2026-2028 Curriculum & Options
Contents Introduction 3 Options Advice & Guidance 4 Your Journey 5 Labour Market Information 7 Careers Links 8 Key Stage 4 Bands 9 KS4 10 University 10 Compulsory Subjects 11 Options Subjects 12 Sections 1-2 Overview 13 Section 1: Compulsory Subjects 14 English Language GCSE 15 English Literature GCSE 16 Mathematics GCSE 17 PSHE 18 Religious Education GCSE 19 Science (Combined) GCSE 20 Section 2: Options Subjects 21 Art (Fine Art) GCSE 22 Art (3D Ceramics) GCSE 23 Business (BTEC Enterprise Tech Award) 24 Child Development (BTEC Tech Award) 25 Computer Science GCSE 26 Design & Technology GCSE 27 French GCSE 28 Geography GCSE 29 Health & Social (BTEC Tech Award) 30 History GCSE 31 Hospitality & Catering Vocational Award 32 ICT Technical Award 33 Music (BTEC Tech Award) 34 Physical Education GCSE 35 Science (Triple Award) GCSE 36
Introduction Options Timeline From September 2026, students will be preparing for their exams in 2028. At Our Lady's Catholic College, a number of subjects are compulsory for all pupils so they can continue to study a broad and balanced curriculum. However, in Year 9, students will have developed different interests and strengths, and students need to make option choices regarding the subjects they want to study in Key Stage 4, based on their achievements and aspirations. We will give students plenty of advice in school as they make their option choices and I hope you will find this booklet useful in guiding you through the curriculum in Years 10 & 11, the options process and the choices that students will have to make. Juliet Duncan Careers Lead February to March PSHE lessons in Careers March Careers Workshops in PSHE with Careers Advisor Mrs Mosey 2nd March Week beginning 11th March Careers Week - teachers will talk to students in lessons about their subjects at GCSE/BTEC and how this links to careers. Year 9 Assembly: Options Process 12th March (6pm) Options Evening - for Parents/Carers and Students in school. Options booklet available on the school website. Use this booklet to find out more details about each subject. 19th March Year 9 Parents’ Evening - book school appointments on Synergy. Online Options Form opens after Parents’ Evening, 9am Friday 20th Wednesday 25th March Deadline for completing the Options Form on the OLCC website. After Easter Options choices & timetable construction. Miss Duncan will speak to students if a subject does not have enough interest to run. Option choices will be confirmed for all students and parents informed.
Options Advice & Guidance The subjects you choose to study now will lay the foundation of your future career. With this in mind, you need to think about the following: What subjects are you good at? What subjects do you enjoy? What skills do you have? What grades do you need? Who can you ask for help? Do your research! Who can help you to make decisions about choices in school? Miss Duncan (Careers Lead) j.duncan@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Mrs Mosey (Careers Adviser) l.mosey@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Mr Thomson, Year 9 Progress Leader d.thomson@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Mrs Rowan, Year 9 Pastoral Support Officer s.rowan@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Mrs Bates, Head of Sixth Form (Sixth Form enquiries) a.bates@olcc.lancs.sch.uk You have reached an exciting and important time in your education. Over the next few weeks you will decide which subjects and qualifications you will study to lead you on to the next step of your education. You need to think about this very carefully as the decisions you make now can have an impact later on.
Your Journey Looking Ahead All school leavers in the UK have to take one of the following options after completing Year 11 in school: Continue in education at a Sixth Form Continue in education at a College Begin an Apprenticeship (work-based training) Everyone will stay in education or training until they are 18 years old. Choosing Your Subjects In some cases, you’ll need specific A-Levels/BTECs to get on certain university courses and therefore you’ll need specific GCSEs to do those A-Levels/BTECS. Most universities and colleges only accept GCSE pass grades of 4/5 - 9 for most degree courses. At OLCC, we accept 5 Level 4 GCSEs (or L2 BTEC equivalent), including English and Maths. Skills Even in times of uncertainty, we know that there are certain skills employers will look for in employees: Self Management Problem Solving Communication & Literacy Numeracy ICT skills Team Work Business & Customer Awareness Modern soft-skills that employers/universities want: Leadership Social influence Reflection & Goal Setting Positive Thinking & Confidence Humility & Openness Observation & Visualisation Emotional Control Perseverance Job University or Apprenticeship Sixth Form or College GCSE
Your Journey A plan of action - what career is this course going to help you get? Subject knowledge - do you know what you’re letting yourself in for? Apprenticeships What is an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experiences. Alongside onthe-job training, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing classroom-based learning with a college or training provider which leads to a nationally recognised qualification. What will Colleges/Sixth Forms be looking for? Predicted Grades (generally minimum of 5 GCSEs Grade 5 and up), especially in English & Maths. Some apprenticeships will require other grades (such as Engineering, which can require at least a Grade 5 or 6 in Science). Suitable skills & experience Will they be able to promote you to employers? A plan of action - what career is this apprenticeship going to lead to? Career knowledge - do you know what you’re letting yourself in for? Your CV - what can this show to employers? What are your options after you finish school? A-Levels What will Colleges/Sixth Forms be looking for? Predicted Grades (generally minimum of 5 GCSEs Grade 5 and up), especially in English & Maths. For OLCC, at least 5 Grade 4s including English or Maths. Certain subjects will also require Grade 5 or 6 and above in that subject such as the Sciences. A reason for your chosen combination of subjects (career, degree, favourite subjects...) Subject knowledge - do you know what you’re letting yourself in for? Vocational Courses What will Colleges/Sixth Forms be looking for? Predicted Grades (generally minimum of 5 GCSEs Grade 5 and up), especially in English & Maths. For OLCC, at least 5 Grade 4s including English or Maths. Suitable skills & experience Will you be able to handle the projects & placements? T-Levels What are T-Levels? T-Levels are an alternative to A-Levels, Apprenticeships and other 16 to 19 courses. Equivalent to 3 A-Levels, a T-Level focuses on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships. Each T-Level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days. Students get valuable experience in the workplace; employers get early sight of the new talent in their industry. T-Level students spend 80% of the course in the classroom, learning the skills that employers need. The other 20% is a meaningful industry placement, where they put these skills into action. T-Levels have been introduced in limited subject areas and the nearest places offering these qualifications are Lancaster & Morecambe, Kendal, Preston and Blackpool Colleges.
Labour Market Information Visitor Economy About 5,500 people work in this sector. Chefs and kitchen staff Waiting staff (servers, bar staff) Hotel receptionists and housekeepers Front-of-house managers Tour guides and visitor experience staff Advanced & Other Manufacturing Around 3,600 jobs locally, often technical or skilled. Production operatives Skilled trades (welders, machinists) Technical and engineering professionals Packing and processing roles Quality control and plant technicians Finance & Professional Services Around 9,000 people work in business-related roles. Accountants Administrators Marketing and legal support staff Business consultants IT and office support roles Human resources and recruitment roles In Lancaster & Morecambe, the sectors that employ the most people are: Education Health & Social Care Visitor Economy & Hospitality Finance, Professional & Business Services Retail Construction Advanced Manufacturing Transport & storage Creative & Digital Industries No one can predict all the jobs young people will be able to choose from in the 21st century, but here are just a few that are likely to be in demand over the next 15 years: Health & Social Care & Education By 2039 the number of people aged 75+ will have doubled meaning a huge demand for people to work in care. Hugely rewarding, these can be careers with plenty of opportunities to progress. Nurse, Care worker Epidemiologist - researching the cause and effects of viruses & diseases Teachers - numbers of children moving into secondary schools are growing but teachers (especially of physics, maths, computer science and languages) are in short supply. Construction & Environment We need to find new ways to build homes and work places that impact less on the environment and skilled workers will be needed to design and maintain renewable sources of energy. Carpenters and joiners Electricians Smart meter fitter - every home in the UK needs one! Countryside officer - protecting natural habitats and animal species Maintenance technician - more machines means more human maintenance Agronomist - expert in the science of soil management to improve crops for global food supply. Transport & Storage About 3,000 people work here. Jobs include: HGV / class-2 drivers Van, train and delivery drivers Warehouse operatives
Careers Links There are so many websites and online platforms to help with your choices that it can be confusing to know which ones to look at. Here is a list of reliable and credible careers resources that are used by careers professionals. Maths www.mathscareers.org.uk Science www.rsc.org/careers www.iop.org/careers www.intobiology.org.uk History www.history.org.uk/resources Geography www.rgs.org/careers Technology www.dba.org.uk/all-aboutdesign/careers-in-design Hospitality & Catering www.tastycareers.org.uk PE www.careers-in-sport.co.uk Health & Social Care nhscareersnw.co.uk www.healthcareers.nhs.uk Travel & Tourism tourismteacher.com/jobs-intravel-and-tourism Art www.creativeskillset.org/ creative_industries Music www.ukmusic.org Drama allaboutcareers.com/careers/ career-path/acting-drama Law www.lawcareers.net l2b.thelawyer.com Engineering www.theiet.org/career/routesto-engineering Public Services nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ job-categories/emergency-anduniform-services Apprenticeships www.apprenticeships.gov.uk General Sites www.icould.com www.successatschool.com www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ careers www.nationalcareersservice. gov.uk
Key Stage 4 Bands T Band (Mother Teresa) “Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” An inspirational figure who led an extraordinary Christian life and is truly a witness to the light of the Gospel. Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Macedonia in 1910, of Albanian descent. At the age of 12, she felt strongly the call of God and knew she had to be a missionary. At 18 she joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India. She taught in Calcutta, but the suffering and poverty she saw moved her to devote her life to working amongst the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta. She started her own order of nuns, 'The Missionaries of Charity', whose task was to love and care for those people nobody was prepared to look after. The order has spread around the world. They provide effective help to the poor in a number of countries across the world, as well as take care of alcoholics, homeless and AIDS sufferers. Mother Teresa died on 5th September 1997. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and was recognised by the church as a saint in 2016. In Key Stage 4 (Year 10 & Year 11) students will no longer be in S (Sienna) band or A (Assisi) band. At Our Lady's Catholic College we want our pupils to "become fully alive human beings who help create a society that serves the common good." To try and inspire our young people to do this, we have named our Year 10 Learning Pathways Teresa and Romero, named after our heroes of faith. R Band (Oscar Romero) "Aspire not to have more but to be more” Oscar Romero was born in a mountain town in El Salvador in 1917. He was the second of 7 children. When he was 13 he declared a vocation to the priesthood. In February 1977 he became archbishop of San Salvador - as Archbishop, he was a source of strength and hope for the poor and for the oppressed of his country, working with them and for them, taking their struggles as his own. Romero wrote and spoke passionately and publicly of the need for Christians to work for justice and the oppressed. As a result, he was frequently met with threats and danger from those who opposed his ideas. On March 24th 1980, while celebrating the Eucharist, Archbishop Romero was shot and killed at the altar by an assassin. Because of his courageous stand for justice, he became a martyr not only for poor Salvadorians but for all struggling to overcome oppression and poverty.
KS4 University Choosing Courses for University Universities look for students who not only have good grades but grades in the right subjects for the course they want to apply for If you know what you want to study at university, you should think about choosing subjects which give you the best possible preparation for your chosen course. Some A-Level subjects are more frequently required for entry to degree courses than others. We call these subjects ‘facilitating’, because choosing them at ALevel leaves open a wide range of options for university study. These subjects are: English, Geography, History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Languages and Maths. If you don’t know what you want to study at university then it’s a really good rule of thumb that taking two facilitating subjects will keep a wide range of degree courses open to you. Successful applicants are normally expected to achieve good grades in a range of subjects at GCSE or equivalent and to meet any specific requirements for their chosen course. Some universities publish a list of preferred A-Level subjects which are acceptable for general admission, as well as specific requirements for individual courses. Universities also accept BTEC Level 3 grades for entry into University. It’s important to check university websites very carefully for detailed GCSE requirements should you have a specific degree course in mind. We want to develop self-motivated and mature young people who enjoy learning. For all groups, we offer: Core subjects at GCSE to ensure good basic qualifications for all pupils Varied courses in both GCSE & BTEC Achievable and appropriate goals for everyone Courses that enable students to progress on to their chosen career path GCSE Courses All GCSE qualifications are examined at the end of the two year course. All GCSE subjects are graded on a nine-point scale from 9 - 1, where 9 is the highest grade. BTEC Courses BTECs are work-related qualifications providing a more practical, real-world approach to learning alongside a key theoretical background - we offer both A level and BTEC courses in our 6th Form. Students complete PSAs (Pearson-set assignments) throughout Years 10 and 11. These are assignments which contribute to the final BTEC mark. Student also complete an external exam. Students are graded with a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*.
Compulsory Subjects Compulsory Subjects All students in Year 10 will complete the following compulsory subjects: Careers is taught within PSHE lessons, across the curriculum and in drop-down days. Sex Education is included in PSHE, Biology and RE lessons. Compulsory Subjects with exams English Language GCSE English Literature GCSE Maths GCSE Combined Science GCSE (Separate Sciences must be taken with an Option) Religious Education GCSE Compulsory Subjects without exams Core PE Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and Careers
Options Subjects You will have three options choices: 1. One Option A Choice (plus reserve) 2. One Option B Choice (plus reserve) 3. One Option C Choice (plus reserve) Option Block A Option Block B Option Block C Art (Fine Art) GCSE Business BTEC Tech Award Geography GCSE Health & Social Care BTEC Tech Award Hospitality & Catering Vocational Award PE GCSE Separate Sciences GCSE (Higher) Separate Sciences GCSE (Foundation) Art (Fine Art) GCSE Business BTEC Tech Award Child Development BTEC Tech Award Design & Technology GCSE History GCSE ICT Vocational Award PE GCSE French GCSE Art (Ceramics) GCSE Business BTEC Tech Award Child Development BTEC Tech Award Computing GCSE French GCSE Geography GCSE History GCSE Health & Social Care BTEC Tech Award Music BTEC Tech Award Groups with low numbers may not run. We will consult students. Choices depend on progress and assessment in Year 9. Please ask at Parents’ Evening. Where numbers are high for an option, we often run two groups. In BTEC Technical Awards, PSA assignments take place over set periods. Full attendance is required for full completion.
Sections 1-2 Overview Section 1 In this section you will find information about the Compulsory Subjects which students will study during Years 10 & 11. Section 2 In this section you will find information about the Option Subjects. Completing the Options Form Please complete the option form carefully. Please discuss option choices at Parents’ Evening with subject teachers. If you have any further questions, please speak to Mr Thomson or Miss Duncan. It is essential that the options form is completed by Wednesday 25th March. The options form can be completed online via the school website: www.olcc.lancs.sch.uk
Section 1 Compulsory Subjects
English Language Future Careers Careers needing English are spread across a range of different industries such as: Law, Teaching, Human Resources, Clerical work, the Retail Trade, Media, the Civil Service, Hotels and Catering, Banking and Accountancy and Nursing. English is also important for those pupils wishing to continue into further and higher education. Assessment Component 1: 20th century prose reading & Prose writing (40%) Component 2: 19th and 21st century non-fiction reading & Transactional writing (60%) Component 3: Spoken Language (Unweighted) Contact Teacher Mrs Brown m.brown@olcc.lancs.sch.uk English Language is a Compulsory Subject. Course Title GCSE English Language Examination Board WJEC/Eduqas Specification/Code C700QS This GCSE in English language encourages learners to read fluently and write effectively. Throughout the course, students will learn to develop their creative writing skills as well as exploring a range of fiction and non-fiction texts from the 19th to 21st century. Students will sit un-tiered exams accessible to learners of different abilities. There are no separate papers for Foundation/Higher. Course content includes: 20th century prose reading: students will be required to read and analyse one prose text from the 20th Century. They will be assessed through a range of structured questions. Prose writing: students will complete one creative writing task selected from a choice of four titles. 19th and 21st century non-fiction reading: students will be required to read two extracts of high-quality non-fiction from the 19th and 21st centuries. They will be assessed through a range of structured questions. Transactional writing: students will be required to write two transactional pieces for a range of contexts and audiences. Spoken language: students will present a speech. This will include responses to questions and feedback. Achievement in Spoken Language will be reported as part of the qualification, but it will not form part of the final mark and grade.
English Literature Future Careers Careers needing English are spread across a range of different industries such as: Law, Teaching, Human Resources, Clerical work, the Retail Trade, Media, the Civil Service, Hotels and Catering, Banking and Accountancy and Nursing. English is also important for those pupils wishing to continue into further and higher education. Assessment Component 1: Shakespeare & Poetry from 1789 to the present date (40%) Component 2: Post-1914 Drama, 19th Century Prose & Unseen poetry from the 20th/21st century (60%) Contact Teacher Mrs Brown m.brown@olcc.lancs.sch.uk English Literature is a Compulsory Subject. Course Title GCSE English Literature Examination Board WJEC/Eduqas Specification/Code C720QS The GCSE in English literature encourages learners to develop knowledge and skills in reading, writing and critical thinking. It provides learners with opportunities to read widely for pleasure across a range of high quality texts in the genres of prose, poetry and drama and to develop an understanding of how literature is both rich and influential. It enables learners to make connections across their reading and develop a clear understanding of literary works and also prepares them for the study of literature at a higher level. Topics you will cover include: Shakespeare (Macbeth): students will study the Shakespeare play Macbeth and will answer one extract question and one essay based question. Poetry from 1789 to the present date: students will answer two questions based on poems from the Eduqas anthology, one of which involves comparison. Post-1914 Drama (An Inspector Calls): students will answer one source-based question on a post 1914 prose/drama text. 19th Century Prose (A Christmas Carol): students will answer one source-based question on a 19th century prose text. Unseen poetry from the 20th/21st Century: students will answer two questions on unseen poetry, one of which involves comparison.
Mathematics Assessment Paper 1: Non-Calculator Paper 2: Calculator Paper 3: Calculator In GCSE Maths, two tiers are available: Foundation (maximum Grade 5) or Higher. Each student is permitted to take assessments in either the Foundation tier or Higher tier and the qualification consists of three equally-weighted written examination papers at either tier. All three papers must be at the same tier of entry and must be completed in the same assessment series. Contact Teacher Mr Ip s.ip@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Mathematics is a Compulsory Subject. Course Title GCSE Mathematics Examination Board Edexcel Specification/Code 1MA1 GCSE Mathematics is an interesting and varied subject that is considered vital by many employers and further education providers. Studying maths helps you find patterns and structure in our lives. Practically, maths helps us put a price on things, create websites, build everything from the smallest nano-robots to the biggest mega structures and generally understand how things work or predict how they might change over time and under different conditions. There is no civilisation without maths. During this course, you will study and develop knowledge in the following topic areas: Number Algebra Ratio, proportion and rates of change Geometry and measures Probability Statistics Future Careers A Maths GCSE can open doors and lead to many different future pathways, including a career as a Software Developer, Chartered Accountant, Data Scientist. Auditor, Statistician, Quantity Surveyor, Actuary, Financial Analyst, Economist, Teacher or Lecturer.
Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education Future Careers In PD, students develop values which contribute positively towards their character such as resilience, determination, empathy and how to hold a respectful discussion. There is no set career pathway from studying PD, but we allow the students to think about their career and post-16 pathways in great depth. Assessment Students do not study this subject for a specific qualification; however as part of our in house quality assurance we do very short assessments at the end of each unit which not only checks for their understanding of key definitions/laws but will give them an opportunity to assess and manage risk in a scenario situation. Contact Teacher Miss Duncan j.duncan@olcc.lancs.sch.uk PSHE is a Compulsory Subject. Course Title PSHE Examination Board - Specification/Code - Students will study PSHE for one hour per fortnight during KS4. This subject allows them to develop their character through lessons which teach about respect, tolerance, resilience and determination. The subject also helps students to think about the future; looking at potential careers and how to achieve them; creating their first CV and understanding how finances work in adult life. They will also have the opportunity to look at the stresses they feel they are under now and could be in the future; ways to develop coping strategies and where to seek support if and when required. Topics you will cover include: Health & Wellbeing - covers topics from puberty, mental health, healthy lifestyles and diet choices. Relationships - covers romantic, friendships and online relationships; parenthood and family relationships. Online safety - looks at the challenges people face with the ever growing social media platforms and how to keep themselves and others safe; and how their digital footprint can have implications as they become adults. Careers & Finance - gives the students the opportunity to think about which careers they are interested in and how to enter those careers; looks at post-16 education settings and how to apply for jobs and course.
Religious Education Future Careers A GCSE in Religious Education helps to develop multiple important skills and values, such as critical analysis skills, appraising evidence, writing from divergent perspectives, assessing impact, weighing moral choices, concern for the greater good, service to our community and protection of others. This can lead to a number of career areas, including law (solicitor, barrister, judge), police, politics (national and local) and journalism. Assessment Paper 1: Catholic Christianity (50%) Paper 2: Judaism (25%) Paper 3: Philosophy & Ethics (25%) Contact Teacher Mrs Edet j.edet@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Religious Education is a Compulsory Subject. Course Title Religious Education Examination Board Edexcel Specification/Code 1RA0ZS Religious Education allows students to gain a deeper insight into the Catholic faith, which is the biggest denomination of Christianity and part of the biggest religion in the world with nearly 2 billion followers universally. Students will study the beliefs, traditions, authority figures and forms of expression within the world today for 50% of their GCSE grade. This includes the influence the Catholic Church has had on the legal system, the organisation of society in Britain, the world of art and modern music. In addition, students will look to reflect on their own beliefs about religion and God and look at the arguments for the existence of God where they will debate the evidence available from science. Students will develop critical analysis skills and evaluation skills as they explore the quality and impact experience & evidence have to change beliefs towards God and away from him. Topics you will cover include: Catholic Christianity: Beliefs, Practices, Sources of Wisdom & Forms of Expression Judaism: Beliefs & Practices Philosophy & Ethics: Arguments for God and Marriage & Family
Science (Combined) Assessment All examinations will be sat at the end of Year 11. There are six 70-minute examinations. There are 16 required practicals (although we will carry out more than this!) 15% of the exam questions will be based upon the required practicals. Contact Teacher Mrs K Oktem k.oktem@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Science (Combined) is a Compulsory Subject. Course Title GCSE Combined Science Examination Board Edexcel Specification/Code 1SCO All pupils will study Edexcel GCSE Combined Science, receiving two GCSE awards at the end of Year 11. All specifications contain elements of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There is an emphasis on the study of scientific skills and understanding. Topics you will cover include: Homeostasis and response Inheritance, variation and evolution Chemical changes Chemical analysis Forces Energy There will also be a significant emphasis on practical work in the investigation of associated theories. Future Careers Combined Science GCSE develops a wide range of transferrable skills that can lead into many different careers. These are skills such as; problem solving, data analysis, lab skills and teamwork. Careers sectors include medical, engineering, manufacturing, transport and education - to name just a few!
Section 2 Options Subjects
Art (Fine Art) GCSE Future Careers Students who study GCSE Fine Art are well placed to continue on to a wide range of further and higher education courses and enter the vast Creative Industries sector. Previous students have gone on to study Fine Art, Architecture, Fashion & Textile design, Illustration at local further education providers and nation-wide universities including Goldsmiths School of Art in London. Assessment Component 1: Portfolio (60%) - Produce a sustained project and a selection of further work that represents the course of study Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (40%) - Features seven tasks and you have to complete one of them. You get preparation time, plus ten hours of supervised time. Contact Teacher Miss Wharton s.wharton@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Art is an Options Subject. Course Title GCSE Art Examination Board AQA Specification/Code 8202 If you enjoy being creative, want to increase your practical skills and improve your research abilities, Fine Art is a great choice. Art and design is a way of seeing things and making sense of the world around you. It can help you with further study and prepare you for the world of work. You’ll look at different approaches to art and use lots of different media, techniques and materials. Fine art explores ideas, conveys experiences and you will respond to a theme set by your teacher. The areas of study are very broad and cover drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media. Alongside improving your practical expertise, you’ll learn how to: Develop, refine and record your ideas Present a personal response that realises your intentions Improve your creative skills through the effective and safe use of media, materials, techniques, processes and technologies Successfully use visual language and the formal elements (e.g. colour, line, form, shape, tone, texture) Use drawing skills for different needs and purposes
Art (3D Ceramics) GCSE Assessment Component 1: Portfolio (60%) Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (40%) GCSE Ceramics is entirely practical with no written exam. The only written element is in the form of annotation in students’ sketchbook. Component 1 is the coursework unit and takes the form of a Portfolio of work comprising of two main projects and other supporting work. Component 2 is set by the exam board. Students have a choice of 7 or 8 starting points from which to develop their own response. They have a preparatory period of 3 months followed by 10 hours of supervised time in which to produce a final outcome. Contact Teacher Miss Wharton s.wharton@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Art is an Options Subject. Course Title GCSE Art (Ceramics) Examination Board AQA Specification/Code 8205 Ceramics is an art-based subject, which is ideal for students who are willing to experiment with clay and enjoy creating three dimensional pieces. Students will learn the skills to manipulate and construct with clay, whilst they develop an understanding of how other artists and craftspeople work. Students can make and create; sculptural, decorative and functional clay pieces using their hands. During the course you will: Learn skills and experiment with techniques to complete two projects over the course, by slab building, coiling, modelling and adding colour to clay. Learn a variety of construction, modelling and decorative methods through workshops. Create an individual ceramic piece developed from your research, drawing and design ideas. Sketchbooks are used throughout the course and are assessed alongside the clay pieces. Future Careers Students who study GCSE Three dimensional design are well placed to continue on to a wide range of further and higher education courses and enter the vast Creative Industries sector, such as architect, community arts, art therapist, sculptor, animator, set designer, to name a few.
Business Studies (BTEC Enterprise Tech Award qualification) Future Careers Business Studies equips students with a varied and thorough skill-set that can be used to attain employment for various job roles within a wide range of different industries from the building trade to the executive boardroom. You will examine a wide variety of businesses and industries which may inspire you to quickly climb the employment ladder, or even start a business of your own. Assessment Component 1: Exploring Enterprises (30%) Component 2: Planning and pitching a micro-enterprise (30%) Component 3: Marketing and Finance for Enterprise (40%) Component 1 and Component 2 are done in school as controlled assessment and this is worth 60% of the overall grade. Contact Teacher Mr Watson p.watson@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Course Title BTEC Enterprise Examination Board Edexcel Specification/Code REN3 Enterprise at OLCC will be delivered in active learning environments where the students are valued as individuals and encouraged to be proactive in their learning. Students will have the opportunity to learn about marketing campaigns and plan and pitch business ideas. They will learn about business finance and the practical implications around this. They will also find out what it takes to become an entrepreneur and be successful in business. Topics you will cover include: Examine different enterprises to understand the features of enterprises and the skills and characteristics needed by entrepreneurs. Plan and pitch a micro–enterprise activity to an audience. Use feedback and market research to create a business plan. Explore the different promotional methods used by enterprises and understand the factors that influence how enterprises identify and target their market. Evaluate the reasons for an enterprises success by analysing financial documents.
Child Development (BTEC Tech Award qualification) Assessment Component 1: Children’s Growth and Development (30%) Component 2: Learning Through Play (30%) Component 3: Supporting Children to Play, Learn and Develop (40%) This assessment structure allows you to balance the demands of an exam with written assignments throughout the course. Contact Teacher Mrs Park c.park@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Child Development is an Options Subject. Course Title BTEC Child Development Examination Board Edexcel Specification/Code RCD3 Child Development focuses on applied knowledge and understanding of child development and growth up to the age of five, how children learn through play and how meeting the needs of individual children will support their development, play and learning. You will develop practical skills applied to real life contexts and work situations, think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically, critically and develop independence and confidence in using skills that are relevant to the sector and more widely. During the course you will: Investigate the factors affecting growth and development of children from birth to five years old. Develop an understanding of how play activities can influence children’s learning between the ages of birth and five years old. Explore how a child learns and develops and how to adapt activities to support the inclusion of all children in play. Future Careers This course offers a progressive route to further related study on vocational qualifications in Child Development (BTEC Level 3 AAQ or T Level), apprenticeships or employment. Future career opportunities are wide and varied in the child development sector including early years practitioner, paediatric nursing, social work, youth work, primary school teaching and play therapy.
Computer Science GCSE Future Careers The UK IT sector currently has an enormous skills gap where there are more jobs than qualified applicants. Computer Science has links to many careers with IT becoming increasingly linked with everything we do, even if your job does not involve IT expertise directly, having a knowledge of Computer Science is valuable in most careers. Careers that are directly linked to Computer Science include: Web Design, Software Developer, Network Security, Robotics Engineer, Cloud Developers, Data Scientists, Games Design, Network Manager, Systems Analyst and IT Support Technician. Assessment Component 1 – Computer System (50%) Component 2 – Computational thinking, algorithms and programming (50%) Contact Teacher Mrs Couling m.couling@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Computer Science is an Options Subject. Course Title GCSE Computer Science Examination Board OCR Specification/Code J277 Computer Science gives you an opportunity to investigate how computers work, how they are used and allows you to develop computer programming skills. You will also do in-depth research and practical work. This is a demanding, academic subject, where much of the theory is completed through practice, such as creating computer programs and algorithms, with many problem solving activities along the way. This course is heavily reliant on Mathematics. The course is split into two units: Component 1: Computer systems This unit introduces students to the central processing unit (CPU), computer memory and storage, data representation, wired and wireless networks, network topologies, system security and system software. It also looks at ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns associated with computer science. Component 2: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming Students apply knowledge and understanding gained in component 1. They develop skills and understanding in computational thinking: algorithms, programming techniques, producing robust programs, computational logic and translators. Practical programming Students have the opportunity to complete programming tasks which allows them to develop their skills to design, write, test and refine programs using Python. Students will be assessed on these skills during the written examinations, in particular component 2.
Design & Technology GCSE Future Careers A GCSE in Design and Technology can be used to gain a place on all A 'Level, Vocational or Apprenticeship courses. A ‘Level Product Design is offered at OLCC. You can use this qualification to go directly into a D&T related career or as a stepping stone onto any other subject. Potential direct careers are; Product Designer, Biomedical Engineer, 3D Printing Construction, Animator, Sportswear Designer, Architect, Games Designer, Industrial Design, Structural Engineer, Marketing, Army or RAF. Assessment Written Exam All of Year 10 practical and theory work is assessed and regular feedback is given to pupils. The year 10 evidence builds pupils knowledge, skills and independence to complete the NEA in year 11. Contact Teacher Mr Scott j.scott@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Design & Technology is an Options Subject. Course Title GCSE Design & Technology Examination Board AQA Specification/Code 8552 GCSE Design & Technology is the subject of the future. Gone are the days of ‘woodwork’ as pupils learn to create exciting new products and develop a range of skills covering research, design, modelling and manufacturing, using 2D and 3D Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing, including laser cutting and 3D printing. Through D&T pupils experience how to design products that meet the needs of others, developing knowledge of issues of sustainability along with understanding the applications for a wide range of manufacturing processes, traditional and modern materials. GCSE D&T builds on KS3 pupils expertise, increasing their skills of independence, resilience, team building, analytical skills and enterprise. Pupils also develop their cross-curricular knowledge such as analytical English writing, the creative skills of Art, the science behind materials and the understanding of sustainability and the global impact of products connected to Geography. Content for the course includes: Core Technical principles- new and emerging technology, energy generation, new materials, mechanical devices Specialist technical principles- forces and stresses, ecological and social footprint, working with materials, scales of production, electronics, ethical factors Designing and making principles- designing for different users, tolerances, processes and specialist techniques, modelling, CADCAM.
French GCSE Assessment Component 1: Listening (25%) Component 2: Speaking (25%) Component 3: Reading (25%) Component 4: Writing (25%) Contact Teacher Mrs Lopez c.lopez@olcc.lancs.sch.uk French is an Options Subject. Course Title GCSE French Examination Board AQA Specification/Code 8652 French GCSE covers a wide range of topics and grammar which give you the tools to express yourself in written and spoken conversation. Languages give you the edge because they’re academically rigorous and challenging to learn and therefore not mastered by many. In applying ourselves to a second language, we improve our aptitude for study itself, especially our listening and communication abilities. Throughout the two years you will cover a wide range of different topics including: Family and relationships School and employment Hometown and region Free time & holidays Celebrity culture Future Careers A Language is useful in many areas of employment. Many universities offer languages in conjunction with other subjects such as Science, Humanities and Law. In addition students are often offered the chance to do work placements abroad. A language can open the door to new horizons and exciting possibilities in many sectors such as tourism, education, entrepreneurship, healthcare and much more besides.
Geography GCSE Assessment Component 1: Investigating Geographical Issues (40%) Component 2: Problem Solving Geography (30%) Component 3: Applied Fieldwork Enquiry (30%) The applied fieldwork exam will examine students on their 2 days of compulsory fieldwork, testing them on the methods that they used, hypothesis they set and also their findings. There will be a specific focus of the exam so the fieldwork locations will change each year accordingly. Contact Teacher Mrs Wane l.wane@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Geography is an Options Subject. Course Title GCSE Geography (Spec B) Examination Board WJEC/Eduqas Specification/Code C112QS Geography at GCSE level presents an issue- based, investigative approach to Geography which combines class work and fieldwork whilst informing pupils about real world issues and problems. This new syllabus encourages students to ‘think like geographers’. Throughout the two years you will cover a wide range of different topics including: Urbanisation in contrasting global cities. A global perspective of development issues. Shaping of the land through rivers and coasts Climate Change Ecosystems under threat. Water management and desertification Future Careers Due to Geography being such a varied subject, in which students develop a large number of transferrable skills, there are a wide range of career paths that students can take. Employers and universities alike both acknowledge the wide variety of skills and knowledge that geographers have. Careers include planning, armed services, surveying, cartography, travel and tourism, education, medicine, business and industry.
Health & Social Care (BTEC Tech Award qualification) Assessment Component 1: Human Lifespan Development (30%) Component 2: Health and Social Care Services and Values (30%) Component 3: Health and Wellbeing (40%) This assessment structure allows you to balance the demands of an exam with written assignments throughout the course. Contact Teacher Mrs Park c.park@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Health & Social Care is an Options Subject. Course Title BTEC Health & Social Care Examination Board Edexcel Specification/Code RHS3 Health & Social Care introduces essential knowledge and understanding for health and social care practitioners, giving an understanding of health and social care services and skills common to the sector. You will develop practical skills applied to real life contexts while developing confidence in using a wide range of transferable skills. During the course you will: Explore different aspects of growth and the factors and life events that can affect this across life stages, while examining how individuals cope with and are supported through changes caused by life events. Study health and social care services and how they meet the needs of service users, including the skills, attributes and values required when giving care. Explore the factors that affect health and wellbeing, learning about physiological and lifestyle indicators and person-centred approaches to make recommendations to improve an individual’s health and wellbeing. Future Careers This course offers a progressive route to further related study on vocational qualifications in Health and Social Care (BTEC Level 3 AAQ or T Level), apprenticeships or employment. Future career opportunities are wide and varied in the health and social care sectors including care work, child care, counselling, nursing, paramedic, social work, teaching and occupational therapy.
History Assessment Paper 1: Medicine in Britain 1250 – present (30%) Paper 2: Early Elizabethan England 1558-88 (20%) Superpower Relations and the Cold War (20%) Paper 3: Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-39 (30%) Students will have 5 lessons of history a fortnight. You’ll be well equipped with textbooks and course materials, and there’ll be lots of advice and practice on writing essays and answering exam questions. There’ll be plenty of audio-visual stimulus and a strong focus on primary evidence and the views of different historians. Contact Teacher Mr Howarth d.howarth@olcc.lancs.sch.uk History is an Options Subject. Course Title GCSE History Examination Board Edexcel Specification/Code 1HIO If you’ve enjoyed History in years 7-9 you’ll really enjoy History at GCSE. It’s an interesting and challenging course with very enjoyable topics and a nice balance of modern and pre-20th Century history. Expect to do lots of reading and writing, and lots of hard work – there’s plenty to learn! Students will study four main topics, spread over three exams. Topics you will cover include: Superpower Relations and the Cold War as a ‘Period Study’, studied in Y10. Medicine in Britain 1250 – present. This is a ‘Thematic Study’ including a focus on a specific ‘Historic Environment’ - the Western Front in WW1 1914-18. This unit is studied in Y10. Early Elizabethan England 1558-88 as a ‘British Depth Study’, studied in Y11. Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-39 as a ‘Modern Depth Study’, studied in Y11. Future Careers History GCSE allows you to develop your critical thinking, independence, research skills, analysis, evaluation, discussion and communication. These skills are highly sought after and valued by Universities and Employers alike. The skills and knowledge you will acquire can support other parts of your learning. History students go on to a variety of careers in law, journalism, business, education and archaeology.
Hospitality & Catering Vocational Award Assessment Unit 1: Written Exam (40%) Unit 2: Complete an assignment where you will plan and prepare a menu in response to a brief (60%) Throughout this course, you will learn and develop a number of key skills including communication, confidence, independent learning, organisation, problem solving, research, self-discipline, stamina, taking on responsibility and time management. Contact Teacher Mrs Cliff d.cliff@olcc.lancs.sch.uk Hospitality & Catering is an Options Subject. Course Title Hosp. & Catering Voc. Award Examination Board WJEC Specification/Code 5409 Ever wondered what it takes to work in a top hotel or restaurant? Does food and discovering new flavours in the kitchen inspire you? Maybe you’re interested in developing the skills you need to work front of house? If so, it’s time to find out more about this exciting qualification! Unit 1: The Hospitality & Catering Industry. Learn about the hospitality and catering industry, the types of hospitality and catering providers and about working in the industry. Learn about health and safety, and food safety in hospitality and catering, as well as food related causes of ill health. Unit 2: Hospitality & Catering in Action. Learn about the importance of nutrition and how cooking methods can impact on nutritional value. Learn how to plan nutritious menus as well as factors which affect menu planning. You will learn the skills and techniques needed to prepare, cook and present dishes as well as learning Future Careers The hospitality industry offers a wide range of exciting career opportunities including Chef de Partie, Commis Chef, Concierge, Executive Chef, Front of House Manager, Head Waiter, Housekeeper, Maître d’hôte, Pastry Chef, Receptionist and Sous Chef.
ICT Technical Award Future Careers The UK IT sector currently has an enormous skills gap where there are more jobs than qualified applicants. This subject has links to many careers with IT becoming increasingly linked with everything we do, even if your job does not involve IT expertise directly, having a knowledge of IT is valuable in most careers. Careers that are directly linked to ICT include: Web Design, Software Developer, Network Security, Cloud Developers, Games Design, Information Scientist and IT Support Technician. Assessment Unit 1: IT in Society - On-screen exam paper (40%) Unit 2: IT in Context - Controlled assessment (60%) Contact Teacher Mrs Couling m.couling@olcc.lancs.sch.uk ICT Technical Award is an Options Subject. Course Title ICT Technical Award Examination Board WJEC Specification/Code 5539 At Our Lady’s we recognise the importance of having great IT skills for any future career. Our Technical Award in ICT will develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the ICT sector and provide them with opportunities to develop associated practical skills. It covers ICT in Society; allowing learners to explore the wide range of uses of hardware, application and specialist software, and ICT in context; introducing learners to a broad working knowledge of software applications, automated documents and images. Unit 1: IT in Society. In this unit students explore how digital technology impacts on the lives of individuals, organisations and society. Students will develop awareness of the risks that are inherent in using IT and the features of safe, secure and responsible practice. Unit 2: IT in Context. This is a practical unit; students will broaden and enhance their IT skills and capability. Students will work with a range of digital tools and techniques to produce effective IT solutions in a range of contexts.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODA2Njk=