Years 10 – 11 GCSE

At GCSE you will continue to develop your expertise in reading, writing, speaking and listening. In English Language you will learn to appreciate high-quality contemporary writing and enjoy the creativity involved in developing your own writing skills. You will be encouraged to develop your creativity and your ability to explain your understanding in a precise and analytical way.

COURSE CONTENT

The English Language qualification involves you working with well-chosen passages of skilled and effective writing from a variety of sources, developing your skills to comment on these with insight and producing your own writing using techniques you will have discovered in your reading. Sustaining your own private reading is the best possible way to support your progress in this subject.

ASSESSMENT

OCR GCSE English Language (J351)
The English Language GCSE is examined in two papers of two hours each, one based on informative modes of writing (such as factual accounts or autobiographical experiences) and the other on more explicitly creative work (such as extracts from novels). In each paper you will spend one hour on comprehension and analysis of the given passages, and the second hour creating an original piece of writing in response to a given theme. In addition, there is a Speaking component that you will take in ‘in the Spring Term of Year 11. Although this is a compulsory part of English Language GCSE, you will receive a separate grade (Pass, Merit or Distinction) that will appear alongside your grade for English Language.

CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Dr S Harrison

At GCSE you will continue to develop your expertise in reading, writing, speaking and listening. In English Literature you will study a sample of the rich heritage of interesting and stimulating writing in English, and learn to discuss and analyse texts in depth. You will be encouraged to develop your creativity and your ability to explain your understanding in a precise and analytical way.

COURSE CONTENT

For the English Literature qualification, you will study four texts from a range of genres and time-periods, representing a good introduction to what Literature has to offer. One of these texts will be one of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, another will be a classic novel from the nineteenth century, one will be a short anthology of classic and modern poetry, and finally there will be a stand-out text of modern literature (either drama or prose). Texts are chosen with a view to supporting your enjoyment of reading and extending your appreciation of great writing.

ASSESSMENT

OCR GCSE English Literature (J352)

The English Literature GCSE is examined in two papers, each of two hours. There is some variation in the styles of question set for the different texts, but in all cases you are required to to write responses to questions showing understanding of the text as a whole and appreciation of its writing qualities in detail.

CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Dr S Harrison

Mathematics is challenging, creative and enables your mind to analyse and solve problems. It is a must for many careers. Mathematics is a compulsory subject with the IGCSE course starting in Year 9.

For some at the top end of the ability range, the Mathematics IGCSE course also leads to a further qualification of Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics.

COURSE CONTENT

The course contains a variety of topics across number, algebra, shape and data. This includes topics you have met before, such as fractions and some new ones, such as differentiation. The course is taught as a series of topics lasting around two to five lessons each.

ASSESSMENT

EDEXCEL IGCSE 4MA1

There are two calculator papers, each worth 50%. The examination paper contains a series of structured questions, stepped in difficulty, presented with space under each question in which to write your answer. Mathematics IGCSE is assessed on the 9-1 grading scale. Higher tier is assessed at grades 9-3 while Foundation tier is assessed at grades 5-1. The vast majority of girls at MSJ sit Higher tier.

Optional for the most able: AQA Level 2 in Further Maths 8365 

There are two papers, each worth 50%. Paper 1 is non calculator whereas Paper 2 requires a calculator. The examination paper contains a series of structured questions, stepped in difficulty, presented with space under each question in which to write your answer. Level 2 Further Maths is assessed on the 9-1 grading scale. 

CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Mrs E Bell

All three sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics are studied throughout Years 9, 10 and 11; this is the case for both the Combined and Triple Science courses.

COURSE CONTENT

Biology: Cell structure and transport, cell division, organization and the digestive system, breathing and gas exchange, communicable diseases and the defenses against disease, photosynthesis, respiration, homeostasis and the nervous system, reproduction and inheritance, genetics and evolution, interdependence of living organisms.

Chemistry: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes, Energy changes; the rate and extent of Chemical change; Organic Chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; Using resources.

Physics: Conservation and dissipation of energy, Energy transfer by heating, Energy resources, Electric circuits, Electricity in the home, Molecules and Matter, Radioactivity, Forces in balance, Motion, Force and Motion, Wave properties, Electromagnetic waves, Electromagnetism.

ASSESSMENT

AQA COMBINED SCIENCE: TRILOGY 8464

The scheme of assessment is linear, with six question papers taken in the same examination series e.g. at the end of Year 11: Biology Paper 1, Biology Paper 2, Chemistry Paper 1, Chemistry Paper 2, Physics Paper 1 and Physics Paper 2.

Each paper is 1 hour 15 minutes long and consists of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions (70 marks). Each paper will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas.

Assessments are available at Foundation or Higher Tier. You must take the same tier for all three sciences; you are not allowed to take different tiers for Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Biology
Mrs Isla Whitmore

Chemistry
Miss Tara Phillips

Physics
Mr P Forsyth

This course is an excellent preparation for A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Your knowledge and understanding of the world around you will be increased and extended.

COURSE CONTENT

All topics covered in the combined science course are taught, plus further topics. Here is a selection of the additional TS topics:

Biology: The brain and the eye, plant hormones and responses, thermoregulation, kidneys, DNA structure and gene expression, theories of evolution and speciation, sustainability and biomass transfers in ecosystems.

Chemistry: The Transition Elements, Nanoparticles, Titrations, Chemical cells and batteries, Alcohols, Carboxylic acids and esters, Polymers, Glass, Ceramics and Composites.

Physics: Force and pressure; Light, including reflection, refraction, colour and lenses; Space, including the formation of the Solar System, the life history of a star and the beginning and future of the Universe.

ASSESSMENT

AQA Biology 8461
AQA Chemistry 8462
AQA Physics 8463

The scheme of assessment is linear with two papers being taken in each subject in the same examination series i.e. at the end of Year 11.

Each paper is 105 minutes and consists of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions (100 marks). Each paper will examine on distinct topic areas within the GCSE syllabus but will include questions of factual recall, practical application and evaluation as well as application of knowledge and understanding. Assessments are available at Foundation and Higher Tier.

CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Biology
Mrs Isla Whitmore

Chemistry
Dr S Guy

Physics
Mr P Forsyth

At MSJ, the Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme is embedded from Key stage 3 onwards.

As girls progress through the school, careers meetings are arranged to take place during independent study periods. For any pupils wishing to undertake independent research, they have access to the resources on the Careers and Higher Education Team. This team contains a range of material to help pupils explore the breadth of options available to them in the future.

As part of the PSHEEC programme, pupils explore the range of subjects available to them, look at how to make decisions and use the Unifrog online platform. Unifrog matches pupils’ skills and interests to careers and suggests helpful subject choices.

A comprehensive programme of careers themed talks take place throughout the school year and are open to pupils from year 7-13. Examples of past lectures include, Study in the USA, Degree & Higher Apprenticeships and talks from our Alumnae about their career paths. In Year 11, pupils gain first-hand experience of the workplace through a dedicated work experience week.

In Years 10 and 11, all girls participate in two double lessons of non-examined Physical Education per week.

During these lessons in Year 10, they continue to develop skills and tactics in each of our traditional team sports, but alongside these, a number of new activities are introduced. In Year 11, they can then make informed choices and select from a variety of activities on offer. An optional Full Course GCSE PE is also offered, as detailed above.

PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH AND ECONOMIC EDUCATION AND CITIZENSHIP (PSHEEC)

PSHEEC supports pupils to become successful learners, confident, respectful individuals and informed and responsible citizens. It does not lead to an examination or qualification. We cover all topics required by the government statutory guidelines on Relationship and Sex (RSE) and Health Education. Pupils learn about:

• Personal Wellbeing
• Social Wellbeing
• Health (including Mental Health)
• Economic Wellbeing and Financial Capability
• Citizenship

PSHEEC is delivered in a variety of methods. We host various external specialists to deliver sessions, specialists within our School community, including our Health Centre staff and our E-Safety co-ordinator.