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Walthamstow School for Girls

Subject Information

Please click on the subjects listed below for more information.

The latest news from our Teaching Faculties can be found here

Art
 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the ADT Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

Edexcel GCSE Fine Art

This exam board has been chosen as it allows for a direct transition into A Level Fine Art Courses.

Year 7 Skills & Knowledge Map Identity
Year 7 Skills & Knowledge Map Insects
Year 8 Skills & Knowledge Map Grayson Perry
Year 8 Skills & Knowledge Map Natural Form
Year 9 Skills & Knowledge Map Still Life
Year 9 Skills & Knowledge Map Pop Art
Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Homework is set once every two weeks for Key Stage 3 and aims primarily to develop skills in analysis and independent practice.

Supporting Progress

We understand that having access to materials and resources enables students to enjoy more independence in developing their ideas.

Key Stage 3: Lunchtime workshops are available

Key Stage 4: After school and lunchtime sessions are provided by the Art Department on a regular basis enabling students to access the facilities in their own time. 

Beyond the Curriculum

We organise trips to the Tate Modern and Tate Britain for KS4 students to enhance their experience of art first hand.

We participate in the E17 Art Trail offering workshops and exhibiting student work.

We currently have an artist-in-residence working with us called Tana West.  This enables students to experience the working processes of a practising artist first hand.  Tana’s work will be exhibited within the school enabling all students first hand access to current art work.

Head of Faculty: Ms A Wills

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

At Key Stage 3 we explore observational drawing, sculpture, print-making, multi-media, conceptual art, craft and painting.  Our curriculum draws upon the influence of local artists such as William Morris and Grayson Perry, as well as the influential work of Louise Bourgeois, Damien Hirst, Picasso and Georgia O’Keeffe.  We keep our curriculum up-to-date by responding to key work that is on display in galleries in London and Walthamstow. The Art curriculum is focussed on developing our GREEN values, growth, resilience, energy, empathy and newness.

At Key Stage 4 students complete two key projects and their examination.  The first project enables students to develop key skills in a range of practices including observational drawing, painting, colography, lino-printing and etching.  Towards the end of the project students start to develop their own practice individually.  The second project based on Identity allows for students to develop their individual practice and prepares them for the final 10 hour examination. 

Students will learn to apply a creative approach to problem solving, consider and develop original ideas from initiation to realisation, analyse critically their own work and the work of others, express individual thoughts and choices confidently, take risks, experiment and learn from mistakes.

Assessment

Students will complete three projects in each year.  These will be assessed throughout the year to support student progression.

Students will complete three ten hour exams, which will be assessed formally. Continuous
one-to-one teacher support will enable students to develop their projects independently.   

This subject can lead to....

Art, Photography, Design, Art History, Architecture, Printing, Set Design, Costume Design, Product Design, Illustration, Cinematography, Lighting, Game Design, Advertising, Curating, Community Outreach, Project Managing, Publicity.

Computing Key Stage 3 / Computer Science GCSE 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the ICT Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

OCR GCSE Computer Science J276

Year 7 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 8 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 9 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning/Office 365

Key Stage 3: 30 minutes per week – Students set half termly homework projects by their teacher.  Details of homework can be found on Office 365.

Key Stage 4: one hour per week - resources found on Office 365.

Supporting Progress

Intervention/support takes place one evening per week. The day will vary according to subject and teacher.

Beyond the Curriculum

Each form group has two Digital Leaders who are responsible for supporting and developing the schools use of technology.  

Trips have been organised to the Science Museum, Thorpe Park, Legoland and the Gadget Show Exhibition.

Head of Faculty: Ms N Shafiq

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

 

 

The Curriculum

At Walthamstow School for Girls all students have the opportunity to learn about technology and learn with technology.

At KS3 students cover the computing national curriculum, including:

  • Unit 1 Think like a computer scientist
  • Unit 2 Introduction to Computer Programming
  • Unit 3 From then until now – What is a computer?
  • Unit 4 Are you safe online?
  • Unit 5 Creating Websites
  • Unit 6 Human Computer Interaction
  • Unit 7 Real World Models
  • Unit 8 Representing images
  • Unit 9 Programming Robots
  • Unit 10 Binary and Networks
  • Unit 11 Introduction to Python
  • Unit 12 KS4 Sampler Units:
  • Unit 13 Searching and Sorting Algorithm
  • Unit 14 Representing Sound
  • Unit 15 Computers Everywhere

At Key Stage 4 students who opt for GCSE Computer Science study:

  • Algorithms
  • Iteration
  • Boolean Logic
  • Data Types and Data Structures
  • Searching and Sorting Algorithms
  • Input and Output
  • Problem Solving
  • Binary & Hexadecimal
  • Binary Representations
  • Programming Languages
  • Computer Systems: Hardware
  • Computer Systems: Software
  • Networks
  • Computer Security
  • Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns

Assessment

Key Stage 3: Students complete an End of Unit Test upon the completion of each unit.

Key Stage 4: Students complete an End of Topic Test upon the completion of each Topic.

Students will also take a number of mock exams and complete their non-exam assessment (NEA).

This subject can lead to....

A career in computer science:

  • Application developer
  • Business analyst
  • Data analyst
  • Database administrator
  • Games developer
  • Information systems manager
  • IT consultant
  • Multimedia programmer
  • SEO specialist
  • Systems analyst
  • Systems developer
  • UX analyst
  • Web designer
  • Web developer

Design & Technology
 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the ADT Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

AQA Design & Technology 8552

Year 7 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 8 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 9 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Key Stage 3: Home Learning tasks may be research assignments to find out more about a particular product or theme; drawing and design tasks,  finding out more about a theoretical element that is being looked at in class for example energy use or sustainability.

Key Stage 4: students will be set exam style questions as well as needing to work on their design folders.

Supporting Progress

Staff are available after school for support and students are always welcome to come and speak to staff outside of lesson time.  During GSCE examinations staff run a range of supporting workshops to enable students to keep up with their work and get extra advice.

Learning resource materials are available on Office 365/Teams for all students to access at school or at home.

Beyond the Curriculum

Where possible educational visits and events are organised both in school and out.  Each year a group of students is taken to the V&A museum for their ‘Creative Quarter’ event. We have visited the Design Museum for workshops and exhibitions.  In school we have been able to invite students to take part in regular workshops run by a variety of visiting agencies.

Head of Faculty: Ms A Wills

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

At Key Stage 3, students follow a course that enables them to work with a wide variety of materials and topics.  In order to make products they will work in wood, metal, plastics, textiles and electronics as well as paper and card for graphic products.  D&T themes that will be covered include: control technology with elements of coding; finding out about environmental considerations such as energy use and sustainability; famous designers and design movements.  They will use a variety of hand tools, machine tools and computer aided design and manufacturing techniques to make high quality products.

At Key Stage 4 students follow the AQA specification for Design & Technology.  This enables them to study different material areas before focussing on two for a Design and Make project in Y11.  As part of this course students will need to develop an understanding of energy, mechanisms, structures and environmental considerations.

Assessment

At Key Stage 3 students are assessed on the assignments they are working on.  These may be Design & Make tasks; Design only tasks; practical work or theory assignments.  Where appropriate, tests are used.

At Key Stage 4 students use exam questions and project based assignments.  Mock exams are used in the summer term of Y10 and the autumn term of Y11.

 

 

This subject can lead to....

A levels or BTEC qualifications in a range of creative courses.  Degree level courses in a wide range of creative and technical subjects such as Product Design, Fashion Design and Engineering.

Above all D&T encourages a creative and independent way of thinking, problem solving and using practical outcomes to create useful products.

Drama 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the Performing Arts Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

WJEC Drama GCSE

Year 7 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 8 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 9 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Key Stage 4 homework is set once a week.

Key Stage 3 homework is set three to four times per term.

Resources are kept in the Performing Arts section of the online shared student area.

Supporting Progress

Students are supported at GCSE with coursework tutorials and extra rehearsals outside lesson time, by arrangement with the class teacher.


Beyond the Curriculum

There are many opportunities provided for enrichment. At present we run the following:

Year 7:  Drama Club
Year 8:  Barbican Box Project
Year 9:  Old Vic Schools Club
Years 10 and 11:  Almeida Theatre Club

Biennially, we collaborate as a faculty to produce a whole-school musical production.  In between, we run smaller performance projects such as participating in the Shakespeare Schools Festival.

Head of Faculty: Ms E Cornford

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

At Key Stage 3, students learn about the history of theatre through the practical exploration of Greek drama, Commedia dell’arte, Shakespeare and Melodrama. Students work with a range of texts and in Year 9, study a full-length play. We also focus on developing improvisation and devising skills, using them to explore topics across the curriculum, and we investigate the work of practitioners such as Boal and Stanislavski.

At Key Stage 4, Unit 1 Devising Theatre is the focus for Year 10. We begin by exploring the work and ideas of Brecht and the genre of physical theatre. Students then move into groups to devise an original piece of drama in the style of either Brecht or physical theatre. Students are marked on their performance and on a coursework portfolio and written evaluation. In Year 11, the focus is on text work.  Unit 2 involves performing a scene from a published play. To prepare for the Unit 3 written exam, students study a set text from the perspectives of actor, designer and director and respond to a live theatre experience they have had during the course.

Assessment

Key Stage 3 assessments are completed termly. Students’ practical work and their written log books are taken into consideration when measuring progress.

At GCSE, Unit 1 is completed in the summer term of Year 10. Units 2 and 3 examination dates are set by WJEC and are completed in the spring and/or summer term of Year 11.

 

 

This subject can lead to....

Students who gain a GCSE in Drama can go on to study the subject as an A Level or BTEC, and beyond that, at degree level.

Drama is highly valued by universities and employers as a subject in which creativity, self-discipline, collaboration and confidence are developed.

Economics 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the ICT Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

AQA GCSE Economics

Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Resources are available on the school’s MLE in the Economics Section.

Supporting Progress

Intervention/support takes place one evening per week. The day will vary according to subject and teacher.

Beyond the Curriculum

Various trips including to the Bank of England .

Head of Faculty: Ms N Shafiq

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

The course looks at economic activity through the lens of consumers, producers, government and the workings of the global economy.  As students go through the course they’re presented with opportunities to focus on real-world issues.  Students should consider and reflect upon moral, ethical and sustainable issues that arise as a result of the impact of economic activity.

Students should use their economic knowledge and skills to investigate national and global economic situations and issues from the last 15 years.  Students are also made aware of the policies that governments have used to attempt to manage these situations and issues.

Students will develop quantitative skills relevant to the subject content.  They will develop the skills to make relevant calculations from economic data.  Students will also interpret data presented in the form of graphs and charts, and in so doing they will develop the skills to recognise the possible limitations of both quantitative and qualitative data.

Assessment

Two externally assessed exams taken at the end of the course (each worth 50% of the final grade).

  • How markets work
  • How the economy works

This subject can lead to....

Careers in the civil service, business, teaching, working in the City of London as well as for Non-Governmental (not-for-profit) Organisations.

English 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the English Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

WJEC Eduqas English Language & AQA English Literature

Year 7 Long Term Plan
Year 8 Long Term Plan
Year 9 Long Term Plan
Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Key Stage 3: homework is set once per week.  Students should spend a minimum of 30 minutes completing work. In addition, students should complete at least 20 minutes per day independent study or reading for pleasure. 

Key Stage 4: homework is set at least once per week.  Students should spend a minimum of 60 minutes completing work. In addition, students should complete an additional 60 minutes of independent study or reading for pleasure. Students can ask teachers to recommend reading or set additional tasks.

Supporting Progress

The English Faculty work closely with the Language & Learning Development and English as an Additional Language (EAL) Departments to ensure that students with specific needs receive any required support.

Additional tuition is provided for Year 10 after each half-term checkpoint assessment.

Revision booklets have been developed to provide support for each student on all topics covered at GCSE.

Poetry lectures and master classes are held in Year 11 to support learning.

Access to GCSE Pod.

Exam boot-camp and “walking talking mocks” are held prior to Year 11 examinations.

Beyond the Curriculum

  • Multiple Creative writing competitions across the year.
  • In collaboration with Drama department, theatre workshops and trips.

Head of Faculty: Ms R Schaber

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

Key Stage Three

Year 7 and 8 Key Stage 3 classes are taught in mixed ability form groups, with a maximum of 30 students.  In Year 9 the cohort is taught in mixed ability groups of 30 students, but from a mixture of tutor groups.

Across Key Stage 3, students study Language and Literature to underpin the skills needed at Key Stage 4:

  • Narrative Writing
  • Pre 19th Century Literature
  • 20th Century novel
  • 20th Century Drama
  • Shakespeare
  • Poetry from Other Cultures
  • Non-Fiction -  Comprehension and Writing

Key Stage Four

Students study WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature and AQA English Language

Students in Years 10 and 11 continue to be taught in mixed-ability groups, although classes are reduced to approximately 24 students.

Throughout Year 10 and 11, students do timed practices and checkpoint assessments to enable the faculty to monitor progress and further support our students.

Assessment

KEY STAGE THREE

End of Unit assessment each half-term.

End of Year examinations (May/June).

KEY STAGE FOUR

Checkpoint assessments each half-term.

End of Year 10 examinations (June).

Year 11 mock examinations (November)

Year 11 timed practices for each component, will be completed regularly throughout the year.

 

 

This subject can lead to....

Jobs directly related to English include:

  • Digital copywriter.
  • Editorial assistant.
  • English as a foreign language teacher.
  • Lexicographer.
  • Magazine journalist.
  • Newspaper journalist.
  • Publishing copy-editor/proof-reader.
  • Writer.

However, studying English also enables you to think analytically, reflectively and evaluatively, leaving your options truly open.

Food Preparation & Nutrition 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the ADT Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

Eduqas GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition

Year 7 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 8 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 9 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Home learning is planning and preparation for lessons, however students are encouraged to cook (and clean up!) at home – and especially to practice the skills learnt in curriculum time. Recipes can be found on Office 365/Teams.

Supporting Progress

Support sessions for KS4 students are arranged at lunchtimes and after school, leading up to the deadline for non-examined content submission as well as written exams.

All students have many opportunities to practice and develop their skills in the time leading up to final assessments.

Beyond the Curriculum

Educational visits have been organised to allow students to experience a range of culinary opportunities from afternoon tea to fine dining.

Head of Faculty: Ms A Wills

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

At Key Stage 3, students develop the foundations of skills and knowledge required for independent and safe working.  Year 7, 8 & 9 students experience a variety of practical lessons, demonstrations and some theory.

Together we explore a range of healthy ingredients, equipment and cooking methods. Building on their skills and knowledge, students will be ready to create a variety of healthy balanced family meals.  Influenced by seasonal and sustainable ingredients, and beginning in our allotment here at Walthamstow School for Girls, our curriculum takes us on a round-the-world tour with a variety of topics from different countries.

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition offers a unique opportunity for candidates to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating.

Following this syllabus will encourage learners to cook and enable them to make informed decisions about food and nutrition in order to be able to feed themselves and others affordably and nutritiously now and later in life.

 It offers a balance between practical and theory work and is a suitable qualification for those who wish to progress to Further Education, but also offers valuable preparation for those entering the world of work.

Assessment

At Key Stage 3, students are assessed on the assignments they are working on.  Pupils will be assessed on the theory of food, nutrition and preparation as well as practical exercises.

At Key Stage 4, students use practice examination questions and project based assignments.  Mock examinations are used in the summer term of Year 10 and the autumn term of Year 11.

This subject can lead to....

A levels or BTEC qualifications in a range of creative courses.

There are hundreds of possibilities in the catering field.  Perhaps you would like to run your own bakery, café or restaurant, forge a career in business with one of the UK’s supermarket giants or develop recipes for books or magazines.

French 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the Modern Foreign Languages Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

Edexcel GCSE French

Year 7 Long Term Plan
Year 8 Long Term Plan
Year 9 Long Term Plan
Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

  • Homework is set on a weekly basis.
  • Subject teachers give approximately 1-1.5 hours per week.
  • Homework could be grammar exercises, written essays, oral practice or vocabulary learning.
  • There are a wide range of resources available on the MLE including Y11 Q+A loop cards, various past papers, grammar exercises, reading comprehensions etc.
  • BBC Bite size is recommended as an available online resource for French.
  • Students are advised to look on the MLE in the relevant rooms for extra revision materials, worksheets, PowerPoint presentations and links to other useful websites to consolidate their learning at home.

Supporting Progress

  • There is extra support for students after school every week 3:30-4:30
  • There is a Foreign Language Assistant who offers extra support on an individual basis whenever required.
  • Extra support for Key Stage 3 students is provided one lunch time per week in the KS3 French/Spanish/Urdu club
  • Extra support for Key Stage 4 students is provided every week 3:30-4:30pm in the KS4 French/Spanish/Urdu club

Beyond the Curriculum

  • Y7 MFL Spelling Bee
  • Y8 MFL Festival
  • Reward trip to the cinema
  • Y9 MFL Poetry Competition
  • Key Stage 4 Modern Foreign Language EDEXCEL GCSE conference

Head of Faculty: Ms L Rafferty

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

French and Spanish are taught in mixed ability classes of 30 students in Year 7 and then students continue with their chosen language in Year 8. In Year 7 all students get a taster lesson in Urdu. In Year 8 students have the choice of continuing with either French, Spanish or Urdu. In Y7 the whole cohort will participate in a Spelling Bee competition in the target language. In Year 8 the whole cohort participate in the annual Year 8 Modern Foreign Language Festival which is a singing and dancing (in the Target Language) competition. The winning team are rewarded with a trip to the cinema. In Y9 the whole cohort will participate in a poetry competition in the target language in view to invite other local schools from the borough to participate as well.

Assessment

At Key Stage 3, students are assessed in each of the four key skills; Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Other tests may be undertaken as and when considered appropriate for example to ensure vocabulary has been learned. Throughout Key Stage 3 skills and knowledge are assessed and feedback for next steps is given for each student.

At Key Stage 4, past examination papers are used to track student progress towards expected grades. Throughout Year 10, students will be expected to complete a number of practice tests to prepare them for the final exam at the end of year 11. At the end of year 10 all students will have a mock exam in listening, speaking, reading and writing. In year 11 students will also undertake the ‘mock’ examination in December at either Foundation or Higher level.

 

 

This subject can lead to....

  • Broadcast journalist.
  • Diplomatic Services operational officer.
  • English as a foreign language teacher.
  • International aid/development worker.
  • Logistics and distribution manager.
  • Marketing executive.
  • Patent examiner.
  • Sales executive
  • Bilingual secretary

Geography GCSE 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the Humanities Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

AQA GCSE Geography

Paper 1 - Physical geography including: - the challenge of natural hazards, physical landscapes in the UK, the living world and geographical skills.

Paper 2 - Human geography including: - urban issues and challenges, the changing economic world, the challenge of resource management and geographical skills.

Paper 3 - Geographical skills including: - issue evaluation, fieldwork and geographical skills.

Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Homework relevant to the topic being taught will be set every week.

Resources are available in the Geography section of the online shared Student Central Resources area.

Supporting Progress

If pupils need additional support, interventions will be set up to involve individual students within class or through after school support sessions if necessary.

All students are encouraged to review their own progress on a regular basis through revisiting Personal Learning Checklists (PLC’s).  These are available electronically.

Beyond the Curriculum

Children learn by experience and fieldwork is an integral part of the Geography curriculum. Students will attend a field trip to the coast as part of their course as well as conducting a survey in the local area. Previous years' trips have been to areas of Essex, Sussex and Norfolk to undertake coastal management fieldwork.

Head of Faculty: Mr R Sterlini

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

This exciting course is based on a balanced framework of physical and human geography. It allows students to investigate the link between the two themes, and approach and examine the battles between the man-made and natural worlds.

Students who complete the course will have the skills and experience to progress onto A-level and beyond.

Assessment

The progress of pupils will be closely monitored throughout the 2 year course through assessments and book marking. 

Mid and end of unit assessments will be set throughout the course to monitor pupils’ progress.

There are three linear examinations at the end of Year 11:

Paper 1 – 1 ½ hour exam – 35%

Paper 2 – 1 ½ hour exam – 35%

Paper 3 – 1 hour exam – 30%

 

 

 

This subject can lead to....

Geography is great for any kind of career that involves the environment, planning, or collecting and interpreting data. Popular careers for people with geography qualifications include: town or transport planning, surveying, conservation, sustainability, waste and water management, environmental planning, tourism, and weather forecasting.

The army, police, government, research organisations, law and business world also love the practical research skills that geographers develop.

Because geographers learn about human and population development, geography can be useful for jobs in charity and international relations too.

History GCSE 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the Humanities Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

Edexcel GCSE History (9-1) (1H10)

Paper 1 – Medicine in Britain, c.1250-Present and The British Sector of the Western Front 1914-1918; injuries, treatment and the trenches (1H10/11).

Paper 2 – Superpower Relations & the Cold War, 1941-1991 and Anglo Saxon & Norman England c.1066-1088 (1H10/26).

Paper 3 – Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39 (1H10/31).

Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Homework relevant to the topic being taught will be set every week.

Resources are available on the school’s MLE and also in the History section of the online shared Student Central Resources area.

Regular GCSE practice questions will be set throughout the course.

Supporting Progress

Interventions will involve individual students being supported within class and through after school support sessions where necessary

Students are encouraged to review their progress on a regular basis through revisiting Personal Learning Checklists (PLC’s).  These are available electronically.

Beyond the Curriculum

Students are encouraged to visit museums across London in their spare time, such as the History of Medicine exhibition at the Science Museum.

Head of Faculty: Mr R Sterlini

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

Students follow the Edexcel GCSE History syllabus. This covers a thematic study for Paper 1, which involves a study of Medicine in Britain since c1250.  For the historical environment section of this paper the course covers medical developments during the First World War.

For Paper 2, students complete a Period Study which covers the Cold War, 1941-1991.  For the British depth study, students look at Anglo Saxon and Norman England c1066-1088.

Paper 3 is a modern depth study which looks at Germany between the First and Second World Wars.

Assessment

Regular GCSE practice questions will be set throughout the course.

There are three linear examinations at the end of Year 11:

Paper 1 – 1 hour 15 minutes

Paper 2 – 1 hour 45 minutes

Paper 3 – 1 hour 20 minutes

This subject can lead to....

History will help develop many useful skills and is highly regarded amongst colleges, universities and employers.  You will be more much critical of what you read and hear on the news and will develop your ability to reason and argue your point of view with supporting information.

Humanities Key Stage 3 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the Humanities Faculty

Curriculum Overview

Humanities subjects enable pupils to learn how to think creatively and critically, to reason, and to ask questions. Through their Humanities lessons at Walthamstow School for Girls pupils learn about the values of different cultures, different places and about how history is made. Our stimulating curriculum preserves the great accomplishments of the past, helps us to understand the world we live in today, and gives us tools to imagine the future.

The Humanities department at WSFG seeks to provide a high quality education for all students, thereby promoting inclusion and equal opportunity.

In order to provide that education the department believes it needs:

  • To realise the potential of every student –including the gifted and talented and those receiving learning support
  • To engender an interest and enthusiasm in the subject that goes beyond the classroom and the student’s time at the School.
  • To provide a safe, caring and attractive working environment for students

At Key Stage 3, pupils have six Humanities lessons a fortnight in which they study Geography, History and Religious Education.

Key Stage 3 Humanities Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Homework relevant to the topic being taught will be set every week.

Resources are available in the Humanities section of the online shared Student Central Resources area.

Supporting Progress

The progress of students will be closely monitored throughout the 3 year course through assessments and book marking.  If pupils need additional support, interventions will be set up to involve individual students within class or through after school support sessions if necessary.

All students are encouraged to review their own progress on a regular basis through revisiting the topics covered. There are regular assessments which are completed at the end of each unit and these cover a variety of skills.

At the end of each year students sit a final exam which tests them on History, Geography and RE. Questions link to the style of questions students will attempt at GCSE.

Beyond the Curriculum

Children learn by experience and educational visits are an integral part of the Humanities curriculum.  KS3 students will visit Rochester, Kew Gardens and places of worship.  Students are encouraged to read widely and to be up to date with the news and current affairs.  There are many free museums around London that students are encouraged to visit which will support many aspects of the Humanities curriculum.

Head of Faculty: Mr R Sterlini

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The History Curriculum

The History curriculum at WSFG aims to give students an experience which encourages the development of skills, investigation and enquiry whilst securing a chronological understanding of History as well as developing enjoyment and passion for future study.

The Geography Curriculum

Geography at WSFG provides students with an opportunity to explore their role as citizens in a community wider than that of their own local area or even country. The programme of study in each year at KS3 incorporates a variety of places, scales and issues and is planned for progression of skills, knowledge and understanding. Helping students to become more spatially and contextually aware of the issues which surround them. The KS3 has also been planned as a solid foundation for KS4.

The R. E. Curriculum

The study of Religious Education at WSFG encourages students to consider and address questions of life, faith and morality. Our stimulating syllabus engages students in the study of multiple faiths, their beliefs, practises and celebrations. We encourage students collectively to consider the role and importance of religion in today’s society developing a knowledge and understanding of different world views.

Assessment

Students will be assessed at the end of each unit and will sit a 45 minute end of year exam that will cover History, Geography and RE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image result for olympic park london

 

iMedia 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the ICT Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

OCR Creative iMedia

Year 10 & 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Homework: Weekly - one hour per week

Resources: Office365 - Teams

Supporting Progress

Intervention sessions run when required

Beyond the Curriculum

Students are involved in a range of media projects and are encouraged to take these further in developing films outside of curriculum time.

Head of Faculty: Ms N Shafiq 

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

The Cambridge National in Creative iMedia equips students with the wide range of knowledge and skills needed to work in the creative digital media sector. They start at pre-production and develop their skills through practical assignments as they create final multimedia products.The current units that are studied are:

R081: Pre-production skills

This unit will enable learners to understand pre-production skills used in the creative and digital media sector. It will develop their understanding of the client brief, time frames, deadlines and preparation techniques that form part of the planning and creation process.

On completion of this unit, learners will understand the purpose and uses of a range of pre-production techniques. They will be able to plan pre-production of a creative digital media product to a client brief and will understand how to review pre-production documents.

R082: Creating digital graphics

Digital graphics feature in many areas of our lives and play a very important part in today’s world. The digital media sector relies heavily on these visual stimulants within the products it produces, to communicate messages effectively.

The aim of this unit is for learners to understand the basics of digital graphics editing for the creative and digital media sector. They will learn where and why digital graphics are used and what techniques are involved in their creation.

On completion of this unit, learners will understand the purpose and properties of digital graphics and know where and how they are used. They will be able to plan the creation of digital graphics, create new digital graphics using a range of editing techniques and review a completed graphic against a specific brief.

Optional Units x2

R083: Creating 2D and 3D digital characters

From film and television to computer gaming, the central digital characters are the foundations that whole projects are built on in the creative and digital media sector.

This unit will enable learners to understand the basics of character modelling for the digital media sector. It will develop their knowledge of where 2D and 3D digital characters are used in the media industry, be that television, film, web applications or computer gaming. It will develop their understanding of how to interpret a client brief, the planning and preparation techniques that form part of the design process as well as the actual creation of a digital character.

On completion of this unit, learners will be able to understand the software used for, and the properties of, 2D and 3D digital characters, plan an original 2D or 3D digital character, create and test a digital character using software and review a digital character against a specific brief.

Unit R087: Creating Interactive Multimedia Products

Interactive multimedia products are used widely in everyday life and the creative and digital media sector. They are used in computer games, mobile phone applications, presentations and many other areas.

This unit will enable learners to understand the basics of interactive multimedia products for the creative and digital media sector. They will learn where and why interactive multimedia is used and what features are needed for a given purpose.

On completion of this unit, learners will understand the purpose and properties of interactive multimedia products, be able to plan and create an interactive multimedia product to a client’s requirements and review it, identifying areas for improvement.

OR:

Unit R091: Designing a game concept

This unit will enable learners to understand the capabilities and limitations of a range of platforms. They will be able to identify core features of digital games and gain the knowledge to create a games design concept proposal that can be presented to a client for critical review.

This unit will also enable learners to understand the basics of planning and designing digital games for the creative digital media sector.

On completion of this unit, learners will know about different types of digital games and where they are used, be able to plan and design a digital game concept and present a game proposal to a client or focus group.

Assessment

•        R081 Pre-Production (Compulsory Unit) – Written exam paper set by OCR and marked. 1 hour 15 mins – 60 marks (60 UMS). Worth 25% of overall mark.

•        R082 Creating Digital Graphics (Compulsory Unit) –– Centre assessed tasks which is OCR moderated. Approx. 10 hours – 60 marks. This is coursework based. Worth 25% of overall mark.

•        R083 Creating 2D and 3D digital characters (Optional Unit)

•        R087 Creating Interactive Multimedia Products (Optional Unit)

          OR: R092 Developing a game concept (Optional Unit)

All optional units are centre assessed tasks which are OCR moderated. Approx. 10 hours – 60 marks. This is coursework based. Worth 25% of overall mark.

This subject can lead to....

BTEC Media Level 3,  Level 3 courses,  entry level careers in the media industry.

Latin 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest Latin news.

Exam Board and Syllabus

WJEC Eduqas GCSE Latin

Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Homework

This is set weekly and is always vocabulary learning.  Once per half term a practice examination question is also set.

Online Resources

Students have access to the Cambridge Latin Course’s interactive E learning resource.

The Cambridge Schools Classics Project also has an extensive website packed with resources that support our learning in school.

Students are recommended to use the App “Memrise” which is great for learning the Latin vocabulary.

Supporting Progress

Latin support is available every Thursday at lunchtime in room F55.  Should a student need some targeted 1:1 support, this is held during Thursday lunchtimes, also in F55.

When final exams are approaching, additional support sessions are held during the holiday breaks.

Beyond the Curriculum

In Year 10 or 11, students are given the opportunity to visit Rome and Ostia, in Italy.

In year 11 students visit the Classics Faculty at Cambridge University.

Latin teacher - Ms W Famiglietti

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

 

The Curriculum

Students will learn how to understand and translate Latin text.  In addition they will read and interpret Latin literature, as well as learning about daily life in the Roman world and its links to our modern world.  Students are supported in their learning using materials and resources developed by the Cambridge Schools Classics Project.  Students do not need to have any previous experience of learning Latin and all students are invited to choose it.

Assessment

Students are assessed every half term by sitting a written examination focused on the Language, Literature and Roman Civilisation study that they have completed during that half term. Students’ knowledge of Latin vocabulary is also tested weekly.  The final assessment in Year 11 comprises of three written examinations:

Component 1:  Latin Language.  Written Examination: 1 hour 30 minutes - 50% of qualification. 

Section A:  A range of short comprehension questions testing understanding of the storyline (55% of the marks for this component).  Translation of a passage from Latin into English, with a gradation of difficulty (35% of the marks for this component).

Section B: EITHER translation from English into Latin OR the permitted alternative i.e. recognise, analyse and explain items of syntax and accidence (10% of the marks for this component). 

Component 2:  Latin Literature and Sources (Themes).  Written examination: I hour 15 minutes - 30% of qualification

A prescription of Latin literature, both prose and verse, on a theme, together with prescribed ancient source materials on the same theme.  A choice of one of two themes is offered e.g. Schools and Education or A Day at the Races.  This is an open book assessment and students will answer questions on the resources provided.

Either Component 3A: Latin Literature (Narratives) or Component 3B: Roman Civilisation.  Written Examination: 1 hour - 20% of qualification

3A: A prescription of Latin literature forming a narrative, accompanied by adjacent passage(s) in English.  A choice of one of two narratives (one verse, one prose) is offered e.g. Ovid (Echo and Narcissus) or Tacitus (Germanicus and Piso).  This is an open book assessment and students will answer questions on the resources provided.
OR
3B
: A prescribed topic of Roman Civilisation.  A choice of one of two topics is offered e.g. Roman Entertainment and Leisure or Religion in the Roman World.  Students will answer questions relating to one of the prescribed topics.

This subject can lead to....

Students can go on to Sixth Form with a Latin GCSE and study A Level Latin, or Classical Civilisation, or Classics, or Ancient History.

Latin is taught to be read, not spoken.  Students are taught to recognise and translate Latin words and passages.  It requires concentration, absorption and attention to detail, which are valuable skills and character traits.

Latin helps students to gain an understanding of the mechanics and structure of language, not least of all English.  It can be used to grasp the basics of many modern languages and provides an insight into the language used within the Sciences, medicine and Law.

Mathematics 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the Maths Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

All students at Walthamstow School for Girls study Mathematics for 5 years.  At the end of Year 11 students sit the Edexcel (9 to 1) GCSE Mathematics at either the Foundation or Higher level.  Students are assessed throughout the course by their teachers.  There are no controlled assignments and there are three 1½ hour external exams at the end of Year 11.  Two of these are calculator papers and one is a non-calculator paper.

Each Key Stage 3 Maths class (set) has it's own Skills & Knowledge Map, so please contact your daughter's Maths teacher directly if you would like a copy of this.
Key Stage 4 Foundation Long Term Plan
Key Stage 4 Higher Long Term Plan
Year 11 Mathematics Information

Home Learning

Students receive regular homework which could be a variety of tasks which is set from textbooks, worksheets, MyMaths or our managed learning environment - Fronter.

Revision guides and workbooks for KS4 students can be bought from Student Services to support learning at home.  These can be used for independent learning or for extra homework and revision. 

Practice books which complement the textbooks used in class are also provided for homework and independent study.

Students also have a login for ‘Kerboodle’, which has on-line versions of the text books and practice books for both Key Stage 3 and 4.  These books contain videos of mathematical explanations as well as links to MyMaths for extra private study.

The MLE has a wealth of resources that can support learning for all year groups.  There are links to websites which support all chapters of the textbooks used in lessons, revision materials for Key Stage 4 including Mathswatch (a series of short video lessons and associated worksheets), Numeracy Passport (for practice of basic numeracy skills) and Boardworks (a slide show presentation of the whole curriculum).  There are also past examination papers with worked solutions and various PiXL materials, including ‘Walking Talking Papers’.  There are also links to more fun maths activities.

Key Stage 4 students also have access to the PiXL Maths App, which can be used on phones, tablets and PCs.

Supporting Progress

Maths Support takes place every Tuesday 3.30 – 4.30 and is open to all students.  Maths staff are available to give help with homework or classwork and students are encouraged to bring along anything they need help with.  We also offer intervention support for GCSE students where necessary, in the form of 1-1 tutoring, 3-1 maths mentoring and after school revision classes.

Beyond the Curriculum

During Black History Month we teach all of
Year 7 how to play the African board game Oware and for LGBT History month we ask students to research the work of Alan Turing and work on various code breaking activities.  We have in the past invited Matt Parker in to deliver his lecture on ‘The Hidden Maths in the Simpsons’ to our Key Stage 3 students and regularly invite other speakers in to give fascinating lectures on topics such as Maths and Magic, Murderous Maths, The Enigma Challenge, Learning Maths through Paper Folding and Shapes & Smoke rings.  Each year we celebrate Pi Day with several activities, including a competition to learn Pi to the most number of decimal places (as well as eating some pies!).

The Cambridge Roadshow has regularly visited the school and provide sessions on problem and puzzle solving.

Students take part annually in the UK Maths Trust Junior, Intermediate and Team Maths Challenge.  Several students every year attend the Saturday Royal Institute Maths Master Classes, Maths Masterclasses at Queen Mary University and many of our Year 11 students attend Sir George Monoux College to study the free-standing Maths Qualification, ‘Additional Maths’.

Head of Faculty: Mr C Salmon

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

The Mathematics Faculty are a team of very experienced and enthusiastic specialist teachers.  Our curriculum is accessible to all learners in a way that stretches them to their full potential and gives them the opportunity to enjoy maths.  Our GCSE results are always above the National Average.

We endeavour to ensure that students acquire the basic skills and knowledge needed for everyday life, developing a variety of techniques to use maths as a tool.  Students learn at a level suitable to their needs allowing them to develop confidence in their mathematical ability.

Students learn maths through a variety of approaches including exposition, investigation, discussion, practical work and consolidation.  We give opportunities for learning independently, learning collaboratively within pairs or groups and for discussing maths with each other.  Students are encouraged to develop their ability to think logically and coherently through the experience of mathematical investigation and problem solving.  We encourage good working habits including working systematically, checking that results are sensible and the correction of errors. 

Excellent use is made of ICT resources to support learning and we have a wide range of maths software on our school network for learners to access. 

We stretch our more able students through extension and curriculum enrichment, and provide them with many opportunities to broaden and deepen their mathematical understanding.  We favour enrichment over acceleration as research suggests that this is of much greater benefit to students.

Key Stage 3

Students are taught in mixed ability classes of approximately 23 for the first term of Year 7.  Students who have not met the required standard at the end of Primary school are taught in a separate maths group, with the aim to ‘catch them up’ to the rest of their cohort.  At the start of the spring term the Year 7 classes are then set into groups at 4 levels of ability.  At the start of year 8, all 8 maths classes are taught at the same time, so we are able to create 8 ability groups.  Over each fortnight students have 7 hours of maths lessons in each of year 7, 8 and 9.  We currently use a mix of SMP Interact books and the new KS3 Oxford MyMaths text books.

Key Stage 4

With the introduction of the new 9 to 1 GCSE we have decided to begin studying the GCSE course in the spring term of Year 9.  Year 10 and 11 students also now have an increased amount of time to study maths, each year group having 9 lessons each fortnight.  Key Stage 4 students also use a mixture of SMP interact and the new Oxford MyMaths textbooks.

Assessment

Students are assessed on an ongoing basis throughout the year to make sure that they are making the expected progress.  Review Tests are used for assessment.  These usually take place after 4 or 5 chapters or topics.  If it is felt that a student would make more progress in a different set, then she will change class.  Students also complete End of Year Tests at the end of Years 8, 9 and 10.  From the end of Year 9 onward, students also sit GCSE style examinations and during Year 11 they sit ‘mock’ papers on four different occasions throughout the year.

 

 

This subject can lead to....

A good GCSE grade in maths is vital to the continued of study of many subjects.  You need mathematics for everything that you do!  Mathematical qualifications can lead to careers ranging from Banking to Computing, Engineering to Actuarial work.  It is well known that good qualifications in mathematics can open many doors and result in higher than average salaries.

Music 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the Performing Arts Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

Year 7 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 8 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 9 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Homework is occasionally set in Key Stage 3 and usually set each week at GCSE level.  Students will be directed to a variety of locations to access resources.

Supporting Progress

At Key Stage 3, support is given to students who are not making the expected progress during lesson time.  This may be in the form of group or differentiated work.

At GCSE level those students identified as at risk of not making the expected progress are usually given one to one support outside of lesson time.

Beyond the Curriculum

Music has a vibrant extra-curricular offer.  This includes a steel band in each year group (entry by audition in Year 7), a choir and an orchestra.

There are three big concerts each year: a Christmas Carol Concert, a Steel Band concert and a Summer concert.  In addition to these the Music Department takes part in the annual Music for Youth Festival, regularly travelling to Birmingham for the National Festival in July.  In 2015 the Year 11 Steel Band performed at the Music for Youth Schools Prom, at the Albert Hall.

The department also participates in the Waltham Forest Battle of The Bands competition, which they won in 2016, the Waltham Forest Civic Carol Concert and the Waltham Forest Music Service Summer Music Festival.

Head of Faculty: Ms E Cornford

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

In Key Stage 3 Music, the curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum, engage students and prepare them for further study at GCSE level.  Units studied at Key Stage 3 include: Whole Class Steel Band Performance, Question and Answer, Songwriting, Samba, Composing Using Technology and Rock Band.

At GCSE we follow the AQA GCSE Music syllabus.  The course breakdown is as follows:

Component 1: Understanding music 40%

  • Listening
  • Contextual Understanding

Examination with listening exercises and written questions using excerpts of music.

Component 2: Performing music 30%

  • Music performance

As an instrumentalist and/or vocalist and/or via technology:

Performance 1: solo performance

Performance 2: ensemble performance

Component 2: Composing music 30%

  • Composition

Composition 1: composition to a brief

Composition 2: free composition

Assessment

Assessment at Key Stage 3 takes the form of practical work and written listening exercises.

Assessment at GCSE is outlined in the course breakdown.

 

This subject can lead to....

A level Music, A level Music Technology, Level 3 vocational qualifications in Music or Music Technology.

Music is a brilliant subject for developing life- long learning skills including:

  • Listening
  • Presentation/performance skills
  • Resilience
  • Creativity
  • Problem solving
  • Empathy with people/cultures
  • Social skills

It is rightly regarded as a subject with a lot of academic rigour and is highly regarded by elite educational institutions such as Oxbridge.

Physical Education 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the Performing Arts Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

The exam board for GCSE PE is AQA.

Key Stage 3 Athletics Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 7 Gymnastics Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 7 Team Sports Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 7 OAA Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 8 Team Sports Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 8 OAA Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 9 OAA Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 9 Fitness Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 9 Team Sports Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

In Key Stage 4 homework is set from the AQA textbook and the dynamic learning resource pack, this is held on the MLE and in the Student Resources shared area.

Supporting Progress

Extra curricular activities are open to all years and take place at lunchtimes and after school every day of the week.  Some of the sports we offer are: football, basketball, netball, roller- skating, volleyball, trampolining, handball, tag rugby, rounders, athletics, cricket and table tennis.

GCSE interventions take place after school and at lunchtimes.

Beyond the Curriculum

Each half term our extra curricular activities change. Please click here to see our current activities.

Head of Faculty: Ms E Cornford

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

 

The Curriculum

PE is studied as a core subject throughout Years 7-11.  Students are introduced to a range of sporting activities:

Year 7: Orienteering, Gymnastics, Netball, Dance, Tag Rugby, Handball, Athletic, Rounders and Cricket.

Year 8: Orienteering, Basketball, Netball, Trampolining, Tag Rugby, Dance, Athletics, Rounders and Cricket.

Year 9: Orienteering, Volleyball, Netball, Dance, Basketball, Fitness, Athletics, Rounders and Cricket.

Year 10 Core PE:  students can pick from the following options:

Team sports: Netball, Basketball, Volleyball, Trampolining, Football, Rounders.

Individual sports: Badminton, Fitness, Trampolining, Table tennis, Rounders and Orienteering.

Dance: We have an external dance instructor who specialises in street dance.

Sports leaders: In Year 10 Students are given training by members of the PE department on how to teach primary school children sport.  They then put this training into action, working with children in local primary schools.  Students complete this course over one academic year.

Year 11 Core PE: Year 11 students pick three options from the following activities. Each term they have the opportunity to change activity:

Self defence (external qualified instructor)

Boxfit (external qualified instructor)

Swimming - A member of the P.E. department escorts the students to the Walthamstow Feel Good Centre.

YMCA Gym, Sports hall activities - (including basketball, netball, roller skating, trampolining, badminton and table tennis).

GCSE PE

GCSE PE is made up of three different main areas. They are:

Non- Examined assessment (practical). (30%) Students pick an individual activity, a team activity and a third activity from either the team or individual list.

Analysis and evaluation task. (10%)

Students can submit this as a piece of written coursework or through a presentation.

Examined assessment (theory). (60%)

This is split into two exams, 1 hour and 15 minutes each.

The topics examined are:

  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Structure and function of the cardio-respiratory system
  • Anaerobic and aerobic systems
  • Movement analysis
  • Physical training
  • Sports Psychology
  • Socio-cultural influences
  • Commercialisation of physical activity in sport
  • Ethical issues
  • Health and fitness
  • Use of data

This subject can lead to....

  • BTEC Sport Level 2 and 3
  • P.E. A Level
  • Studying P.E. at University.
  • P.E. teacher/ lecturer.
  • Performance Analyst
  • Sports coaching
  • Nutritionist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Events Management
  • Sports Therapist
  • Sports Development Manager
  • Broadcasting
  • Referee
  • Personal trainer
  • Outdoor Adventure Instructor
  • Project Manager

and many more!

Religious Studies: Philosophy & Ethics GCSE 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the Humanities Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

EDEXCEL GCSE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Religious Studies B – Beliefs in Action (1RBO)

Paper 1 – Religion and Ethics through Christianity (1RB0/1B): Christian Beliefs, Marriage and Family, Living the Christian Life, Matters of Life and Death

Paper 2 - Religion, Peace and Conflict through Islam (1RB0/2C): Muslim Beliefs, Crime and Punishment, Living the Muslim Life, Peace and Conflict

Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Homework relevant to the topic being taught will be set every week.

Resources are available on the school’s MLE and also in the R.E. section of the online shared Student Central Resources area.

Supporting Progress

The progress of pupils will be closely monitored throughout the 2 year course through assessments and book marking. If pupils need additional support, interventions will be set up to involve individual students within class or through after school support sessions if necessary.

All students are encouraged to review their own progress on a regular basis through revisiting Personal Learning Checklists (PLC’s).  These are available electronically.

Beyond the Curriculum

Students will be given the opportunities to visit different places of worship.

Head of Faculty: Mr R Sterlini

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

This exciting GCSE course is based on an in-depth study of the two biggest major world religions, namely Christianity and Islam.

It allows students to investigate the links between the two religions, while gaining a greater understanding of both faiths by looking at their beliefs, practices and ways of life.  The course also looks at some of the major issues facing people all over the world today (such as marriage, divorce, beliefs around life after death, abortion, euthanasia and war).

Students who complete the course will have the skills and experience to progress onto A level and beyond.

Assessment

Mid and end of unit assessments will be set throughout the course to monitor pupils’ progress.

The final examination at the end of Year 11 is in two parts:-

Paper 1 – 1 hour 45 min exam – 50%

Paper 2 – 1 hour 45 min exam – 50%

 

 

This subject can lead to....

Religious Education is all about trying to answer the big questions that we all think about now and again like ‘what is the meaning of life?’ or ‘what happens to us after we die?’  Religious studies will also help you to consider and explore moral issues such euthanasia, prejudice, abortion and poverty.

A GCSE in Religious Studies is a stepping stone to a wide range of future opportunities and will allow you to develop numerous transferable skills which you can apply to other subjects such as History, Psychology, Sociology or Law.

Science 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the Science Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

AQA

Year 7 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 8 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 9 Long Term Plan
Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Science Information

Home Learning

Homework is set in line with the school homework timetable.

Resources for both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 are available on the school MLE, including past paper questions and criteria sheets.

Supporting Progress

  • Science support sessions each Thursday lunchtime
  • After school revision sessions
  • Revision sessions during Easter
  • Exam questions analysis
  • Targeted homework
  • “6 mark question” workshops

Beyond the Curriculum

  • Zoofari in-school event
  • Women in Physics: STEM talk given at school
  • Explorer Dome in-school event
  • Science Week drama workshops
  • Creative Quarter trip to Imperial College
  • GCSE Science in Action trip to University of London

Head of Faculty: Mr C Kerr

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

Key Stage 3 Science is linked to the Exploring Science schemes of work. Students are taught scientific content for Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as valuable scientific skills, such as producing and analysing line graphs and looking at experimental variables.

Scientific experiments are used to further explain concepts as well as bring aspects of Science to life.

At Key Stage 4, students will be taught Combined Science or Separate Science GCSEs.  Both courses are similar in that they cover all aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  However, Combined Science results in two GCSE`s for Science whereas Separate Science results in a GCSE each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  These courses involve compulsory experiments that students may be tested on in their final GCSE`s.

Assessment

At Key Stage 3 there are end of term tests for Years 7, 8 and 9 which inform data collections in order to monitor progress.  There is an end of Year examination.

At Key Stage 4 there are end of chapter tests following each unit for both Combined and Separate Science which inform data collections.  At the end of Year 10 there will be three mocks exams for both Combined and Separate Science in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

For the final GCSEs Combined Science students will sit six 1h 15 min papers and Separate Science will sit six 1h 45 min papers.  Both courses are assessed through terminal examinations with no controlled assessments.

This subject can lead to....

Post-16 study of Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A-level.  Leading to study of other aspects of specialised Science at University e.g. Forensic Science, Zoology, Oceanography and Biochemistry.

Science is also linked to the study of Medicine, Veterinary Science and Architecture as well as Engineering - all of which lead to excellent career opportunities.

Spanish

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the Modern Foreign Languages Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

Edexcel GCSE Spanish

Year 7 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 8 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 9 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

  • Homework is set on a weekly basis.
  • Subject teachers give approximately 1-1.5 hours per week.
  • Homework could be grammar exercises, written essays, oral practice or vocabulary learning.
  • There are a wide range of resources available on the MLE including; the Michel Thomas CDs for Spanish, Y11 Q+A loop cards, various past papers, grammar exercises, reading comprehensions…
  • BBC Bite size is recommended as an available online resource for Spanish.
  • Students are advised to look on the MLE in the relevant rooms for extra revision materials, worksheets, PowerPoint presentations and links to other useful websites to consolidate their learning at home.

Supporting Progress

  • There is extra support for students after school every week 3:30-4:30
  • There is a Foreign Language Assistant who offers extra support on an individual basis whenever required.
  • Extra support for Key Stage 3 students is provided one lunch time per week in the KS3 French/Spanish/Urdu club
  • Extra support for Key Stage 4 students is provided every week 3:30-4:30pm in the KS4 French/Spanish/Urdu club

Beyond the Curriculum

  • Y7 MFL Spelling Bee
  • Y8 MFL Festival
  • Reward trip to the cinema
  • Y9 MFL Poetry Competition
  • KS4 trip to Tapas Bar
  • KS4 MFL EDEXCEL GCSE conference

Head of Faculty: Ms L Rafferty

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

French and Spanish are taught in mixed ability classes of 30 students in Year 7 and then students continue with their chosen language in Year 8. In Year 7 all students get a taster lesson in Urdu. In Year 8 students have the choice of continuing with either French, Spanish or Urdu. In Y7 the whole cohort will participate in a Spelling Bee competition in the target language. In Year 8 the whole cohort participate in the annual Year 8 Modern Foreign Language Festival which is a singing and dancing (in the Target Language) competition. The winning team are rewarded with a trip to the cinema. In Y9 the whole cohort will participate in a poetry competition in the target language in view to invite other local schools from the borough to participate as well.

Assessment

At Key Stage 3, students are assessed in each of the four key skills; Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Other tests may be undertaken as and when considered appropriate for example to ensure vocabulary has been learned. Throughout Key Stage 3 skills and knowledge are assessed and feedback for next steps is given for each student.

At Key Stage 4, past examination papers are used to track student progress towards expected grades. Throughout Year 10, students will be expected to complete a number of practice tests to prepare them for the final exam at the end of year 11. At the end of year 10 all students will have a mock exam in listening, speaking, reading and writing. In year 11 students will also undertake the ‘mock’ examination in December at either foundation or higher level.

 

This subject can lead to....

  • Broadcast journalist.
  • Diplomatic Services operational officer.
  • English as a foreign language teacher.
  • International aid/development worker.
  • Logistics and distribution manager.
  • Marketing executive.
  • Patent examiner.
  • Sales executive
  • Bilingual secretary

Travel & Tourism BTEC 

Faculty News & Information

Click here for the latest news from the Humanities Faculty

Exam Board and Syllabus

BTEC First Travel & Tourism

Unit 1 – UK Travel & Tourism Sector
Unit 2 – UK Travel & Tourism Destinations
Unit 5 – Factors Affecting Worldwide Travel
Unit 6 – Customer Experience

Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

Homework relevant to the topic being taught will be set every week.

Resources are available on the school’s MLE and also in the Travel & Tourism section of the online shared Student Central Resources area.

Supporting Progress

Interventions will involve individual students being supported within class and through after school support sessions where necessary.

Students are encouraged to review their progress on a regular basis through ensuring that assignments are completed and updated at appropriate points during course.

Beyond the Curriculum

Students are encouraged to visit tourist sites within and around London which may help their understanding of the course.

Head of Faculty: Mr R Sterlini

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

Students follow the Edexcel BTEC Travel & Tourism course.

In Unit 1 students analyse the UK Travel & Tourism sector. This is an examined unit. In Unit 2 students study different tourist destinations within the UK. Unit 5 covers a study of worldwide travel and Unit 6 is focused on customer service in the Travel & Tourism sector.

Assessment

Unit 1 – UK Travel & Tourism Sector (Examination – 25% of course)

Unit 2 – UK Travel & Tourism Destinations (Assignments – 25% of course)

Unit 5 – Factors Affecting Worldwide Travel (Assignments – 25% of course)

Unit 6 – Customer Experience (Assignments - 25% of course)

This subject can lead to....

Working in the Travel and Tourism sector is a wide and varied career choice and this course will introduce you to some of the key aspects of the industry.  Studying Travel and Tourism will allow you to broaden your knowledge of the sector as well as deepening your skills.  The course is a vocational or work-related qualification.  This means that it will help you to develop skills that you might need if you were to choose a career in the Travel and Tourism industry.  In addition, many of the skills are transferrable to other subject s and employment areas, such as: undertaking independent research, using your initiative, customer service, planning and problem solving.

Urdu

Faculty News & Information

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Exam Board and Syllabus

Edexcel GCSE Urdu

Year 8 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 9 Skills & Knowledge Map
Year 10 Long Term Plan
Year 11 Long Term Plan

Home Learning

  • Homework is set on a weekly basis.
  • Subject teachers give approximately 1-1.5 hours per week.
  • Homework could be grammar exercises, written essays, oral practice or vocabulary learning.
  • There are a wide range of resources available on the MLE including; Y11 Q+A loop cards, various past papers , grammar exercises, reading comprehensions…
  • Students are advised to look on the MLE in the relevant rooms for extra revision materials, worksheets, PowerPoint presentations and links to other useful websites to consolidate their learning at home.

Supporting Progress

  • There is extra support for students after school every week 3:30-4:30
  • Extra support for Key Stage 3 students is provided one lunch time per week in the KS3 French/Spanish/Urdu club
  • Extra support for Key Stage 4 students is provided every week 3:30-4:30pm in the KS4 French/Spanish/Urdu club

Beyond the Curriculum

  • Y7 MFL Spelling Bee
  • Y8 MFL Festival
  • Reward trip to the cinema
  • Y9 MFL Poetry Competition

Head of Faculty: Ms L Rafferty

Click here to contact our staff

Staff can be contacted via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

The Curriculum

French and Spanish are taught in mixed ability classes of 30 students in Year 7 and then students continue with their chosen language in Year 8. In Year 7 all students get a taster lesson in Urdu. In Year 8 students have the choice of continuing with either French, Spanish or Urdu. In Y7 the whole cohort will participate in a Spelling Bee competition in the target language. In Year 8 the whole cohort participate in the annual Year 8 Modern Foreign Language Festival which is a singing and dancing (in the Target Language) competition. The winning team are rewarded with a trip to the cinema. In Y9 the whole cohort will participate in a poetry competition in the target language in view to invite other local schools from the borough to participate as well.

Assessment

At Key Stage 3, students are assessed in each of the four key skills; Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Other tests may be undertaken as and when considered appropriate for example to ensure vocabulary has been learned. Throughout Key Stage 3 skills and knowledge are assessed and feedback for next steps is given for each student.

At Key Stage 4, past examination papers are used to track student progress towards expected grades. Throughout Year 10, students will be expected to complete a number of practice tests to prepare them for the final exam at the end of year 11. At the end of year 10 all students will have a mock exam in listening, speaking, reading and writing. In year 11 students will also undertake the ‘mock’ examination in December at either foundation or higher level.

 

 

This subject can lead to....

  • Broadcast journalist.
  • Diplomatic Services operational officer.
  • English as a foreign language teacher.
  • International aid/development worker.
  • Logistics and distribution manager.
  • Marketing executive.
  • Patent examiner.
  • Sales executive
  • Bilingual secretary

PSHE 

Awards