campsmount academy

GCSE Optional

Subjects Information

CAMPSMOUNT

ACADEMY

Alongside your core subjects you will then opt for up to four other subjects from the

list below.

Final placement will depend on guidance and on timetable provision. Some subjects

have limited group size and occasionally we do not run some subjects if there are

insufficient numbers of students.

We offer the following options subjects:

Art and Design Business Studies Catering

Dance Drama Engineering

French Geography History

ICT/Creative iMedia Music Photography

RE Travel and

Tourism

Full Course PE

Health and Social Care

and Child

Development (this counts

for two options)

BEFORE YOU CHOOSE

Read this information carefully, click on the links above to find out about the

subjects that interest you.

Think about what you want to do. Do you have a certain career in mind?

Does that career need certain subjects? Speak to your tutor, your teachers and your

parents.

Think about your own skills, your strengths and your preferred learning style.

Discuss your choices with your parents. You will also discuss your choices with a

member of staff.

Make sure that what you choose suits you.

Do not go for a subject because a friend chooses it or just because you

like the teacher. You will be on this course for 2 years.

It has to be the best choice you can make!

What happens next?

Firstly, we will ask you to fill in a form telling us which subjects you would most like

to study. This form will be located on the Campsmount Academy Website. We will

inform you via parent mail when this is available.

We will then use this information to produce blocks of subjects that allow as many

students as possible to study their favourite subjects.

You will have to choose your subjects from the blocks.

Sometimes you may find two of your favourite subjects are in the same block. If this

happens you will have to choose another subject so it is a good idea to have a number

of possible subjects in mind.

Questions you might want to consider during the options process include:

> What career/job am I particularly interested in?

> Are there any qualifications I will to get these jobs?

> Which subjects that I study now do I particularly enjoy?

> Are there any subjects that I have not studied before that I would like to learn more

about?

Remember that you can only choose 4 optional subjects, and be aware that Health

and Social and Child Development counts as 2 options.

Art and Design

Subject Overview

Students will develop a variety of skills such as drawing, painting and sculpture and will experiment

with a variety of printing techniques. Students will be taught how to advance their creativity skills along

with developing ideas. The Art & Design Department aim to help develop a critical understanding of

artists, architects and designers, expressing reasoned judgements that can inform and influence their

own work.

How is the course assessed?

Component 1 (60% weight – coursework) and

Component 2 (40% weight – 10 hour exam and preparation)

These are internally moderated by Mr Swindles and Miss Harrison and then work is selected by the

exam board (Edexcel) to be externally moderated.

Progression Routes and Careers

Developing creativity skills in Art will allow students to access potential careers such as game design,

hair dressing, tattoo artist, illustrator, architect, makeup artist, photographer, animator, fashion and

filmography to name a few.

Click here to hear what staff and students say about Art and

design

Click here to return to the main page

https://vimeo.com/502620549

Business Studies

Subject Overview

The Cambridge National in Enterprise and Marketing offers a broad understanding of business with a

focus on marketing and enterprise and providing opportunities for students to be inspiring, creative and

practical. The course is divided into 3 units which develop your knowledge of different types of

ownership, market research, pricing products, product development and the different departments

involved in launching and developing products.

Using this knowledge they will then have the opportunity to apply it to developing marketing campaign

for a product of their choice.


The course contains 3 units:

Unit 1 = 50% of the qualification and is assessed by an exam at the end of Year 10

Unit 2 & Unit 3 = 50% of the qualification and are assessed by coursework assessed by your teacher


Business surrounds you everywhere you go and uses a wide range of skills such as analysis, problem

solving, creativity to name just a few. It is a key part of many job roles to ensure your place of work

continues to be a great success!

Click here to hear what staff and students say about Business

Studies



Hospitality and Catering

Subject Overview

WJEC Award in Hospitality and Catering. This course is a vocational course where students learn

aspects about the Hospitality and Catering Industry. They learn about hygiene control and the risks of

cross contamination. How to use temperature control and hygiene and current legislation in food

preparation. It includes different types of services and how they are organised including types of jobs

and job roles. The role of the environmental health officer and nutrition are covered.


There are 2 elements:

A practical task worth 60%

A written exam worth 40%

Both are completed in year 11.


Careers in the hospitality industry including chef, hotel receptionist, restaurant manager, waiter,

business and management, dietician and teacher.

Click here to hear what staff and students say about Hospitality

and Catering



Dance

Subject Overview

BTEC Technical Award in Performing Arts Level 1 & 2.

Students will develop knowledge and skills on different dance genres e.g. contemporary, jazz and street

dance. They will develop an understanding of performing arts by examining practitioners and

participating in workshops and theory lessons.

The course consists mainly of practical performance and assessment. There is also an element of written

evaluation and planning work.


3 assessed units of work:

Exploring the performing arts (30% of final grade).

Developing skills and techniques in performing arts (30% of final grade).

Performing to a brief (40% of final grade).


Students should have a keen interest in Dance and performing arts and a basic knowledge of dance

and dance styles.

Students who study this course can then continue in the Sixth Form, to study BTEC Performing Arts

Level 3.

Click here to hear what staff and students say about Dance



Drama – Creative and Performing

Arts

Subject Overview

The RSL Creative and Performing Arts course is delivered through two equally weighted units. The

performing text unit develops students’ understanding of classic and modern dramatic texts where

students focus on scenes from two plays and rehearse, develop and perform selected scenes. In the

externally assessed live performance unit, students will work in groups to respond to a brief in their

final year. They will work together to plan, rehearse, produce, perform and evaluate a selection of

scenes from a play for a set amount of time. All lessons will be taught through workshop style lessons

and development of drama skills.


Students are assessed through the development of a portfolio of evidence that includes, recorded

examples of rehearsals, research and planning, teamwork and decision making and evaluations. This

will include recorded Drama performances for each unit.


Students could go on to take an A Level or Vocational qualification in Theatre Studies, Performing Arts

or Drama. They could also gain an apprenticeship or training within the performing arts industry.

Click here to hear what staff and students say about Drama



Engineering

Subject Overview

Engineering design is used to develop and enhance new products and systems in response to market

opportunities. Students will develop a design specification and study the processes involved in designing

new engineered products. Using practical skills such as drawing, computer modelling and model making

to communicate design ideas. Consulting with a client they will produce, test and evaluate a prototype

in the form of a model to fulfil their brief.


There are 4 equally weighted units as follows;

R105 – Externally assessed written paper.

R106 – Product analysis and research.

R107 – Developing and presenting Engineering designs.

R108 – 3D design realisation.


By developing skills such as communication and problem solving students open doors to a wide range

of progression routes; Advanced Apprenticeships, A levels, IB Diploma, Tech Level Qualifications (T-

levels).

Possible careers include; Engineering Technician, ICT Engineer, Incorporated Engineer, Chartered

Engineer.

Click here to hear what staff and students say about

Engineering



French

Subject Overview

GCSE French: The emphasis throughout this two year course is on communication. Our aim is to

develop the students’ skills as identified in the National Curriculum and the AQA GCSE syllabus in:

Speaking French. To be able to communicate effectively in French on a range of topics, expressing

opinions, likes and dislikes and giving accounts of events.

Writing French. To communicate in French with others via email, blogs or articles giving personal

opinions and using different time frames, as well as translating short English passages into French.

Reading and understanding French, for example articles in brochures, magazines and newspapers as

well as online and some literary texts and translating from French into English.

Listening to and understanding French using authentic audio and visual material.


All four skills are assessed at the end of the 2 year course through examinations. Pupils will be entered

for either Foundation or Higher level.


This qualification can prepare learners for a wide variety of careers and further education; Business,

Travel and Tourism, Teaching, Banking, Social Care and Aid Work or Civil Services to name a few. It

forms part of the EBACC suite of qualifications which Russell Group universities beginning to look for in

their applicants


Geography

Subject Overview

Geography tackles the important issues of ‘tomorrows world’. It explains the rapid changes likely to be

faced helping you to understand and prepare, it really does put the world in your hands!

Geography tackles big issues and possible solutions:

Environmental responsibility.

Our global interdependence.

Cultural understanding and tolerance.

Commerce, trade and industry.


The Course is split into 3 units:

Unit 1 – Global Geographical Issues – 37.5%

Unit 2 – UK Geographical Issues – 37.5%

Unit 3 – People and Environmental Issues (Making Geographical Decisions) - 25%

All units are externally assessed examinations.


Careers relating to successful Geography graduates vary massively from Journalists to Lawyers, Town

Planners to Landscape Architects, Emergency Disaster Planning to Local Government, Environmental

Waste Management Consultants to Investment Analysts, Accountants to Regeneration Project

Managers, the list is endless!

Click here to hear what staff and students say about Geography



History

Subject Overview

GCSE History at Campsmount follows the AQA specification and covers four topics over two exam

papers. Students are assessed on the First World War and the USA, 1920-73 on Paper 1, and Norman

England and the development of medicine on Paper 2.

In addition to developing new subject knowledge, students are also assessed on their ability to analyse

and question evidence such as historical sources and interpretations.


The course is assessed over two exam papers, each lasting 2 hour.

Both papers represent 50% of a student’s overall grade. Questions will focus on both explanation and

evidence based skills.


GCSE History is excellent for preparing students for further education, at both A Level and degree. The

research, explanation and evaluative skills that the course develops prepare students for careers in

areas such as law, politics, teaching and archaeology.

Click here to hear what staff and students say about History



ICT/Creative iMedia

Subject Overview

The Cambridge Nationals in Creative iMedia will equip you with a range of creative media skills and

provide opportunities to develop, in context, desirable, transferable skills such as research, planning,

and review, working with others and communicating creative concepts effectively. Through the use of

these skills, you will ultimately be creating fit for purpose creative media products. Units covered include

Pre-Production Documents, Digital Graphics, Creating a Multimedia Product and Creating Digital Sound.


Unit 1 is an externally assessed examination. It represents 25% of the total assessment. You will be

assessed through a 1 hour 30 minute examination, set and marked by OCR. The remaining 3 units are

internally assessed pieces of coursework which involve research, planning, creating and evaluating.


Following on from this course you could study many different areas, such areas could include digital

graphics, photography and website design. You could progress further in school or college by studying

a Level 3 qualification or as an apprentice.

Click here to hear what staff and students say about ICT



Music

Subject Overview

The BTEC Award in Music consists of 4 units.

Unit 1: The Music Industry – This unit covers all aspects of the music industry and will include looking

at different job roles, how they work together.

Unit 2: Managing a Music product – This unit involves students organising a concert during their 2nd

year.

Unit 5: Introducing Music Performance – Students prepare 2 performances for an audience and show

their rehearsal processes.

Unit 7: Introducing Sequencing Performance – Students will learn how the ‘Garageband’ computer

works and produce their own piece of music.

This course will suit any students with an interest in performing, playing or composing music.


Assignments involve students completing tasks set in a work-related scenario. Each component has a

set content that will entail completion of tasks, developing a portfolio of evidence over time. The

externally assessed unit will require students to develop a musical product from the set brief released

by Pearson in the final year.


Students could go on to complete a BTEC or A Level in Music or Music Technology or enter an

apprenticeship within the Music Industry.

Click here to hear what staff and students say about Music



Full Course PE

Subject Overview

This BTEC course provides an engaging and relevant introduction to the world of sport. It incorporates

important aspects of the industry, such as fitness testing and training for sport and exercise, practical

sports performance and sports leadership. It enables students to develop and apply their knowledge,

while also developing a range of relevant practical, communication and technical skills.


You will carry out tasks/assignments throughout the course. Your teacher will mark these, and you will

receive feedback as to how you are getting on. For the assessment for Unit 3 Applying the Principles

of Personal Training, you will be able to draw on the knowledge, skills and understanding you have

developed in the qualification as a whole.

The units covered are:

Unit 1 – Fitness for Sport and Exercise (Assessed by an on-screen test and marked by Pearson)

Unit 2 – Practical Performance in Sport (Assessed through coursework and practical )

Unit 3 – Applying the Principles of Personal Training

Unit 6 – Leading Sport Activities


If you are interested in taking your study of sport further, the subject-specific knowledge and skills

outlined above, and developed through studying this qualification, will give you a strong foundation for

academic or vocational study at level 3 at Campsmount Academy Post 16 or apprenticeships/Post-16

College.

Click here to hear what staff and students say about PE



Photography

Subject Overview

In GCSE Photography, students will develop knowledge, skills and understanding in the principles of

digital photography and Adobe Photoshop. Students will be taught how to advance their creativity skills

along with developing ideas, and increase proficiency in their execution and understandings of

photography equipment. The Art Department aim to help develop a critical understanding of

photographers, artists and designers, expressing reasoned judgements that can inform and influence

within their own work.


Component 1 (60% weight – coursework)

Component 2 (40% weight – 10 hour exam and preparation)

These are internally moderated by Mr Swindles. Sample work is then selected by the exam board

(Pearson) to be externally moderated.


Developing creativity and visual skills in Photography will allow students to access potential careers

within game design, hair dressing, tattoo artist, illustrator, architecture, makeup artistry, photographer,

animator, fashion and filmography to name a few.

Click here to hear what staff and students say about

Photography



R.E.

Subject Overview

The RE GCSE course allows students to develop their own opinions, arguing them appropriately as well

as how to listen to and learn from the opinions of other people. We explore both Christian and Buddhist

religions in depth covering religious beliefs and practices. Students investigate religious perspectives

on ethical and moral issues including marriage and family life, matters of life and death, crime and

punishment and peace and conflict.


There are two papers each worth 50%.

Paper 1 -Christianity; Living a Christian Life, Marriage and the Family, Christian Beliefs and Matters of

Life and Death.

Paper 2 – Buddhism; Buddhist Beliefs, Crime and Punishment, Buddhist Life and War and Peace.


The subject is highly regarded by universities/employers, proving your ability to think critically, discuss

and evaluate. It can be useful in many different jobs including broadcasting, film, media, medicine,

education, finance, civil service, law, politics, publishing, social care and journalism.

Click here to hear what staff and students say about R.E.



Travel and Tourism

Subject Overview

This BTEC course includes two core units that form the fundamental knowledge and understanding of

the travel and tourism sector, followed by a selection of four optional specialist units from which a

further two are chosen. You will learn about travel & tourism industries in the UK, where people travel

to, how tourism develops & travel & tourism outside the UK.


Core unit 1 is assessed by a written exam.

Core unit 2 is assessed by an internally assessed assignment.

The optional units are assessed by an internally assessed assignment.


This course and qualification will be useful to students who want a career in the following areas:

Travel agents and tour operators, air cabin crew, holiday representative, airport employees, cruise

company employees and the retail industries which involve customer service.


Health and Social Care and Childcare

and Development (double option)

Health and Social Care – Component 1

Subject Overview

Health and Social Care is a very diverse course and is a positive choice for anyone wanting a career in

the Health and Social Care sector, such as in Social Work, the NHS, teaching or working with vulnerable

individuals such as the elderly or children. It not only actively engages students in the processes of

Health and Social Care and the nature and quality of human life, it also helps them develop as effective

and independent learners.


This course is assessed using 2 internally marked assignments (30% each) and one externally set and

marked exam (40%) which are combined to create a final grade.


The Level 2 Technical Award in Health and Social Care can lead seamlessly onto the Level 3 Health and

Social Care taught in Post 16 to enable further progression to University. It can also lead to further

training after year 11 to work in the childcare or care sector.

Childcare and Development – Component 2

Subject Overview

The BTEC Tech Award Child Development course gives learners the chance to understand the holistic

development of children and factors that affect their development. Students will be introduced to

observation strategies and how these can be used to support development through appropriate

activities and care routines. Students will also learn how to prepare for work in child care settings and

the responsibilities associated with this.


This course is assessed using 2 internally marked assignments (30% each) and one externally set and

marked exam (40%) which are combined to create a final grade.


The Level 2 Technical Award in Child Development and Care leads seamlessly onto the Level 3 Health

and Social Care course taught in Post 16, leading to excellent job opportunities or the option to further

your study at University.

Click here to hear what staff and students say about these


courses
