GCSE Subject Choices

Pupils are encouraged to develop their skills through a range of tactile and visual forms, and explore topics using analysis, understanding, creativity and expression. In Fine Art the course covers – drawing, painting, printmaking and mixed media. 

Developing essential knowledge and understanding of the core principles of the concept of Biology, scientific methods and awareness of advances in technology, the courses envelop the 'subject for life' experience that is Biology at GCSE. 

Support is offered to children through our dedicated SfL department who may have learning needs - including dyslexia - as appropriate. Students are assessed and support is offered through a range of study and learning strategies tailored to individual children’s needs.

This course enables students to learn about the process of Engineering Design and understand how it can be used to design effective solutions for a given design brief. Students will develop the ability to communicate their design ideas through the use of sketches, engineering drawings and computer aided design (CAD).

Actively engages students in all aspects of the study of business and economics including enterprise and entrepreneurship, developing and growing business ideas, and making marketing, operational, financial and human resource decisions.

The Chemistry courses offered cover many aspects of research, analytical and practical elements including: Physical Chemistry & Transition Elements, Organic Chemistry & Analysis, Kinetics, Acids & Bases, Atomic Structure, Medicines & Drugs, and Environmental Chemistry.  

This course allows learners to study the principles and practices of computing and gain confidence in computational thinking and programming. It helps learners appreciate current and emerging computing technologies and the benefits of their use, whilst learning to recognise the ethical issues and potential risks when using computers. 

This course is designed to give pupils the skills required to investigate, design, make and evaluate a practical solution to a design problem in both theoretical and practical settings using a wide range of materials and software.

The skills students develop in GCSE Drama will be of considerable benefit and compliment their future career choices. Students will work through topics including delivering a devised piece, perform from a given text, interpret a set text and review a piece of live theatre.

The ESB is a standalone qualification that all pupils in Year 10 will take as part of their subject development within the context of their English GCSE programme.

International pupils are assessed on entry and those who require language support will generally receive between 1 and 8 EAL classes per week in small groups of students with a similar language level. Some EAL classes focus on the language needed in specific mainstream subjects, while others are designed to develop the students’ general language level.

These two courses cover a broad range of reading materials from traditional to modern and students will gain confidence and understanding in reading unseen extracts and transactional writing as well as understanding and interpretation of prose and poetry, and imaginative writing.  

Geography covers a broad range of topics that include population & settlement population dynamics; the natural environment; economic development globalization and its impacts; and practical geographical skills with field trip analysis. 

This course is designed to stimulate interest in, enthusiasm for and an understanding of the study of the past - the nature of cause & consequence, continuity & change, similarity & difference. Topics studied include: Germany 1918-1945; Changes in medicine 1848-1948; Superpower Relations 1943-1972; the First World War, 1905-1918.

Designed to equip pupils with the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills to be able to understand and communicate effectively in French through a series of topics studied including - Identity and Culture, Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest, and Current and Future Study and Employment.

This course equips pupils with the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills to be able to understand and communicate effectively in Spanish, to enjoy the language-learning process and appreciate Hispanic countries and cultures. 

Through reading and translating Latin texts, our pupils develop an understanding of how Latin is constructed and read a range of original Latin authors, in either verse or prose or both, which they are able to translate and interpret, also developing an understanding of the cultural background in which these texts were written.

Within the Maths programme we aim to provide as broad a mathematical education as possible, and teach the value of rational thought and reasoning. Areas of Study include:

Number, algebra, ratio, proportion and rates of change, geometry and measures, statistics and probability.

Students will develop a wider understanding and appreciation of the media, both historical and contemporary, and their role in society, culture and politics. They’ll create their own media productions, writing effective ‘copy’, study the role of all media & industries influence our lives.

GCSE Music is a fun and challenging subject that focuses on making and listening to music, performing, composing and listening, covering four areas of study: musical forms and devices, music for ensemble, film Music and popular Music.  

The course is designed to underpin practical performances with theoretical knowledge of the anatomical, physiological and psychological demands of physical activities and how these factors affect physical competence as well as the study of socio-cultural Issues and sports psychology.

Students will cover many topics including: mechanics (motion and forces), electricity, waves & quantum theory, circular motion, thermodynamics, nuclear physics, medical physics and astrophysics using a combination of theory, lab practicals, and research.

Designed to develop student’s knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs, values, traditions, worship, practice, and pilgrimage as well as covering diverse topics such as the place of human beings, life & death, peace & conflict, rights, equality and social justice.