Subject Options
English Language
Head of Faculty: Ms W Fairweather
Email: wendy.fairweather@wellingschool-tkat.org
Type of Qualification/Exam Board: GCSE/AQA
Web Link to Specification: https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/specifications/AQA-8700-SP-2015.PDF
Examination Weighting: 100%
Coursework Weighting: 0%
Potential Career Opportunities:
A GCSE in English Language is the minimum requirement for any career. Students who do not achieve the expected grade which is considered a good pass will be required to re-sit the GCSE at Sixth form, college or whilst studying for an apprenticeship.
Teacher, Journalism, Social Work, Publishing, Public Relations, Law, Social Media Manager, Writer, Charity work. These are only a few examples of careers where English skills are important.
Course Description:
The English GCSE is a two-year course, culminating in two equally weighted exams sat at the end of year 11. For Paper 1, students will study an extract from a literary fictional text, as well as producing a piece of narrative or descriptive writing.
For Paper 2, students will study two non-fiction texts, as well as producing a piece of writing to present a viewpoint. Speaking and Listening continues to be assessed, but will not contribute towards the final grade.
Technical accuracy is now more important than ever, with spelling, punctuation and grammar accounting for 40% of the marks on the writing sections.
Why Study English?
English teaches you how to control the language you use, how to use it effectively and successfully communicate. English teaches you to read and listen critically, form your own opinions and analyse texts
Key Employability Skills:
Communication, literacy skills, analysis, confidence.
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English Literature
Head of Faculty: Ms W Fairweather
Email: wendy.fairweather@wellingschool-tkat.org
Type of Qualification/Exam Board: GCSE/AQA
Web Link to Specification: https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/specifications/AQA-8702-SP-2015.PDF
Examination Weighting: 100%
Coursework Weighting: 0%
Potential Career Opportunities:
A GCSE in English Literature facilitates the further study of English at A- level, and is a desirable qualification in any career requiring communication skills.
Course Description:
The English Literature GCSE is a two-year course, culminating in two exams sat at the end of year 11.
For Paper 1, worth 40% of the overall grade, students will study a play by Shakespeare (Macbeth)
and a 19th- century novel (A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens). They will be expected to respond in detail to an extract from the texts, as well as the texts as a whole.
For Paper 2, worth 60% of the final grade, students will study the play An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley and an anthology of poetry, and they will be examined on two previously unseen poems. Technical accuracy accounts for 5% of the overall marks available.
Why Study English Literature?
English teaches you how to control the language you use, how to use it effectively and successfully communicate. English teaches you to read and listen critically, form your own opinions and analyse texts.
Key Employability Skills:
Communication, language, analysis, confidence
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Creative Media Production
Head of Faculty: Ms J Coleman
Email: jasmin.coleman@wellingschool-tkat.org
Type of Qualification/Exam Board: BTEC/Edexcel
Web Link to Specification: https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/btec-tec-awards/creative-media-production/2022/specification-and-sample-assessments/btec-tech-award-creative-media-production-2022-spec.pdf
Examination Weighting: 0&
Coursework Weighting: 100% (1 coursework component completed in controlled conditions over 8 hours)
Potential Career Opportunities: Media industries are a huge growth area in the UK today, offering a wide variety of jobs in film, television, advertising, web-based services, the music industry and more.
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to media industries and production. It is a hands-on course that gives a taste of what the sector is like, as well as the skills and confidence to succeed in your next steps - perhaps taking Media Studies, Film or Journalism in sixth form or college. You will have the chance to develop valuable skills and techniques in different disciplines, produce a practical response to a digital media brief, and explore potential careers in the industry.
The course is entirely coursework-assessed, with 66% internally assessed (marked by teachers) and 33% externally assessed (a task set and marked by the exam board but completed in class). Students will develop key skills in planning, production and evaluation of success through practical assignments covering a variety of media industries such as television, film, advertising and magazines. Through this process, you will learn practical skills such as photography and videography, using Photoshop and video editing software and principles of effective print and web design.
Why Study Creative Media Production?
This course is a great introduction to the media sector, giving you a taste of the kinds of work you might want to go into as well as allowing you to develop your creativity and explore aspects of an industry that is all around you but which you have probably never studied before.
Key Employability Skills:
Practical media production skills such as photography and videography, using Photoshop and video editing software and principles of effective print and web design. Also working within a team effectively, using creativity to approach a project, organisation and self-motivation.
Mathematics
Head of Faculty: Mrs S Fox
Email: sandra.fox@wellingschool-tkat.org
Type of Qualification/Exam Board: GCSE/Edexcel (3 papers with equal weighting - 1 Non calculator and 2 calculator)
Web Link to Specification: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/mathematics-2015.html
Examination Weighting: 100%
Coursework Weighting: 0%
Potential Career Opportunities:
Engineer, accountant, computer Science, Marketing, Data Analyst, Insurance, Research and Investment Analyst. These are only a few examples of careers where Maths skills are important.
Course Description:
GCSE Mathematics should be one of the top priorities for students during Key Stage 4, with it being such a key qualification towards all students’ next steps.
Students are required to develop knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical concepts, including: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Measures, Statistics and Probability.
Students will use their knowledge and understanding to make connections between mathematical concepts and apply the functional elements of mathematics in everyday and real-life situations. Students are given the opportunity to develop the ability to acquire and use problem-solving strategies, reason mathematically, make deductions and inferences, and draw conclusions.
Why Study Mathematics?
Maths teaches us to think analytically and develops our reasoning abilities. Maths will assist with problem solving skills and tackling real world problems.
Key Employability Skills:
Numeracy, reasoning and analytical skills.
Combined Science
Head of Faculty: Ms R Nkanta
Email: rosemary.nkanta@wellingschool-tkat.org
Type of Qualification/Exam Board: 2x GCSes/AQA
Web Link to Specification: https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/science/specifications/AQA-8464-SP-2016.PDF
Examination Weighting: 100%
Coursework Weighting: 0%
Potential Career Opportunities:
Science is relevant to so many fields; the most well known are health related careers including Nursing, Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Doctor, Dentist, Midwife, Paramedic, Operating Department Technician and Pharmacist.
Course Description:
The course combines relevant, inspiring content and practical work.
GCSE Science will equip students to make their own decisions based on their own scientific knowledge and understanding rather than headline grabbing media stories. The course will enable students to develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and methods and acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works and its essential role in society.
For Combined Science, students complete six exams at the end of the two years, each 1 hour and 15 minutes long, and they will receive two GCSE grades.
Why Study Combined Science?
Science is the study of everything around us (including us) and tries to explain how things happen and why they happen. Many of our current important decisions about our future and the future of our planet can only be understood in light of science. For example, planet-wide problems like global climate change, technology (how it works and its limitations) and our health.
Key Employability Skills:
Rational thinking, problem-solving skills, data analysis, communication skills, independence, research skills and evaluative skills.
Triple Science
Head of Faculty: Ms R Nkanta
Email: rosemary.nkanta@wellingschool-tkat.org
Type of Qualification/Exam Board: 3x GCSEs/AQA
Web Link to Specification:
Biology
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461/changes-for-2022
Chemistry
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462/changes-for-2022
Physics
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463/changes-for-2022
Examination Weighting: 100%
Coursework Weighting: 0%
Potential Career Opportunities:
Science plays a pivotal role within many professions nowadays.
Moreover students achieving a 6 or above are well prepared to study Sciences at AS/A level and beyond.
Course Description:
The course combines relevant, inspiring content and practical work.
GCSE Science will equip students to make their own decisions based on their own scientific knowledge and understanding rather than headline grabbing media stories. The course will enable students to develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and methods and acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works and its essential role in society.
For Triple Science, students complete six exams at the end of the two years, each 1 hour and 45 minutes long and they will receive three GCSE grades.
Who will this course suit?
Students who have a particular interest in the Sciences and may want to study them post-16.
Why Study Triple Science?
Science is the study of everything around us (including us) and tries to explain how things happen and why they happen. Many of our current important decisions about our future and the future of our planet can only be understood in light of science.
Geography
Head of Faculty: Mr N Clarke
Email: nick.clarke@wellingschool-tkat.org
Type of Qualification/Exam Board: GCSE/Edexcel
Web Link to Specification: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/geography-a-2016.html
Examination Weighting: 100%
Coursework Weighting: 0%
Potential Career Opportunities:
Geography can be used in many areas of employment, including finance, law, architecture, retailing, meteorology, market research, energy, teaching, surveying, pollution control, waste management, conservation, geology, town planning, transport planning and logistics, accountancy, crime analysis and environmental science.
Course Description:
The course covers a wide range of themes, including hurricanes, urban settlement issues, climate change, tropical rainforests, development, national parks and sustainable transport. There is a strong focus on the geography of the UK, and a range of geographical skills (e.g. map work) are taught throughout the course.
There are two days of fieldwork because some of the exam questions are about how geography is investigated in the real world.
Who will this course suit?
This course will suit those who have strong literacy skills and are able to debate and view local and global issues from different perspectives.
Why Study Geography?
Despite living in an increasingly modern and seemingly manufactured world, humankind will forever rely on the environment. Whether it is the ability to grow crops, the capability to stockpile water or the power to pre-empt natural disasters, the study of our environment and the geography of the planet plays a vital role. By studying the patterns of our planet, we may be able to predict potential hazards in the future and therefore help to implement precautions to avoid such results, such as global warming.
Key Employability Skills:
Technical language, data analysis, interpretation and understanding the world around you.
History
Head of Faculty: Mr N Clarke
Email: nick.clarke@wellingschool-tkat.org
Type of Qualification/Exam Board: GCSE/Edexcel
Web Link to Specification: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/history-2016.html
Examination Weighting: 100%
Coursework Weighting: 0%
Potential Career Opportunities:
Teacher, Journalism, Social Work, Publishing, Public Relations, Law, Social Media Manager, Writer, Charity work, researcher, politics, advertising. These are only a few examples of careers where History skills are important.
Course Description:
In History, we cover a wide range of historic periods across three separate exam papers. We will look at a range of different types of History too. We will be looking at Norman England, see how the Normans conquered England and helped shape its development to this day. We will study the history of Medicine in this country from 1250 - to the present day; which has become incredibly relevant given the global pandemic. We will look at the Cold War and see how the USA and USSR went from allies in WW2 to enemies. Finally, we will also study the inter-war period in German history, tracing the impact of defeat in the war through the Roaring Twenties and the subsequent rise of support for the Nazis and beyond.
All of these topics will be covered by looking at events and evidence, and will give you the ability to express complex ideas in writing. You will develop the skills needed to justify and explain your ideas, skills vital in today’s world. We will develop skills of source analysis so that you are able to interrogate the information you are presented with, not just in History but also in life in general.
Who will this course suit?
This course will suit those who thrive in written expression. The course demands longer written explanations.
Why Study History?
History teaches you skills of analysis and understanding. You will learn to become a critical thinker and how to communicate that understanding in written formats. This is in addition to the understanding that comes from the topics studied.
Key Employability Skills:
Communication, analysis, critical thinking resilience, understanding of the world around you.
Philosophy & Ethics
Head of Faculty: Mr N Clarke
Email: nick.clarke@wellingschool-tkat.org
Type of Qualification/Exam Board: GCSE/AQA
Web Link to Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/as-and-a-level/religious-studies-7062/specification-at-a-glance
Examination Weighting: 100%
Coursework Weighting: 0%
Potential Career Opportunities:
Philosophy and Ethics prepares one for an A-Level or University degree in Social Sciences, History, English, Law or professions such as Social work, Police, Teaching, journalism, law and Childcare.
Course Description:
Philosophy and Ethics encourages critical thinking and deals with ethical and moral issues such as crime and punishment, peace and war, human rights and social justice, families and relationships. The course will allow one to reflect on personal and wider social and cultural issues. It is exam based, with two exam papers at the end of study. Each paper is one hour and forty-five minutes.
Paper 1 (Practices) covers different philosophical, religious beliefs and practices.
Paper 2 (Thematic studies) covers issues such as Families, relationships, peace and conflict, crime and punishment, human rights and social justice.
The course entails asking questions, debates, watching videos, poster work, peer work, assessments and written work.
Who will this course suit?
This course will suit those who have strong literacy skills and are able to debate and view issues from different perspectives.
Why Study Philosophy & Ethics
Philosophy and Ethics encourages critical thinking and deals with ethical and moral issues such as crime and punishment, peace and war, human rights and social justice, families and relationships. The course will allow one to reflect on personal and wider social and cultural capital issues.
Key Employability Skills:
Critical thinking, Introspection, analysis, empathy and confidence.
French
Head of Faculty: Ms J Osei-Tutu
Email: jacqueline.osei-tutu@wellingschool-tkat.org
Type of Qualification/Exam Board: GCSE/AQA
Web Link to Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/french-8658/introduction
Examination Weighting: 100%
Coursework Weighting: 0%
Potential Career Opportunities: Studying languages opens doors to careers in global technology, accountancy and banking companies as well as in sectors such as tourism, law, journalism, diplomacy and the Civil Service.
Course Description:
The new Language GCSE is a two-year course in which students will be examined in four equally weighted skills (Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing) with three core themes: Identity & culture; Local, national, international & global areas of interest, and Current & future study & employment.
French and Spanish are fun, active and ‘living’ subjects, which give an understanding of different cultures and help us to be outward looking learners.
Throughout the course, there is a strong emphasis on active use and manipulation of the language and the ability to communicate effectively. It is recommended that students who have passion for Spanish and/or French continue with this subject for GCSE. A language GCSE is a requisite of many universities in the UK and at Welling School, you can continue your language journey from GCSE to A Level French.
Who will this course suit?
Enthusiastic linguists who enjoy learning and applying new vocabulary in written and spoken form and want to develop their reading and listening skills in a second language
Why Study French?
Language learning offers a skill for life. Language GCSEs are regarded as highly valuable qualifications by colleges and universities, and research has shown that knowing a second language makes you more employable with a recent survey suggesting that those able to communicate in a second language can earn 20% more than applicants with just English.
Key Employability Skills:
Communication in a global business world, cultural awareness, confidence, problem solving skills and flexibility
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Spanish
Head of Faculty: Ms J Osei-Tutu
Email: jacqueline.osei-tutu@wellingschool-tkat.org
Type of Qualification/Exam Board: GCSE/AQA
Web Link to Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/spanish-8698/introduction
Examination Weighting: 100%
Coursework Weighting: 0%
Potential Career Opportunities:
Studying languages opens doors to careers in global technology, accountancy and banking companies as well as in sectors such as tourism, law, journalism, diplomacy and the Civil Service.
Course Description:
The new Language GCSE is a two-year course in which students will be examined in four equally weighted skills (Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing) with three core themes: Identity & culture; Local, national, international & global areas of interest, and Current & future study & employment.
French and Spanish are fun, active and ‘living’ subjects, which give an understanding of different cultures and help us to be outward looking learners.
Throughout the course, there is a strong emphasis on active use and manipulation of the language and the ability to communicate effectively. It is recommended that students who have passion for Spanish and/or French continue with this subject for GCSE. A language GCSE is a requisite of many universities in the UK and at Welling School; you can continue your language journey from GCSE to A Level Spanish.
Who will this course suit?
Enthusiastic linguists who enjoy learning and applying new vocabulary in written and spoken form and want to develop their reading and listening skills in a second language.
Why Study Spanish?
Language learning offers a skill for life. Language GCSEs are regarded as highly valuable qualifications by colleges and universities, and research has shown that knowing a second language makes you more employable with a recent survey suggesting that those able to communicate in a second language can earn 20% more than applicants with just English.
Key Employability Skills:
Communication in a global business world, cultural awareness, confidence, problem-solving skills and flexibility.
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