Guide to Options Year 9 2022 - 2024 Cohort - Ark John Keats Academy
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Year 9 Guide to Options 2022 – 2024 Cohort
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 3
The Options & Your Educational Journey .......................................................................................................... 4
Our Key Stage 4 Curriculum ......................................................................................................................................... 5
The English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) ...................................................................................................................... 6
Science (Double Award) or Separate Sciences? .............................................................................................. 6
Making your choice ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Compulsory Subjects....................................................................................................................................................... 8
English Language ......................................................................................................................................................... 9
English Literature ..................................................................................................................................................... 11
Maths ............................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Science ........................................................................................................................................................................... 15
French............................................................................................................................................................................ 17
Optional Subjects ........................................................................................................................................................... 19
Art, craft and design ................................................................................................................................................ 20
Computer Science ..................................................................................................................................................... 22
Drama ............................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Geography.................................................................................................................................................................... 26
History ........................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Music .............................................................................................................................................................................. 30
Physical Education (PE) ......................................................................................................................................... 32
Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE) ............................................................................................................ 34
Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 2
Introduction You have reached an exciting stage in your education as it is the first time that you will make some choices about the subjects you study. You are nearing the end of key stage 3 and will be starting your GCSE courses in September 2022. The Key Stage 4 curriculum consists of a core set of subjects that all pupils will study alongside some optional courses. All the hard work you have put in to your studies over the last two years will put you in an excellent position as you take this next step towards your future aspirations. You have a huge number of choices in your future, academic and otherwise. However, in terms of your academic choices, GCSEs are the first step on this path. You will spend two years studying for your GCSEs, and when you complete them at the end of Year 11 they will be the main qualifications you have with which employers can compare you to all other young people your age. After GCSEs at age 16, you will have more options open to you in the form of A-Levels, vocational courses or training. Your suitability for these courses will depend on what you want to do in the future as well as how successful you have been at KS4. Many people then go on to study for degrees or other qualifications at universities around the UK in order to prepare them for their future career. Our KS4 curriculum is designed to prepare you to go to a good university or pursue the career of your choice. Alongside character development and good self-discipline, the subjects you will study provide a solid foundation to all future study. You might have a very clear idea of what you want to do or be when you finish school, or, like most Year 9 pupils in the country, you might have very little idea. At this stage, it is important that you keep your options open. This is why certain subjects are compulsory at GCSE. These are the subjects that will give you the most opportunities whatever your next step may be. If you know what you would like to do when you are older, you are in the fortunate position of being able to choose GCSE subjects related to that area. If you are not sure, don’t worry. Any combination of GCSE choices on offer will provide you with a wide range of future options. Once you have chosen your Options, the best thing you can do to ensure that you have fantastic choices in the future is to work hard in order to make sure that your GCSE qualifications are the very best that they can be. We hope you find this booklet useful in making these choices. You and your parents will have an opportunity to discuss your GCSE Options during your parent review meeting next week. Reflect on your strengths and interests, making time to ask your teachers and tutors any questions you may have about the courses over the next few weeks. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 3
The Options & Your Educational Journey
Tuesday 22nd February –
Options Evening
Presentation from Ms Marshall and information from
key subject leaders. Options booklet and Options Form
handed out.
Tuesday 22nd February – Monday 7th March
Pupils to discuss options subjects with parents and
teachers to arrive at a final decision.
Monday 7th March 2022 –
Options Deadline
All pupils submit completed Options Form.
June 2022
All subject choices finalised and communicated with
students and parents.
Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 4
Our Key Stage 4 Curriculum Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 5
The English Baccalaureate (Ebacc)
The English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) has been introduced by the Government to acknowledge
pupils who achieve good GCSE grades in the following subjects and to make study at Britain’s
top universities more accessible.
• English
• Maths
• Science
• History or Geography
• Languages
The Ebacc isn’t a qualification in itself; it’s a collection of core academic subjects that are highly
valued by universities, sixth form/colleges and the Government as providing a solid and
rigorous foundation for future academic study.
GCSEs in community languages can satisfy the language element of the Ebacc. If you can speak,
read, write and confidently understand a language other than English and wish to be considered
for GCSE entry in it, please speak to your child’s tutor to register your interest. They will also be
able to advise on whether the language in question contributes to Ebacc.
Science (Double Science and Triple Award)
It is compulsory for every pupil to study at least two GCSEs in Science. Pupils can either study
Combined Science (known as Double Science), which is worth two GCSEs or Separate Sciences
(known as Triple Science) which is worth three GCSEs. Both courses cover Biology, Chemistry
and Physics and are valued highly by universities and employers. Pupils can go on to study all A-
Level Science courses after studying Combined Science (Double Science), subject to meeting
entry requirements.
Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 6
Making your choice
Good reasons to choose…
• If you would like to study that subject in the future at A level.
• If you enjoy and are interested in a subject.
• If you are achieving well in a subject.
• If the subject will help you in the future with entry to University
and your chosen career path.
Remember…
• You shouldn’t make choices based on what your friends have
chosen – your options are personal to you.
• GCSE Courses last for 2 years – you cannot change your mind at the
end of Year 10
Next steps…
• Take the opportunity to seek advice or information from your
teachers and family.
• Look carefully at the course information contained in this guide.
• Consider your strengths and interests.
• Discuss your ideas with your tutor at the parent review meeting.
• Do some research
Some useful websites:
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/
http://russellgroup.ac.uk/for-students/school-and-college-in-the-
uk/subject-choices-at-school-and-college/
https://www.ucas.com/
Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 7
Compulsory Subjects Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 8
English Language
The Curriculum - What will I learn?
GCSE English Language will enable you to develop the skills that you need to read, understand
and analyse a wide range of different texts covering the 19th, 20th and 21st century time
periods as well as to write clearly, coherently and accurately using a range of vocabulary and
sentence structures.
You will take two assessment papers, each worth 50% of your final grade. Paper 1, Explorations
in Creative Reading and Writing, looks at how writers use narrative and descriptive techniques
to engage the interest of readers. Paper 2, Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives, looks at how
different writers present a similar topic over time.
What skills will I develop?
By studying GCSE English Language, you will learn to:
• read a wide range of texts, fluently and with good understanding;
• read critically, and use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve
their own writing;
• write effectively and coherently using Standard English appropriately;
• use grammar correctly, punctuate and spell accurately;
• acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and understanding of
grammatical terminology, and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken
language;
• listen to and understand spoken language, and use spoken Standard English effectively.
Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 9
How will my character develop? You will develop your curiosity by reading a range of fiction and non-fiction and developing your ever-expanding vocabulary. You will also develop reflectiveness through reading critically and using that reading to inform and improve your own writing. What does this subject look like at A-Level and university? At A level and university, you will continue to read a range of fiction and non-fiction and be expected to engage with the texts critically. You will also look closely at language, both spoken and written, considering the changes it undergoes over time and across the world. You will also have to write well-structured, carefully researched essays, or engaging and imaginative creative writing. What future careers might this subject lead to? Studying English Language at GCSE will allow you to study A Level English Language and A Level English Literature. From there, you can continue with English at university. You will also be expected to read a range of texts in whichever area of further study you go into, so GCSE English Language is a wonderful way to support your future studies. English graduates find opportunities with many different employers. Public and private sector organisations such as the National Health Service (NHS), educational institutions, local and national government, financial and legal firms, and voluntary and charitable organisations employ English graduates in a range of roles. Other typical employers include advertising marketing and public relations agencies, media organisations and publishing companies. The skills developed while at university are great ways to get into future careers, for example, many English pupils write for pupil newspapers and magazines, get involved with pupil radio or film societies, or volunteer in the community or local schools. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 10
English Literature
The Curriculum - What will I learn?
GCSE English Literature will enable you to develop the skills that you need to read, understand
and analyse a wide range of different texts from Shakespeare, the Victorian era and up to 20th
and 21st century time periods as well as to write clearly, coherently and accurately using a
range of vocabulary and sentence structures.
You will take two assessment papers. The first, worth 40% of your final grade, is Paper 1, for
which you will study Shakespeare and a Victorian novel. The second, worth 60% of your final
grade, is Paper 2, for which you will study a modern novel and a range of poetry.
What skills will I develop?
By studying GCSE English Literature, you will learn to:
• explore aspects of plot, characterisation, events and settings;
• identify the theme and distinguishing between themes;
• explore the impact of writers’ social, historical and cultural contexts;
• make an informed personal response from analysing and evaluating the text;
• consider how language, structure and form contribute to quality and impact;
• comparing and contrasting texts studied;
• discuss and maintain a point of view.
Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 11How will my character develop? You will develop your curiosity by reading a range of fiction and non-fiction and developing your ever-expanding vocabulary. You will also develop reflectiveness through reading critically and using that reading to inform and improve your own writing. What does this subject look like at A-Level and university? At A level and university, you will continue to read a range of fiction and non-fiction and be expected to engage with the texts critically. You will also look closely at language, both spoken and written, considering the changes it undergoes over time and across the world. You will also have to write well-structured, carefully researched essays, or engaging and imaginative creative writing. What future careers might this subject lead to? Studying English Literature at GCSE will allow you to study A Level English Literature and A Level English Language. From there, you can continue with English at university. You will also be expected to read a range of texts in whichever area of further study you go into, so GCSE English Literature is a wonderful way to support your future studies. English Literature graduates find opportunities with many different employers. Public and private sector organisations such as the Civil Service, schools and colleges, politics, law, and charities all see English Literature as a good degree. The widespread demand for good communication skills means English Literature degrees offer lots of potential career paths. At university pupils may want to complement their degree by gaining work experience during their studies. For instance, pupils who know they want to go into magazine publishing upon graduation will likely need experience in a similar environment, potentially from being involved in with a pupil publication, such as a university newsletter, magazine or website. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 12
Maths The Curriculum - What will I learn? In GCSE Mathematics you will study content from 6 different strands: number, algebra, ratio/proportion and rates of change, geometry and measures, probability and statistics. As part of the KS3 maths curriculum you have already mastered many of the topics that will be assessed in GCSE mathematics and in years10 and 11 you will continue to build on this solid foundation as you explore new and more challenging areas of mathematics. Problem solving has always been at the heart of our KS3 curriculum and will continue to be a priority for you at GCSE. What skills will I develop? By studying mathematics at GCSE, you will learn to use and apply standard mathematical techniques with confidence and accuracy. You will develop your ability to reason, interpret and communicate mathematically and you will also learn to solve problems within mathematics and other contexts. How will my character develop? Mathematics is essential to the art of problem solving and learning to become a successful mathematician requires resilience and tenacity. You will develop this at GCSE by using your understanding of standard mathematical techniques to solve complex and extended problems. You will learn how to think systematically and to reflect upon and adapt your approach if it has not yielded the desired result. Mathematics is a truly creative discipline and the best mathematicians are flexible in their thinking and prepared to use multiple representations in order to understand and tackle problems. What does this subject look like at A-Level and university? If you wish to continue your studies of mathematics beyond GCSE you can study mathematics and further mathematics at A-Level. At A-Level mathematics you will study a combination of Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 13
pure mathematics and either statistics and mechanics. A-Level mathematics introduces you into the basics of calculus and offers you the chance to derive many GCSE methods from first principles. A-Level mathematics is an excellent foundation for studying many subjects at university. When considering a degree in any of the sciences, medicine, computer programming, economics or engineering it would be highly advisable to study mathematics at A-Level. Many universities offer the opportunity to study mathematics as a part of a joint honours programme. This could be a useful way of combining your love of mathematics with another subject that you are passionate about. What future careers might this subject lead to? Studying mathematics at A-Level or university can provide a stepping-stone to a vast array of careers. Mathematics could lead to work in banking, accountancy, education, computer programming, economics, meteorology, engineering and many other areas. It is important to remember that the study of any subject at university level is more about the skills you develop rather than the content you will learn. The skills that you will acquire by studying mathematics at A-Level and beyond will be prepare you well for many industries and make you highly desirable to employers. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 14
Science The Curriculum - What will I learn? You will all study Biology, Chemistry and Physics. They combine together to form two science GCSEs – called ‘Combined Science - Trilogy’, this is also known as ‘double science’. In Biology, you will study cells and how they are organised into systems in all living things. You will study what infections are and how our bodies respond to them and fight them off. You will look at how information is passed on from generation to generation, and how gradual changes over time have cause evolution. You will then look at ecology, and how all these systems interact in our environment, and the impact humans are having upon this. In Chemistry, you will look in more depth at how the structure of atoms impacts all chemical reactions. You will study how atoms bond together, and how bonding and reactions influence the properties of, and can be used to explain the behaviour of, everything that has ever existed. We will also look at how humans use these resources and these reactions for our benefit in manufacturing, but also how we are then adversely impacting our environment. In Physics, you will study the concepts of energy and forces, and link them to all other physical phenomena, such as light, sound, waves, electricity and magnetism. We will look at how the structure of an atom then impacts these physical concepts. We use these ideas to explain the behaviour of everything from the tiny sub-atomic particles, to the creation of stars and the orbits of galaxies. What skills will I develop? You will continue to develop your scientific skills. You will learn how to plan detailed investigations and to develop hypotheses for these investigations. You will analyse your results in depth and think about how what you found out fits in with our wider understanding of science. You will develop your critical thinking skills, and use these to question and develop your understanding of the world you live in. How will my character develop? Scientific study requires a great deal of responsibility and honesty, in how you carry out your investigations and present your findings. Curiosity is essential, as most scientific developments happen when by asking questions, and thinking about why something happens. For example, questions like, ‘Why does that happen? What would happen if…? and ‘How can I make that better at…?’ have all lead to great advances in scientific understanding. What does this subject look like at A-Level and university? Studying science at GCSE leads to lots of different options at A-level, including studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics separately. At university, you can study science fairly broadly (e.g. natural science, which includes parts of all three), a specialism (e.g. Physics), or a narrower application of science (e.g. medicine, nursing, pharmacology engineering, aeronautical engineering, zoology, genetics, astrophysics, electrical engineering, computer science and many more). What future careers might this subject lead to? Scientific skills and understanding are essential for all careers, as it helps you to understand how the world works. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 15
Specific pathways may be to study Biology and Chemistry at A-level, leading to lots of different medical careers and university, such as medicine, dentistry, nursing or pharmacy. You could study Physics and Maths at A-level and aim to study engineering at university. There are many different specialisms within engineering, all of which will require science A-levels. If you plan on working in industries related to computers in future, an understanding of electronics is essential, so studying A-level physics would be important. Designing new technology and working in industries linked to technology (as most jobs now are) will require scientific and analytical skills developed through all different sciences at A- level. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 16
French The Curriculum - What will I learn? GCSE French lets you explore a wide range of topics, from celebrations and festivals, through getting by as a tourist in France to international campaigns and events. You will learn about the culture of France through a range of interesting topics which will add to your understanding about the country. You will also build on the vocabulary and grammar that you studied in KS3, whilst deepening your knowledge and understanding of previously studied topics, such as school, town, food and drink, talking about yourself and holidays. You will be assessed in each of the 4 skills: speaking, writing, reading and listening. Each skill is worth 25% of your final mark. What skills will I develop? By studying GCSE French, you will develop the skill of communication; you will learn to communicate more clearly, be confident speaking in public, use problem solving strategies and write coherently. You will also develop skills specific to French, including pattern spotting, manipulating language, communicating in a foreign language and reading and understanding for gist. How will my character develop? You will develop your curiosity by finding out about a different culture and discovering new vocabulary to make your own work more interesting. You will also develop reflectiveness through learning about a different culture and language and comparing the similarities and differences to your own language and culture. What does this subject look like at A-Level and university? At A level and university, you will continue to build on your knowledge and understanding of the French language, by exploring and analysing authentic texts and films, to develop your knowledge of the culture of France. If you choose to study French at university, you will spend the third year of your course living and working and/or studying in a French speaking country. p Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 17
What future careers might this subject lead to? Studying French at GCSE will allow you to study A level French and from there, you can continue with the language at university, developing your knowledge and understanding or to pick up another language from the beginning, which is called ab initio. GCSE French can support you studying abroad, as well as working for companies in the UK that have international links. By studying French at GCSE, it can also help you to develop your linguistic skills, which makes learning another language later on in life easier. GCSE French could enable you to live and/or study in France or another French speaking country and add an extra dimension to your personal and communication skills on your CV. Language graduates are employed in a wide variety of jobs; from working for the civil service in intelligence due to their excellent pattern spotting abilities, to translators for the United Nations and many more; le monde est à vous! Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 18
Optional Subjects Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 19
Art, craft and design The Curriculum - What will I learn? In Art, craft and design GCSE, you will produce 2 portfolio projects, and 1 exam project. You will develop your learning from KS3 to create more in depth and creative projects based on a range of open titles. You will look at different approaches to art and use a range of different media, techniques and materials. You will explore and learn more about 2 of the following: Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textile Design, Three-dimensional design and Photography. You will learn how to develop, refine and record your own ideas based on a range of project themes. What skills will I develop? Art and design is a way of seeing things and making sense of the world around you. The transferable skills you gain will be valuable for further study and the world of work. You’ll develop problem solving, creative thinking, investigating, research, communication and teamwork skills. You will develop, refine and record your own ideas based on project titles. You will develop your use of the formal elements and use your practical skills for different needs and purposes. You will improve your creative skills through the effective and safe use of media, materials, techniques, processes and technologies. As well, you will gain the ability to develop, refine and present your own ideas. How will my character develop? You will develop curiosity and empathy when researching new artists and sources for inspiration. It may be that you choose an issue based project, for example based on politics or events in the news. You will need to understand the perspective of others in order to create interesting and engaging art work. You will develop responsibility through taking ownership of your Art projects. You will make individual choices about the materials and processes you will use and why. You may need to source a variety of inspiration and resources to help develop your project. Time management will be important, particularly within the 10 hour practical exam at the end of your exam project. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 20
You will develop courage, adaptability and tenacity throughout your GCSE. You will be asked to experiment with brand new materials and processes that may be challenging to develop. You will create a range of test pieces in order to work towards a successful final piece. What does this subject look like at A-Level and university? You can continue your Art and design studies at AS and A-level. You’ll be able to choose areas of study to specialise in (e.g. Fine Art, Photography, Sculpture, Film) within a particular title. You will be responsible for managing your project and time, and you will be supported by tutors through individual tutorials. At the end of each year, you will curate and set up your own exhibition to present your work. You will build a professional portfolio of work to record your artistic journey. What future careers might this subject lead to? Art and design opens the door to lots of exciting careers. The creative industries generate £84.1 billion to the United Kingdom (UK) economy each year and employ over 2.8 million people. Unlike many industries, the creative industries have continued to grow, despite the recent financial crisis (thecreativeindustries.co.uk). Fashion design, Graphic design, Illustrator, Architecture, Advertising, Photographer, Animator, Theatre design, Interior design, Teaching, Museum curator, Video game designer and Product design are just some of the careers that Art could lead you to. If you choose to study Art at A- Level, you may specialise in one of these areas. These areas are available to study at University and could therefore create a pathway to the career of your choice. The transferable skills you gain will be valuable for the world of work. You’ll develop problem solving, creative thinking, investigating, research, communication, time management and teamwork skills. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 21
Computer Science
As a result of rapid advances in technology, many of the jobs that you may do in the future do not
even exist yet! Studying computer science will help you to adapt to future changes in the jobs
market, and ensure you understand how the technology we rely on actually works
The Curriculum - What will I learn?
Computer science is the study of the how computers and technology works and how
information is transferred, processed and stored between computational systems. It also
includes the development of programming techniques as well as wider implications of the use of
technology in society.
You will learn:
• To identify and explain how searching and sorting algorithms work and interpret
flowcharts and pseudocode.
• To analyse problems and create solutions by designing, writing and debugging programs
in Python, a popular high-level programming language used by professionals in many
different contexts.
• How computers use binary numbers to represent data including text, images and
sounds, as well as how compression is used to reduce file size.
• How computers work, including the components of a computer system, such as:
hardware, software, processors, memory and storage.
• How data is communicated across local and global computer networks, (such as the
internet) and the protocols that are used between them.
• About cyber security threats and the measures that are taken to prevent them.
• About the impact of digital technology, considering: ethical, legal, cultural, privacy and
environmental issues surrounding technology in society.
What skills will I develop?
Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 22You will develop:
• Computational thinking skills, which are a set of thought processes that can help you
to break down and solve complex problems.
• Programming skills to enable you to create sophisticated programs to solve a problem
or achieve a specific outcome.
• A systematic approach to problem solving, organising your ideas, programs and
explanations.
• Self-Management skills to allow you to keep up-to-date with the demands of the
course including note taking, home learning, revision and self-initiated practice/study.
You will also apply your mathematical skills to calculate and to support the development of
complex computer programs.
How will my character develop?
Being successful in computer science requires courage, tenacity, independence and
responsibility, as it is not a subject you will have studied before, meaning that you will need to
demonstrate these qualities to get the most out of the course.
Your adaptability will be developed, as you will encounter errors in your programming, which
will require you to systematically analyse and improve your work.
What does this subject look like at A-Level and university?
Computer science can be studied at A-level and university, where you will spend more time
working on independent projects and developing a more advanced understanding of how
computers work. You will create advanced programs that will solve complex problems using
other high-level programming languages such as C++, C#, VB.Net, Pascal/Delphi and Java.
Many technology firms offer apprenticeships and internships where you can study computer
science, learn the skills required for a job in the industry, and work with the most successful
people in the industry.
What future careers might this subject lead to?
Studying computer science could lead to careers in IT, computing, cyber security, engineering,
design, media, business and mathematics as well as supporting careers in other industries.
The fastest growing, most successful companies in the world are all now technology based,
which reflects our increasing use of technology in everyday life. Studying computer science will
allow you to pursue jobs in many different areas. For example, you could work for Google to
develop sophisticated neural networks that will one day be used to create more ‘human’
artificial intelligence. You could develop iOS applications for Apple smartphones, driverless cars
for Tesla, machine-learning algorithms for social networks such as Facebook, Twitter or
Snapchat - the possibilities are endless!
Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 23Drama The Curriculum - What will I learn? GCSE Drama will enable you to become a confident individual, skilled performer, designer and director. You will be encouraged to be both creative and analytical, with a focus on practical work and exploration of performance texts; a combination that will support a progression to further study of drama and theatre. As part of the qualification, you will have to devise your own performance as well as practically explore other performance texts. What skills will I develop? By studying GCSE Drama, you will develop your performance and design skills, ability to engage an audience as well as your creative thinking and critical analysis. You will also develop a multitude of transferable skills, including collaboration, communication and an understanding of how to amend and refine work in order to make a smooth transition to the next level of study. How will my character develop? You will develop your empathy by considering how to present a character as well as how to collaborate with others to design and perform successfully. You will also develop courage by performing in front of others and giving and receiving feedback. You will need to learn how to be tenacious and develop your responsibility through taking ownership of your devising process and performances, a process that will be challenging but memorable and rewarding. What does this subject look like at A-Level and university? At A level and university, you will continue to devise performances and analyse performance texts. You will also develop further other areas of the theatre such as lighting, set design and costume. You will be responsible for managing your performances and portfolio and you will be supported through individual tutorials. You further develop your artistic and creative ideas and your ability to critically analyse and evaluate performance work. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 24
What future careers might this subject lead to? Studying Drama at GCSE will support you with studying A Level Drama and Theatre Studies and A Level English Literature. From there, you could continue with Drama and Theatre studies at university by moving into more specialised degrees within theatre, such as acting, lighting or set design and costume. However, the transferable skills you gain when studying GCSE Drama will be valuable for other University degrees and the world of work. You’ll develop problem solving and creative thinking as well as investigating, research, communication, management and teamwork skills. You will also learn about different social and cultural constructs and develop your empathy and tenacity. This transferable knowledge will benefit you in a wide range of careers. Performing arts graduates combine creative talent with practical aspects of self-promotion and arts management. This mix of disciplines is a good preparation for the world of work and artistic performance. Jobs related to a degree in drama include being a director, producer, theatre manager, actor, dancer, drama therapist, TV presenter, teacher, university lecturer and stage manager. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 25
Geography
The Curriculum - What will I learn?
You will study three different units during your Geography GCSE, they are;
Physical Geography – Landscapes of the UK; Hazards and Ecosystems
Human Geography – Settlement; Economic World; Resource management
Fieldwork – Rivers or coasts investigation; cities investigation; statistical data skills
Excellent Geographers must master key concepts in Science and the Humanities to explain how
the world we live in is created. You will learn more about the physical and human processes that
shape our planet, and develop your ability to investigate this for yourself through fieldwork. In
addition to our work in the classroom, you will also complete 2 fieldwork studies, collecting
data to examine our changing landscape.
At the end of the course, you will have a strong grounding in a range of core geographical
processes, theories and investigation techniques which will prepare you well for further study
in Geography, History and Science.
What skills will I develop?
Geography at GCSE provides you with opportunities to develop skills in writing, numeracy and
practical investigation. You will continue to improve your ability to explain key ideas in
focussed written responses. Developing your understanding of a range of case-study locations
and events is a key part of this. Case-study work will enhance your understanding of important
world events and current affairs, and will allow you to discuss important global issues with
maturity and confidence.
You will also learn to read and create a range of more complex graphs, maps and charts. This
will help you to understand information sources no matter how they are presented.
Investigation and research skills also form a vital part of your Fieldwork paper, and you will use
a range of new techniques and equipment to collect data and explore your own hypotheses.
These skills will help you to find your place in the world you are part of.
How will my character develop?
Geographers are curious about the world they live in. GCSE Geography will allow you to find out
about countries, people and processes in more detail than ever before. We will investigate the
unique and diverse landscapes of our planet, finding out how they came to be, what they are like
and how they are changing. Showing empathy for the opportunities and challenges facing
people from very different backgrounds is also an important part of Geography, whatever level
you study at.
Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 26In GCSE Geography, you will also be required to take greater ownership of your own learning. You will be responsible for completing reading and research between lessons, as well as for making sure your work is consistently completed to the very best of your ability. What does this subject look like at A-Level and university? Geography at A-Level and beyond allows you to explore further the wide range of processes shaping our landscape, communities and opportunities. At A Level, increasing emphasis is placed on your ability to research and describe different case-studies, providing a great opportunity to learn about key countries, cities and world events which are shaping current affairs. The cross-over between Geography, History and Science also become deeper, supporting your learning in these subjects, too. At university, there are many different types of Geography you can study. Many undergraduate courses offer a broad first year in Human, Physical and Environmental Geography, before allowing you to choose your areas of interest. However, some allow you to choose straight away to study a whole 3 years of Physical or Human Geography. Whichever route you take, studying Geography allows you to investigate in great detail how the world around you works, and reflect on your role in shaping its future. What future careers might this subject lead to? Geographers are highly employable because they have mastered a wide range of written and numerical skills. 93% of Geography graduates are employed 6 months after graduation; the highest of any subject. You will be confident not just describing your ideas in writing, but also using graphs, charts and maps to express your thinking, which is an attractive balance of skills for all employers. Traditional careers in Geography include charity or aid work, government civil service, town planning, journalism and geo-science careers in meteorology, geophysics, hazard management and conservation. However, many Geographers also go on to work as lawyers, business leaders and in media. Geographers have a deep and balanced understanding of the human and physical processes shaping the world and the investigative skills needed to pursue their own ideas and become independent, critical thinkers. Geography will help you develop a strong sense of citizenship, empathy for others and responsibility for the world around you that will support you no matter what you choose to do in the future. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 27
History
The Curriculum - What will I learn?
You will study four different units during your
History GCSE, they are;
Medicine in Britain c. 1250-present – you
will study how medicine developed
across a range of periods from the
Medieval, Elizabethan and Modern world.
Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c. 1060–88 – this is your British depth study,
building on your Year 8 knowledge to understand how the Normans conquered Britain
and the changes to society that happened because of this.
Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-1939 – this is your international depth study. You will
look at the impact of World War One on Germany and chart the rise of Adolf Hitler and
the Nazi Party and the change this had on German society.
Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91 – this is your international breadth
study. You will look at the origins of a conflict that shaped the world and focus on some
of the most important moments of global history.
You will continue to write developed answers to explain your ideas and use historical sources to
make inferences and consider how useful they are for helping us find out about an event. This
programme of study will give you a great understanding of important periods of time across a
range of periods and places. The study at GCSE will build on all the knowledge and skills you
have developed over the course of Key Stage 3.
What skills will I develop?
The study of History at GCSE will develop your
ability to communicate your ideas both verbally
and in the written form. Writing essays is such an
important part of History and unpicking
historically important events will develop your
ability to analyse events and come up with your
own thoughtful interpretations.
You will develop your ability to handle lots of data and evidence and come to meaningful and
accurate observations, a key skill in the modern job market. Making inferences from sources
will help to develop your critical thinking. The wide area of content you study will also help you
to make more sense of the world around you, understanding the background to some of the
problems that exist in the world today as well as appreciating current events in the world today
across a wider historical context.
How will my character develop?
Something all historians have in common is their curiosity about the world and individuals. By
considering what influenced people (both powerful leaders and ordinary individuals), we think
about what role humans play in events of huge global importance. We will ask questions about
why events happened and why decisions were made and will uncover exciting, interesting and
confusing answers to the questions we ask in lessons. Historians will also need to develop their
responsibility. One of the most important aspects in studying History at GCSE is independence.
Through pre-reading information before a lesson, completing our home learning to the best of
Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 28our ability and carrying out your own research you will increasingly take ownership of your own learning. Thinking about the past will develop your empathy, the ability to consider why there was so much fear in America during the Cold War or why millions of Germans would vote for the Nazi party. This will help you to better understand the choices made by people today and to deepen your understanding of why things happen in the world. What does this subject look like at A-Level and university? History at A-Level and university is a fascinating subject. Studying A-Level history will prepare you for further study at university. You will learn about historical periods in depth over a period of roughly 60 years and one in breadth of over 100 years. You will study both British and International history and begin to develop the independent research skills you will need to be successful as a history undergraduate. At university you will study a wide range of topics in your first year before beginning to develop specific areas of specialism that you find most interesting and exciting. Many history undergraduates choose a joint honours degree which means you also study subjects such as French, Philosophy or Politics. Further study of History builds on the core skills you develop through GCSE whilst allowing you to learn from other historians and to grapple with complex and hugely important historical events in much more detail. What future careers might this subject lead to? There are more traditional careers that History can prepare you for such as further research, archaeology and museum and heritage work. However the skills that History provides you are versatile, wide-ranging and transferable and will prepare you for a wide range of professions. They are in demand in a variety of industries ranging from government and politics to journalism, media, law and education. Many Prime Ministers, doctors, lawyers and business leaders have developed their character and skills through the study of History. Less than 8% of history graduates are unemployed 6 months after graduating from university which shows the large demand for this subject in the jobs market. Whichever career you choose to follow as an adult, History will help to open the door to this profession and provide you with the knowledge, skills and character to be successful at it. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 29
Music The Curriculum - What will I learn? GCSE Music offers the opportunity to learn about new types of music and develop new skills, as well as deepening your own interests and musical skills further. The curriculum explores a large range of music from Classical to popular and music from around the world. There are a wide range of skills you will develop through studying the subject, including performing, composing and learning about different styles of music, why they are distinctive and how they are ‘put together’. There are four areas of study: instrumental music 1700-1820, vocal music, music for stage and screen and fusions. GCSE Music is taught and assessed under the three main skills: performing (30% - coursework), composing (30% - coursework) and listening and analysis (40% - exam). What skills will I develop? You will have the opportunity to develop your instrumental or singing skills through solo and ensemble performance. These performances will be recorded in the recording studio, marked by your teacher and then sent to the exam board for moderation. In this part of the course, you will be guided by your teacher to explore types of music performance that suit your ability and develop your skills over the two years to become a confident and accomplished performer. You will also be developing your composition skills by creating a piece of music set to a brief chosen by the exam board as well as composing your own free choice of music. These compositions will be done using computer software such as Logic Pro and Sibelius. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills as a musical composer as well as with music software and notating your work so that others can play it. You will develop your listening and analysis skills and learn to listen and respond to music with a critical ear. Your musical vocabulary will develop as well as your ability to read notation and analyse what you notice about different types of music. How will my character develop? You will develop your curiosity by learning about a variety of different types of music from all around the world. You will develop the courage to perform confidently to others and empathy when listening to performances in class. You will also develop responsibility, as the course allows you to be very independent with your learning and you will need to take the responsibility to ensure that the performances and compositions are completed to the best standard possible. What does this subject look like at A-Level and university? Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 30
At A level and university, you will continue to build on your knowledge and understanding of Music and explore the subject through performance, composition and listening and analysis. Music A level works in a similar structure to the GCSE and allows you to become a more advanced musician. In Music A-level you will have the opportunity to perform for longer periods of time, showing off your skills to an audience. If you chose to study Music at University, you would have the opportunity to specialise in one of the core areas and explore your musical interests depending on the course you decide to take. You could train to be a professional musician at a conservatoire or as a composer, or you could choose to study the history of music and more analysis based projects and go to a more traditional University. There are a huge variety of options open to you at University and Music GCSE and A level will prepare you to explore the different avenues available. What future careers might this subject lead to? Studying Music at GCSE and beyond will prepare you for a variety of music related careers such as becoming a musician, a composer, an events manager, a recording engineer, an audio engineer, a music teacher, a music therapist, a talent scout, a music producer, music promoter and lots more. Music is a very diverse subject and encompasses a variety of practical and academic approaches, meaning that you are able to develop skills that opens doors to a wide range of careers both within and outside of the subject. If you decided you didn’t want a career related to Music, it would prepare you for another career in lots of ways by building your problem solving, research, planning, analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as developing your creativity: these are all things that employers look for. Through practice and performance, music students also acquire strong discipline, composure under pressure, good time management and communication skills, and the ability to work well individually and in a team. You might also learn technical skills through using computers, equipment and software to create and record music. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 31
Physical Education (PE)
The Curriculum - What will I learn?
In practical lessons you will develop advanced skills in a variety of team and individual sports
and will eventually be assessed in 3 of these sports. You will experience a range of individual
sports such as table tennis, badminton and athletics, as well as team sports such as basketball,
football, netball.
In theory lessons you will cover a variety of topics in depth. These include:
• Applied anatomy and physiology and physical training
• Socio-cultural influences and sports psychology
• Health, fitness and well-being
You will complete an analysis of performance on one of your practical sports for your written
coursework. For this piece of work you will analyse and evaluate in detail your performance in
the chosen sport and develop a personal improvement plan.
What skills will I develop?
Physical education will offer the opportunity to further develop sporting skills at a competitive
level in a range of team and individual sports. It will also push your fitness to a high level to
develop a healthy, active lifestyle.
You will develop an awareness of diet and nutrition and how this has an impact on lifestyle. The
physiology elements of GCSE PE will link with the biology content in science. You will also
develop their critical thinking on current sporting matters and issues.
The written exams will be a mixture of multiple choice, short and longer answer questions. You
will need to utilise your skills of writing in a structured and coherent manner when answering
longer mark questions to access the top marks for theory.
How will my character develop?
Physical education will help you to develop your communication skills and your ability to work
as part of a team. Tenacity will be essential as you will need to work hard to develop advanced
techniques and skills in practical lessons. You will learn to be effective member of a team and
reflect on your own and others performance, giving correct and appropriate feedback and
suggestions for further development therefore you will use your empathy to achieve this. You
Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 32must show good responsibility for your own learning by committing to after school clubs and fixtures in order to achieve good marks for practical. What does this subject look like at A-Level and university? In A Level PE you would develop your theoretical knowledge by deeper study into the areas from GCSE. Other topics such as the history of sport would also be covered. In terms of practical you would be assessed in one sport as a coach or player and would be expected to perform to a high standard within your specialist sport. At university there are a wide range of courses available which focus on sport. Some of the most popular choices include Sport Science, Sports Business Management, Sports Coaching, Strength and Conditioning Science, Sports Therapy, Physiotherapy and Physical Education. These degrees all have a variety of fantastic career opportunities. What future careers might this subject lead to? PE can lead to a vast number of jobs across many sectors. Below is just a few of these possibilities: • Sports scientist • PE teacher • Physiotherapist • Sports coach/consultant • Diet and fitness instructor • Personal trainer • Nutritionist • Strength and Conditioning Coach Even if you do not wish to pursue a career directly related to PE, the skills and knowledge gained will help lead a healthy lifestyle in the future. Please note if you choose GCSE PE you should be playing a minimum of one sport outside school or you should be representing the school team in one sport or more. Copyright ©2022 Ark John Keats Academy All Rights Reserved 33
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