Wirral Grammar School

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Cross Lane, Bebington,
Wirral. CH63 3AQ
Tel: 0151 6440908

Curriculum Areas

Our curriculum provides for our pupils in terms of both their abilities and interests. We do not leap onto "trends" in terms of subject choices, but provide a curriculum that evolves in line with experience and a sensitive knowledge of the needs of the pupils.

In years 7 to 9 the National Curriculum is followed. Our timetable currently comprises 50 lessons taught over a two week cycle (A & B). Each lesson is 60 minutes long.

In KS4 (years 10&11) boys are able to choose certain subjects, and are guided through the process in year 9 when parents are invited to attend an Options Information Evening.

Subjects

General Studies

Welcome to General Studies General Studies, and its related options, is designed to broaden the education of our sixth form students beyond the standard curriculum of 3 AS levels. General Studies lessons contribute significantly to our provision for Key Skills such as Communication, Application of Number, Information Communication Technology and Improving Own Learning. The courses also serve to provide enhancement for the particularly able in year 10.

The school is fully committed to the value of General Studies, and consequently it is a compulsory element in our sixth form curriculum. Generaly we are able to offer: - General Studies AS and A2 (for the sixth form) - General Studies GCSE (for selected year 10 pupils) - Critical Thinking AS and AEA (for selected sixth formers) - Latin GCSE - Astronomy GCSE (for lower sixth students) - Philosophy and Ethics Short GCSE (for selected year 9 pupils)

KS3

Philosophy and Ethics Short Course GCSE
Course Aims:

- To provide enriched education for the most able
- To develop skills of analysis and critical thinking
- To prepare students for AS and A2 GS and Critical Thinking examinations at Key Stage 5
- To improve the number of A* grades in other subjects

The Exam: To obtain the short GCSE you need to sit 1 exam paper in the summer of year 9.

Content: -

• The Nature of God and of Revelation
• Science and Religion
• Life after Death
• Good and Evil

KS4

GCSE General Studies - Course Aims:

- To provide enriched education for the most able
- To develop skills of analysis and critical thinking
- To prepare students for AS, A2 and AEA GS and Critical Thinking examinations at Key Stage 5
- To improve the number of A* grades in other subjects

The Exam:
To obtain GCSE General Studies, you need to sit 2 exam papers in the summer. There are 3 sections; Multiple Choice questions, Structured questions and Extended Writing on paper 1, and structured and extended writing based on material provided 2 months before on paper 2.

Content: - Maths
- Science
- Current affairs
- Sociology
- Religion

KS5

General Studies is an integral part of the school's sixth form provision. At present (2008-9) students embark on a 2 year course leading to the AQA AS and A2 examinations (specification A). General Studies is of educational value in that it broadens the education of all students, especially those specialising in three arts or three sciences. In Lower Sixth the GS course is designed to allow for appropriate levels of Key Skills provision, and the coverage consists of; ICT, Maths, Communication and Mentor Lessons (Examination and Study Skills) while in the upper sixth students have three lessons per fortnight covering Arts, Science and Social Science.

Starting from September 2009 it is expected that major changes will take place with students sitting AS and A2 in the lower sixth and using the time freed up in the upper sixth to work towards the Extended Project qualification.

Critical Thinking AS

The AS Critical thinking course is designed for the most able students in each year 10. The top 20 or so are invited to do the course, and are expected to agree to do so. The course offers an additional qualification valuable for those with ambitions to attend top Universities (including Oxbridge) and those who wish to study competitive subjects such as Medecine and Law.

Topics covered: The Nature of Arguments, Reasons & Conclusions, The Structure of Arguments, Assumptions, Evaluating Arguments, Flaws in Reasoning, Further Evidence, Evaluating Reasons and Arguments, Recognising Implications, Drawing Conclusions, Parallel Arguments, Applying Principles, Analysing Longer Passages, Past Paper Practice.

At the end of year 10 students sit the OCR AS examination unit 1 and if they are successful they complete unit 2 the following term, sitting the examination in January of year 11.

A2: With the withdrawal of the advanced extension award an opportunity to sit A2 will be offered to those students who do well at AS. They will need to undertake guided private study to be able to do this.

Latin GCSE

Students will follow a supported study course in the basic grammar and vocabulary for one year, then, if they choose to continue, they will devote the second year to the set texts and background information needed to pass the OCR exam.

Learning Latin remains a valuable part of any academic education. As well as the discipline of understanding an ancient language, the GCSE course offers an introduction to the great literature and civilisation of the classical world.

The Examination consists of four papers:

• Unseen translation
• Prose texts
• Verse texts
• Roman Life

Astronomy GCSE

For students in year 10 with a particular interest in Astronomy, we are able to offer a course which leads to the EDEXCEL GCSE. As well as a keen interest, potential students will also need good mathematical and ICT skills in order to understand the concepts and complete the coursework. The content of the specification is divided into 5 units: - Earth - Sun and Moon - Solar System - Stars and Galaxies - Telescopes and Observation

And there are two coursework tasks: - Task A: Observation of the stars or the Movement of the Sun - Task B: Plotting Stars and Planets using a spreadsheet The course is taught primarily by distance learning with weakly tutorials, and begins at the end of the summer term of year 9.