GCSEs
Subjects studied in our 4th and 5th forms:
Core subjects
- English
The characteristic qualities of Kingham Hill English continue from KS3 and are honed at the GCSE level: thoughtful reading, critical thinking and creative, eloquent expression. - Mathematics
GCSE Mathematics is a compulsory subject and all pupils will attend and take exams in this subject. At Kingham Hill School we take the Edexcel Mathematics GCSE which is a 2 year course that is assessed through written examinations in the summer of the final year.
Optional subjects (7 chosen including at least one of *)
- Animal Management - Level 2 BTEC*
This course is perfect if you want an introduction to working in the animal management industry. The course is designed to provide you with a good understanding of the skills and practical elements needed to care for animals. - Art and Design
GCSE Art and Design gives pupils the opportunity to develop and extend their creative, imaginative and technical skills. Through experimentation with a range of traditional and digital media, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, photography and ceramics, pupils explore and investigate the visual world. - Biology*
GCSE Biology is the study of all living organisms and their interaction with each other and the world around them. It is a fabulous course that provides great preparation for Biology at A level or for anyone who is interested in the natural world in general and the living organisms that surround us. - Chemistry*
GCSE Chemistry is really the study of “stuff”. You will learn about the material world around you - what it is made of, what holds it together and why chemical reactions happen. - Design and Technology
We offer Edexcel GCSE 9-1 Design and Technology which 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 Fifth Form. - Drama
At GCSE, Drama pupils follow the AQA syllabus (8261). As such, pupils complete two Non-Examined units worth 60%. For the final 40% exam component, all pupils studying Drama are expected to study a set play. - Economics
Economics is the study of how people behave… and specifically how they make choices. - French
French is an excellent qualification for developing further the skills pupils have already learnt, helping them to produce impressive spoken and written French. - Geography
Geography is a relevant, hands on subject that helps you to make sense of the world around you. - History
History at GCSE builds upon the skills and techniques developed during the 1st to 3rd forms, specifically the concepts of significance, cause and consequence, continuity and change, similarity and difference; and also the source based skills of nature, origin and purpose, usefulness, reliability and historical interpretation. - Latin
The GCSE in Latin is aimed at giving pupils the opportunity to achieve a respected qualification in a difficult subject which carries a great deal of kudos. The GCSE forms a very good stepping stone to A level. The GCSE is highly respected by universities as a challenging benchmark qualification. - Physical Education
GCSE PE at Kingham is an excellent way to begin a career in sport or a way of enhancing your love of sport by studying and developing your knowledge into how to train or how the body works to keep you exercising. - Physics*
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. - Religious Studies
Religious Studies involves the discipline of being able to think outside of one’s own frame of reference. In a world that regularly sees the misrepresentation and characaturing of traditions; religious, secular, political and philosophical, it is essential that we learn to be critical of our own conceptual frameworks and more charitable to the views of others whilst remaining grounded in those beliefs and values that are significant to us. - Spanish
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. The IGCSE is highly respected by universities as a challenging benchmark qualification.