixture of multiple-choice, data response, short minutes. answer, data response and
answer, extended-writing and scenario-based scenario-based questions
questions. with a total of 90 marks.

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The Royal Alexandra and Albert School

Course Title
Citizenship Studies
Course Overview
GCSE Subject Aims
• (cid:1)To engage with topical citizenship issues and contribute to debates on challenges facing society involving
a wide range of political, social and ethical ideas, issues and problems in context (local to global).
• (cid:1)To develop and apply understanding of key citizenship concepts (justice, democracy, rights and
responsibilities, identities and diversity) to deepen their understanding of society and how communities
change over time.
• To use an enquiring, critical approach to distinguish facts, opinion and bias, build arguments and make
informed judgements.
• (cid:1)To develop the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to take action with others, in order to address
citizenship issues in their communities.
Course Description
• Over two years pupils will cover work in the following areas:
• Political, legal and human rights and freedoms in a range of contexts from local to global.
• Civil, criminal law and the justice system – police, youth offending teams, courts, lawyers, prisons and
probation.
• Democratic and electoral processes and the operation of parliamentary democracy.
• The development of, and struggle for, different kinds of rights and freedoms both in the UK and abroad.
• The media.
• (cid:1)Policies and practices for sustainable development.
• The economy in relation to citizenship and the relationship between employers and employees.
• Origins and the implications of diversity and the changing nature of society in the UK.
• The European Union
Summary of Assessment
• Unit 1: Citizenship Today (externally assessed unit worth 20%)
• Unit 2: Participating in Society (controlled assessment worth 30%)
• Unit 3: Citizenship in Context (externally assessed unit worth 20%)
• Unit 4 Citizenship Campaign (controlled assessment worth 30%)
Resources Used
Text Book Revision Guide Other
Citizenship Today Student CGP KS4 Citizenship Studies Students should be watching the
Book Endorsed by Edexcel BY Revision Guide By Richard news and reading a variety of
Jenny Wales 978-0-00- Parsons newspapers on a regular basis.
731264-1 • May 2009
Exam board website
Edexcel: http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse09/citizenship-studies/Pages/default.aspx

Coursework Deadlines
Unit 2: Participating in Society Unit 4: Citizenship Campaign
Spring 2012 Spring 2013
Exam Dates
Title Exam Code Duration Date Start Time
Year 10
Unit 1: Citizenship Today 5CS01 1 Hour TBC TBC
Year 11
Unit 3: Citizenship in Context 5CS03 1 hour 15 min TBC TBC

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The Royal Alexandra and Albert School

Course Title
Countryside and Environment
Course Overview

Certificate and Diploma in Land-based skills:

Forestry
Habitats
Machinery
Practical skills gained in the Parkland

The course prepares learners for anything from estate worker to estate manager and allows them to gain
from 2 GCSEs at Grade C to 4 A*s.

This course will suit those who wish to work in countryside related occupations.

Summary of Assessment

Continuous assignment based assessment geared to individual aspirations and abilities.

Resources Used
Text Book Revision Guide Websites Other
Various – Can be found on the Safety boots.
None None school shared area. All-weather clothing
essential.
Exam board website

http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/first/land

Coursework Deadlines
Year 10 Year 11

Continuous – choice of Certificate or Diploma Continuous – Final deadline beginning of July
made at the end of the year.

Exam Dates
Title Exam Code Duration Date Start Time
Year 11
None
Year 10
None

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The Royal Alexandra and Albert School

Course Title
Dance (4232)
Course Overview
This is a two year course where pupils study Dance. Students look at practical and theoretical aspects of Dance.
Concentrating on different styles and forms of dance. The course is split into four sections, Performance in a duo or group,
Set Dance, Critical Appreciation of Dance and Choreography.

This is a linear course where exams are taken at the end of Year 11. There is one written exam which is a one hour paper
and assesses performance, choreography, safe practice and critical appreciation. There are 4 practical exams, which will be
marked internally and assessed externally.

Summary of Assessment
Unit 1 – Written Paper – 1 hour – 20%
Unit 2 – Set Dance – Solo Performance – 20%
Unit 3 – Performance in a duo/group – 20%
Unit 4 – Task 1 – Solo Composition – 15%
Task 2 – Choreography solo/duo/group – 25%
Resources Used
Text Book Revision Guide Websites Other
GCSE Dance Teacher created resource
Clunie M, Dale L & Paine L booklets provided.
Nelson Thornes, to be
published summer 2009
Exam board website

www.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/art_dan_dra_mus/new/dance

Coursework Deadlines

Exam Dates
Title Exam Code Duration Date Start Time

Year 11
Unit 1 Written Paper (42301) 4232 1 Hour May 2013
Unit 2 (42302) 4232 May/Apr 2013 TBA
Unit 3 (42303) 4232 May/Apr 2013 TBA
Unit 4 (42304) 4232 May/Apr 2013 TBA

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The Royal Alexandra and Albert School

Course Title
Drama (2DR01)
Course Overview

GCSE Drama offers pupils the opportunity to investigate how theatre is created from a practical point of view, whilst
gaining an understanding of its history & traditions. During the two year course, pupils will study two complete play
texts; learn a variety of performance styles and techniques; work on developing devising skills; investigate two major
themes or issues through Drama; learn a variety of backstage skills; investigate the work of three major theatre
practitioners and gain performance experience. Each of the internally assessed units carry with them a substantial
written element.

Pupils will be required to attend a two hour rehearsal session each week after school for the duration of the course.
They will also be required to participate in or support at least one show per term and to attend a performance of The
Woman in Black, for which there will be a charge.

Summary of Assessment

Unit 1: Drama Exploration – internally assessed
Practical Exploration – 20%
Documentary Evidence – 10%
Unit 2 Percentage Marks Time
Unit 2: Exploring Play Texts & Response to Live Theatre – internally assessed
Practical Exploration (6 hour workshop) – 15%
Documentary Evidence (workshop write-up) – 5%
Response to Live Performance (Woman in Black essay) –10%

Unit 3: Drama Performance – externally assessed
Performance – 40%
or
Performance support – 40%

Resources Used

Text Book Revision Guide Websites Other

Texts provided by school N/A

Exam board website

www.edexcel.org.uk

Coursework Deadlines
Unit 2: Summer 2012
Unit 1: Christmas 2012
Exam Dates
Title Exam Code Duration Date Start Time
Unit 3 5DR03 Whole day TBC (May 2012) TBC

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