OPTIONAL SUBJECTS


exams and submit all their non-exam assessment at the end of the 2-year course.


MODERN LANGUAGES French/Spanish


GCSE Exam Board: AQA


Learning a language helps develop confidence, opens the mind, improves memory and one’s own ability in English. A GCSE in French or Spanish encourages learners


to enjoy and benefit from language learning, to communicate with others, be inspired, moved and changed by following a broad and worthwhile course of study. By developing their linguistic knowledge, pupils


will gain both understanding and the skills needed to help them take their place in a multilingual global society, with an awareness of countries and communities where French or Spanish is spoken. A GCSE in French or Spanish also prepares pupils


for making informed decisions about further learning opportunities and career choices. The GCSE builds on and extends the language


learnt at Key Stage 3. The new AQA GCSE Language course comprises the four skill areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The course covers three distinct themes. These themes apply to all four question papers. Students are expected to understand and provide information and opinions about these themes. • Identity and culture Me, my family and friends Technology in everyday life Free-time activities Customs and festivals in French-speaking countries/communities


• Local, national and global areas of interest Home, town, neighbourhood and region Social Issues Global Issues Travel and tourism


• Current and future study and employment My studies Life at school/college Education post-16 Career choices and ambitions


How is the course assessed? • Paper 1 Listening: Consists of section A with questions in English to be answered in English and section B with questions in French/Spanish to be answered in French/Spanish.


• Paper 2 Speaking: Consists of a role-play, the discussion of a photo card and a conversation.


• Paper 3 Reading: Consists of section A with questions in English to be answered in English, section B with questions in French/Spanish to be answered in French/Spanish and section C with a translation from French/Spanish into English.


• Paper 4 Writing: Consists of a structured question, an open-ended question and a translation from English into French/Spanish. This qualification is linear, which means that


students will sit their exams at the end of the course. Each paper counts equally for 25% of the GCSE. It has a Foundation Tier (grades 1-5) and a Higher Tier (grades 4-9). Students must take all four question papers at the same tier.


MUSIC GCSE Exam Board: OCR


GCSE Music: • inspires creativity – students are encouraged to broaden their musical horizons and understanding, with areas of study that motivate and challenge.


• offers choices – the range of topics allows for practical and musical teaching and is designed to cater for a wide range of interests, instruments, personalities and directions.


• combines the traditional and modern – there are exciting opportunities for students to study diverse and traditional fields, as well as develop interest in all aspects of their musical heritage.


• encourages students to experiment – there’s plenty of opportunity to work on their own performing, composing and listening.


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