THE GCSE
(General Certificate of Secondary Education)

Grades - There are eight grades at GCSE, ranging from A* (the highest) to G; all eight grades are pass grades.

Coursework – Most GCSEs include coursework which forms an important part of the examination mark in these subjects. Coursework involves working in college and at home; it also means handing work in on time. Deadlines for handing in coursework are usually towards the end of the Spring Term in Year 11.

Examination Tiers – GCSE examinations have one or two tiers of entry. Teachers enter students for the tier that is most appropriate. Each tier leads to a range of GCSE grades. For example, in Mathematics, students entered for Higher Tier can be awarded a grade A*, A, B ,C or D; students entered for the Foundation Tier can be awarded a grade C, D, E, F or G. It is important to understand that students can only achieve a grade within the range available in the tier they are entered for.

GCSE (double award)

A GCSE double award is worth two GCSEs. Like other GCSEs, it is graded from A* to G. These GCSEs are available in Art and Design, OCR ICT, Engineering and Health and Social Care.

If you take a GCSE double award, you will study three units of work over two years. Two of these units will be broken down into assignments which are assessed by your teachers. One unit will be assessed by an external test examination.

The two coursework units are worth two-thirds of the marks. The examination unit is worth the other third of the marks.

GCSE double awards are suited to students of all levels of ability. Students progress from double award GCSEs to a wide range of A level courses, university degrees and further education. They are also well suited to students who enjoy continual assessment through coursework. Students that are successful on double award courses must have very good independent learning skills. This will be discussed at your interview.


Diplomas

The Diplomas contain a series of different parts which are assessed in different ways including a project, work experience, coursework and online or written tests.  The Diploma is available at two levels.  Foundation level is the equivalent of 5 GCSEs at Grades D-G and the Higher level is equivalent to 7 GCSEs at Grades A*-C.  Students must successfully complete each part of the course to achieve the full Diploma.