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King Edward VI Community College

King Edward VI Community College

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Key Stage 4

Optional Courses 

GCSE Business Studies - Exam Board EDEXCEL 

Assessment Structure

  • 25% Controlled Assessment
  • 75% Examinations – Paper 1 and Paper 2

Topics Studied 

  • Unit 1 - Introduction to Small Business (Examination Unit – 25%) What makes someone a successful business person, how to develop an idea and spot an opportunity, and turn it into a successful business?
  • Unit 2 - Investigating Small Business (Controlled Assessment Task – 25%) Independent research in and outside of lessons and write up.
  • Unit 3 - Building a Business (Examination Unit – 50%) How to make a business stand out in a competitive marketplace.  Financial decision-making and the complexity of dealing with staff.

Why take this course?

Changes to the business world happen daily and in our lessons we strive to make it reflect what is happening today, relevant to the students now and in the future and as interactive as possible.

Businesses operate in fast changing environments. By studying this course you will gain an understanding of many of the issues facing UK businesses in the 21st century. You will explore how they are organised, financed and operated and understand the economic, political and social factors which influence them. The valuable skills that you develop throughout the course will equip you to continue into further and higher education as well as the workplace.

Where could it lead?

Post 16

There are a range of Level 3 courses at Kennicott through which you can further your study of this subject.

Post 18

There are a large number of Higher Education courses in Business related degrees including opportunities to study at Russell Group Universities.

Career

Business Studies GCSE can be useful for absolutely every job. It is relevant if you want to work in human resources, marketing or finance, small or large businesses, or if you want to work as an accountant, stock broker, or set up your own business. 

Contact

Miss. E Sim

GCSE Geography - Exam Board AQA 

Assessment Structure

  • 100% Examination.

Topics Studied 

Paper 1: Living with the physical environment

  • The challenge of natural hazards (tectonic hazards, tropical storms, extreme weather in the UK and climate change).
  • Physical landscapes in the UK (coastal, river and glacial landscapes).
  • The living world (tropical rainforest, hot deserts and cold environments).

Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment

  • Urban issues and challenges (population growth, urbanisation, megacities and sustainability).
  • The changing economic world (economic development, the development gap, managing development, TNCs and debt).
  • The challenge of resource management (food, water and energy resources).

Paper 3: Geographical applications and skills

  • Issue evaluation
  • Fieldwork
  • Geographical skills

Why take this course?

GCSE Geography enables students to have access to a wide range of possible career and Higher Education opportunities. You will learn and use a variety of transferable skills throughout the course.

Where could it lead?

Post 16

Geography is inherently multidisciplinary in a world that increasingly values people who have the skills needed to work across the physical and social sciences. The subject will enable students to have access to a wide range of possible career and Higher Education opportunities. Students will learn and use a variety of transferable skills throughout the course.

Post 18

Taken with Sciences and Mathematics, Geography supports applications for almost any science based degree; taken with other humanities subjects, Geography supports an equally wide range of university courses, such as business, law, media and politics.

Career

Students may opt upon a career focusing upon geographical techniques such as cartographers, or climate change analysts. Others may pursue a career in environment and development, examples include humanitarian programme manager and nature conservation Officer

Contact 

Miss. C Harris - Faculty Leader for Humanities

GCSE History - Exam Board OCR 

Assessment Structure

100% Examination. Consists of 5 units – 20% each, tested in three examinations.

Topics Studied 

Unit One:  Thematic Study: Crime and Punishment c.1250 to Present

At times gruesome, always fascinating, murder and mayhem from Medieval Times to the present day.

Unit Two:  British Depth Study: The Norman Conquest, 1065-87

Stormin’ Normans: 1066 and all that!

Unit Three: Site Study: History Around Us

Hands on History: A visit to allow us to explore and evaluate a site of historical interest and its evolution over a period of time.

Unit Four:  Period Study: The Making of America, 1789-1900

A ‘Manifest Destiny’ to rule the American Continent? Native Americans, cowboys and slavery.

Unit Five: World Depth Study: Living under Nazi Rule, 1933-45

The horrific impact Hitler’s rule had on Germany, and occupied Europe.

Why take this course?

History is a core subject in the English Baccalaureate. Government research has identified History as a highly valued and relevant subject that equips students with the skills of selection, analysis, presentation and debate: invaluable skills for the modern world that are essential for anyone aiming for the top in a profession.

Where could it lead?

Post 16

A Level History is a highly respected qualification which is fantastic to study in its own right but is also a great companion subject, sitting as happily with English and Art as it does with Mathematics and Science.

Post 18

History is a flagship subject that can be studied at nearly every further educational establishment. At Universities, the History students form the heart of the institution being by nature discursive, vibrant and opinionated.

Career

History’s main strength is its versatility linking it to a wide range of possible careers.   It is the historian’s ability to analyse, evaluate and present information which is so highly valued.   Careers directly linked to History are: law, journalism, criminology, police, politics, heritage management, architecture, medicine, science, archaeology, researchers and teaching, to name but a few!

Contact

Miss. C Harris - Faculty Leader for Humanities

GCSE Religion and Ethics - Exam Board Edexcel 

Assessment Structure

100% Examination

Topics Studied 

Religion and Relationships – Marriage, divorce, contraception, families and equality.

Religion and Life – Abortion, euthanasia, planet earth and animal rights.

Religion, Crime and Punishment – Prisons and the death penalty.

Religion, Human Rights and Social Justice – Prejudice, wealth and poverty.

Why take this course?

This highly successful subject consists of the study of Hinduism and Christianity, plus the discussion of a range of ethical and moral issues relevant in today’s world.  Students will need to be able to appreciate the religious viewpoints and formulate their personal opinions. Methods of teaching include visits, visitors, role play, drama and debate.

To continue this subject, sensitivity and maturity is crucial due to the variety of ethical and moral dilemmas involved.

It is all about life and death issues that may change our lives.

It also deals with cultural issues and allows students to formulate their own personal beliefs.

Where could it lead?

Post 16

A Level Philosophy and Ethics at Kennicott.

Post 18

Degree in Philosophy and Ethics, Theology, Sociology, Philosophy, Psychology.

Career

In the world of work, employers look for someone with an enquiring mind, an appreciation of different viewpoints, and an ability to come to clear balanced decisions.  These skills are all developed through study of religion and ethics.  If you want to work with people, in caring work, teaching, journalism, publishing, policing, with children, health, catering, leisure and tourism or to work abroad or in a cosmopolitan setting, this course will give you plenty to think about, and valuable expertise.

Contact

Miss. C Harris - Faculty Leader for Humanities