GCSE Curriculum

Year 9

All pupils study the four core subjects: English, Mathematics, French and Science (taught separately as Biology, Chemistry and Physics). They also study: Food & Nutrition, History, Geography, Music, Art, Design Technology, Physical Education, Information Technology, Religious Studies and Personal & Social Health Education (PSHE). Spanish is available for pupils in the top two sets and Latin for those in set 1; although this is usually reserved for those who have studied it previously exceptions can be made.

Year 10 and 11

All pupils study the core subjects of English Language, Mathematics, French and Science for GCSE. In addition, three subjects are chosen from the following options: Art & Design, Design Technology, Food & Nutrition, Geography, History, Latin, Music, Physical Education and Spanish. 

In addition to English Language, most pupils will study English Literature to GCSE. The majority of pupils will follow a science course that leads to two GCSEs in ‘Core’ and ‘Additional’ Science. This course involves the study of Biology, Chemistry and Physics as co-ordinated science. Separate sciences are taken by pupils in the top set. Biology, Chemistry and Physics will then be examined as three separate GCSEs.

From September 2011, top sets in English, French and Science have been following the IGCSE course. This requires no coursework and permits no modular examination sessions to resit, placing the emphasis on the end of the two-year examinations. These courses are suitable for the more academic pupils who benefit from such demands. Spanish and Mathematics are also following the IGCSE, with Mathematics offering it to all sets, and those in the lower sets will be able to sit the Foundation Tier.

The Year 10 and 11 curriculum is designed to prevent early specialisation in Arts or Sciences, keeping options open for AS and A Level, and to provide some choice to cater for individual strengths and interests. The aim is to ensure a broadly based education for each boy and girl.

A reduced curriculum based on 7 GCSE subjects is available for some pupils. In this course, pupils do not take French, but instead have a greater number of timetabled lessons in Mathematics and English. A copy of the full GCSE curriculum booklet is available here or you can obtain a hard copy by contacting the Admissions Registrar.

Tel: 01909 537155, e-mail: admissions@wsnl.co.uk