Geography is the study of places and the environment and is therefore a very important and relevant subject for all young people. The GCSE course gives pupils a clear understanding of the world in which they live and enables them to make well informed decisions about it. Full use is made of up to date information and current events happening in the world.

In September 2016, the new GCSE Geography specification will be in place and the first examination of this will be in the summer of 2018.

This new course will consist of:

Unit 1 – Changing Physical and Human Landscape

Section A: Core Themes
Two structured, data response questions assessing Core Theme 1 (Landscapes and Physical Processes) and Core Theme 2 (Rural-urban Links).
Section B: Options
One structured question (from a choice of two) assessing either Theme 3 (Tectonic Landscapes and
Hazards) or Theme 4 (Coastal Hazards and their Management). These themes provide additional
breadth of study for the content assessed in the core themes.
Assessment will be by data response questions. Some questions will require extended responses.

Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues
Section A: Core Themes
Two structured, data response questions assessing Core Theme 5 (Weather, Climate and
Ecosystems) and Core Theme 6 (Development and Resource Issues).
Section B: Options
One structured question (from a choice of two) assessing either Theme 7 (Social Development Issues) or Theme 8 (Environmental Challenges). These themes provide additional depth of study for the content assessed in the core themes.
Assessment will be by data response questions. Some questions will require extended responses.

Unit 3: Fieldwork Enquiry
This requires a written report from the learner, to include evidence of their understanding of the enquiry process and their independent ability to process/present data and complete extended writing.
Geography develops the full range of Key Skills and therefore helps you with other subjects. You will learn to interpret maps, photos, diagrams, tables, text and graphs. You will find things out using primary and secondary data and communicate your ideas using ICT in reports, extended writing, presentations and decision-making exercises.

The GCSE Health and Social Care and Childcare course develops specific knowledge, and skills, learners need to work successfully in the care industry, such as:

l. Gaining knowledge of Health, Social Care and Children’s Services used by the range of service users from babies, toddlers, through to adults with specific needs and the elderly.

2. Studying the main roles and skills of people who provide Health, Social Care and Children’s Services.

3. Studying human growth and development.

4. Promoting and maintaining health and well-being

There is one external examination (40% of the final award)
There are two controlled assessments based on an investigation into local Health and Social Care Services and health promotion. (60% of the final award)

We believe in an interesting and diverse curriculum, inside and outside of the classroom, to enhance pupils’ knowledge and understanding of History and other historical and cross-curricular skills, especially literacy.

• This year pupils have the opportunity to be involved in workshops in school and at Cardiff University delivered by the University’s ‘Share With Schools’ team. These have focussed on: the Romans; Medieval Wales; Industrial Wales; Cardiff during the First World Wa; and conservation of archaeological finds.
• There have also been trips to Caerphilly Castle, The National Museum of Wales and the Imperial War Museum and Jewish Museum in London.
• We have also had ‘in character’ workshops on Owain Glyndwr and the Battle of St Fagans during the Civil War in England and Wales

After school support with homework, revision and controlled assessment catch up is available every Wednesday from 3.15-4.30.

●The study of interesting, dramatic and thought-provoking topics and issues from British and World History.
● The development of important skills, valued by employers and essential for the rest of your life – written and
oral communication; decision making; reading and evaluating evidence; understanding the causes and consequences of events; investigating how and why things change; making reasoned judgements and developing analytical thinking.
● Consistently excellent exam results with most pupils achieving well in comparison with target grades and grades in other subjects.

1. In-Depth Study: The USA 1910-1929
An investigation into the features and changes in American life during a period of wealth, crime, music, war, technology, fashion, sport, racism and change!

We study: The treatment of black Americans and immigrants; The prohibition of alcohol, corruption and the power of gangsters; The ‘Jazz Age’ and the development in sports, music, cinema and the lives of women; The Economic Boom and the impact of mass production and the car industry; The Wall Street Crash and the end of the prosperity of the 1920s.

2. Controlled Assessment:

The Impact of the First and Second World Wars on Britain Two written tasks based on the study of different pieces of evidence about the experience of British people during the World Wars.

We study: Trench warfare and the experiences of soldiers during World War One; The motivation and treatment of conscientious objectors during the First World War; Life for the people of Britain on the Home Front during the Second World War; The impact of the Blitz on the people of Britain during World War Two; The evacuation of men from Dunkirk in 1941 and its importance.

3. In-Depth Study: Austerity, Affluence and Discontent in Wales and Britain 1951- 1979

We study: Problems and developments in Welsh and British life – poverty, housing, employment and the development of new towns, transport and industry in the 1950s; Changing lifestyles in the 1960s and 70s- music, women’s rights, TV, American culture, youth culture; Challenges to authority since the 1950s – public scandals, the death penalty, drugs, protest movements; changes in Wales and Britain in the 1960s and 1970s – political developments, language, immigration, race relations.

4. Thematic Study: Developments in Health and Medicine – 1300 to the present day.

We study: Causes of illness and disease over the study period- living conditions, impact of industrialisation, Black Death, cholera, TB and influenza; attempts to prevents and cure illness and disease- alchemy, medieval doctors, traditional cures, vaccinations; advances in medical knowledge- the role of individuals, x-rays, ultrasounds; how the care of patients has changed over time- role of the church, NHS; attempts to improve public health over time- Victorian improvements in public health, the 21st century; 19th Century urban Cardiff.

Religious Education is a statutory requirement throughout your time in school.
You are given the opportunity to gain a Full course GCSE in the subject which will be graded A* to G.

You began your GCSE study for RE GCSE in Year 9

The topics we study make you think and involve everyday life, whether you follow a religion or not.

The topics we look at are:
● The core beliefs of Christianity
● The core beliefs of Islam
● Humanism
● Life and death
● Relationships
● Human Rights
● Good and evil

•There will be two final examination papers.
• RE is a very useful subject to have if you wish to undertake many careers as it leads to an understanding of people

Sociologists are interested in how the world we live in affects us and how we in turn affect our world.
• How does the way we are brought up influence our future?
• Should girls and boys be treated equally?
• Why are some groups in society more likely to become criminals than others?
• Should rich people be forced to give more money to those less well off?
• What is the perfect family type?
These are just some of the topics that we study. If you have an inquiring mind and like a good debate, then you are half way to becoming a sociologist!