Back to Year 9 Options

You have to study for GCSEs in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Combined Science and Spanish. You will also have lessons in PE and PSHRE which are non-examined.

Detailed information about particular examinations can be found on the following websites:

AQA OCR Pearson WJEC RSL

English literature & language

English, maths and science make up the core of subjects in your set of essential qualifications. 

For more information, contact Ms S Mace (suzanne.mace@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Director of English. 

To enable you to: 

  • Develop your ability to read, understand, enjoy and respond to all types of text; recognise and appreciate the ways in which writers achieve their effects; develop information retrieval strategies for the purposes of study. 
  • Develop your ability to construct and convey meaning in written language using appropriate grammar, matching style to audience and purpose. 
  • Develop the awareness of personal, social and cultural significance in the study of literature. 

We currently offer both English Literature and English Language courses. 

These two courses cover:

  • Spoken Language. (Internally assessed)
  • Reading. A wide variety of texts including media texts and a variety of genres. Fiction and non-fiction. Poetry, prose and drama, including a play by Shakespeare and other pre-twentieth century texts. 
  • Writing. Technical aspects of English (spelling, punctuation and text organisation), creative writing, writing specific audiences and purposes, informative, persuasive and analytical writing, response to literature. 

All GCSE English and English Literature courses are now 100% terminal examination intended to test the skills learned over the two-year course.

There is a single tier of entry.

Assessment: 

  • Language: 2 written exams. Each paper tests a mixture of reading and writing skills.
  • Literature: 2 written exams. Closed book.

GCSE English at Grade 4 vital for a whole range of employment options, college and university courses, including Mascalls’ sixth form.

For most jobs, employers will look for good communication skills, both written and spoken, and the ability to read with insight and understanding.

Jobs using English specifically can include work in media, journalism, proofreading, publishing, legal professionals, advertising, book selling, office administration, web design, editorial work, secretarial work, public relations, poet, author, management and teaching.

Mathematics

English, maths and science make up the core of subjects in your set of essential qualifications. 

For more information, contact Mr Metcalf (neal.metcalfe@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Director of Mathematics.

  • To make a connection with the KS3 curriculum
  • To teach mastery principles at KS4
  • To include a range of learning activities
  • To provide strong formative assessment opportunities
  • To develop confidence and enjoyment in using mathematics

Course Outline:

There are 6 broad areas of study.

  • Number
  • Algebra
  • Ratio, proportion and rates of change
  • Geometry & measures
  • Probability
  • Statistics

The course is made up of themes whereby practical problems, investigations and topics provide the stimulus for individual, group and class work. Activities involve applying mathematics to real-life problems as well as exploring and investigating within mathematics itself. 

A variety of teaching approaches and resources are used including published texts, worksheets, practical materials and computers. Students are expected to have scientific calculators.

Hegarty maths is used as an independent marketing tool. 

You are grouped according to your level of attainment, using KS3 results and teacher assessment. Individual progress is carefully monitored and movement between groups takes place as, and when, appropriate, although constant movement between groups is deemed inappropriate.

The assessment pattern is differentiated to enable students to show their ability. Students will be entered for either higher or foundation tier according to their expected level of achievement. The choice of sitting whether higher or foundation paper will be decided using the student’s capability, their mock grades, ability to cope with the level of work as well as topic assessments. The qualification will be graded and certificated on a nine-grade scale from 9 to 1 using the total mark across all three papers where 9 is the highest grade. Foundation tier will be graded from 1 to 5 and higher will be graded 4 to 9, note that grade 4 and 5 are achievable in either tier of papers. It is not possible to mix higher and foundation papers together.

The course is linear and the assessment comprises three papers lasting 90 minutes. Paper 1 is a non-calculator assessment and paper 2 and 3 are calculator papers. 

The skills developed through the study of maths are in high demand from employers and universities. In addition to developing the ability to solve problems and think logically, the study of maths provides opportunities to develop team-working skills, resilience, effective communication of complex ideas and the ability to use your own initiative. Maths underpins most of science, technology and engineering and is also important in areas as diverse as business, law, nutrition, sports science and psychology. There are many opportunities to use maths to make a difference in society, for example through the analysis involved in medical research, developing new technology, modelling epidemics or in the study of patterns of criminal activity to identify trends.

Combined science

English, maths and science make up the core of subjects in your set of essential qualifications. 

For more information, contact Ms R Collingwood (rachel.collingwood@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Director of Science.

Science follows the AQA science course. All science exams are at the end of Year 11.

The course will allow you to;

  • Recognise how the world around you works
  • Develop key enquiry skills – utilising the Scientific Method.
  • Gain valuable team member and leadership skills through practical activities.

In each science students will complete required practicals, developing their experimental skills, data analysis and interpretation as the course progresses.

We currently offer students the opportunity to complete Combined Science  (Separate Science is offered as an option).

All students will complete six exams at the end of Year 11, two for Biology, two for Chemistry and two for Physics.

Combined Science takes the raw mark from each of the six exams and adds them all together. Three Science subjects into one is a lot of content and as such it is awarded two GCSE grades. The total mark of all six exams equates to a double grade – for example; 4-4 or 6-5. With more marks scored a student just moves up the grade boundaries. They start from 1-1 up to 9-9.

Foundation Tier; 

A great starting point for hard working students. Grades available range from 1-1 to 5-5. Questions are often structured with simpler language and exams are more about testing basic recall and moderate application. Every student completing Foundation should be aiming for a result of 5-5 (two grades of ‘5’) – achievable for most, with practice.

Higher Tier;

The Higher Tier has grades available from 4-4 to 9-9, but any student that doesn’t achieve the minimum grade boundary for a 4-4 is awarded nothing or a ‘U’ for ungraded. We only enter students for higher grades when they demonstrate both excellent recall and proven application practice. Those who score strong 4’s and above can expect to be entered for the higher tier. 

We assess every child individually prior to the end of Year 10 exams and will provide you with updated information on exam tier entry at that point. 

Please Note:

Separate Science GCSE (Three separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics). These courses have content in common with Combined Science, plus further content. The students who select this option will have additional science lessons each week to cover the extra content. This must be chosen as an option choice. 

Science is a valuable qualification for a variety of post-16 options. Employers value the combination of logical thinking, data handling, scientific knowledge and rigour of a science qualification. Those considering careers in construction, plumbing or becoming an electrician will benefit from the knowledge and skills developed with a science qualification. Students may go on to pursue A levels in physics, biology, or chemistry.

Modern Foreign Languages - French & Spanish

For more information, please contact Miss Simón (maria.simon@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of MFL.

GCSE French & Spanish is aimed at those students who are already studying Spanish in year 9 and who share an enthusiasm for the subject. Students will follow the AQA GCSE Spanish course and they will cover a range of vocabulary and grammar structures in all 4 skills (listening, reading, writing & speaking) on the following topics:

  • Theme 1 – People and Lifestyles
    Identity and relationships with others
    Healthy living and lifestyle
    Education and work
  • Theme 2 – Popular Culture
    Free time activities
    Customs, festivals and celebrations
    Celebrity culture
  • Theme 3 – Communication and the World around Us
    Travel and tourism, including places of interest
    Media and technology
  • The environment and where people live

As well as learning the language, students will also become familiar with the Culture of Spain and Spanish speaking countries.

The delivery of the lessons is mainly in French or Spanish and students are encouraged to use the language as soon as they enter the classroom. There are a range of resources available to support classwork and independent study. Homework is set on a weekly basis and will vary skill and task depending on content and lesson work. All students will also have fortnightly vocab tests and are expected to learn the vocabulary which can be accessed digitally and via interactive websites that we subscribe to. This is key to being successful in the course.

Students are assessed in the 4 skills above. There will be an exam in each skill which will take place at the end of year 11. Each exam is worth 25% of a student’s final grade. Students can either sit Foundation (grades 1-5) or Higher (grades 4-9) exam papers but they must sit all four skills at the same tier. We only enter students for higher tier that demonstrate great attitude both inside and outside the classroom and that have secure vocabulary knowledge.  No exam can be retaken. No dictionaries or any other support are allowed in any of the exams.

French and Spanish is a very valuable qualification in today’s globalized world. Employers value the knowledge and skills developed by the learning of a second language, so it is not only sought after in jobs that require the language (translator, teacher, international journalist, pilot,…) but also by businesses that want to expand internationally or that have international business. It also opens many doors for individuals wanting to explore jobs in other countries.

Geography

For more information, please speak to Mr Reader (steven.reader@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of Geography.

The aim of GCSE Geography is to engage Geographers of the 21st century by creating geographical enquiry questions that encourage an investigative approach to each of the key ideas. As part of this enquiry process, students are encouraged to use integrated geographical skills, including appropriate mathematics and statistics, to explore geographical questions and issues. Students are encouraged to make geographical decisions by applying their knowledge, understanding and skills to real-life 21st-century human and environmental issues. This is emphasised by two compulsory fieldwork visits covering both human and physical geography. The compulsory topic content gives students the opportunity to lay a foundation of knowledge and understanding that can be further developed at A Level.

The course allows the opportunity to develop:

  • communication skills
  • graphical and cartographical skills
  • technological skills, including ICT and GIS
  • interpersonal skills through debate and discussion
  • literacy and numeracy
  • problem solving skills

Component 1: Global Geographical Issues – Hazardous earth: Global atmospheric circulation, tectonics and atmospheric hazards. Development dynamics: Measuring development, why are some countries more developed than others? Challenges of an urbanising world: An increasingly urbanised world which leads to both challenges and opportunities

Component 2: UK Geographical Issues – The UK’s evolving physical landscape covering: Coasts: Influences of geology and processes. Rivers: Physical processes on river landscapes. The UK’s evolving human landscape: Changes to our urban and rural living environments with a focus on London. Geographical investigations: One human (urban or rural areas) and one physical (either coasts or rivers) fieldwork.

Component 3: People and Environment Issues – Making Geographical Decisions covering: People and the biosphere: How do we use the planet? Forests under threat: How are people impacting the world’s forests? Consuming energy resources: From fossil fuels to clean energy – what are the impacts of our energy choices? 

Fieldwork: Fieldwork is a vital component of the course. All students will be involved in fieldwork in the local area. This will include one day of physical fieldwork in the South East and one day of human based fieldwork in London.

Paper 1: 1 hour 30 minutes written examination: 94 Marks, 37.5% of the qualification

Paper 2: 1 hour 30 minutes written examination: 94 Marks, 37.5% of the qualification

Paper 3: 1 hour 30 minutes written examination: 64 Marks, 25% of the qualification

The transferable skills and knowledge you gain from studying geography at GCSE (and beyond) are relevant to almost all jobs and workplaces, as well as providing a sound base for further study. There has never been a better time to be a geographer, with rising numbers of students choosing to take the subject nationally. Development and Global Issues, The Business World, Travel, Tourism and Leisure, GIS and Policy and Government are just a few sectors in which studying geography would be relevant and beneficial.

History

For more information, please speak to Dr Pollack (sam.pollack@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of History.

The assessment is based on 3 written exams that take place at the end of Year 11. Students are assessed against the following assessment objectives:

AO1 – Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied.

AO2 – Explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts (e.g. cause and consequence).

AO3 – Analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements, in the context of historical events studied.

AO4 – Analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations (including how and why interpretations may differ) in the context of historical events studied.

Option 11 – 1 hour 20 minutes, 52 marks (including 16 for the historic environment)

Medicine in Britain, c.1250-present and The British sector of the Western Front, 1914-1918: injuries, treatment and the trenches 

This topic focuses on the development of medicine in relation to British society. Students will focus on: medieval beliefs, treatments, and healers; the impact of the Renaissance; the revolution in medicine occurring in the 18th and 19th centuries; and the impact of modern medical developments including antibiotics and the NHS. The historic environment section features source skills and is based on a close study of medical conditions, treatments, and experiments during the First World War.

Options B4 and P4 – 1 hour 50 minutes, 64 marks

Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88

This topic focuses on the early part of Elizabeth I’s reign. It considers issues such as her religious settlement, relationship with Mary, Queen of Scots, development of plots and tensions with Spain, and life in the Elizabethan era, including a close examination of poverty and exploration.

Superpower relations in the Cold War, 1945-95

This topic follows the growing tensions between East and West in the years immediately following World War II. After focusing on Berlin, Hungary, and Cuba as flashpoints, the course then moves on to consider detente and the collapse of the USSR.

Option 31 – 1 hour 30 minutes, 52 marks

Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-1939

In this topic, students learn about the immediate aftermath of World War I and its effects on the new Weimar Republic in Germany, including the challenges it faced and how society changed. Students then learn about Hitler’s rise to power, the Nazi dictatorship, and life in Nazi Germany.

Physical Education

This is a non-examined, compulsory subject.  All Year 10 and 11 students will partake in PE lessons.

For more information, please contact Mr J Carman (jamie.charman@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of PE.

In both Year 10 and Year 11, all pupils will obtain the opportunity to choose from different sporting pathways and experience a variety of specific sports appropriate for each pathway. Throughout this time, pupils will increase their own knowledge and understanding of the rules, regulations and tactics for each activity as well as enhancing their own and others skills and techniques required for each sport. The pathways offered will be dependent on numbers of students who opt for each pathway and the teaching allocation.

Traditional Boys Sports/Fitness

You will be in a group of all boys taking part in traditional PE sports as well as learning about fitness and creating habits for life. These will mainly consist of team based sports, as well as some gym based activities. You can expect from your lessons, skill development, game play, coaching of tactics, opportunities to officiate, learning how to use fitness equipment and planning to improve/maintain fitness levels.

You will be in a group of all girls taking part in traditional PE sports as well as learning about fitness and creating habits for life. These will mainly consist of team based sports, as well as some gym based activities. You can expect from your lessons, skill development, game play, coaching of tactics, opportunities to officiate, learning how to use fitness equipment and planning to improve/maintain fitness levels.

You will be in a group of mixed gender students who have opted to study GCSE/OCR Sports Science. These lessons will be used to extend your practical ability and continue to challenge you through use of the GCSE practical specification. 

NOTE – In this class you will also have the option to take the Leadership course and have all of the same opportunities (see below), however, it will be a class of Sports Science students.

Students will have the opportunity to lead both younger peer age groups and primary school students. They will work towards an accredited course of the sports leaders’ level 1 which is a recognisable qualification towards post 16 education. Students will be taught and given confidence of how to teach a small group of pupils to organising and leading tournaments, sports days etc.

The Level 1 Award in Sports Leadership provides the ideal starting point for learners who wish to develop their leadership skills, whilst under the direct supervision of their teacher. The syllabus is designed to develop generic leadership skills that can be applied to a variety of sports and/or recreational situations as well as contributing to the personal development of the learner. The Level 1 Award in Sports Leadership is a practical qualification in which learners must demonstrate their ability to lead others in simple sport/activity.

All remaining pupils will not be assessed in their practical performance against the national curriculum criteria throughout the whole of Key Stage 4 core PE. However, they will be expected to participate to the best of their ability and will have opportunities to develop personal skills and qualities as a performer, official, leader and coach. 

Although there is no qualification that can be ascertained in core PE, it provides opportunities for pupils to develop personal skills such as knowledge, structure, communication, organisation, target setting, effective use of language and qualities such as independence, leadership styles, teamwork, confidence, competence, motivation, enthusiasm and humour all of which future employers look for when at an interview.

PSHRE

This is a non-examined, compulsory subject.  All Year 10 and 11 students will partake in PSHRE and RE lessons.

For more information, please contact Miss Honey (emma.honey@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Assistant Prinicpal.

In both Year 10 and Year 11, all pupils will take place in non-examined PSHE and RE.  The curriculum promotes the important skills, knowledge and understanding needed to keep Britain tolerant and inclusive and prepare students for adult life.  This curriculum places the development of students’ social, moral, spiritual and cultural awareness and progress as a priority.  Students are encouraged to reflect on their own actions, beliefs and motivations, as well as reflecting on those of others in society; whether that is of a religious or non-religious world view.

Topics Covered:

  • the Environment
  • Social Justice and Equality
  • Healthy Relationships
  • Sex Education including Consent, Attitudes to Pornography and the media
  • Coercive control and violence
  • Attitudes to Life
  • Attitudes to Death
  • Responding to global issues

There is no formal assessment for PSHRE.  Students will be focused on developing key employability skills such as effective communication, compassion, empathy and the ability to consider different perspectives to a topic.