Courses and Qualifications

Key Stages 3 and 4

History

All students study History at Key Stage 3 in line with the National Curriculum.

In GCSE History students in Years 9, 10 and 11 study a "Modern World" Syllabus for the OCR Examination Group.

This involves the study of International Relations from 1919 to 2005

There will also be two depth studies undertaken which will be based on:

  • Germany 1918 to 1945
  • British Depth Study from the Twentieth Century

There will be two written exam papers which together will make up 75% of the marks. The other 25% of the marks will be awarded for coursework. All students will take the same exam papers and all grades (G-A*) are available.

Geography

All students study Geography at Key Stage 3 in line with the National Curriculum.

In GCSE Geography, OCR examination Syllabus 'B' is followed. It involves studies of the following topics:

  1. Rivers and Coasts
  2. Population and Settlement
  3. Natural hazards
  4. Economic Development

As part of the course there is a day's fieldwork to the Holderness Coastline where information collected will be used by you to produce a fieldwork project. This is submitted in the summer term of Year 10 and along with this you will look at a topical issue like crime rates, fashion or sports amongst others and you will have to use evidence to reach a conclusion. This is submitted in the Autumn term of Year 10. Together these make up 25% of your final grade.

Students also sit a Sustainable Decision Making Exercise paper, where you will receive information produced by the examination board three weeks in advance, and will have to make a decision based on the information provided. This paper also gives you 25% of your final grade. There is one final examination which tests knowledge and understanding of the four topics above. This is worth 50% of your final grade.

Religious Studies

All students study Religious Studies in Key stage 3 in line with the Locally Agreed Syllabus, the non-statutory National framework and the updated Curriculum 2008.

AT GCSE students study the WJEC GCSE Specification B, Option B.In Years 9 and 10 students study Religion and Human Experience which includes:

  • Religion and Conflict
  • Authority, Religion and the State
  • Religious Expression
  • Religion and Medical Ethics

In Year 11, students study Religion and Life Issues which includes:

  • Relationships
  • Is it fair?
  • Looking for meaning
  • Our World.

There is no coursework element to Religious Studies. It is assessed by two examinations, each worth 50% of the total marks.