KS4 Coursework guide 2010/2011
» Zero Coursework GCSE's
» Controlled Assessment
» GCSE's with Coursework
» BTEC Coursework
» New Diplomas
Zero Coursework GCSE's
The following subjects have no coursework as part of the GCSE. Students will sit final exams in these subjects:
- Mathematics Short course
- Religious Studies
Controlled Assessments
» GCSE History
» GCSE English
» GCSE Spanish
» GCSE Geography
» GCSE Design & Technology
A controlled assessment is one that students undertake in school time, under exam conditions. There may be some preparation the students can do at home in terms of research or revision but assistance from parents is not allowed.
Several subjects have moved to exam boards that set controlled assessment tasks instead of traditional coursework. Subjects that have controlled assessments at The Academy are as follows:
GCSE History
The History Department now has Controlled Assessment Tasks instead of traditional coursework which are taken in exam conditions. Students will study the Vietnam War from a source perspective in the run up to the controlled assessment task. They will then be given three sources to analyse over four hours in January 2011, under examination conditions.
GCSE English
The GCSE is made up of 2 controlled assessment units (40%), 3 Speaking and Listening tasks (20%) and one 2 hour exam paper (40%).
Controlled Assessment Schedule
| Controlled assessment | Start date | Finish date |
| Shakespeare | Sept 2010 (Autumn 1) | Half-term |
| Prose | Jan 2010 (Spring 1) | Half-term |
| Media | March 2010 (Spring 2) | Easter |
| Poetry | April 2010 (Summer 1) | Half-term |
| Imaginative Writing | Sept 2011 (Autumn 1) | Christmas |
Controlled Assessment Grading Criteria:
Varies for each piece – mark schemes (and GCSE Specification) available on-line:
www.ocr.org.uk
Sources of Information and Help:
There will be special programmes available on the VLE next year (published in July and pre-ordered.
GCSE Spanish
Overview
Writing
- Students must complete two tasks, both will be submitted to the exam board for marking.
- The final version of each task should be completed in one single assessment session lasting no more than 60 minutes.
- Students will be supervised when producing the final version of each task, .
- When producing the final version, students will have access to:
- the task
- their Task Planning form
- a bilingual dictionary
Speaking
- Students must complete two tasks. One task must be recorded, marked by the teacher and submitted to the exam board for moderation. The other task must be marked by the teacher. The marks for both tasks must be submitted to the exam board.
- Each task should last 4 – 6 minutes. They can be carried out at any time during the course.
- When carrying out the task, students will have access to:
- the task
- their Task Planning form
Controlled Assessment Schedule
| Controlled assessment | Start date | Finish date |
| Speaking (30%) | September 2010 | July 2011 |
| Writing (30%) | September 2010 | July 2011 |
Controlled Assessment Grading Criteria
The exam board, AQA, are in the process of publishing grading criteria.
Sources of Information and Help
Online:
Languages Online
OYE Language Skills
BBC Schools Bitesize Spanish
SAM Learning
Literature:
AQA GCSE Mira textbook
GCSE Geography
Controlled Assessment Schedule
| Controlled assessment | Start date | Finish date |
| Geographical Investigation | June 2010 | July 2011 |
| Fieldwork Focus | September 2010 | October 2010 |
Controlled Assessment Grading Criteria
Both tasks will be written up in school – the Geographical Investigation carries 24 marks, the Fieldwork Focus has 36 marks, making a total of 60 marks for the unit.
Sources of Information and Help
For the Geographical Investigation students will be given a choice of topics to research and some helpful websites to start them off.
For the Fieldwork Focus the work will based on a day of local fieldwork.
GCSE Design & Technology
Overview
There is a common timetable for Food Technology, Textiles Technology Resistant Materials and Graphic Products GCSE controlled assessment.
Design and Technology subjects are all made up of two components, controlled assessment which accounts for 60% of the overall mark and a written exam which accounts for 40% of the mark.
The controlled assessment consists of a single design and make activity selected from a range of exam board set tasks. The exam is a written paper in which students answer all questions in two sections. A majority of time in year 10 lessons are taken up with skills based tasks to support the controlled assessment activity. Controlled assessments usually start in the first week of June in year 10.
Controlled Assessment Schedule
| Controlled Assessment Stages | Deadline for Completion |
| Start of controlled assessment | 6th June 2011 |
| Investigating the design | 27th June 2011 |
| Development of Design Proposals | 12th October 2011 |
| Making | 14th December 2011 |
| Testing and Evaluation | 15th February 2012 |
- Communication skills will be evaluated through out the assessment process.
- From spring half term 2012 students will be revising and preparing for the exam.
Controlled Assessment Grading Criteria
Available from web-site below.
Sources of Information and Help
For further information visit the exam boards website www.aqa.org.uk.
GCSE's with Coursework
» GCSE Music
» GCSE Sociology
» GCSE Science
GCSE Music
Overview
The GCSE is made up of 4 areas of Study.
1. My Music
2. Shared Music
3. Dance Music
4. Descriptive Music
Assessment
Unit 1 |
Integrated Task - a performance, composition, and a commentary all related to Area of Study 1. |
Unit 2 |
Practical Portfolio - a second performance and composition and a log. |
Unit 3 |
Creative task - a practical examination based on skills gained from Unit 1 and 2. |
Unit 4: |
Listening examination - a written examination based on knowledge gained from Area of Study 2, 3 and 4. |
Coursework Schedule
| Coursework Project | Start date | Finish date |
| Performance 1 | September 2010 | July 21st 2010 |
| Performance 2 | September 2010 | December 2010 |
| Composition 1 | September 2010 | December 2010 |
| Composition 2 | January 2011 | March 2011 |
Coursework Grading Criteria
Coursework is graded out of 400 points.
| A* | = | 360 points | |
| A | = | 320 points | |
| B | = | 280 points | |
| C | = | 240 points | |
| D | = | 200 points | |
| E | = | 160 points | |
| F | = | 120 points | |
| G | = | 80 points |
Sources of Information and Help
The students shared area has a vast amount of resources for revision purposes.
- CGP student revision book.
- Academy music revision booklet.
GCSE Sociology
Overview
The coursework consists of one project between 1500-2500 words. The project must be treated Sociologically and be relevant to multicultural Britain.
Coursework Schedule
| Coursework Project | Start date | Finish date |
| One project (1500-2500 words) | Spring 2011 | Summer 2011 |
Coursework Grading Criteria
Sociology coursework counts for 20% of total marks. It is assessed by the Academy and moderated by the exam board - AQA. Please refer to the exam board website for the grading criteria (below)
Sources of Information and Help
- www.aqa.org.uk
- Course textbook
- Sociological Review
- Library
- Teacher support
GCSE Science
Overview
The GCSE is made up of 1 case study, 1 data analysis and 1 investigation.
Coursework Schedule
| Coursework Project | Start date | Finish date |
| Case Study | June 2010 | December 2010 |
| Data Analysis | June 2010 | December 2010 |
| Investigation | June 2010 | December 2010 |
BTEC Coursework
» BTEC Art & Design
» BTEC Performing Arts
» BTEC Travel & Tourism
» BTEC Creative & Media
» BTEC Creative Media Production
» BTEC Sport
» BTEC ICT
BTEC Art & Design
Overview
The BTEC is made up of 100% coursework spread over two years.
Coursework Schedule
| Coursework Project | Start date | Finish date |
| Project One: Patterns in Nature | September 2010 | December 2010 |
| Project Two: 3D Pods | January 2011 | February 2011 |
| Project Three: Now and Then | February 2011 | April 2011 |
| Project Four: Artist Interpretation | April 2011 | October 2011 |
| Project Five: Final Major Project | November 2011 | May 2012 |
Coursework Grading Criteria
BTEC assignments can be graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction. If an assignment fails to achieve a grade it can be resubmitted until it achieves the required grade.
| A* | = | Distinction * | |
| A | = | Distinction | |
| B | = | Merit | |
| C | = | Pass | |
| U/Fail | = | Towards/Below |
Sources of Information and Help
Students will be given reference material to help with individual projects as part of the brief. This information will also be available on the Academy VLE.
BTEC Performing Arts
Coursework Schedule
| Detail | Deadlines W/C |
| Unit - Musical Theatre | |
| Performance of Bugsy Malone | 13/12/10 |
| Evaluation of Musical Theatre | 04/01/11 |
| Unit - Acting Skills and Techniques | |
| Character background | 04/04/11 |
| Hot seating | 04/04/11 |
| Vocal Workshop | 04/04/11 |
| Movement Workshop | 04/04/11 |
| Performance | 04/04/11 |
| Research | 04/04/11 |
| Performance of Blood Brothers extract | by Feb Half Term 2011 |
| Evaluation of Blood Brothers | by Feb Half Term 2011 |
| Annotated Script of Blood Brothers | by Feb Half Term 2011 |
| Mind Map and annotated script of Bouncers/Shakers | by Easter Hols 2011 |
| Performance of Bouncers/Shakers | by Easter Hols 2011 |
| Evaluation of Bouncers/Shakers | by Easter Hols 2011 |
| Unit - Acting Skills and Techniques | |
| Character background | Dec 2011 |
| Hot seating | Dec 2011 |
| Vocal workshop | Dec 2011 |
| Movement workshop | Dec 2011 |
| Performance | Dec 2011 |
| Research | Dec 2011 |
Coursework Grading Criteria
These vary for each unit and are available online
Sources of Information and Help
BTEC Travel & Tourism
Coursework Schedule
The BTEC is made up of several assignments, as detailed below:
| Coursework Project | Start date | Finish date |
| Unit 1 Assignments | September 2010 | February 2011 |
| Unit 2 Assignments | March 2011 | July 2011 |
| Unit 3 Assignments | September 2011 | April 2012 |
Coursework Grading Criteria
BTEC assignments can be graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction. If an assignment fails to achieve a grade it can be resubmitted until it achieves the required grade.
| A* | = | Distinction * | |
| A | = | Distinction | |
| B | = | Merit | |
| C | = | Pass | |
| U/Fail | = | Towards/Below |
Sources of Information and Help
Students willl be given a list of resources for each assignment.
BTEC Creative & Media Level 2
Overview
The BTEC is made up of 100% coursework spread over 2 years.
Coursework Schedule
| Coursework Project | Start date | Finish date |
| Researching for Media Production, "The Apprentice Cereal Challenge". | 1 November 2010 | 17 December 2010 |
| Communication Technique for Creative Media Production | 5 Janury 2011 | 18 February 2011 |
| Print Production, "Techniques and Technologies: Pros 'n' Cons" | 28 February 2011 | 8 April 2011 |
| Print Production, "Branding the Band" | 27 April 2011 | 21 July 2011 |
| Writing for the Creative Media, "Journalism: Tabloids vs Broadsheets." | 2 September 2011 | 22 October 2011 |
| Writing for the Creative Media, "The Christmas Shopping Campaign." | 1 November 2011 | 17 December 2011 |
| Advertising Production, "Exploring Advertising." | 28 February 2012 | 8 April 2012 |
| Advertising Production, "The Littlehampton Project" | 27 April 2012 | 27 May 2012 |
Coursework Grading Criteria
BTEC assignments can be graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction. If an assignment fails to achieve a grade it can be resubmitted until it achieves the required grade.
| A* | = | Distinction * | |
| A | = | Distinction | |
| B | = | Merit | |
| C | = | Pass | |
| U/Fail | = | Towards/Below |
Sources of Information and Help
BTEC Creative Media Production Level 1
Overview
The BTEC is made up of 100% coursework spread over 2 years.
Coursework Schedule
| Coursework Project | Start date | Finish date |
| Developing Creative Media Skills | 1 November 2010 | 17 December 2010 |
| Desktop Publishing Software | 5 January 2011 | 18 February 2011 |
| Creating Images Digitally | 28 February 2011 | 8 April 2011 |
| Developing Animation | 27 April 2011 | 21 July 2011 |
| Creative Media Production Project | 2 September 2011 | 17 December 2011 |
| Media Audiences and Products | 5 January 2012 | 8 April 2012 |
| The Creative Media Sector | 27 April 2012 | 22 July 2012 |
Coursework Grading Criteria
BTEC assignments can be graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction. If an assignment fails to achieve a grade it can be resubmitted until it achieves the required grade.
| A* | = | Distinction * | |
| A | = | Distinction | |
| B | = | Merit | |
| C | = | Pass | |
| U/Fail | = | Towards/Below |
Sources of Information and Help
BTEC Sport
Overview
The BTEC is made up of 100% coursework spread over 2 years.
Coursework Schedule
| Coursework Project | Start date | Finish date |
| Project 1 - Fitness & Training for Sporting Excellence | September 2010 | October 2010 |
| Project 2 - Assessing Fitness Levels | November 2010 | 3 December 2010 |
| Project 3 - Exploring Psychological Factors | December 2010 | December 2010 |
| Project 4 - Injury in Sport | January 2011 | Easter 2011 |
| Project 5 - Practical Team Sport | Easter 2011 | July 2011 |
| Project 6 - Anatomy & Physiology | September 2011 | December 2011 |
| Project 7 - Practical & Individual Sport | January 2012 | Easter 2012 |
Coursework Grading Criteria
BTEC assignments can be graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction. If an assignment fails to achieve a grade it can be resubmitted until it achieves the required grade.
| A* | = | Distinction * | |
| A | = | Distinction | |
| B | = | Merit | |
| C | = | Pass | |
| U/Fail | = | Towards/Below |
Sources of Information and Help
Students will be given reference material to help with individual projects as part of the brief. This information will also be available on the Academy VLE.
BTEC ICT
Coursework Schedule
| Coursework Project | Start date | Finish date |
| Unit 1: ICT Skills for Business | September 2010 | February 2011 |
Coursework Grading Criteria
Pass / Merit / Distinction
Sources of Information and Help
New diplomas
The new Diploma courses such as ICT, Creative and Media, Hospitality and Catering, Construction and Built Environment all have a coursework components.
At the academy we only offer the IT Diploma at present.
ICT DIPLOMA
Overview
Principle Learning consists of the following components:
- Six internally assessed assignments
- One externally assessed module
- Extended Project
- Functional skills in Maths, English and ICT
Coursework Schedule
| Coursework Project | Start date | Finish date |
| 3 - Effective communication | September 2010 | January 2011 |
| 2 - Exploring Organisations | January 2011 | March 2011 |
| 4 - Skills for Innovation | March 2011 | May 2011 |
| 5 - Technology Systems | May 2011 | July 2011 |
| 6 - Multimedia | September 2011 | November 2011 |
| 1 - Potential of Technology | September 2011 | Exam January 2012 |
| 7 - Managing Projects | November 2011 | April 2012 |
Additional Specialists Learning consists of 180 guided learning hours and is individual subjects for each student.
- Project 60 guided learning hours September 2010 to May 2012
- Functional skills Maths, English and IT September 2010 to May 2012
Coursework Grading Criteria
Functional skills students much a achieve a Pass at Level 2 in all 3 subjects. All principle learning units are mark based on a point system and the overall points will be added together to give an overall grade. Each unit carries a different amount of points which will be set by the exam board in September.
Sources of Information and Help
- Business related visits
- Work Experience in IT related field
- IT related information sources
- Student handbooks
