GCSE

Lower School and Middle School

Year 7 to Year 9
Year 7 marks the beginning of two GCSE courses; Citizenship Studies which develops many of the IDEALS of the Round Square and encourages active participation in society; and GCSE ICT which equips students with skills that will be of material use in their later studies. Both courses are examined at the end of Year 9.

Year 10 and 11
All students take English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and a Modern Foreign Language (French, German or Spanish) for examinations at the end of Year 11. Students then choose to follow six additional GCSE subjects (three in Year 10 and three in Year 11); we ask all students to maintain some breadth and balance in their subject choices, so that these choices include at least two sciences and at least one humanities course. We feel that it is important that students do not close the doors to their future at too early a stage. However, the remaining three choices can be used to add more diversity, or perhaps to specialise towards particular skills or interests. Our GCSE curriculum is carefully designed to be both challenging and flexible. It allows us to tailor the content and pace of the curriculum to whatever is most appropriate to your child.

All students will study English Language, English Literature and Mathematics from the beginning of Year 10 until examinations in Year 11. Most students will study a Modern Foreign Language from the following list, this will also be studied from the beginning of Year 10 until examination in Year 11.

Students not wishing to study a core foreign language will take additional English lessons and may wish to study for a GCSE in their own language. In Year 11, this time may be used for an additional Mathematics GCSE for suitably gifted students.

At the start of Year 10, students will select three optional GCSE subjects to be examined at the end of Year 10 – one from each of the option blocks below. These subjects have double the curriculum time allocated to a core GCSE.

At the start of Year 11, students will select three optional GCSE subjects to be examined at the end of Year 11 – one from each of the option blocks below. These subjects have double the curriculum time allocated to a core GCSE.

Year 10 Options (2012-13)  

Note: In the case of most students, both Drama and Art are recommended as subjects more suitable for Year 10 entry.