GCSE

GCSE Curriculum

Core Subjects

The core subjects studied by all pupils in A and O Block are English, Mathematics, Physics,
Chemistry, Biology, and a core modern foreign language (either French, German or Spanish). Each
week, all pupils will also have a time table lesson in PSHCE

Optional Subjects

In addition to the core subjects, three other subjects are chosen from the following: Art, Business,
Classical Civilization, Design and Technology, Drama, French (as a second modern foreign
language), Geography, History, Latin, Music, Physical Education and Religious Studies.

Choosing GCSE Subjects

During the Lent term of B Block, each pupil discusses possible GCSE choices with a wide variety
of staff at Repton: teachers, heads of academic departments, tutors and Housemasters and
Housemistresses. Each pupil will provide an initial indication of choice of subjects so that the
process of timetabling can begin. Timetable constraints will prevent a completely free choice of
GCSE courses, so a provisional column structure is then produced and pupils will make their final
choice of subjects based on that column structure, as amended from time to time. Whilst we
naturally attempt to satisfy the desired combination of courses chosen by each individual pupil, we
are not able to guarantee that every combination can be made available. Moreover, we may not offer
a course if the number of pupils opting to take that subject is low.

The choice of the optional GCSEs is important and should not be based solely on the pupil’s
likes and dislikes. Each pupil should select a combination of subjects appropriate to his or her
academic abilities. He or she should also take into account future plans for the Sixth Form and
beyond.

A very high GCSE points average is essential for entry to some courses at the more prestigious
universities, and it may be that some GCSE subjects are considered to provide a more rigorous
preparation for further study than others.

Unless there are good reasons for not so doing, each pupil is advised to choose at least one
Humanities subject (Classical Civilization, Geography, History or Religious Studies). There are
some subjects which have a high practical content and a pupil should only choose these if he or
she is capable of performing well in them.

The Deputy Head (Academic), the Head of Higher Education and Careers, Housemasters,
Housemistresses and tutors will be able to offer advice if required, and Heads of Department can
give detailed information about their subject areas.

The curriculum is revised regularly; changes are therefore likely from time to time.

English Language and English Literature

The Subject

English Language at IGCSE focuses on honing skills in communication and encourages a love of
reading and writing. The creative and analytical abilities this nurtures are immensely valuable life
skills; a fact confirmed by the continuing importance placed on these qualifications by universities
and employers.

Students work towards two different but complementary qualifications: the Edexcel International
GCSEs in English Language and in English Literature. Both these qualifications are weighted 40%
coursework and 60% examination, and both examinations contain a mixture of unseen and prepared
material.

The Courses

This course offers a good degree of flexibility for students of all abilities. Pupils will produce two
coursework pieces over the two years (worth 40%); one responding to poetry or prose set texts and the
other a creative piece. They will be able to draft and redraft these to achieve the best possible standard
of work. The language paper requires responses to unseen material, encouraging a skills-based
approach, as well as responding to anthology texts. In addition, there are writing tasks which require
pupils to adapt their responses to a variety of purposes, audiences and forms.

Reptilians study the English Literature IGCSE with Edexcel, which consists of one (closed text)
exam worth 60% on unseen poetry, a comparison of two poems (from an anthology) and a novel
(usually Of Mice and Men). There are two coursework essays worth 40% which involve responding to
two plays (usually An Inspector Calls and Romeo and Juliet). The coursework is not controlled and
so, like the language pieces, it may be redrafted with help from teachers. Both the novel and the first
coursework text are studied in the A Block (alongside half of the anthology poetry), whilst the
Shakespeare coursework is completed in the O Block.

Preparation and Co-Curricular

The best possible preparation for English study at this level is to read a quality newspaper regularly,
especially the editorial and comment sections. It is also very useful to see as much theatre as possible,
and to seek personalized recommendations for reading based on the novels and poetry you have
enjoyed in English so far. The department seeks to offer theater trips to extend and support study, and
at the School, there are opportunities to write via the Reptilian and a variety of literary and
journalistic competitions. The Junior Literary Society is very well supported and holds weekly
meetings, in which pupils are encouraged to pursue their interests in reading and creative (and nonfiction) writing on a range of topics, as well as entering competitions and hosting events and visiting
speakers.

GCSE Curriculum

Core Subjects

Optional Subjects

Choosing GCSE Subjects

English Language and English Literature

The Subject

The Courses

Preparation and Co-Curricular

GCSE English syllabus from Year-1 to Year-13 as follows-

GCSE Mathematics syllabus from Year-1 to Year-13 as follows-

GCSE other subject syllabus-

IGCSE other subject syllabus-