Assessment, Exams, Practical and Vocational Subjects

Students currently in Year 9 will take GCSE exams in all of their core subjects. Grades will be awarded on the 1 to 9 scale, where 9 is the highest. The courses are examined with written papers at the end of Year 11. Apart from practical subjects, they no longer include Coursework or “Controlled Assessments”. Some GCSE subjects also assess practical elements of the course as well as written examinations.

Practical components include:

Performance in Drama, Dance, Music and PE
Speaking in Modern Languages
Producing a Media product in Media Studies
Designing and making a product in Engineering and Product Design
The Art group of subjects – including Photography, assess a portfolio of work completed over the course as well as a practical examination carried out at the end. This practical or project work may be assessed over the two year course or at the end, and count towards the final grade as well as the written examination. It is mostly marked by the teachers and moderated by the exam board. Some is done under “Controlled Conditions”, with time limits and semi-exam conditions.

Vocational Subjects

Some of the subjects we offer are “Vocational” – much more focused on practical application of learning with a limited amount of examination. The assessment will usually involve producing a portfolio of evidence which is put together over the two year course. The qualification is not a GCSE but is recognised as being equivalent to a GCSE. We currently offer – IT and iMedia (Cambridge Nationals) and COPE (ASDAN)

Tiers of Entry

In Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages and Science, there are two different tiers of entry for the final grading. Foundation Tier covers grades 1-5 while Higher is 4-9. Both tiers allow students to achieve Grade 5, which is the grade required to access A-Level courses.