You have to study for GCSEs in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Combined Science and Spanish. You will also have lessons in PE which are non-examined.
For more information, please speak to Mr McGoldrick (stephen.mcgoldrick@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of Art or your Art Teacher.
Students will work in one or more areas listed below. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas.
Drawing and painting, sculpture, land art or installation, printmaking and mixed media.
The aims of the course are:
Students are required to provide their own specialist equipment. Students may be required to make a contribution to costs in some instances.
Students will work on a number of projects, which will involve them in thinking about how to communicate ideas and how feelings and meanings are conveyed in images and artefacts. They will look at and write about the work of relevant artists and designers and produce their own work using a range of techniques and processes.
In January of Year 11, a portfolio of coursework units will be submitted for assessment and the resultant grade counts as 60% of the overall GCSE grade. The remaining 40% is based on a final exam project, lasting for a number of weeks and with the final piece(s) being produced under exam conditions (10 hours).
Any role that requires you to be creative:-
Artist, architect, designer in fashion/textiles, graphics, products, interiors, printmaker, visual merchandising, ceramics, art historian, art therapist, event organiser, gallery curator, advertising, garden design, architecture, set design, prop maker, interior design, medical illustration, animation, photography, floristry, costume design, special effects, web design, creative educator.
The possibilities are endless.
For more information, please speak to Mr McGoldrick (stephen.mcgoldrick@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of Art or your Art Teacher.
Students will work in one or more areas listed below. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas.
Students will work on a number of projects, which will involve them in thinking about how to communicate ideas and how feelings and meanings are conveyed in images and artefacts. They will look at and write about the work of relevant artists and designers and produce their own work using a range of techniques and processes. While most basic equipment and materials are provided, students are required to provide pens, pencils, sketchbook and a portfolio. Students may be required to make a contribution to costs in some instances.
In January of Year 11, two or three coursework units will be submitted for assessment and the resultant grade counts as 60% of the overall GCSE grade. The remaining 40% is based on a final exam project, lasting for a number of weeks and with the final piece(s) being produced under exam conditions (10 hours).
Any role that requires you to be creative. Graphic design and visual communications, illustration, advertising, print industry, computer aided design and manufacturing industry, web design and layout, art directors, animation and graphic animation, multimedia roles, computer game design, graphics and effects – film industry, set designer, design management.
The possibilities are endless.
For more information, please speak to Mr McGoldrick (stephen.mcgoldrick@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of Art or your Art Teacher.
You will work in one or more areas of Photography listed below. You may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas.
Dark room and ICT facilities are available at the school. 35mm and digital cameras can be provided, though students are encouraged to acquire their own. Other materials are provided, though there may be small extra costs in some instances.
You will work on a number of projects, which will involve you in thinking about how to communicate ideas, feelings and meanings as conveyed in images and artefacts. You will look at and write about the work of important photographers, and produce your own work in a range of ways including traditional darkroom processes and digital imaging. The final unit of work is an exam project.
In January of Year 11, a portfolio of coursework units will be submitted for assessment and the resultant grade counts as 60% of the overall GCSE grade. The remaining 40% is based on a final exam project, lasting for a number of weeks, with the final piece(s) being produced under exam conditions (10 hours).
Any role that requires you to be creative. Photographers are needed in many industries, such as – Art, advertising, fashion, design companies, journalism, sport, visual communications and education.
The possibilities are endless.
For more information, please speak to Mr McGoldrick (stephen.mcgoldrick@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of Art or your Art Teacher.
Students work in a number of areas relating to Textiles, such as:
While most basic equipment and materials are provided, students are required to provide their own specialist equipment. Students may be required to make a contribution to costs in some instances.
Students work on a number of projects concerned with some or all of the areas above. They will have the chance to use their own creative ideas and to work through a process of experimenting and research leading to a final piece. They will write about their own work and research relevant themes.
A portfolio of coursework projects are submitted for final assessment in January of Year 11, and count for 60% of the overall GCSE grade. The remaining 40% of the GCSE grade is based on the exam project, which is similar to the coursework projects except that the final piece is produced under exam conditions (10 hours).
Any role that requires you to be creative:-
Fashion designer, fabric designer, pattern cutter, surface pattern designer, printmaker, costume design, artist, furniture designer, interior designer, art historian, set designer, stylist, teacher, curator, event organiser.
The possibilities are endless!
For more information, please speak to Miss A Parker (amy.parker@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of Business.
The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:
Chartered management accountant, banking, human resources, insurance underwriters, retail manager, marketing executive and many more.
Your ICT teacher or the Head of Department for Computing and ICT, Mr L Cressey (lewis.cressey@mascallsacademy.org.uk), will be able to give you advice on the most suitable course.
Computing is of enormous importance to the economy, and the role of computer science as a discipline itself and as an underpinning subject across science and engineering which is growing rapidly. The specification provides progression from key stage 3 studies by building on knowledge and skills taught and will provide excellent progression to A level computer science, vocational courses and on to degree level courses in areas of computing, engineering. GCSE Computer Science allows students to develop a range of thinking, communication and problem solving skills, with an engaging mix of class work, controlled assessments and an external exam. Students will apply those skills to a number of given problems and scenarios. In addition, the course provides the knowledge, skills and understanding that a growing number of employers are demanding.
Students need to be working at a level 6 or higher, both in mathematics and English to access this course. Other interested students should discuss this with Mrs Anderson before opting for computer science.
The course is made up of 2 components as follows:
This is an externally assessed examination unit. It is worth 50% of the candidate’s overall grade, and will be 1.5 hours in duration. It will consist of a mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer answer questions assessing systems architecture, memory and storage, computer networks, network security, software and ethical and legal impacts.
This is an externally assessed examination unit. It is worth 50% of the candidate’s overall grade, and will be 1.5 hours in duration. It will assess the student’s knowledge and ability in writing or refining algorithms as well as the programming fundamentals, robust programs, boolean logic and programming languages.
This qualification is designed to enable you to enter employment at operative or trainee level within a wide range of business and creative environments that utilise computing. For example, you may start work as an Applications programmer, web developer, games programmer software designer. You may undertake an apprenticeship, NVQ or other occupational qualification. You may decide to take higher level qualifications.
For more information, please speak to Ms K Alldridge (kate.alldridge@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of Drama.
This course is a mixture of an academic understanding of drama styles, genres and well known plays, along with practical performance work in both scripted and devised form.
The course aims are as follows:
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.
In this unit, students will develop their knowledge of drama and theatre, as well as studying a set play and evaluating the work of live theatre makers.
In this component, students will create a piece of work of their own devising, accompanied by a log book in which they reflect on their own work. They can contribute to this as a performer or designer.
In this unit, students must perform two extracts from any play text, although it must contrast with the script chosen for Component 1. They can contribute as performer or designer.
This course enables the student to seek a career in the performing arts industry. In addition, the transferable skills are essential in almost any job; for example: teamwork, leadership, communication, confidence, flexibility and determination.
For more information, please speak to Ms L Entacott (lucy.entacott@mascalls academy.org.uk), Head of Media and Film Studies.
Film is an important part of many people’s lives. If you choose to study it you will need to bring with you an huge enthusiasm and excitement for film which will motivate you in your studies of how film provides powerful experiences which inspire a range of responses from the emotional to the reflective. Exploring how and why audiences are drawn into characters, their narratives and the issues films raise.
You will explore the root of that power as an immersive audio-visual experience from striking cinematography, composition and locations as well as powerful music and sound. Many consider film to be the major art form of the last hundred years and it is important to study something which has such a significant influence on the way people think and feel.
This course is designed to draw on an existing enthusiasm for film and introduce you to a wide variety of cinematic experiences through films which have been important in the development of film and film technology. You will study 6 films from a range of different historical, social and cultural contexts.
You will develop your knowledge of US mainstream film by studying one film from the 1950s and one film from the later 70s and 80s, thus looking at two stages in Hollywood’s development. In addition, you will study more recent films in the forms of a US independent film, as well as films from Europe, including the UK, South Africa and Australia.
Production is also an important part of this course and is integral for your understanding of film. Studying a diverse range of films from different contexts will support you to apply your knowledge and understanding to your own filmmaking and screenwriting.
The course culminates in two exams in the summer of year 11 as shown below:
Written examination. You will study three US films for this component.
Written examination. You will study three films from outside the US for this component.
Non-Exam Assessment. You will have a choice of production options to meet a brief set by the exam board.
You will also be required to complete an evaluative analysis (750-800 words) – explaining the choices you have made.
Film opens up opportunities for jobs within the art/design/culture sector and, within the film + TV industry itself. A typical film employs around 200 people as cast and crew, but the big films such as Avengers employ up to 4000! There are so many possibilities, you just have to open your eyes and see them!
For more information, please speak to Mrs C James (chloe.james@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of Technology.
The GCSE in Food Preparation and Nutrition equips students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating. It encourages learners to cook, enables them to make informed decisions about food and nutrition and allows them to acquire knowledge in order to be able to feed themselves and others affordably and nutritiously, now and later in life.
This course has been designed to enable a balance between practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding. It is divided into six areas of content with two tasks for each of the assessments. This specification in food preparation and nutrition enables learners to make connections between theory and practice so that they are able to apply their understanding of food science and nutrition to practical cooking. This content relates to the study of both food and drinks.
By studying food preparation and nutrition students will:
This component will consist of two sections both containing compulsory questions and will assess the six areas of content as listed in the specified GCSE content.
Section A: questions based on stimulus material.
Section B: structured, short and extended response questions to assess content related to food preparation and nutrition.
Assessment 1: The Food Investigation Assessment (8 Hours)
A scientific food investigation which will assess knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to scientific principles underlying the preparation and cooking of food.
Assessment 2: The Food Preparation Assessment (12 Hours)
Prepare, cook and present a menu which assesses the knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to the planning, preparation, cooking and presentation of food.
These assessments will be based on a choice of tasks released by WJEC annually.
Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes
50% of the qualification
100 marks
Students will be given the opportunity to develop technical skills through practical and experimental work. This opportunity will allow students to develop sound technical skills whilst exploring and consolidating knowledge and understanding relating to food preparation and nutrition.
Non-examination assessment
50% of the qualification
100 marks
The non-examination assessment is composed of two assessments that are set by WJEC.
Students will be able to select from a choice of two tasks for each assessment.
For more information, please speak to Miss J Stubbs (jessica.stubbs@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of Geography.
Geography matters, that is why this qualification encompasses a wide range of contemporary themes and issues, so students can understand the world around us and what could impact its future. The course offers an issues-based approach with content organised by UK and global geography.
Students will be able to:
Students will complete the Edexcel Geography B (Investigating geographical issues) specification in two years.
Year 1:
Year 2:
Edexcel Geography B consists of three externally written examined papers:
Component 1: Global Geographical Issues (worth 37.5% of the qualification)
Component 2: UK Geographical Issues (worth 37.5% of the qualification)
Component 3: People and Environment Issues (worth 25% of the qualification)
The written examinations include multiple-choice, short open, open response, calculations and extended writing questions.
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.
For more information, please speak to Dr Pollack (sam.pollack@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of History.
Students follow AQA GCSE History.
The assessment is based on 2 written exams that take place at the end of year 11.
Section A: Period studies.
1D America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality
This period study focuses on the development of the USA during a turbulent half century of change. It was a period of opportunity and inequality – when some Americans lived the ‘American Dream’ whilst others grappled with the nightmare of poverty, discrimination and prejudice. Students will study the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of these two developments and the role ideas played in bringing about change. They will also look at the role of key individuals and groups in shaping change and the impact the developments had on them.
Section B: Wider world depth studies
Conflict and tension, 1918–1939
This wider world depth study enables students to understand the complex and diverse interests of different individuals and states. It focuses on the causes of the Second World War and seeks to show how and why conflict occurred and why it proved difficult to resolve the issues which caused it. This study also considers the role of key individuals and groups in shaping change, as well as how they were affected by and influenced international relations.
Section A: Thematic studies
Britain: Health and the people: c1000 to the present day
This thematic study will enable students to gain an understanding of how medicine and public health developed in Britain over a long period of time. It considers the causes, scale, nature and consequences of short and long term developments, their impact on British society and how they were related to the key features and characteristics of the periods during which they took place.
Although the focus of this study is the development of medicine and public health in Britain, it will. draw on wider world developments that impacted on the core themes.
Students will have the opportunity to see how some ideas and events in the wider world affected Britain and will promote the idea that key themes did not develop in isolation, but these ideas and events should be referenced in terms of their effects on the core theme for Britain and British people.
Section B: British depth studies including the historic environment
Elizabethan England, c1568–c1603
This option allows students to study in depth a specified period, the last 35 years of Elizabeth 1’s reign. The study will focus on major events of Elizabeth 1’s reign considered from economic, religious, political, social and cultural standpoints, and arising contemporary and historical controversies.
For more information, please speak to Ms L Entacott (lucy.entacott@mascalls academy.org.uk), Head of Media.
GCSE Media Studies will teach you the tools you need to analyse and create media products, i.e. all the products that you buy, use and interact with every day –TV Shows, magazines, adverts, film marketing, music videos, news, videogames and much more.
Studying the media is about decoding all the hidden and not-so hidden messages within media products and understanding the processes involved in creating them. You will explore the complex relationship between media producers and audiences, and investigate how audiences respond in different ways to products.
You will have the opportunity to develop practical photography skills, edit and design images using Photoshop and InDesign, and use recording equipment to create multi-media productions. Media Studies combines analytical skill and technical mastery with creative expression and personal insight. The best thing is, you already have some of the skills you will need to succeed!
You begin the course by exploring a range of different media topics and learning the essential media language you will need to analyse media products. You will study media products from history and investigate the impact of social, cultural, and historical contexts, using theories to analyse these. You will focus on building your understanding of how meanings in products can change across time.
Your second year will expand on year one, and will prepare you for in-depth analysis of two TV crime dramas and music videos- moving from print analysis into audio-visual. Year two will also see you complete your non-exam assessment (previously coursework) developing practical production skills. The exam board will set a brief including a specific, genre and audience you must adhere to. The work is marked internally and moderated by the exam board.
The course culminates in two exams in the summer of year 11 as shown below:
Component 1 – Exploring the Media (30%). Written examination.
Assesses knowledge, understanding and skills by analysing media products. Media industries will also be assessed in relation to media form and audience.
Component 2 – Understanding Media Forms and Products (40%). Written examination.
The exam builds on component 1 with a focus on all theoretical frameworks, through an in-depth study of audio visual products set by the exam board.
Component 3 – Media Production (30%). Non Exam Assessment.
An individual media production for an intended audience, from a brief set by the exam board. This will need to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media language and representation.
Film and TV directors, fashion photographers, graphic designers, business managers, software producers, copywriters, advertising specialists, television producers, website designers, journalists, teachers and video game testers are amongst some occupations that media graduates go into. The media industry is enormous and growing, especially in the South East. The industry offers thousands of career paths and opportunities to those interested in it.
For more information, please speak to Mrs C James (chloe.james@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of Technology.
Design and Technology is a new qualification that has been redesigned to be engaging and inspiring, and a subject that reflects the demands of a truly modern and evolving society. This qualification enables you to apply yourself and develop the practical skills needed to succeed in your chosen pathway.
The title “Product Design” allows you to explore all specialisms of the subject which included resistant materials, electronics, textiles and graphical design. You can then focus on either one, two or all specialisms for your final piece encouraging you to respond creatively to your brief without design restrictions.
Over the first year you will complete a number of small ‘mini’ projects that will allow you to develop the knowledge and skills to understand working with the different specialisms. This will focus on the theory aspect of the course as well as develop coursework skills and techniques ready for their given brief that is created by the exam board
In the final year you will be given a design brief from the exam board. You will be expected to respond to the brief and will produce approximately 20 to 30 sides of A3 paper for your design, make and evaluation for your design, along with any models and your final prototype.
50% Exam / 50% Coursework
Students should be aware that 15% of the exam is maths based questions.
2 hours
50% of the qualification
100 marks
Section A: Core
This section is 40 marks and contains a mixture of different question styles, including open-response, graphical, calculation and extended open response questions.
There will be 10 marks of calculation questions is section A.
Section B: Material categories.
This section is 60 marks and contains a mixture of different question styles, including open response, graphical, calculation and extended open response questions. There will be 5 marks of calculation questions in Section B.
50% of the qualification
100 marks
Students will undertake a project based on a contextual challenge, released by the exam board a year before certification. The project will test students’ skills in investigating, designing, making and evaluating a prototype of a product. Your work will be internally assessed.
The marks are awarded for each part as follows: –
1 – Investigate (16 marks)
2 – Design (42 marks)
3 – Make (36 marks)
4 – Evaluate (6 marks)
Product design is a popular subject for further and higher education and through its transferrable skills will enable you to pursue many potential career paths. Product design graduates can go on to careers in teaching, architecture, engineering, interior design, garden design, marketing, advertising, theatre set designers and vehicle design.
For more information, please speak to Mr D Wakefield (david.wakefield@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of Social Sciences.
The GCSE course ensures that students are:
Students will study the below topics and explore their values, beliefs and attitudes in light of Christianity, Islam and Humanist (non-religious) beliefs.
The GCSE specification requires the study of the leading world religions: Christianity and Islam. Students will study the beliefs, teachings, practices and sources of authority of both religions.
Year 10
Year 11
Students will be assessed at the end of Year 11 with 2 x 1 hour 45-minute examination.
For more information, please speak to Mr D Wakefield (david.wakefield@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of Social Sciences.
The AQA Sociology GCSE course is an essay based subject, where students will complete 8 x 12 mark essays across the 2 papers. So being able to write 3-4 paragraphs in 12-15 minutes is an essential skill.
Sociology is the study of human behaviour and society. It is a Social Science which aims to research, and explain our social world and the similarities and differences within it.
Sociology at GCSE investigates the different experiences that social groups have in the UK and seeks to rigorously apply theories to explain how society has ended up the way it is. Sociology is an academic subject, and students should be prepared to analyse statistics, evaluate arguments and write extended answers.
Students will study each of the following units:
Unit 1 (50%)
Unit 2 (50%)
The course is examined at the end of Year 11 with 2 x 1 hour 45 minute examinations.
Sociology at GCSE is useful for a range of careers including journalism, teaching, social work, healthcare, law, politics and any job where communication with others is important.
For more information, please speak to Mr J Carman (jamie.charman@mascallsacademy.org.uk), Head of PE.
With the recent changes to the AQA exam board requirements, the new criteria have been developed after working closely with teachers and the Youth Sport Trust to develop a new GCSE Physical Education specification that will inspire the candidates to learn new and contemporary topics which will help students of all abilities to develop a well-rounded skill set and prepare them for progression to further studies. The qualification is linear and all candidates will sit 2 exams at the end of the course.
The topics that the students will learn about and be assessed on are:
In their first year of the course this will comprise of 3 classroom based theory lessons and 2 practical lessons.
Student will have regular homework and mini tests throughout the semester. In year 11, candidates will have allocated time to complete their controlled assessment, regular mini tests and 2 mock exams. The practical lessons in both year 10 and year 11 will be an opportunity for students to excel in the variety of sports that we teach and candidates must work effectively in all aspects of the practical lesson as the assessment is ongoing.
Candidates who opt for GCSE sport science will be assessed in a 40% practical and 60% theory weighting.
All candidates will be assessed as a performer in 3 sports (1 in a team sport, 1 in an individual sport and 1 in either team or individual). Due to the high level of practical performance required, students opting for this course should be competing for the school or for external clubs in at least 2 sports.
As part of the 40% practical assessment, students will be required to complete an analysis of their own performance. This will be completed through a controlled assessment. The remaining 60% theory will be assessed by 2 exams each being 1 hour and 15 minutes, at the end of year 11.
