Swanwick Hall School

Year 9 Options 2018

Derby Road, Swanwick, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 1AE Tel: (01773) 602106 Fax: (01773) 609284

Email: enquiries@swanwickhall.derbyshire.sch.uk Website: www.swanwickhall.derbyshire.sch.uk

Headteacher: Jonathan Fawcett

Associate Headteacher: Rebecca Green

Which subjects will I take in Year 9? In Year 9, all students continue to have lessons in the following subjects. The number of lessons per

week is in brackets:

English (3)

Maths (3)

Science (3)

History (2)

Geography (2)

French or Spanish (3)

PE (2)

RE (1)

Enrichment (1)

What choices will I have? You will have noticed that the subjects above add up to 20 lessons a week. For 5 lessons a week, you

will be doing 2 subjects that you have chosen.

Choice 1: Year 9 mini-option (2 lessons a week)

Choice 2: ‘Early’ option (3 lessons a week)

Please see information for more detail about the subjects available

to choose from for each option

Choice 1: Year 9 mini-option We ask students to choose one of the following subjects to study in Year 9:

Art & Design

Computing

Drama

Music

Product Design

Textiles

This option will provide you with the opportunity to spend more time on a subject you particular

enjoy and to further develop your knowledge and skills in this subject. Please note that the Year 9

mini-option is not the start of a GCSE course: students might well choose to continue with the subject

in Year 10 but there is no requirement to do so. Equally, you might choose not to follow a subject in

Year 9, but then decide to take it at GCSE. You should read through the information below to help you

make your decision.

Mini-option subject information:

Art & Design We aim to engage, inspire and challenge students on the Year 9 Art & Design

course. Art and Design allows expression and develops creativity, problem solving and

independence. You will learn to record from observation, analyse and study the

work of artists, designers and craftspeople and experiment with a range of art mediums and

techniques including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and photography. Finally, you will

make final pieces which are creative and individual.

Is this course suitable for me?

Do I enjoy art?

Am I interested in how to experiment with new ideas, materials and techniques?

Am I interested about art from the past, present and future?

Am I interested in showing off my ideas?

Computing This course will focus on practical programming and problem solving. It will be based

around several programming languages: Basic, Python, App Inventor and JavaScript.

You will solve real world programming situations ranging from phone apps and games, web page

applets to interesting science and maths calculators.

Each project will be documented and you will have to analyse, design and test your programs, all

valuable skills for the GCSE course.

The Year 9 course will form a very good basis for the GCSE Computer Science course but those

students who do not choose Computing in Year 9 but who have strengths in English and Maths and

science would also be welcome to opt for the GCSE course when the time comes.

Drama You will learn a range of Drama skills over the year, both practical and theory. You

will be introduced to the work of Brecht, Stanislavski, Grotowski and Artaud and

use their distinctive styles.

The communication of ideas in a practical way will be at the centre of the work produced through Year

9. You will extend your drama skills to explore a range of issues, learn new techniques and to perform

your work to the class, with opportunities to perform to a wider audience. Written work will also be

produced during lessons and for homework.

The learning will be divided into three key areas- Understanding Drama, Devising Drama and

Developing Text work.

Devised work will use a number of starting points that will be given to the students who will then

select one or more on which to base their devised pieces.

These stimuli may be, but are not limited to, visual (such as a photograph, painting or sculpture),

printed or spoken word (such as a poem, news article, story or novel), musical (such as a song, melody

or instrumental piece), fact-based (such as a current, political or historical event), theme or issue-

based (such as conflict, relationships, justice or freedom), myths (such as folklore or urban myth),

cultural (such as traditions or festivals).

You will study a range of genres and performance styles such as comedy, tragedy, melodrama,

commedia dell’arte, naturalism, epic theatre, documentary theatre and physical theatre and apply

them to the stimuli.

Throughout the year, you will have opportunities to visit the theatre to watch live performances and

to share your work with a variety of audiences.

Music If you opt to take Music in Year 9 you will develop your musical skills through a wide

range of music and musical contexts. You will be encouraged to engage critically and

creatively with particular focus on solo and group performance, composition, music

theory, listening and appraising. The topic areas in Year 9 continue to develop the skills already taught

in Years 7 and 8. These are:

Classical Structures

Popular Music

Beginners Ukulele

Film Music

Music and Advertising

Product Design This exciting choice will provide you with a wide range of engaging

experiences within Product Design, construction, introduction to

engineering as well as application of other materials such as textiles fabrics

within wood or metal projects. You will be learning about hard woods, soft woods, metals, plastics

and card boards, experiencing all through short assessed tasks as well as small group led projects

where multiple materials are combined. Processing techniques are focused on in order to get a high

standard of finish, and independent developments to completed items are encouraged. You will also

be given product design briefs based on modern everyday problems.

You will also have a stimulating introduction to construction and engineering, where you will

experience other materials such as aluminium and brass to form every day engineering solutions. You

will look at the job roles within engineering and construction and how widespread the skills, further

education and opportunities are within these industries. You will complete typical processes such as

housing and half lap joints which are done in industry. Alternative materials in product design will also

be introduced with some use of fabrics and textile application to some products. You will complete a

small project where the two material choices are combined into one household product.

Textiles Textiles as a Year 9 option will provide you with a wide range of learning

experiences and creative opportunities to show a knowledge of fabrics,

construction methods and finishing techniques. By completing a series of small

focused practical tasks it enables you to learn about fabrics and fibres and different approaches to

constructing craft projects, household objects, practical solutions to technology devices, clothing and

children's play toys.

Whilst the main traditional element to textiles will continue to be taught, this course provides the

time and opportunity for you to learn and practise new and modern techniques in the textiles

industry, with some hands on experience of CAD, smart materials such as thermochromic paints, and

electronics in textiles such as light and sound. You will learn about modern advances in the textiles

industry such as micro encapsulation, water repellent and breathable fabrics in sportswear and every

day clothing. Alongside this, you will gain an understanding of the traditional fibres within textiles and

the effects on the environment in production and manufacturing of these.

You will also gain a well-rounded understanding of textiles in the technology subjects, as there will be

some element of cross links between Textiles and Product Design where multiple materials are

applied e.g. uses of fabrics, plastics and wood within household objects or craft work.

Choice 2: Year 9 ‘Early’ option We ask students to choose one of the following subjects to study in Year 9 and in Year 10. It is a 2

year course and at the end of Year 10 you will gain your qualification in that subject. You will have 3

more option choices to make for Year 10 (this will happen next year): most of the subjects that you

can choose in Year 9 as an ‘Early’ option will also be available for you to choose as one of your options

that you will take in Years 10 and 11. So basically, don’t worry if you want to take more than one of

these subjects: you can – just not yet!

‘Early’ option subject information:

Astronomy What will I study?

This GCSE course builds on our natural fascination with the night sky and our continued exploration of the universe. Topics covered: The Earth – The Moon – The Sun – The Solar System – The Milky Way and other Galaxies – Cosmology Observing the night sky– Space Exploration – Stellar Evolution – Exoplanets How will my learning be assessed?

The course is assessed with two final exam papers at the end of Year 10. For further information speak to Mr Deaville

Business Studies What will I study?

BTEC Level 2 First Award. BTEC Firsts in Business can help you take your first steps towards a career in

the business world. You’ll learn essential skills such as business enterprise, project management,

selling and promoting a brand, and financial awareness, from planning to making a profit.

You will study two core units, and two optional units.

Core units

1. Enterprise in the Business World

2. Finance for Business (External assessment)

Optional units

1. Promoting a Brand

2. Principles of Customer Service

3. Sales and Personal Selling

4. Introducing Retail Business

5. Providing Business Support

6. Recruitment, Selection and Employment

This BTEC allows learners to develop employability skills that enable learners to adapt to the ever-

changing roles needed to survive in the global economy. These include:

1. Self-management: readiness to accept responsibility, flexibility, time management, readiness to

improve own performance.

2. Teamworking: respecting others, co-operating, negotiating/persuading, contributing to

discussions.

3. Business and customer awareness: basic understanding of the key drivers for business success

and the need to provide customer satisfaction.

4. Problem-solving: analysing facts and circumstances and applying creative thinking to develop

appropriate solutions.

5. Communication and literacy: application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written

work and oral literacy, including listening and questioning.

6. Application of numeracy: manipulation of numbers, general mathematical awareness and its

application in practical contexts.

7. Application of information technology: basic IT skills, including familiarity with word-processing,

spreadsheets, file management and use of internet search engines.

How will my learning be assessed?

You will be assessed by a combination of internal assessment (75%) and an external exam (25%).

Construction What will I study?

WJEC Level 2 in Constructing the Built Environment

Your course will include the following:

Safety & Security in Construction – Students will look at the wider construction industry, including

possible career routes. They will look at all health and safety aspects of working in the industry, and in

particular how we ensure workers stay safe on site, and how we also ensure the general public remain

safe.

Practical Construction Skills – Students will practise and develop a range of practical construction

techniques which may include:

Wood techniques e.g. hang a door, make a frame, attach a skirting-board, create a timber

stud wall

Brick e.g. use wall connectors, cut bricks, create a wall, stretcher bond

Plaster e.g. apply plasterboard, skim

Tiling e.g. floor and wall, patch repair

Electrical e.g. lighting, add a new socket

Plumbing e.g. waste and taps to a sink

Planning Construction Projects – Students will apply their knowledge and understanding from

practical construction skills to plan a small construction project. They will use mathematical

calculations to work out resources which are required and to calculate the costs involved to complete

a small building project.

How will my learning be assessed?

Safety and security in construction – External exam

Practical construction skills - Internal controlled assessment

Planning construction projects – Internal controlled assessment

Engineering What will I study?

EAL Level 2 First Diploma in Engineering Technology. Your course may include the following:-

Engineering Environment Awareness

Engineering Techniques

Engineering Principles

Turning Techniques

Milling Techniques

Engineering Maintenance Planning

Fabrication and Welding Principles

Manual Welding Techniques

Grinding Techniques

Engineering Maintenance Safety Practices

Fitting and Assembly Techniques

How will my learning be assessed?

Multiple choice examinations, portfolio of evidence, practical demonstration/assignment.

Students follow a series of 6 practical focused units which allows students to build a portfolio of skills

and experiences which provide an insight into the engineering industry and the sorts of products

crafted using both modern and traditional engineering methods. The subject is set up so that students

create a series of example tools and items, backed up by a folder of logistical evidence.

Modern engineering methods are also combined into the course, by using Boxford 3d router and

CADCAM modelling. Students are encouraged to complete as much practical work as possible in an

independent way with a teacher or technician’s overview of the student using the tools and

equipment. The subject is taught in a specialised environment built to provide a safe industry

environment for students.

The subject is finally assessed through two synoptic assessments where the students are given an

engineering task and a breakdown of expectations on layout and presentation, which combines skills

from all units, and given a set time to complete the practical task and the portfolio of evidence.

Students are assessed on their ability to work independently, accurately within tolerance and most

importantly, safely.

Hospitality and Catering What will I study?

WJEC Level 2 Hospitality and Catering: a vocational practical-based course.

Areas of study:

• The Hospitality Industry- hotels, restaurants and other food/drink outlets.

• Styles of service

• Star ratings of hotels/restaurants

• Job roles, employment opportunities and relevant training

• Knife skills

• Health, safety and food hygiene

• Food poisoning and how it can be prevented

• Food commodities - meat, fish, eggs, rice, flour

• Food preparation, cooking and presentation

• Nutrition and menu planning

• Costing and portion control

• The use of specialist cooking equipment

• Special dietary requirements

• Nutritional requirements of different age groups

• Planning and preparing meals on a large scale

This course focuses on learning about these topics by practising new skills through completing a wide

range of practical tasks, carrying out investigations into the catering industry, and planning and

evaluating tasks such as creating and developing dishes to restaurant standard and creating dishes

that suit different dietary requirements.

How will my learning be assessed?

Unit 1: The Hospitality and Catering Industry- Assessed through an exam paper (1 hour) and is

worth 40% of the overall qualification. The exam paper will cover topics covered throughout

Years 9 and 10 including the Hospitality industry. The exam will be taken in the summer of

Year 10.

Unit 2: Hospitality and Catering in Action- Students are asked to plan, prepare, cook and present

nutritional dishes. This is worth 60% of the overall qualification. The assessment will be based

on a brief given to students at the start of Year 10.

ICT

What will I study?

Cambridge National Award. This is a very practical ICT course focusing on all of the most important

office and business skills.

These skills include project management, spreadsheet modelling, databases and published business

documents. The course is assessed through 50% coursework and a single exam worth 50%.

The Cambridge National ICT will develop your skills, knowledge and understanding in contexts that are

directly relevant to employment situations, enhancing employability within any office based

workplace and beyond.

This course is the only course which will give you the wide range of ICT skills highlighted above. It is

suited to those students who want to go on and study ICT at AS level or those who would prefer to

enter the world of work sooner through an apprenticeship.

How will my learning be assessed?

Assessment is through 1 exam: Understanding tools, techniques, methods and processes for

technological solutions (written exam 1hr 45) 50%

and 1 unit of coursework: Developing technological solutions 50%

Japanese What will I study?

Throughout the Japanese GCSE there is a topic based approach to the course. Over the two years you

will study a variety of topics, including travel, health, family, friends, school and hobbies. Your

teachers plan a variety of activities within lessons which will allow you to improve your reading,

writing, listening and speaking skills in an engaging manner. The topics studied form the basis for your

exams and you will learn all the grammar you need alongside these. You will also need to be familiar

with reading and writing in the Japanese alphabets, and need to master 200 kanji! Japanese is a

challenging but rewarding subject. As this is a GCSE course, it is not suitable for complete beginners.

You need to have studied Japanese as part of the Y8 Enrichment programme, or have reached an

equivalent standard through your own study, and you need to show that you are able to read and

write hiragana confidently, and have an understanding of Japanese sentence structure. If you are

unsure about whether GCSE Japanese is the course for you, please speak to Mr Bull.

How will my learning be assessed?

You will be assessed by four external exams at the end of Year 10, and there are no controlled

assessments.

Speaking and Writing are worth 25 % each and will be examined by a spoken exam with your teacher

in May, and a written exam in June. Listening and Reading are also worth 25% each and are examined

in the same way, at the end of Y10.

Japan is a key UK trading partner that has invested over £1.5 billion in the UK, and Japanese skills are

highly valued by employers, particularly in the Derbyshire area. GCSE Japanese can also lead on to

work or study in Japan, and is considered highly by colleges and universities.

Media Studies

What will I study?

BTEC Level 2 First Award. Media Studies is an exciting and challenging course which aims to provide

you with an introduction to media production and consumption. This course is aimed at anyone

interested in television, radio, music, the internet, advertising, graphics, digital photography,

computer games, film, animation…. the list goes on!

BTEC Media includes studying a range of specialised media and developing skills across different

subjects – you may be creating advertisements through digital photography and graphics, creating and

editing films, analysing radio and television, or developing computer games and animations.

How will my learning be assessed?

BTEC Media assessment is mostly portfolio based with grading that follows a Pass, Merit and

Distinction format. All specialist units are internally assessed with one core unit being externally

assessed through a one hour exam. Each unit is marked in sections allowing you time to improve and

develop work before final assessment takes place. Each specialist unit is also preceeded by workshops

in which you will develop the key skills needed for that assessment.

Specialist Units currently include:

Digital Games Production

In this unit you will plan, create and review a 3D game covering all the skills required for game

development. In addition, you will make your own website which will be used to store

assessed work and revision.

Digital Moving Image Production

An induction to this unit will be provided in the summer term where you will learn to use a

range of camera equipment. You will then plan, shoot and edit an opening sequence working

individually or as part of a small production team.

Music What will I study?

BTEC Level 2 First Award. Students who decide to take Music will have a keen interest in all types of

music and see practice as a time to meet personal challenges. You will spend time developing your

own musical interests and skills both individually and within a group. You will appreciate performance

and evaluate your own as well as others’ music. Students will also visit the theatre/concerts to watch

a variety of live performances.

Assessment for this course is focused on the following skills:

Understanding the Music Industry and Music Theory

Working as a production team

Performing music

Composing music, creating and developing musical ideas with technical control and coherence

How will my learning be assessed?

All internally assessed work can be written or produced on CD/DVD.

The Music Industry (25%) – 1hr written exam in Year 10

This unit provides an overview of the industry, particularly focusing on the shape of the modern

industry and and covering the emergence of the role of the self-employed producer, performer and

promoter.

Managing a Music Product (25%) – Internally assessed work

This unit looks at the development of a music product (CD). As well as providing a vehicle for

demonstrating skills and learning. It also introduces the role of planning and promotion in the

management of a music product.

Performing music (25%) – Internally assessed work

You will be assessed as an Instrumentalist and/or a vocalist and will perform two contrasting pieces. It

is advisable that you have an enjoyment of performing music either through the playing of an

instrument or through singing. Students will be required to take instrumental/singing lessons in or out

of school.

Composing music (25%) – Internally assessed work

You will be assessed on your ability to compose an original piece of music, whether it is a song or

piece of instrumental music. This unit encourages learners to develop their creativity to a given brief.

Performing Arts (Acting) What will I study?

Performing Arts Technical Award: an inspiring, multi-discipline qualification. The Technical Award in

Performing Arts offers learners a multi-discipline qualification with the opportunity to perform,

learn production skills and discover more about careers in the performing arts sector. The practical,

vocational qualification is a single award and is equivalent to a GCSE qualification.

Course content

Through the course learners will:

unlock creative ideas for a production

put on a production for an audience

perform effectively on-stage or in a technical role off-stage

analyse and evaluate their skills independently and within a team

develop an awareness of industrial practices and employment opportunities

gain a broad knowledge of creative business practices.

Assessment structure

There are two internally-assessed units, and a third that is externally assessed:

Unit 1: Unlocking creativity (30%)

Learners will be asked to come up with a production idea based on briefs from real practitioners such as Lord

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Dame Judi Dench, or representatives from EMI Music Sound Foundation, the Zandra

Rhodes Foundation, Motionhouse or Future DJs. You will research your idea in order to produce a portfolio

documenting your planning and ideas. Learners will pitch your ideas as a group to the camera and a short

showcase of their work can be presented as an illustration of their ideas and planning.

Unit 2: The production/performance (30%)

Learners will produce a performance for an audience. You can choose from a selection of suggested starting

points, use the idea generated in unit 1 or alternatively the group can choose their own idea. You can choose

one of the disciplines from the following selection of performance or production skills.

Performance skills: acting, dancing, singing, instrumental music, musical theatre, variety performance,

pantomime, physical theatre, circus skills

Production skills: costume, set design, properties, make-up, lighting, sound, stage, original writing, directing,

choreography, public relations, film production

Unit 3: The performing arts industry (written exam – 40%)

Learners will draw on knowledge and understanding from units 1 and 2 and also from the following areas of

study:

Roles and responsibilities within the performing arts industry

The role of performing arts in society

Approaches to rehearsal

Working as a deviser/performer/director

Marketing and public relations

Health and safety

Design and technical elements

Reviewing performances

Questions will be a combination of multiple choice, short questions, and longer questions that draw on the

learning gained during units 1 and 2.

How will my learning be assessed?

Each unit is assessed/marked separately on its completion. You gain an individual mark, even during

group performances. At the end of the two-year course, all three unit grades/marks are combined to

award you your final grade for the qualification which will either be at a Distinction*, Distinction,

Merit or Pass.

Sport

What will I study?

BTEC Level 2 First Award. Below are the units covered across the two years of the course with each of

the four units having an equal weighting of 25% of the course each. Students therefore will study four

units across the two year course.

Unit 1: Within this unit Fitness for Sport and Exercise, students will study different fitness

components, principles of training, methods of training and fitness testing. For this unit students will

be assessed via an external exam set which will be completed online in school under examination

conditions. The exam will be taken during Year 9.

Unit 2: Practical Sports Performance is a predominately practical unit whereby students work on

developing and improving their own practical performance in a variety of sports. Students will look at

rules and regulations of the sports and review performance regarding skills and tactics required. This

unit will give students an insight into job roles in sport linked to performance. Students will be

assessed via a range of methods such as practical observations, video clips, witness statements and

verbal assessments. Unit 2 will also be studied during Year 9.

Unit 4: The Sports performer in action is a unit for students to study the impact of exercise over both a

short and long period of time. Students will explore the impact exercise has on the musculoskeletal

and cardiorespiratory systems. Students will further research into the energy systems used linked to

different exercises. Students will be assessed through posters and written reports. Unit 4 and Unit 5

will be studied during Year 10.

Unit 5: Training for Personal Fitness is a unit based around designing a personal training programme

to improve the fitness of a performer. This unit links with the content delivered within unit 1 and

applies it practically. Students will be assessed by creating a training portfolio including reports, fitness

assessments and training plans.

How will my learning be assessed?

Year Core Units Assessment method

9 Fitness for Sport and Exercise External (1 hour online exam)

9 Practical Sports Performance Internal (Assignment)

Optional Units

10 The Sports performer in action Internal (Assignment)

10 Training for Personal Fitness Internal (Assignment)

Statistics

What will I study?

In GCSE statistics you will learn how to apply appropriate mathematical and statistical formulae to

enable you to critically evaluate data. This will be done in contexts such as population, climate and

sales.

You will use different types of sampling whilst knowing the limitations of doing so. Represent data in

different formats such as Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Histograms and Cumulative Frequency graphs.

Calculate measures of spread such as interquartile ranges and standard deviation. And finally

comment on trends, skew and types of distribution identified, using these to make predictions.

How will my learning be assessed?

GCSE statistics will be assessed by examination. Students will take two papers each worth 50% of their

final mark. Each paper will be 1 hour 45 minutes long. Questions will include multiple choice, short

answer and a statistical enquiry cycle question.

Choosing your options: things to bear in mind: Choose subjects that you enjoy; don’t choose a course just because your friends are choosing

it.

Choose a subject, not a teacher. There is no guarantee that you will be taught by that teacher

next year.

We can’t guarantee that every subject will run: for example, if very few people show an

interest in taking it. If this is the case, we will let you know.

Consider choosing 2 subjects that are quite different from each other

Above all, choose subjects you enjoy and interest you

Disallowed combinations: You can’t take ICT as an Early and Computing as a mini option.

You can’t take Performing Arts (Acting) as an Early and Drama as a mini-option

You can’t take Music as an Early and Music as a mini-option