THE KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM
All students will follow a core curriculum in the following subjects :
� English Language and English Literature GCSE � Mathematics GCSE � PE � PSHE ( Includes RE , Careers and Citizenship ) � Learning 4 Life ( 7 lessons across History , geography , DT , P Arts and Computing ) � Science : Synergy ( equivalent to two GCSEs ) or Separate Sciences ( Biology , Chemistry and
Physics )
What courses are on offer ? GCSE – General Certificate of Secondary Education
The GCSE will account for the greater part ( if not all ) of a student ’ s courses in Key Stage 4 . The courses will be linear with final examinations - the exams will be taken at the end of Year 11 for all subjects except English Literature ( end of Year 10 ).
BTEC First Award , Technical Awards & the OCR National Award
A BTEC First Award , Technical Award and OCR National Award are vocational qualifications that include internal assessment and practical learning . These awards all contain an examined section . The qualification is equivalent to one GCSE .
Legacy GCSE grading ( not valid for students in Year 8 onwards )
A * A
B C
D E F G
New GCSE grading
9 8 7
6 5 ( good pass ) 4 ( standard pass )
3 2 1
Vocational grading ( BTEC , Award , OCR National Award )
Level 2 Distinction * Level 2 Distinction
Level 2 Merit Level 2 Pass
Level 1 Distinction Level 1 Merit Level 1 Pass
U U U
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