If you are creative and imaginative, a GCSE in Art: Craft and Design will enable you to express yourself, and is also great preparation for the world of work.
Art & Design: Textiles specialism
Computer Science
A GCSE in Computer Science is a great choice for students with strong mathematical skill and an interest in technology and programming.
This course enables students to develop their understanding of the current and emerging technologies and how they work. Students develop computer programs to solve problems and evaluate the effectiveness of computer programs / solutions and the impact of computer technology in society.
As well as learning about the theory of computer systems, students will also study computational thinking, algorithms and programming. In Year 10 all students will complete a programming project where they will be challenged by a range of exciting and engaging tasks to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned.
Computer Science is a practical subject where learners can apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to real-world problems. This qualification will value computational thinking and help learners to develop the skills to solve problems and design systems that do so.
This option is subject to a teacher recommendation due to the advanced mathematical nature of the course.
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
1-2 | 100% | Exam | External assessment |
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Construction & the Built Environment (Vocational)
A Technical Award in Construction is a great choice for practical, hands on students with an interest in construction careers or DIY.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
MR O JEFFERSON (Course Leader)
EXAMINATION BOARD:
WJEC
LEVEL:
Level 1/2 Technical award
WEBSITE
This course is suitable for students who are interested in the construction industry as a career or who are just interested in having great DIY skills for the future. The course should suit pupils who enjoy practical tasks such as:
Wood e.g. hang a door, make a frame, attach a skirting-board, create a timber stud wall
Decorate e.g. emulsion a surface, gloss a panel door, paper an internal corner or around a switch
Tiling e.g. floor and wall, patch repair
Blockwork e.g. bricklaying and repointing
The course suits those with a general interest in the subject and a commitment to work hard. The course is 60% practical and 40% theory, so writing, IT and presentation skills will also be valuable. An ability to measure (mm) accurately and use hand tools safely is desirable.
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 40% | External | Exam - Health and Safety |
2 | 60% | Internal | Practical assessment of skills such as wood, tiling and decorating |
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Dance (Vocational)
Dance at Ryburn is one of our strengths. Our BTEC vocational course in Dance is an enjoyable and rewarding course for anyone with a passion for the subject.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
Mrs S Attah
EXAMINATION BOARD:
PEARSON btec
LEVEL:
Level 2 TECH AWARD in Performing Arts - Dance Pathway
Website
Syllabus (PDF)
The course is made up of 3 components with a mix of both theory and practical work, enabling the dancer to develop their technique, knowledge and understanding of Dance in the performing arts industry. Students study a variety of dance styles and explore set works as well as creating performances for different events. Staff have industry links and experience and, where possible, guest teachers deliver master-classes to enhance the student experience. Our dancers form a close knit and inclusive team, supporting each other to build skill, technique and confidence.
A love of dance and a willingness to try new styles and improve performance skills is required for this course.
Watch our video for a flavour of what it’s like being a Dancer at Ryburn.
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
Component 1 | 30% | Internal | Exploring Performing Arts |
Component 2 | 30% | Internal | Developing Skills and Techniques |
Component 3 | 40% | External | Performing to a Brief |
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ICT (Technical Award)
Studying a Technical Award in ICT takes a practical approach to developing skills and knowledge of IT and data systems in the workplace.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
Mr L Cleary
EXAMINATION BOARD:
Edexcel
LEVEL:
Level 1/2 Vocational Award in ICT
WEBSITE
The Vocational award in ICT is for learners who want to acquire technical knowledge and technical skills through vocational contexts by studying the knowledge, understanding and skills related to coping with rapid changes in technology, designing, programming, testing and evaluating software systems. Students will specifically gain a working knowledge of databases, spreadsheets, automated documents and images.
Learners will develop a number of skills which are attractive to employer, colleges and universities including:
· Communication
· Coping with rapid changes in technology
· Critical thinking
· Designing, programming, testing and
· evaluating software systems
· Learning independently
· Numeracy and data handling
· Problem solving
· Research
· Taking on responsibility
· Time management.
Assessment method
The qualification is made up of 2 units:
Unit 1: ICT in Society
Unit 2: ICT in Context
You will be assessed through a mixture of exams and controlled assessments. Unit 1 will be assessed through an exam which is worth 40% of your qualification. The exam will last 1 hour and 20 minutes, it will be made up of short and extended response questions. Unit 2 will be assessed with project work (no exam) which is worth 60% of your qualification. As part of this assessment, you will be given a scenario and will need to undertake a number of tasks.
Unit | % of final grade | Type of Assessment | Additional details |
---|---|---|---|
Unit 1: ICT in Society | 40% | Internal | An exam lasting 1 hour and 20 minutes |
Unit 2: ICT in Context | 60% | Internal | Assessed project work |
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Drama
Taking a GCSE in Drama is perfect for those with a passion for performing. It also develops many key stills for life including confidence and self-expression.
Students work to develop an understanding of dramatic form and history of drama through rehearsal and performance. The students begin with the study of influential drama practitioners, specifically focusing on Stanislavski, Brecht, Godber and Berkoff, then move on to understanding historical drama from Greek to Medieval, Elizabethan, Victorian and Contemporary plays. Building on this knowledge, the students then develop their imagination, artistic awareness and creative development to enable students to devise a highly sophisticated original piece of performance.
A willingness to experiment in practical performance through developing skills in class workshops is needed for this course. As well as motivation and commitment – theatre teaches students that success comes to those who are highly committed to the task at hand and who are willing to work together.
Watch our advert #Daretobedifferent
Please note: Drama cannot be studied alongside dance
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 40% | Internal | Devised performance – externally moderated – performance of 5 – 20 minutes, report of approximately 1500 words |
2 | 20% | Exam | Text in performance, script based work – students work in designated groups to produce and perform a well-known play |
3 | 40% | Exam | Exam on set text, evaluation of performance from a text |
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English Language & English Literature
Mathematics
Science (Combined or Triple)
GCSEs in Science help us to understand the world around us, and teach us to ask questions, solve problems and think critically. Studying Science opens up many future education and career opportunities.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
Mr P Marshall
EXAMINATION BOARD:
AQA
LEVEL:
GCSE (9-1)
WEBSITE:
Combined SCience
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
GCSE Science is linear with all exams sat at the end of Year 11 (May/June 2023).
The Combined Science GCSE course covers Biology, Physics and Chemistry over the course of Key Stage 4. The course is examined as one unit, but the awarded grade counts twice as the content is so extensive. Students will be awarded two GCSE grades at the end of the course.
The Triple Science GCSEs offer separate qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These will be awarded as individual grades for each subject.
GCSE Science provides insight into how science works, stimulating students’ curiosity and encouraging them to engage with science in their everyday lives and to make informed choices about future study and career choices.
The decision about whether students will follow the Combined or Triple pathway will be taken after discussion between students and their teachers.
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
Biology | 33.30% | Exam | Each subject will have 2 x 75 minutes exams |
Chemistry | 33.30% | Exam | See above |
Physics | 33.30% | Exam | See above |
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
Triple Science | 100% Biology/Chemistry/Physics each | Exam | Each subject will have 2 x 105 minutes exams. Each exam is worth 50% of the total qualification |
Questions will be a variety of multiple choice, structured, short closed answer and open response. Higher (grades 9 – 4) and Foundation (grades 5 – 1) tiers are available. There is no coursework element to the new Combined Science GCSE, instead there is a significant practical component which will be tested within the exams.
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PE
Building the habit of being regularly physically active in PE is one of the best things you can do for your body - and your mind. Sports build many skills like coordination, resilience and teamwork. And it’s fun!
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
Ms L NEWEY
All students in Years 10 to 11 participate in PE for one hour per week. During this time, students will be allowed to select their activities from the options available in that term. In some activities there will be an option to participate as a coach, an official or a performer. Students participate in groups that rotate around activities, therefore all students experience each activity.
It is important that all students take part in Physical Education in Years 10 to 11, and it is an expectation that students will always play an active part in their lesson. It is for this reason that all students, even if they are excused, are expected to bring their kit. If students are excused, they can participate in the lesson as coaches or umpires and therefore be involved.
Some of the sports offered:
Winter Sports | Summer Sports |
---|---|
Football | Tennis |
Netball | Rounders |
Badminton | Cricket |
Trampolining | Alternative Games (e.g Kingball) |
Rugby | Baseball |
Fitness | Athletics |
Hockey | |
Gymnastics | |
Handball |
This is a non-Assessed subject.
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Enterprise & Marketing (Vocational)
Ever fancied yourself as an entrepreneur? Whether you dream of your own start up or a career in business, a qualification in Enterprise and Marketing will give you practical skills and experiences.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
Mr W Beaumont
EXAMINATION BOARD:
OCR
LEVEL:
Level 1/2 Cambridge National Certificate
WEBSITE
Enterprise and Marketing is a practical introduction to life and work as an entrepreneur, students will:
Learn about enterprise and marketing concepts
Design a business proposal
Market and pitch a business proposal
Students will learn about what needs to happen to support a start-up business, and what key factors to decide when starting a business. They will design a proposal to meet a specific business challenge, identifying the customer profile for a specific product and completing market research to generate product ideas. Financial calculations will be completed to propose a pricing strategy and determine the viability of their product proposal. They will also work on brand identity and promotion as part of their business pitch.
IT skills are required for this course as well as team work and research skills.
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 50% | Exam | External |
2 | 25% | Internal | Ongoing controlled assessment |
3 | 25% | Internal | Ongoing controlled assessment |
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Film Studies
Follow your passions! A GCSE in Film Studies will enable you to gain many transferable skills, knowledge and explore creativity.
Film is an important part of many people’s lives. Those who choose to study it characteristically bring with them a huge enthusiasm and excitement for film which constantly motivates them in their studies. They experience a powerful medium which inspires a range of responses from the emotional to the reflective as they are drawn into characters, their narratives and the issues films raise. The root of that power is the immersive audio-visual experience film offers – one which can exploit striking cinematography, composition and locations as well as powerful music and sound.
The WJEC Eduqas specification in GCSE Film Studies aims to develop knowledge and understanding of:
the ways in which meanings and responses are generated through film
a contrasting, culturally diverse range of films from different national contexts
film as an aesthetic medium
how films reflect the social, cultural and political contexts in which they are made
the relationship between film and film technology over time
The course suits those with an interest in and enjoyment of film and a degree of creativity in order to explore the creative possibilities of film and film products.. You’ll develop the ability to be critical and investigative in your approach to film and an analytical approach that should seek to discover patterns of similarity and difference, ways in which films represent people, ways in which film technologies shape film productions across a range of films.
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 - 2 | 70% | Exam | Exploring Films |
3 | 30% | Internal | Controlled Assessment |
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Hospitality and Catering (Vocational)
Good food brings people together. Studying Vocational Hospitality and Catering will not only provide you with practical skills for a career in catering, but a lifelong skill that will bring you health and enjoyment.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
MR O JEFFERSON (Course Leader)
EXAMINATION BOARD:
WJEC
LEVEL:
Level 1/2 Technical award
WEBSITE
Vocational Hospitality and Catering is an exciting and creative course which focuses on practical cooking skills to ensure students develop a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. The course has a large written element as well as plenty of food preparation; students should only choose this course if they enjoy both these elements.
At its heart, this qualification focuses on nurturing students’ practical skills to give them a strong understanding of nutrition. Food preparation skills are integrated into five core topics:
Food, nutrition and health
Food science
Food safety
Food choice
Food provenance
Students should demonstrate good organisational skills and time planning. They should enjoy studying food at KS3 and love cooking. There is an expectation that students will provide their own ingredients for this course.
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 40% | Exam | Written exam – 1 hour and 20 minutes |
2 | 60% | Internal | Controlled Assessment: Approximately 12 hours |
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French
Studying a Modern Foreign Language GCSE opens doors to travel and adventure. But it is also has many cognitive benefits including memory, critical thinking and concentration. We strongly recommend you consider studying a language.
You will build on the skills you have been working on in years 7-9 in the areas of listening, reading, speaking and writing in French. All the skills are examined at the end of the course in Year 11.
Topics covered will include:
identity and culture
local, national and international areas of interest
current study and future employment.
The course will suit those with confidence in speaking the language, accuracy in writing, an understanding of basic grammar such as verbs and an interest in learning about the culture of different French-speaking countries.
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 25% | Internal | Speaking |
2 | 25% | Exam | Listening |
3 | 25% | Exam | Reading |
4 | 25% | Exam | Written (including translation) |
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Geography
GCSE Geography suits those with an interest in other places and world events, and a desire to understand the causes and consequences of global change.
This course explores both human and physical Geography and the processes that shape our world. You will study natural disasters, rivers and coasts, the living world including tropical rainforests and cold environments. You will learn about human Geography focusing on the challenges facing our cities, the changing economy and the challenge of managing resources. The course includes many topical issues facing the world today and will help you to understand why things change and how humans can cope and adapt to this change.
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 30% | Exam | Living in the UK today – 1 hour |
2 | 30% | Exam | The world around us – 1 hour and 30 minutes |
3 | 40% | Exam | Geographical skills – 1 hour and 30 minutes |
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Health & Social Care (Vocational)
At the heart of Health and Social Care is care and compassion. This practical course is about working with people, developing understanding and empathy.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
Mrs G Whiteley
EXAMINATION BOARD:
Edexcel
LEVEL:
Edexcel Level 1/2 Technical Award
WEBSITE
This is a vocationally related qualification, which is ideal for students who wish to gain a qualification, which will prepare them for employment in the Health and Social Care sector. It teaches many transferable skills so it also prepares students for any profession in which they work with people. Students will take part in discussion lessons where they explore different concepts and ideas relevant to Health and Social Care. There will also be time for independent research to collect together information and consolidate understanding. Practical tasks and videos are used to help explain the theoretical aspects of the work.
To succeed you will:
Have a caring personality with a desire to work in the field of Health & Social Care.
Be able to discuss ideas and work in groups as well as individually.
Course presentation
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 40% | Exam | External Assessment |
2–3 | 60% | Internal | Controlled assessment units – Health and Social Care Values & Human Lifespan Development |
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History
Studying History enables us to understand the world and our place within it. It builds skills that are crucial in today’s world: the ability to think analytically and critically, to research and evaluate sources, and to present and communicate our ideas persuasively.
The History GCSE encourages learners to become curious and to develop their own opinions based on a respect for evidence. Students will build a deeper understanding of the present by engaging with and questioning the past. The course develops a wide and deep knowledge of a range of different periods. Students will engage in historical enquiry to develop as independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers.
Students will develop an awareness of why people, events and developments have been accorded historical significance and why different interpretations have been constructed about them. Throughout the course students will study a variety of interesting historical topics: the people’s health, the Elizabethans and America, between 1920-1973.
Students are required to have a personal interest in History and be able to demonstrate strong written, oral and analytical skills.
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 50% | Exam | ‘The People’s Health’ and ‘The Normans’ – 2 hours |
3 | 50% | Exam | ‘America, 1920-1973’ and ‘The First World War’ – 2 Hours |
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Music (Vocational)
Follow your passions. Spend time doing what you love whilst gaining practical and transferable skills through a vocational qualification in Music.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
Mr M Grimes
EXAMINATION BOARD:
Edexcel
LEVEL:
Edexcel Level 1/2 Technical Award
WEBSITE
Students will study the music industry and how to create a music product (such as a CD, video or concert). They will also have the option of learning how to use a recording studio, or using music technology to create their own music, using software such as Garage Band and Logic Pro. They may follow a performance module which can include traditional performance techniques or modern DJ performance styles
Students must be able to play an instrument, sing or at least be willing to learn one.
If you play an instrument or sing and have taken ABRSM exams you could also take a GCSE in Music. You should have achieved Grade 5 by the beginning of Year 11. Sessions will take place at lunch and after school. Entry for this is at the discretion of the Head of Department.
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 40% | Exam | External Assessment |
2-3 | 60% | Internal | Students create a portfolio of evidence linked to various scenarios and tasks |
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Photography
If you are creative and imaginative, a GCSE in Photography will enable you to express yourself but is also good preparation for the world of work.
If you are creative and imaginative and have a passion for taking photographs a GCSE in Photography, will enable you to express yourself and prepare for the world of work. Photographic skills are transferable to many sectors. Alongside a range of practical arts and digital skills, the course will develop good observational, analytical, research skills including the ability to solve problems creatively and work well both independently and in groups
Students explore the processes of digital photography, digital and manual image manipulation, animation and film. They develop observation and creativity skills and experience a wide range of techniques such in camera skills, Photoshop, Graphic design and mixed media. Through careful analysis of Photography and culture, students are given a vital opportunity to express themselves in a personal and meaningful way.
The course is a project based course that introduces students to how photography works in the outside world. If students like photography (or art) of any kind or have good ideas and want to find a way of using them then this course offers a variety of ways to express those ideas.
Assessment method
Unit | % of Final Grade | Type of Assessment | Additional Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 60% | Internal | Portfolio of work consisting of digital and camera based workshops, use of camera, light, lens and photo-shop through two projects. |
2 | 40% | Exam | Externally set assignment consisting of supporting work and a 10 hour exam |