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PRIMARY FOBISIA GAMESA Guide for Students & Parents

IGCSE OptionsA Guide for Students & Parents

The British Schoolof Guangzhou

5The British School of Guangzhou

IGCSE Options Booklet

Table of Contents

School Mission and Objectives 6IGCSE Overview 7Art 8Biology 9Business Studies 10Chemistry 11Chinese 12Chinese (First Language) 13Computer Science 14Drama 15Economics 16EAL 17English Language 18English Literature 19French 20Geography 21German 22German (First Language) 23History 24Mathematics 25Further Pure Mathematics 26Statistics 27Music 28Physical Education 29Physics 30Science (Double Award) 31Spanish 32


6 The British School of Guangzhou


School Mission & ObjectivesSchool Mission: To Provide World Class Education.

Academic Challenge - To enrich all students by providing them with an academically challenging curriculum that inspires them to achieve their academic potential.

Vibrant and Creative Curriculum - To offer a broad and vibrant creative curriculum and extra-curricular programme that engages all students.

Excellence - To promote a school ethos that encourages students to aspire towards reaching their potential and celebrates achievement. Social Responsibility - To encourage students to become environmentally aware, responsible global citizens.

Learning Environment - To provide a safe, well-organised and aesthetically attractive school environment that stimulates learning.

Self-confidence - To provide students with a positive school environment in which self-esteem and confidence are nurtured and valued through mutual respect.

Creativity - To establish the British School as a centre of excellence for music, dance, drama and the creative arts.

Technology - To inspire our students to utilise and embrace all aspects of developing technologies.

Internationalism - To celebrate cultural diversity and give our students an international perspective of the world.

Independent Learning - To promote an independent approach to learning and an understanding of the values of lifelong learning.

Leadership - To provide our students with opportunities to experience the challenges of leadership.



IGCSE OverviewAt the British School of Guangzhou our Year 10 and 11 students embark on the two-year International General Certificate of Education programme. This is arguably the most rigorous examination system for 14-16 year old students. Each subject is externally assessed through an examination with students being awarded a Grade from A* - U.

Our students are all required to do the following core subjects; Mathematics, Science (Double or Triple award, equivalent to 2 or 3 IGCSEs), and an English examination. The majority of our students will sit both English Language and English Literature examinations, providing them with two IGCSEs. Some of our students may focus solely on English Language, whereas some may complete English as an Additional Language IGCSE. Finally, all students are required to do one session of non-examined Physical Education a week. Students will then choose 4 subjects from the list of options, resulting in the majority of our students taking 10 IGCSEs (Selecting Triple Science will be counted as one options choice).

This booklet is designed to give students and parents information about the choices available to them at IGCSE.

When deciding the options, we advise that students ask themselves the following three questions;

- Are they good at the subject? - Will the subject be useful for any potential future career direction? - Will they enjoy studying the subject for the next 2 years?



IGCSE ArtExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Course Content

- Two dimensional studies - Painting and related media - Print making - Collage - Mixed media - Three dimensional studies - Sculpture - Photography - Environmental / architectural design - Graphics

Course Assessment

The assessment objectives required to pass the ICSE Art and Design Exam are;

- Gathering, recording, research and investigation - Exploration and development of ideas - Organisation of relationships of visual and/or other forms - Selection and control of media and processes - Personal vision and presentation

Assessment Weighting

- 50% from Paper 2 - Interpretative Study - 8 hour practical, requiring an examination piece (maximum size A2) plus no more than two sheets, four sides) of supporting work (maximum size A2), assessed by CIE. - 50% from Coursework Assignment carried out during Y10 and Y11, requiring one main finished piece plus no more than four sheets (eight sides) of supporting work (maximum size A2), assessed by BSG and moderated by CIE.



IGCSE BiologyExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Course Content

The Separate Science IGCSE Biology course is aimed at students who have a strong interest in the Sciences and intend to further study Biology after IGCSE level.

The following topics are covered in Year 10 and Year 11:

- Characteristics of living organisms - Classification and diversity of living organisms - Simple keys - Cell structure and organisation - Levels of organisation - Size of specimens - Movement in and out of cells - Enzymes - Nutrition - Transportation - Respiration - Excretion in humans - Coordination and response - Reproduction - Growth and development - Inheritance - Energy flow - Food chains and food webs - Nutrient cycles - Population size - Human influences on the ecosystem Course Assessment

Paper 1 (30% of total marks) (45 minutes)A multiple-choice paper consisting of 40 items of the four choice type.

Paper 2 (50% of total marks) (1 hour 15 minutes) Core curriculum – Grades C to G available. Core theory paper consisting of short-answer and structured questions, based on the core curriculum.

OR

Paper 3 (50% of total marks) (1 hour 15 minutes) Extended curriculum – Grades A* to G available. Extended theory paper consisting of short answer and structured questions. A quarter of the marks available will be based on core material and the remainder on the supplement.

Paper 6 (20% of total marks) (1 hour) Alternative to practical written paper designed to test familiarity with laboratory based procedures.



IGCSE Business StudiesExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Successful IGCSE Business Studies students gain lifelong skills, including:

- Understanding different forms of business organisations, the environments in which businesses operate and business functions such as marketing, operations and finance - An appreciation of the critical role of people in business success - Confidence to calculate and interpret business data - Communication skills including the need to support arguments with reasons - Ability to analyse business situations and reach decisions or judgements

Course Content

The course is divided into six units:

- Business Activity - Human Resource Management - Marketing - Operations Management - Accounting and Finance - International Trade

Course Assessment

The course is assessed through two written exams.

Exam 1The first exam lasts for 1 3/4 hours and is worth 50% of the final IGCSE mark. During this exam students need to respond to short answer questions and structured/data response questions. There will be no choice of questions. These questions will cover the entire content of the course (see above).

Exam 2The final exam also lasts for 1 3/4 hours and is worth 50% of the final IGCSE mark. The paper focuses on a given case study (not pre-released). During this exam students need to present reasoned explanations, develop arguments and make judgements. There will be no choice of questions.



IGCSE ChemistryExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

The Separate Science IGCSE Chemistry course is aimed at students who have a strong interest in the Sciences and intend to further study Chemistry after IGCSE level.

Course Content

The following topic are covered in Year 10 and Year 11:

- Experimental Techniques - Particles, atomic structure, ionic bonding and the Periodic Table - Air and water - Acids, bases and salts - Reaction Rates - Metals and the Reactivity Series - Covalent Bonding - Organic Chemistry I - Amount of Substance - Organic Chemistry II - Redox, electrochemistry and Group VII - Equilibria

Course Assessment

Paper 1 (30% of total marks) (45 minutes) A multiple-choice paper consisting of 40 items of the four choice type.


OR

Paper 3 (50% of total marks) (1 hour 15 minutes) Extended curriculum – Grades A* to G available.Extended theory paper consisting of short answer and structured questions. A quarter of the marks available will be based on core material and the remainder on the supplement.




GCSE ChineseExamination Board: Edexcel

This two-year course is designed for students who have studied the language for at least two years. During the course, students cover language from the following topic areas:

Core Topics

- Out and About (Basic weather, Local amenities, Accommodation, Public transport, Directions) - Customer Service & Transactions - Personal Information - Future Plans, Education & Work

Controlled Assessment Topics

- Media and Culture - Sport and Leisure - Travel and Tourism - Business, Work and Employment

Course Assessment

This course is assessed by a combination of final examination and by controlled assessment. Each examination can be taken at foundation or higher level.

Listening – ExaminationThe listening exam lass for 35 minutes (foundation level) and 40 minutes (higher level) and is worth 20% of the final mark. Students answer a variety of comprehension tasks relating to the core topics.

Speaking – Controlled AssessmentStudents submit two different speaking tasks relating to two of the Controlled Assessment Topics. This may be a presentation and interview, a discussion of photograph or a role-play situation.

Reading – ExaminationThe reading exam lasts for 45 minutes (foundation level) or 50 minutes (higher level) and is worth 20% of the final mark. Students answer a variety of comprehension tasks relating to the core topics.

Writing – Controlled AssessmentStudents submit two different written tasks relating to two of the Controlled Assessment Topics. This may be a formal or informal letter, a magazine article, a report or a blog post.



IGCSE Chinese First LanguageExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Course Content

In this course, we will learn different tapes of compositions from textbook “YUWEN”(Volume 8) and various of magazines. Students will practice writing compositions with different topics. Students are also encouraged to read widely, both for their own enjoyment and to further their awareness of the ways in which the language can be used. Cambridge IGCSE First Language qualifications also develop more general analysis and communication skills such as synthesis, inference, and the ability to order facts and present opinions effectively.

Course Assessment

The course is assessed through 2 written exams.

Texts and questions are printed in both traditional and simplified characters on the question paper. Candidates choose the form they prefer in the examination and may write their answers in either traditional or simplified characters.

Exam 1 - Reading The first exam lasts for 2 hours and is worth 60% of the final IGCSE mark. During this exam students need to respond to 2 questions, which relate to two passages of approximately 1200–1400 characters in total, linked by a common theme. Question 1(25 marks): students answer a series of comprehension questions based on Passage 1. Question 2 (25 marks): Students write a summary of approximately 225–275 characters based on Passages 1 and 2.

Exam 2 - WritingThe second exam lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes. This exam is worth 40% of the final IGCSE mark. In this exam, eight titles will be set in total. Candidates are required to write between 400 and 600 characters on their chosen title.



IGCSE Computer ScienceExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Course Content

Computer science is the study of the foundational principles and practices of computation and computational thinking and their application in the design and development of computer systems.

Section 1Theory of Computer Science

- Data representation - Binary systems - Hexadecimal - Data storage - Communication and Internet technologies - Serial and parallel data transmission - Security aspects - Internet principles of operation - Hardware and software - Logic gates - Computer architecture and the fetchexecute cycle - Input devices - Output devices - Memory, storage devices and media - Operating systems - High- and low-level languages and their translators - Security - Ethics

Section 2Practical Problem-solving and Programming

- Algorithm design and problem-solving - Problem-solving and design - Pseudocode - Programming - Programming concepts - Data structures; arrays - Databases

Course Assessment

Paper 1: Theory - 1 hour 45 minutesThis written paper contains short-answer and structured questions - 60% of overall marks

Paper 2: Problem-solving and Programming - 1 hour 45 minutesThis written paper contains short-answer and structured questions. 20 of the marks for this paper are from questions set on the pre-release material - 40% of overall marks



IGCSE DramaExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Course Content

This is both a practical and theoretical course exploring and understanding the twin worlds of Drama and Theatre. The course is broken down into a series of modules, which focus on combinations of the following three aspects:

- Understanding Students explore the performance possibilities of a variety of texts and other stimuli from the different perspectives of actor, director and designer.

- Devising Students learn how to create, shape and refine dramatic material and reflect on its effectiveness.

- Performance Skills Students engage in the process of developing their voice and movement skills in order to portray roles, which are engaging and stylistic.

Course Assessment

The course is assessed through one written exam and three pieces of practical, filmed coursework.

Coursework:Students submit one monologue (max five minutes) and two group pieces (max fifteen minutes each) one of which is devised and one scripted extract. The coursework makes up 60% of the overall grade.

Written Exam:The two and a half hour paper requires students to answer questions based on both their own devised work and a pre-release text that has been studies in class. It consists of 8 short- and two long-answer questions.



IGCSE EconomicsExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Successful IGCSE Economics students gain lifelong skills, including:

- An understanding of economic theory, terminology and principles - The ability to apply the tools of economic analysis - The ability to distinguish between facts and value judgements in economic issues - An understanding of, and an ability to use, basic economic numeracy and literacy - The ability to take a greater part in decision-making processes in everyday life - An understanding of the economies of developed and developing nations - An excellent foundation for advanced study in economics.

Course Content

The course is divided into six units:

- The basic economic problem and the allocation of resources - The individual as a producer, consumer and borrower - The private business as a producer and employer - International trade - Economic indicators - Developed and developing economies

Course Assessment

The course is assessed through two written exams.

Exam 1The first exam lasts for 45 minutes. This is a multiple-choice paper (30 questions) weighted at 30% of total available marks.

Exam 2The final exam lasts for 2 hours 15 minutes. Candidates answer one compulsory question, which requires them to interpret and analyse previously unseen data relevant to a real economic situation, and three optional questions from a choice of six. Weighted at 70% of total available marks.



IGCSE English as an Additional Language (EAL)Examination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Course Content

The IGCSE English as a Second Language Course is designed for students for whom English is not a first language /mother tongue but for whom it is the language of study.

Main curriculum content entails: Reading and Writing, Listening and Speaking.

Reading and Writing - Reading short texts and answering a series of questions using skim/gist reading skills - Reading a text and answering with greater detail - Note taking and summary writing - Two longer writing tasks of approximately 200 words each, in formal and informal register.

Listening - Listening to six short scenarios and answering questions on each - Listening to longer texts and completing gaps in forms or charts - Listening to longer texts and answering questions on each

Speaking (Oral Endorsement or Count-In Oral) - An assessed conversation that lasts approximately 6-9 minutes based on an oral test card - In the oral endorsement the oral component does not contribute to the overall grade. In the count- in-oral the speaking component contributes to 15% of the overall grade

Course Assessment

The course is assessed through 2 written examinations and grades are awarded according to the curriculum that is chosen.

Reading and Writing (Core)- Eligible for grades C to G - 70 % of total marks - Duration- 1 hour and 30 minutes

Listening (Core)- Eligible for grades C to G - 30 % or 15% of total marks depending on speaking component - Duration- 30–40 minutes

Reading and Writing (Extended) - Eligible for grades A*–E - 70% of total marks - Duration- 2 hours

Listening (Extended) - Eligible for grades A*–E - 30% or 15% of total marks depending on speaking component - Duration – 45 minutes



IGCSE English LanguageExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Course Content

The course focuses on developing students’ reading and writing skills and covers a set number of assessment objectives.

1. Reading Assessment Objectives - R1 Understand and collate explicit meanings; - R2 Understand, explain and collate implicit meanings and attitudes; - R3 Select analyse and evaluate what is relevant to specific purposes; - R4 Understand how writers achieve effects.

2. Writing Assessment Objectives - W1 Articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined; - W2 Order and present facts, ideas and opinions; - W3 Understand and use a range of appropriate vocabulary; - W4 Use language and register appropriate to audience and context; - W5 Make accurate and effective use of paragraphs, grammatical structures, sentences, punctuation and spelling.

Course Assessment

The course is currently assessed in two sections, as mentioned above: Reading and Writing.

ReadingThis will be in the form of a two hour and fifteen minute examination, where all questions are focused around two texts. Students will answer the three questions below. Together these make up 50% of the IGCSE final mark for English Language.1. Recreation: Candidates are required to recreate a text in a different form, putting the relevant information into their own words. For instance: an autobiographical account may need to be recreated in the form of a letter to a family member.2. Language analysis: Candidates analyse two sections of text in depth, exploring the effects of language.3. Summary: Candidates produce a focused summary of both texts in their own words.

WritingThis will either be in the form of a two-hour written examination or a coursework portfolio, being made up of three written pieces. This will contribute to 50% of the IGCSE final mark for English Language.

Directed Writing and Composition ExaminationHere students will answer two questions. The Directed Writing question requires the candidate to develop information from one or more short texts in another form. However, the Composition question tests a candidate’s ability to produce an extended, imaginative text for a specific purpose. For this question candidates have a choice of purpose: argumentative, descriptive and narrative.

Coursework PortfolioCandidates would be required to submit three pieces of written coursework: assignment 1 (informative, analytical and/or argumentative writing), assignment 2 (imaginative, descriptive and/or narrative writing) and assignment 3 (a response to a chosen text, which contains facts, opinions and arguments).



IGCSE English LiteratureExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Course Content

The course focuses on developing abilities of students in relation to exploring language within various texts. The various Assessment Objectives below are covered throughout the course.

Literature Assessment Objectives

- AO1: Show detailed knowledge of the content of literary texts in the three main forms (Drama, Poetry, and Prose); - AO2: Understand the meanings of literary texts and their contexts, and explore texts beyond surface meanings to show deeper awareness of ideas and attitudes; - AO3: Recognise and appreciate ways in which writers use language, structure, and form to create and shape meanings and effects; - AO4: Communicate a sensitive and informed personal response to literary texts.

Course Assessment

At present, the course is assessed through two examinations and a coursework piece.

Paper 1: Poetry and Prose, Open texts (Component 1).This examination is one hour and 30 minutes in length and makes up 50% of the overall total for IGCSE English Literature.Students must answer one question from a choice of two, for each of the topic areas below. These questions come in the form of essay questions or passage based questions. - Poetry (Cambridge anthology: ‘Songs of Ourselves’). - Prose (Cambridge short story anthology: ‘Stories of Ourselves’).

Paper 2: Drama, Open text (Component 3).This examination is forty-five minutes in length and goes toward 25% of the overall total for IGCSE English Literature. Candidates answer one question in this examination, which will either be essay based or passed based. At present, the drama text studied is ‘An Inspector Calls’.

Coursework

Students produce a coursework portfolio of two assignments on different texts. This too, will constitute 25% of the overall course. Each piece will be a developed, analytical response, which explores the relevance of language, structure and the author’s intent, whilst focusing on a specific area/character/theme within the text. At present, the two texts studied for coursework are Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’ and Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’ (as the cross-over text between coursework and examination).



GCSE FrenchExamination Board: Edexcel

This two-year course is designed for students who have studied the language for at least two years. During the course students cover language from the following topic areas:

Core Topics

- Personal Information - Education, Work & Future Plans - Customer Service & Transactions - Out and About (transport, directions, accommodation, sight-seeing)

Controlled Assessment Topics

- Travel and tourism - Business, Work and Employment - Sport and Leisure - Media and Culture

Course Assessment


Listening – Examination The listening exam lasts for 30 minutes (foundation level) and 40 minutes (higher level) and is worth 20% of the final mark. Students answer a variety of comprehension tasks relating to the core topics.

Speaking – Controlled Assessment Students submit two different speaking tasks relating to two of the Controlled Assessment Topics. This may be a presentation and interview, a discussion of a photograph or a role-play situation.

Reading - Examination The reading exam lasts for 35 minutes (foundation level) or 50 minutes (higher level) and is worth 20% of the final mark. Students answer a variety of comprehension tasks relating to the core topics.

Writing – Controlled Assessment Students submit two different written tasks relating to two of the Controlled Assessment Topics. This may be a formal or informal letter, a magazine article, a report or a blog post.



IGCSE GeographyExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Course Content

The course is divided into 3 themes, which develop an understanding of both the natural and human environment:

1. Population and settlement - Population dynamics - Settlement

2. The natural environment - Plate tectonics - Landforms and Landscape processes - Weather climate and natural vegetation - Inter-relationships between the natural environment and human activities

3. Economic development and the use of resources - Agricultural systems - Industrial systems - Leisure activities and tourism - Energy and water resources - - Environmental risks and benefits: resource conservation and management

Course Assessment The course is assessed through three written exams papers:

Paper 1: The first exam lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and is worth 35% of their final IGCSE mark. Students will answer 3 questions out of 6. There are 2 questions on each of the 3 themes outlined above. Questions will be structured with gradients of difficulty. They will be resource based and involve problem solving and free response writing.

Paper 2: The second exam will last 1 hour 30 minutes and is worth 27.5% of their final IGCSE mark. Students will answer all the questions on the paper. The test is based on the interpretation and analysis of geographical information and on the application of graphical and other techniques.

Paper 3: (alternative to coursework): The third exam paper is 1 hour 30 minutes and is worth 27.5% of their final IGCSE mark. Students will answer 2 compulsory questions, completing a series of written tasks based on the 3 themes outlined above. The questions involve an appreciation of a range of techniques used in fieldwork studies including data collection techniques, developing hypotheses for specific topics, and process, presenting and analyzing data.

The course will include a fieldtrip to practice their geographical skills and enhance their knowledge and understanding of a range of geographical concepts and processes studied throughout the course.



GCSE GermanExamination Board: Edexcel

This two-year course is designed for students who have shown the ability to deal with the demands of a foreign language GCSE course. During the course students cover language from the following topic areas:

Core Topics - Personal Information - Education, Work & Future Plans - Customer Service & Transactions - Out and About (transport, directions, accommodation, sight-seeing)

Controlled Assessment Topics - Travel and tourism - Business, Work and Employment - Sport and Leisure - Media and Culture

Course Assessment


Listening – Examination The listening exam lasts for 30 minutes (foundation level) and 40 minutes (higher level) and is worth 20% of the final mark. Students answer a variety of comprehension tasks relating to the core topics.

Speaking – Controlled Assessment Students submit two different speaking tasks relating to two of the Controlled Assessment Topics. This may be a presentation and interview, a discussion of a photograph or a role-play situation.


Writing – Controlled Assessment Students submit two different written tasks relating to two of the Controlled Assessment Topics. This may be a formal or informal letter, a magazine article, a report or a blog post.



IGCSE German First LanguageExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Prior Learning

This course is only recommended to those candidates that have a first language competence level in German.Successful candidates gain lifelong skills including: - the ability to communicate clearly, accurately and effectively in writing - the ability to use a wide range of vocabulary, correct grammar, spelling and punctuation - a personal style and an awareness of the audience being addressed.

Course Assessment

This course is assessed by a final examination consisting of two papers.

Paper 1: Reading Candidates answer a series of comprehension questions based on a passage and then write a summary based on this and one other passage.Candidates are assessed on their ability to; - understand and collate explicit meanings - understand, explain and collate implicit meanings and attitudes - select, analyse and evaluate what is relevant to specific purposes - understand how writers achieve effects.

Paper 2: WritingCandidates write two compositions of 350–500 words each.Candidates are assessed on their ability to; - articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined - order and present facts, ideas and opinions - understand and use a range of appropriate vocabulary - use language and register appropriate to audience and context - make accurate and effective use of paragraphs, grammatical structures, sentences, punctuation and spelling.



IGCSE HistoryExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Course Content

This is a modern world IGCSE course, studying 20th century global events. The course is divided into 2 main parts:

1. International Relations 1919-1945 - The Treaty of Versailles. - The League of Nations. - The Causes of World War Two. - The Causes of the Cold War.

2. Germany 1919-1945 - The Weimar Republic (1919-1933). - Hitler’s rise to power (1919-1934). - Life in Nazi Germany (1933-1945).

Course Assessment

The course is assessed through 2 written exams and 1 piece of coursework.

Coursework

Students will complete 1 piece of coursework on their depth study, Germany 1919-1945. This will take the form of an extended piece of writing which can be no more than 2000 words in length. This will be completed in class time towards the end of year 10 or start of year 11. Once assessed, coursework will account for 33% of the final IGCSE mark.

Exam 1The first exam lasts for 2 hours and is worth 40% of the final IGCSE mark. During this exam students need to respond to 9 questions, the vast majority of which require extended written answers. These questions will cover the entire content of the course (see above).

Exam 2The final exam also lasts for 2 hours & only focuses on 1 topic from the course. The paper tests the students’ ability to respond effectively to sources by asking them to respond to 6 questions, through writing extended answers. This exam is worth 33% of the final IGCSE mark.



IGCSE MathematicsExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Course Content

Number - Numbers and the number systemAlgebra - Equations, formulae and identities - Sequences, functions and graphsGeometry - Shape, space and measure - Vectors and transformation geometryStatistics

Course Assessment

Two written papers.Each paper is assessed through a two-hour examination set and marked by Edexcel.The total number of marks for each paper is 100.Each paper is weighted at 50% of the qualification, targeted at grades A* – D.

Top groups will also be expected to complete either GCSE Statistics or IGCSE Further Pure Mathematics depending on ability.



IGCSE Further Pure MathematicsExamination Board: Edexcel

Course ContentNumberStudents should be able to apply their numerical skills in a purely mathematical way and to real-life situations.

Algebra and CalculusStudents should; - use algebra and calculus to set up and solve problems - develop competence and confidence when manipulating mathematical expressions - construct and use graphs in a range of situations.

Geometry and TrigonometryStudents should be able to use; - properties of shapes, angles and transformations - vectors and rates of change to model situations - coordinate geometry - trigonometry

Course Assessment

There will be two examinations. Each examination paper will be 2 hours. - Each paper will carry a total of 100 marks. - Each paper will consist of about 11 questions with varying mark allocations per question which will be stated on the paper. - Each paper will address all of the Assessment Objectives. - Each paper will have approximately equal marks available for each of the targeted grades.



GCSE StatisticsExamination Board: Edexcel

Course Content

In this course, you will learn: - how to collect, summarise and represent unbiased data - the skills necessary to read, analyse and interpret data and various diagrams and statistical statements accurately - to develop your ability to reason and discuss results - how to predict what will happen in the future by making forecasts based on statistical results and considering the probability of something happening.

Course Assessment

Task (teacher assessed)Approximately 8 to 10 hours

Written paperHigher Tier 2 hours

This will involve you choosing, with the help of your teacher, a task to investigate. You will make a plan, collect data, analyse it and then write up a report on your work. Some of this will be done during lesson time. Questions will involve the use of real-world data. You could be asked for example to design questionnaires, draw box plots and scatter diagrams, interpret diagrams, carry out calculations and interpret statements.



IGCSE MusicExamination Board: Edexcel

Course Content

The Edexcel Music GCSE covers the three main aspects of music: performance, composition and listening/ appraising. Students will gain insight into how music is constructed and learn how to analyse music in a variety of styles. Emphasis is also placed on an understanding of the social and historical context in which music has been composed over the last 400 years.

The course is divided into three main parts:

1. Performing Music (30%) - One solo performance (15%) - One ensemble performance (15%)2. Composing Music (30%) - Two compositions (15% each)3. Music - Listening and Appraising (40%) - Area of Study 1: Western Classical Music (1600-1899) - Area of Study 2: Music in the 20th Century - Area of Study 3: Popular Music in Context - Area of Study 4: World Music

Course Assessment

The course is assessed through two performances (one solo, one ensemble), two compositions and a listening examination.

PerformancesStudents will have many opportunities to perform throughout the two years. The exam requires one solo performance and one ensemble performance to be assessed.

Compositions These are taken from the ‘areas of study’ and could be a popular song and a dance track, a classical piece or some world music.

Listening and AppraisingThe listening examination lasts for 90 minutes and is worth 40% of the final GCSE mark. During this examination, students need to complete two sections: - Section A has 8 questions relating to the set works studied for the ‘areas of study’ (85% of the listening examination). - Section B is an extended writing question (15% of the listening examination).



IGCSE Physical EducationExamination Board: Edexcel

Course Content

Section 1: Healthy, Active Lifestyles - Healthy, active lifestyles and they could benefit you - Influences on your healthy, active lifestyle - Exercise and fitness as part of your healthy, active lifestyle - Physical activity as part of your healthy, active lifestyle - Your personal health and wellbeing

Section 2: Your Healthy, Active Body - Physical activity and your healthy mind and body - A healthy, active lifestyle and your cardiovascular system - A healthy, active lifestyle and your respiratory system - A healthy, active lifestyle and your muscular system - A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system

Course Assessment

Unit 1: The Theory of Physical Education (40% of the total IGCSE)Externally assessed 1 hour and 30 minutes written examination which includes multiple choice, short answer and essay type questions.

Unit 2: Performance in Physical Education Internally assessed, externally moderatedPractical PerformanceStudents must offer four performances, in practical contexts in the roles of either player/participant, official or leader

Analysis of Performance (60% of the total IGCSE)Students undertake an analysis of performance in a selected physical activity made up of five different components: - Rules, regulations and terminology - Observe and analyse performance - Evaluate performance - Plan strategies, tactics and practices - Plan a Personal Exercise Programme (PEP)



IGCSE PhysicsExamination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

Course Content

The Separate Science IGCSE Physics course is aimed at students who have a strong interest in the Sciences and intend to further study Physics after IGCSE level.

The following topic are covered in Year 10 and Year 11 - General Physics - Mechanics, Forces, Energy, Work, Pressure - Thermal Physics - Properties of waves including light and sound - Electricity and magnetism - Atomic Physics

Course Assessment



OR

Paper 3 (50% of total marks) (1 hour 15 minutes) Extended curriculum – Grades A* to G available.Extended theory paper consisting of short answer and structured questions. A quarter of the marks available will be based on core material and the remainder on the supplement.




IGCSE Science (Double Award)Examination Board: Cambridge International Examinations

This course is equivalent to two IGCSE’s.

Course Content

The curriculum content is divided into three sections: Biology (B1–B10), Chemistry (C1–C12) and Physics (P1–P12). Students study all three sections.

Biology B1 Characteristics of living organisms, B2 Cells, B3 Enzymes, B4 Nutrition, B5 Transportation, B6 Respiration, B7 Coordination and response, B8 Reproduction, B9 Energy flow in ecosystems, B10 Human influences on the ecosystem.

Chemistry C1 The particulate nature of matter, C2 Experimental techniques, C3 Atoms, elements and compounds, C4 Stoichiometry, C5 Electricity and chemistry, C6 Energy changes in chemical reactions, C7 Chemical reactions, C8 Acids, bases and salts, C9 The Periodic Table, C10 Metals, C11 Air and water, C12 Organic chemistry.

Physics P1 Motion, P2 Matter and Forces, P3 Energy, Work and Power, P4 Simple kinetic molecular model of matter, P5 Matter and Thermal Properties, P6 Transfer of thermal energy, P7 Waves, P8 Light, P9 Electromagnetic spectrum, P10 Sound, P11 Electricity, P13 Electric circuits.

Course Assessment


Paper 2 (50% of total marks) (2 hours) Core curriculum – Grades C to G available. Core theory paper consisting of short-answer and structured questions, based on the core curriculum.

OR

Paper 3 (50% of total marks) (2 hours) Extended curriculum – Grades A* to G available.Extended theory paper consisting of short answer and structured questions. A quarter of the marks available will be based on core material and the remainder on the supplement.




GCSE SpanishExamination Board: Edexcel

This two-year course is designed for students who have studied the language for at least two years. During the course students cover language from the following topic areas:

Core Topics: - Personal Information - Education, Work & Future Plans - Customer Service & Transactions - Out and About (transport, directions, accommodation, sight-seeing)

Controlled Assessment Topics - Travel and tourism - Business, Work and Employment - Sport and Leisure - Media and Culture

Course Assessment


Listening - Examination The listening exam lasts for 30 minutes (foundation level) and 40 minutes (higher level) and is worth 20% of the final mark. Students answer a variety of comprehension tasks relating to the core topics.

Speaking - Controlled Assessment Students submit two different speaking tasks relating to two of the Controlled Assessment Topics. This may be a presentation and interview, a discussion of a photograph or a role-play situation.


Writing - Controlled Assessment Students submit two different written tasks relating to two of the Controlled Assessment Topics. This may be a formal or informal letter, a magazine article, a report or a blog post.

Contact us

The British School of Guangzhou983-3 Tonghe RoadBaiyun DistrictGuangzhou510515

中国广东省广州市白云区同和路 983-3 广州英国学校邮编 510515

[email protected]

School Websitewww.bsg.org.cn

General Enquiries+86 (20) 8709 4788


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