GCSE Courses

English Language IGCSE explores the written word and develops pupils’ ability to write with precision, power and flair. Pupils will read and analyse a range of fiction, poetry and non-fiction extracts as part of the course, whilst being encouraged to read widely of their own volition. All of the texts studied within this course are contained within an anthology booklet which will be given to each pupil. This makes it quite a manageable task, providing pupils work at note taking and practice the core skills.

English Literature IGCSE delves deeply into the ideas, themes and messages of a text. Pupils will have the opportunity to explore the psychologies of characters, the motives of authors and the social, political, historical and cultural contexts in which great pieces of literature were created. The aim is for pupils to understand the important role that literature plays in society, and how it encourages us to continue questioning and exploring what it means to be human. They will study a range of literary genres from the sixteenth to the twenty-first century.

GCSE Mathematics is a compulsory subject for which all pupils will take exams. Kingham Hill streams all Mathematics classes at Key Stage 4, to differentiate the work that each set completes, and enable pupils to move at a pace suitable to their ability. Teachers will recommend a suitable tier (foundation or higher) for each pupil at the beginning of the course.  At foundation level a grade of 1–5 obtainable, with learning from previous years consolidated. At higher level new topics are introduced alongside topics studied in previous years – a grade of 4–9 is achievable. It is important to note that some post GCSE courses require higher mathematics grades.

This course is a comprehensive introduction to working in the animal management industry. It is designed to provide pupils with a good understanding of the knowledge, skills and practical elements needed to care for animals. Pupils will work with the range of animals in the Kingham Hill collection and learn in both practical and theoretical ways appropriate husbandry for meeting and exceeding health and welfare standards.

Art & Design provides a balance with other subjects, giving pupils the opportunity to develop and extend their creative, imaginative and technical skills. Pupils will explore and investigate the visual world through experimentation with a range of traditional and digital media, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, photography and ceramics. They will also develop their critical skills, making connections and reflecting on the work of artists and designers, learning to communicate their own ideas and opinions. 

GCSE Biology is the study of all living organisms, their interaction with each other and the world around them. It is a fabulous course for anyone interested in the natural world, and provides essential preparation for A Level Biology. There are a range of practicals throughout the course that allow pupils to develop a deeper understanding of the subject.

GCSE Business introduces pupils to the world of business and enterprise, helping them to understand how businesses operate and make decisions. Pupils will explore real-life business contexts, developing skills in problem-solving, decision-making and understanding the impact of business activity on individuals and society.

GCSE Chemistry is really the study of ‘stuff’. Pupils will learn about the material world around them – what it is made of, what holds it together and why chemical reactions happen. There is so much complexity, and yet once pupils see the patterns and principles they can appreciate that Chemistry is simple, but certainly not always easy. 

GCSE Design & Technology focuses on the broad range of skills needed for life in the twenty-first century. It is often the subject where pupils achieve the most satisfaction when seeing their ideas realised. The subject encourages design risk taking and innovation by solving problems associated with a given contextual challenge. Pupils undertake a large design and make project and a written examination in the 5th Form.

GCSE Drama is aimed at engaging and encouraging pupils to become confident performers. As such, there is a lot of flexibility in the choice of texts studied and much opportunity for pupils to do what they would like as part of the devising component.

IGCSE French is an excellent qualification for further developing skills pupils have learnt through 1st to 3rd Form. Through this course pupils will be able to understand and respond to spoken and written French.

Geography is a topical subject that can help pupils to make sense of the world around them. The Geography GCSE will help them to think deeply about some of the most pressing issues of our time by deepening their understanding of geographical processes and the impact of complex people-environment interactions.

The GCSE history course contains a mixture of medieval and modern topics. History is all about intellectual curiosity because trying to work out the motives behind the actions of people in the past is enduringly interesting. Pupils will be fascinated, entertained and along the way will develop their arguing abilities and evidence handling skills.

GCSE Music combines the three musical skills which are developed throughout 1st to 3rd Form; performing, composing and appraising (listening). GCSE Music is for anyone who enjoys making music. Pupils can play an instrument or sing, but we generally suggest that candidates are working at the level of Grade 3 or above, from the start of the 4th Form, continuing to work upwards throughout the course. 

GCSE PE is an excellent way to begin a career in sport or to enhance a passion for sport. The course will develop pupils' knowledge of training to improve sports performance, and their understanding of how the body works to keep people exercising. There are close links to the GCSE science syllabus in the four body systems topics of the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems with knowledge from each being applied to sport and physical activity.

Physics is one of the natural sciences and encompasses the study of the universe from both macro and micro perspectives. From the largest galaxies, some millions of light years away, to the smallest subatomic particles such as quarks, mesons and strings, Physics studies them all. In GCSE Physics, essential scientific concepts will be studied through investigating, observing, experimenting or testing out ideas and thinking about them. This will involve talking about, reading and writing about physical concepts, doing practical experiments, as well as representing physics in its many forms both mathematically and visually through models.

GCSE Religious Studies really suits those who are open minded and willing to explore other world views and have their own challenged. It is a subject that suits those who are academically curious and are willing to engage with questions beyond the everyday. At Kingham Hill Judaism and Christianity are studied due to the close connection in the history of these two great religious traditions. The course itself is broken into a beliefs and practices section followed by a thematic section that looks at ethical and philosophical issues. 

Spanish is an excellent qualification for developing further the skills pupils have already learnt, helping them to produce impressive spoken and written Spanish. It forms a very good stepping stone to A level.