This booklet provides information about the GCSE subjects which are offered by Ruthin School in Forms 4 and 5. The GCSE system of assessment tests not only knowledge and understanding of facts, but also practical and other skills in addition to the abilityto apply knowledge. All subjects are based on a two-year linear course with a final exam at the end of Form 5. At Ruthin School we offer an academic suite of GCSEs and we believe that specialist teaching, regular testing and formal exams at the end ofeach term will prepare our students for the demands of linear assessment at GCSE. In some subjects there are two tiers of entry: Foundation and Higher. Grades achievable are as follows: In IGCSEs there is only a one tier entry which includes all the grades from 9- 1. . Grade 9 will be awarded to the top tier of students. The comparison table below shows the new grading system 9-1 compared to the previous system A*- E. New gradingstructureCurrentgrading structure 9A* A* 8 7A 6B 5C 4D 3E 2F 1G UU Click here to view the PDF. At Ruthin School we offer a range of academic courses which cater for all our students in the following subjects:• Maths / Further Maths • English Language / English Literature / English as an Additional Language. • Astronomy • Biology • Chemistry • Physics • Economics • Geography • History • French • Spanish • Latin • Computer Science • Art & Design • Music • Statistics Course outlines for each of these subjects can be found in the following pages. Mathematics • Mathematics is compulsory • Further Mathematics (selected individuals) • Optional Statistics Mathematics equips students with uniquely powerful tools to understand the world around us. These tools include logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think in abstract ways. Mathematics and statistics are important in everyday life and feature in many forms of employment, such as science and technology, medicine, business, the environment and public decision-making. GCSE MATHEMATICS Pupils will follow the linear Edexcel GCSE course. Students will sit three examination papers in GCSE Mathematics. Paper 1 (Non Calculator) Paper 2 (Calculator) Paper 3 (Calculator) Each examination will be 1½ hours long Each examination will examine content from the whole specification, namely: Number, Algebra, Ratio, Proportion, Rates of Change, Geometry, Measures, Probability and Statistics. Students will be placed into sets to study the higher GCSE tier specification at an appropriate pace, although a final decision on GCSE entry (foundation or higher tier) will not be made until January of the year of entry. A scientific calculator is needed for both the higher and foundation tiers. FURTHER MATHEMATICS Edexcel offers an International GCSEin Further Mathematics and AQA offer a Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics. Both courses are suitable for those pupils placed into set 1 in GCSE Mathematics. The Further Mathematics courses allow students to gain some insight into the type of work covered in AS Mathematics courses and will certainly be of benefit to those students contemplating studying A level Mathematics or Further Mathematics in the Sixth Form. The IGCSE in Further Mathematics consists of two examinations; both allow a calculator and are 2 hours long. The Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematicsconsists of two examinations, one calculator (2 hours) and the other non-calculator (1 hour 30 mins). Statistics Statistics is an important subject in its own right and is used regularly in many forms of employment and further study. For example: in biological sciences, business, geography, psychology, sociology, agriculture, botany, economics, environmental science, insurance and public sector decision-making. A basic knowledge of some fundamental statistical techniques used in the design of experiments and in the analysis of data is essential in today’s analytic world. Examination Board and Qualification: Pupils will follow the linear Edexcel GCSE course. Students will sit two examination papers inGCSE Statistics. Paper 1 (Calculator) Paper 2 (Calculator) Each examination will be 1½ hours long Each examination will examine content from thewhole specification, namely: Collection of data, processing, representing, analysing data, probability. For those pupils who do not opt for GCSE Statistics, they can be entered for the EDEXCEL Award in Statistical Methods. This consists of one exampaper of 2 hours duration, which results in a pass or fail. The Level 2 Statistical Methods specification will be taught in Mathematics lessons because most of the content is included within the GCSE Mathematics specification.First Language English At Ruthin School we follow the Edexcel IGCSE Language course and the Edexcel IGCSE Literature course. We have a long and successful history with this examination board and we believe that in following their new revised courses, we can continue to give our students a balanced, rounded learning experience, as well as helping them access impressive grades. Occasionally, with candidates who are finding key aspects of the English Language course challenging, we will recommend that they focus on improving their skills and do not continue with the English Literature course. This would allow them to aspire to a higher grade in the crucial English Language qualification, a qualification which is essential to their educational and career aspirations. However, all candidates will study a range of literature which will help in developing the crossover skills of analysis and precision. This will include not only an extended study of the ever-popular “Of Mice and Men”, but also a broad range oftexts, prose and poetry, fiction and non-fiction provided by the board in its Anthology. We tend to find that the skills come most easily to those who read widely, stretching themselves in their own private reading, developing tastes of their own. This includes non- fiction as well as fiction. All students can find an interest and follow it up, perhaps by reading short sections of quality newspapers or magazines, many of which can be freely accessed on- line. There is also a huge emphasis on discussion skills made much more possible by oursmall class sizes. Those who express themselves and try out ideas tend to succeed more readily, engaging more with the material – and we naturally encourage this important facet of English as much as we can. “Write to beunderstood; speak to be heard; read to grow.” Lawrence Clark PowellEdexcel IGCSE English Language Course Overview One examination paper 2 hours 15 minutes Worth 60% of total marks Section A: Reading – a mixture of short- and long-answer questions related to a nonfiction text from Part 1 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology (10 texts possible) and one previously unseen extract. Total of 45 marks. Questions tend to follow the pattern below: 1 Search and retrieve information [2 marks ] 2 Explain (using your own words) [4 marks] 3 Describe how / why (quote to justify your responses) [5 marks] 4 Analyse Anthology text (how does the writer....?) [12 marks] 5 Compare how writers present the theme of **** [22 marks] Section B: Transactional Writing – one 45-mark writing task, from a choice of two involving a given audience, form or purpose. Students will be provided with a clean copy of the anthology texts in the examination. Coursework Worth 40% of total marks Assignment A: Poetry and prose texts – one 30-mark essay question based on any two poetry or prose texts from Part 2 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology (10 texts), including a 6-mark commentary on why these texts were selected. Assignment B: Imaginative writing – one 30-mark imaginative writing task.Edexcel IGCSE English Literature Course Overview 1 Paper 2 hours 15 minutes Worth 60% of total marks 60 marks (40%) Section A Poetry Part 1: Modern unseen poetry • question on an unprepared poem Part 2: Poetry Anthology (clean copies of the anthology poems available in the exam) • comparative question • choice of two questions Section B Modern prose • essay question with an emphasis on texts in contexts • choice of two questions for each text • closed book (no books allowed) Coursework Worth 40% of total marks The assessment of this component is through two coursework assignments, internally set and assessed, and externally moderated by Pearson. • Assignment A – Modern Drama: one essay response to a teacher-devised assignment on the studied text. • Assignment B – Literary Heritage Texts: one essay response to a teacher-devised assignment on the studied text. • The total number of marks available is 60 (30 marks for each assignment) Likely texts include Of Mice and Men, An InspectorCallsand a Shakespeare play, probably Macbeth.Next >