The Core Subjects are compulsory. You can find out more about the Core Subjects by clicking on any of the subject names in the list below. ESL is the alternative to English Language for non-native speakers.
Exam board and specification code: Pearson Edexcel 4EA1
Using a wide range of both classic and contemporary fiction and non-fiction texts respectively, you will develop your ability to read, understand and analyse how writers use language to communicate their ideas and influence readers to think and feel in certain ways. You will also be given plenty of opportunities to develop a variety of different writing styles: critical, imaginative and transactional.
One written examination, worth 60% of your final grade, which you will take at the end of the course and two coursework assignments, worth 40%, that you will produce over the course of Years 10 and 11.
Paper 1 – Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing (2 hours 15 minutes)
Section A: Reading requires you to answer a mixture of short and long answer questions related to one non-fiction text from Part 1 of the Pearson Edexcel, IGCSE, English A Anthology and one previously unseen extract.
Section B: Transactional Writing requires you to respond to one written task, from a choice of two,by producing a piece of writing of a certain genre (e.g. article, speech or letter) for a targeted audience, to achieve a specific purpose.
Part 1 Anthology Passages
Coursework Assignments – Poetry and Prose Fiction and Imaginative Writing
Assignment A: Critical Response requires you to write a critical analysis of three texts from Part 3 of the Pearson Edexcel, IGCSE, English A Anthology.
Assignment B: Imaginative Writing requires you to produce a piece of creative writing in response to virtually any stimulus.
Part 2 Anthology Passages
A basic entry requirement for most post-16 courses is a pass in GCSE English Language. You need this qualification in order to progress to the next stage in your education.
The course also gives you the skills you need to read, understand and question texts in other subjects and in the world beyond school.
Mr. Iannone, Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning) and Head of English or speak to your English teacher.
Edexcel IGCSE English Language Website
Exam board & specification code: Pearson Edexcel 4ET1
One written examination, worth 60% of your final grade, which you will take at the end of the course and two coursework assignments, worth 40%, that you will produce over the course of Years 10 and 11.
Paper 1 – Poetry and Modern Prose (2 hours)
Section A: Unseen Poem requires you to read and write a critical essay on a previously unseen poem, produced for you in the exam.
Section B: Anthology Poetry requires you to write a comparative critical essay on two poems you have studied from Part 3 of the Pearson Edexcel, IGCSE, English A Anthology.
Section C: Modern Prose requires you to write a critical essay on a prose work you will have studied in class.
Coursework Assignments – Modern Drama and Literary Heritage
Assignment A: Modern Drama requires you to write a critical essay on a modern play you will have studied in class.
Assignment B: Literary Heritage requires you to write a critical essay on a classic novel or play you will have studied in class.
Part 3 Anthology Poems
If- Rudyard Kipling
Prayer Before Birth Louis MacNiece
Blessing Imtiaz Dharker
Search For My Tongue Sujata Bhatt
Half-past Two U A Fanthorpe
Piano D H Lawrence
Hide and Seek Vernon Scannell
Sonnet 116 William Shakespeare
La Belle Dame sans Merci John Keats
Poem at Thirty-Nine Alice Walker
War Photographer Carol Ann Duffy
The Tyger William Blake
My Last Duchess Robert Browning
Half-caste John Agard
Do not go gentle into that good night Dylan Thomas
Remember Christina Rosetti
The English Literature course is highly regarded and provides a sound foundation for the future study of any literature course at either IB or A Level. It helps you to develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, analysis, empathy and the ability to infer meaning from texts. Having a qualification in English Literature is important for those who want to pursue careers in publishing, advertising, marketing, the law, journalism, the media, teaching, writing, the theatre, psychology and any other career in which you deal with people.
The course also gives you the skills you need to read, understand and question texts in other subjects and in the world beyond school.
Mr. Iannone, Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning) and Head of English or speak to your English teacher.
Exam board & specification code: Edexcel IGCSE Mathematics 4Ma1
Mathematics at IGCSE gives a broad overview of mathematical skills that are required for general life and further study. The course is divided into four areas: Number, Algebra, Geometry and Statistics. The course is built upon the knowledge and skills acquired in years 7 to 9. The IGCSE is available at both Higher tier and Foundation tier. Your tier of entry will be decided toward the end of the first year of study.
There is no coursework in mathematics so grades are allocated by two examination papers at the end of year 11. Both papers in this course allow you to use a calculator.
Mathematics at IGCSE is designed to give you the skills that both support your learning in other subjects and prepare you for further study in a broad range of disciplines.
Mr Vickery, the Head of Mathematics, or your Teacher of Maths
Exam board & specification code: AQA 8461
Biology is the study of all life on Earth. The GCSE course comprises seven topics which look at living organisms from a variety of perspectives. The initial topics focus on the cells from which all organisms consist, the molecules that are involved in the chemical reactions that occur within these cells, and how cells are organised into tissues and organ systems. Later topics centre on the inheritance of genetic material, the evolution of species, and how organisms interact with each other in their environment.
Two exam papers which are both 1 hour 45 minutes in length.
Paper 1: Topics 1-4
Paper 2: Topics 5-7
You will complete ten ‘required practicals’ in the lab. The practical skills you develop when undertaking these ‘required practicals’, and other lab based investigations, are assessed in some of the questions on the exam papers.
The AQA GCSE course provides a sound platform for post-16 study. A science subject is compulsory for the IB Diploma and a significant number of students opt to study IB Biology at either Standard or Higher Level each year. The course also provides ideal preparation for the IB Sport, exercise and health science subject option at IB.
Biology is an important subject for those who aim to pursue a career in medicine or an allied profession. It is also a highly relevant subject for a wide range of careers including forensic science, environmental science, sport science and biochemical research.
Mr Joe Davies, Head of Biology, or your Teacher of Biology
Biology Department Website (can only be accessed with a Scarborough College account)
Exam board & specification code: AQA 8462
GCSE Chemistry is a challenging but ultimately rewarding course that develops your scientific skills and knowledge. The AQA course covers a range of topics, from The Periodic Table to Chemical Changes, from the causes of change in the Earth’s Atmosphere to how well we use the Earth’s resources. You willl discover how the study of chemistry impacts our understanding of everything in the world around us. There are ten topics in the syllabus with the majority of them building upon the work that you have done in Years 7 to 9.
Two examination papers which are both 1 hour 45 minutes in length.
Paper 1: Topics 1 – 5
Paper 2: Topics 6 – 10
You will complete eight ‘required practicals’ in the lab. The practical skills you will develop when undertaking these ‘required practicals’, and other lab based investigations, are assessed in some of the questions on the examination papers.
The AQA GCSE course provides a sound platform for post-16 study. A science subject is compulsory for the IB Diploma with a good number of students opting to study IB Chemistry at either Standard or Higher Level each year. Chemistry is an essential subject for those who aim to pursue a career in medicine or veterinary science as well as many other careers, both in and out of the lab. There are countlless interesting and rewarding science-based jobs available, in research, outdoors or in other industries you might not even have considered.
Mr Harvey, Head of Chemistry, or your Teacher of Chemistry
Chemistry Department Website (can only be accessed with a Scarborough College account)
Exam board & specification code: AQA 8463
Physics is the study of matter, and its movement through space and time. You will study everything from subatomic particles at the very smallest scale to galaxies and the structure of the universe at the largest.
The course covers eight broad topics, each of which looks at a different aspect of physics:
Energy and Energy Resources
Electricity
Particle Model of Matter
Atomic Structure and Radiation
Forces
Waves
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Space Physics
Two examination papers which are both 1 hour 45 minutes in length.
Paper 1: Topics 1-4
Paper 2: Topics 5-8
You will complete ten ‘required practicals’ in the lab. The practical skills you develop when undertaking these ‘required practicals’, and other lab based investigations, are assessed in some of the questions on the examination papers.
The AQA GCSE course provides a sound platform for post-16 study. A science subject is compulsory for the IB Diploma and a number of students opt to study IB Physics at either Standard or Higher Level each year.
Physics is the basis of many other sciences, and is particularly important for those who wish to go on to study any form of engineering. It is also a highly relevant subject for a range of careers including those in the energy resource industry and financial sector.
Mr White, Head of Physics, or your Teacher of Physics
Physics Department Website (can only be accessed with a Scarborough College account)
Exam board & specification code: Pearson Edexcel iGCSE: English as a Second Language
What will I study?
If English is not your native language, this may be an appropriate course for you instead of the AQA English Language course. You will be given opportunities to communicate formally and informally in a range of contexts, and to increase the range of texts you can read, understand and discuss.Throughout the course, you will work on improving your grammar and developing your vocabulary as you study a range of topics and practise the four language skills.
Speaking
You will participate in class discussions and deliver presentations.
Listening
You will develop your listening skills using both audio and video resources, as well as participating in class discussions and answering questions.
Reading
You wil read a range of texts created for a variety of different purposes and audiences.
Writing
You will develop your writing skills by creating a variety of different text types including articles, reports, emails, letters and summaries.
This course measures achievement against many of the benchmarks of Levels B1-C1 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
How will I be assessed?
Two examinations at the end of the course.
Paper 1 (2 hours)
Reading and Writing
Paper 2 (50 minutes)
Listening
What are the progression opportunities?
This course builds a strong foundation if you want to progress to further study in English-speaking environments, both sixth form and university. It is also a great course if you want to become a more confident user of English before you return to your native country.
Who can I contact if I need more information?
