Grenville offers around 20 GCSE courses to pupils in Years Four and Five.
They are divided into Core and Optional subjects, as follows:-

Core
to be taken by all pupils

English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
French or German [optional for pupils with dyslexia]
Religious Studies &PSMHE

Optional
Art & Design
Business Studies
Design & Technology [Food]
Design & Technology [Resistant Materials]
Drama
Geography
History
Information & Comunication Technology
Music
Physical Education
Religious Studies

A pupil’s GCSE programme will comprise both Core and Optional subjects.

A brief overview
A full GCSE Programme booklet is available on request

A. Core Subjects

English Language and English Literature
Assessment comprises 60% written examination and 40% coursework in English Language; 70% written examination and 30% coursework in English Literature.
Students are prepared for both GCSE’s, but examination entry is decided on aptitude.

Mathematics
The Mathematics GCSE consists of two written examinations [one with a calculator, one without], each accounting for 40% of the final marks, plus coursework contributing 20% of the final marks.

Modern Foreign Languages
Students can choose to study French or German at GCSE. This involves following a two year course, culminating in examinations in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
.
Science
Science is taught as three separate subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
It is examined at GCSE in one of three ways:
1. 3 individual GCSE’s awarded for Physics, Chemistry and Biology
2. 2 individual GCSE’s awarded for Dual Award Science
3. 2 individual GCSE’s awarded for Dual Award Applied Science
We will discuss with you and your child which is likely to be the best option.

Religious Studies and PSMHE
Religious Studies examines a specifically Christian response to contemporary social and moral issues.
Issues of “Sanctity of Human Life” are explored in relation to contraception, abortion, euthanasia and suicide.
Love and sexuality, human rights, war and pacifism are also covered.
In PSMHE students discuss and are given guidance on topics such as alcohol, drugs, smoking and relationships.

B. Options
Pupils study three Options, in addition to the Core subjects.

Art & Design
60% of the total marks are awarded for a portfolio of work, and 40% for a controlled test piece at the end of the course.

Business Studies
The course is designed to develop an understanding of the purpose, workings and control of business and the economy.

Design & Technology: Food Technology
Pupils learn how to design and make a saleable food product through a range of practical assignments. The course includes a number of visits to different industrial settings.

Design& Technology: Resistant Materials Technology
Pupils learn to design, make and modify products for identified purposes, and to select and use resources effectively. They work in two and three dimensions, and study Computer Aided Design [CAD].

Drama
The course involves practical and written work, including improvisation, scripted drama, performance, visits to live theatre and a written paper examining set plays and reviews of plays seen.

Geography
This is a fascinating course for students who want to understand the environmental changes happening locally, nationally and globally.
It covers the contrasting physical and human environments throughout the world, emphasising the opportunities and difficulties presented by the different environments.

History
The course involves an extensive study of the history of medicine and an in-depth study of Germany from 1914 to 1945, including a trip to Germany. Coursework might, for example, focus on the Cuban Missile Crisis or Popular Music and Culture since 1950.

Information & Communication Technology [ICT]
Students study how ICT is used for work and leisure; the positive and negative effects of ICT on society; how to design and use ICT systems; and hardware, software and communications networks.

Music
The course, which covers the whole range of music from classical to rock, comprises four main areas of study…Listening, Perfoming, Composing, plus an Integrated Composition Assignment based on a specific area of study.
CD’s and tape recordings are made of performances and compositions, and there is one final examination.

Physical Education
This course involves both practical and theoretical work. The theory course, worth 40% of the final mark, covers areas such as anatomy & physiology, training methods & programmes and sports injuries. For the practical course, pupils are assessed on four activities, selected from gymnastics, games, athletics, swimming, dance, adventurous activities and exercise activities.

Religious Studies
The course works towards two papers, one covering a broad range of contemporary social and moral issues, including Belief in God; Issues of Life and Death; Marriage and the Family; Social Harmony; and Religion and the Media, the other an in-depth examination of Mark’s Gospel.

If you have any enquiries about the academic programme throughout the Senior School, please contact Simon Woolcott, Director of Studies, via the Grenville College telephone number 01237 472212 or by e-mail to registrar@grenvillecollege.co.uk