Aim

The GCSE course consists of activities that develop the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. All skills are examined separately at the end of Year 11 and each skill is worth 25% of the overall GCSE grade. There is no coursework or controlled assessment as part of this new curriculum.

Topics covered

The topics they will study throughout Key Stage 4 are the following: 

• Identity and culture: Family, friends, technology, free time, customs and traditions
• Local, national, and international areas of interest: Home, town, social issues, global issues, travel and tourism
• Current and future study and employment: School life, my studies, education post-16, jobs, career choices and ambitions

Assessment

Students will take an exam paper in each of the following skills highlighted below. There are both foundation and higher papers in each skill, although students are not allowed to mix entries between skills, so they will be entered for all foundation, or all higher. There will also be mock GCSE speaking exams in Year 10 and Year 11 to prepare students for the rigours of these exams. 

• Listening: 25% of final mark (by examination at the end of Year 11)
• Reading: 25% of final mark (by examination at the end of Year 11)
• Speaking: 25% of final mark (by examination at the end of Year 11)
• Writing: 25% of final mark (by examination at the end of Year 11)