Key Stage 4 Curriculum

In KS4 all students study a strong core of academic subjects, as well as having the opportunity to choose from a comprehensive range of exciting and challenging option subjects to underpin their future Post-16 studies and provide them with a strong base for the future

KS4 Information Evening

 

Every Autumn Term we hold a KS4 Information Evening for Year 10 parents outlining the GCSE courses and exams and how parents can support their students during Years 10 & 11.

There is also an opportunity to meet the SEND department and discuss any additional needs and exam access arrangements your child may need.

If you were unable to attend this year’s information evening, please see the information below:

Compulsory Subjects

 

In Key Stage 4, all students study:

  • English Language (GCSE)

  • English Literature (GCSE)

  • Mathematics (GCSE)

  • Religious Education * (GCSE)

All students also study a Science programme and can choose either:

  • Combined Science (equivalent to two GCSEs) or

  • Separate Sciences - Biology, Chemistry and Physics (with each one equivalent to a full GCSE)

All students also study Physical Education (as a Non-Examination subject)

(* Note - parents have the right to withdraw their children from the RE course)

Option Subjects

 

In addition to the Compulsory Subjects, students also study up to four further ‘option’ subjects.  (Note – if they choose Separate Sciences this counts as one choice).

At least one of these subject choices must be either a Humanities subject (Geography or History) or a Modern Foreign Language (French or German).  And students can choose more than one of these subjects if they wish, enabling them to study for a humanities subject and a modern foreign language, or to study two languages.

The full range of subjects that students can currently choose to study are as follows:

  • Art & Design (GCSE),

  • Catering and Hospitality (Technical Award, equivalent to GCSE)

  • Computer Science (GCSE),

  • Dance (GCSE),

  • Design and Technology (GCSE),

  • Drama (GCSE),

  • Engineering (Technical award, equivalent to GCSE)

  • Food Preparation and Nutrition (GCSE),

  • Geography (GCSE),

  • Health and Social Care (OCR National, equivalent to GCSE),

  • History (GCSE),

  • ICT – Digital Information Technology (Btec, equivalent to GCSE),

  • Media Studies (GCSE),

  • Modern Languages - French and German, or both (GCSE),

  • Music (GCSE),

  • Music Technology (Technical award, equivalent to GCSE),

  • Physical Education (GCSE),

  • Separate Sciences – Biology, Chemistry and Physics (GCSE).

  • Textiles (GCSE)

English Baccalaureate (EBacc)

 

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is not a qualification but an accountability measure that applies to schools in England. It measures the proportion of children who secure a GCSE Grade 5 or above in the following subjects:

  • English Language or English Literature (Note - students must study both subjects)

  • Maths

  • Science - students must study either Combined Science or Separate Sciences

  • A humanity subject - either Geography or History

  • A Modern (or Ancient) Foreign Language

Arts subjects are not included in the measure.

This combination of subjects provides students with a strong academic foundation for future study and employment.

At Uffculme School, ALL students (irrespective of their background or ability) are able to study the full suite of EBacc subjects and encouraged to do so, but it is not compulsory that students choose this.

Learning and Assessment in KS4

 

At the start of Key Stage 4, students are set Target Grades in each subject they are studying.  These targets are based on a range of evidence that we have collected, in particular the students' prior attainment during Key Stage 3. 

As students are assessed through Key Stage 4, their progress is reported in terms of the grades they are expected to achieve at the end of the course, assuming they continue to show similar attitude and effort throughout the course. (See links below for further information.)

Links

 

For more information about our KS4 Curriculum please click on the links below: