Years 10 / 11 GCSEs
The GCSE curriculum for Years 10 & 11 at Barnard Castle School comprises a common core of subjects taken by all pupils, to which are added three option subjects of the pupil’s own choice. This is designed to equip all pupils with the qualifications needed for future study and employ- ment whilst enabling them also to develop their own strengths and interests. Please click on the subject links for syllabus information.
Core Subjects
All pupils study the following subjects to GCSE level:
- English (with most adding English Literature)
- Mathematics
- One Modern Foreign Language – from French, German and Spanish (see below for a second optional language)
- Sciences – Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Option Subjects
Pupils select three other GCSE subjects:
- Art
- Business Studies
- Classical Civilisation
- Computer Science
- Creative iMedia (a Cambridge National qualification, not GCSE)
- Design Technology
- Drama
- Geography
- History
- Latin
- Music
- Physical Education
- Religious Studies
- French as an extra language [If pupils have chosen German or Spanish as their main foreign language, they may opt to do French as an additional foreign language.]
Non-Examined Subjects
Personal, Social and Health Education
Games
Examination Boards and Codes
There are four national examination boards in England and Wales: AQA, Pearson (Edexcel), OCR and WJEC. Further information is obtainable from the examination boards’ own websites. In addition, some of our departments offer International GCSEs, often through Cambridge University’s Cambridge International Exams (CIE).
