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)

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Course outline

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.

“I love my dance lessons; it is such a special environment when you walk into the dance studio. You are made to feel really welcome, all the group gets on really well and we work hard in every lesson. I have learnt so many different dance styles and my dance technique and confidence have really developed.”

— Poppy, Y11

Watch our video for a flavour of what it’s like being a Dancer at Ryburn.

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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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The future

After completing a BTEC Level 2 Tech Award, learners can go on to study RSL Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts (Dance), A-level Dance or BTEC Courses. They may also decide to audition for full time dance schools/courses. Dance is not just for people who want to become dancers! It develops fantastic transferable skills including leadership, creativity, planning, resilience, teamwork and confidence.

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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.

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
Mr P Butterfield

EXAMINATION BOARD:
WJEC EDUCAS

LEVEL:
GCSE (9-1)

WEBSITE

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Course outline

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.

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Please note: Drama cannot be studied alongside dance

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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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The future

The Drama GCSE is excellent preparation for A-level Performing Arts where students take a lead selective from the choice of Drama, Music and Dance. Drama gives you the creative discipline for all occupations and has a wide range of benefits that include self-expression, development of imagination, and fluency of speech, self-knowledge, self-discipline and self-confidence. Learning how to co-operate in groups, problem solving on social and moral dilemmas and helping students prepare for real life.

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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

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Course outline

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.

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Assessment method

Combined Science

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

Triple Science

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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The future

Students who are successful at Combined Science GCSE can progress onto further qualifications, such as A-level Biology, Chemistry and Physics; BTEC Level 3 Applied Science qualifications, apprenticeships and employment. It opens up a rich world of career pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

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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.

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
Mr D Fairclough

EXAMINATION BOARD:
WJEC EduQas

LEVEL:
GCSE (9-1)

WEBSITE

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Course outline

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. 

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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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The future

An introduction to Film Studies at this level opens up options both academic and vocational. Academically it is an ideal grounding for both A-level Film Studies and other Media based courses. Vocationally students will find out about many areas of employment within this nationally important area of the economy. It could be the ‘jumping off point’ for any of the thousands of technical careers in this area or the inspiration to start building a student’s own portfolio and film making career.

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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

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Course outline

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.

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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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The future

To progress on to BTEC Level 3 in Music Performance, you would need a Merit at BTEC Music. The course also opens opportunities for employment within the music and entertainment industry in junior roles; venues/ box offices, concert support, administrative roles, radio and television.

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Religious Studies

GCSE Religious Studies will teach you the skills and understanding needed to work with people of all faiths and cultures.

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
Mrs J Knowles

EXAMINATION BOARD:
AQA

LEVEL:
GCSE (9-1)

WEBSITE

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Course outline

In this course students will be challenged with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth.  Students will also gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture.  Students will be able to develop their own attitudes towards religious issues and analytical and critical thinking skills, which will help them prepare for further study.

To be successful you need to:

• Be able to ask questions and give opinions.

• Be interested in others and in human beliefs and behaviours. 

• Express your own beliefs whilst taking into account the beliefs of others.

“I enjoy learning about the different ways religious believers practice their faith and debating questions like ‘War can never be fair’. ”

— Katie, Y10

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Assessment method

Unit	% of Final Grade	Type of Assessment	Additional Details
1	50%	Exam	Study of religions – the beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity and Islam – 1 hour 45 minutes
2	50%	Exam	Religious, philosophical and ethical themes – 1 hour 45 minutes

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The future

A GCSE in Religious Studies is a stepping stone to a wide range of future opportunities.  The skills you develop will support you in further studies and employment.  A good grade at GCSE will help you progress to an A-level in Religious Studies.

Furthermore, as you enter the world of work, you will be expected to work alongside people with different beliefs than your own. Religious Studies will teach the skills and understanding needed to work with people of all faiths and cultures. These skills are vitally important in all careers especially professions such as the police, retail, teaching, the law, the caring professions and the armed forces, in fact any profession that brings you into contact with other people.

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Statistics

Studying Statistics enables you to put Mathematical learning into real life scenarios. Understanding how to interpret and apply data will be a key skill throughout your life.

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
MS N LEWIS

EXAMINATION BOARD:
EDEXCEL

LEVEL:
GCSE (9-1)

WEBSITE

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Course outline

Statistics is the science of collecting and analysing numerical data, and learning from it.

Statistics incorporates numerous examples of real-life data and contexts, which build skills that students will use in other subjects, such as Science and Geography. Students will study topics covered in Mathematics GCSE but will have the opportunity to extend these and to apply them in realistic scenarios. Based on the principles of the statistical enquiry cycle, students gain a rounded understanding of how to interpret and apply data to a number of scenarios, both across subjects and in the real world.

Students will gain an additional Mathematics qualification which has a very practical focus and will also support in other subjects.

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Assessment method

Unit	% of Final Grade	Type of Assessment	Additional Details
1-2	External	Exam	2 x 1 hour 30 minute exams – Foundation / Higher Tier entry

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The future

This course is good preparation for study of Maths and other ‘STEM’ subjects at A-level. You can study Statistics at degree level and apply it as a career. Because it deals with data, the skills are very useful in countless real life jobs and situations, including marketing and retail, economics, business analysis and research. Everyone can benefit from a solid understanding of statistics.

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Travel & Tourism (Vocational)

Do you dream of adventure? Studying Travel and Tourism gives you chance to learn sector-specific knowledge in a practical, applied context.

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
Mr W Beaumont

EXAMINATION BOARD:
edexcel / pearson

LEVEL:
BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Travel and Tourism

WEBSITE

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Course outline

The BTEC Tech award in Travel and Tourism is for students who want to acquire knowledge and technical skills through vocational contexts by exploring the aims of different travel and tourism organisations, the features of tourist destinations, how organisations meet customer requirements, and the influences on global travel and tourism.

Students gain the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. You will develop:

• knowledge that underpins the effective use of skills, processes and attitudes in the sector such as the appeal of different tourist destinations to different types of customer, and the factors that influence travel and tourism

• skills such as researching different travel and tourism organisations, the features of tourist destinations, and the products and services available to meet the needs of different customers

• attitudes that are considered to be very important in the travel and tourism sector, including how to develop tourism while respecting the environment and local communities.

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Assessment method

Unit	% of final grade	Type of Assessment	Additional details
Component 1	30%	Internal	Travel and Tourism Organisations and Destinations
Component 2	30%	Internal	Customer Needs in Travel and Tourism
Component 3	40%	External	Influences on Global Travel and Tourism

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The future

Students might consider progression to A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education in a range of subjects, or study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in Travel and Tourism, which prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher education by studying a degree in the tourism sector. The tourism sector supports many jobs both locally and internationally, so if you dream of travel, it might be the course for you.

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