Year 10 & 11 Curriculum - The JCB Academy

Learners at The JCB Academy work in teams tackling engineering and business problems. Each unit of work lasts ten weeks and covers the key content of the engineering qualifications. Learners also develop key attitudes and skills needed to succeed in the modern world.

The curriculum consists of ten, level 2 qualifications (eleven for the more able learners). During these two years, learners will study:

Core Block

English Language (GCSE)
English Literature (GCSE)
Mathematics (GCSE)
Physical Education (non-examined)
Science – Combined (two GCSEs)
- More able learners undertake the following instead of core and additional science:
  - Biology (GCSE)
  - Chemistry (GCSE)
  - Physics (GCSE)

Technical Block

Business (BTEC Level 2)
Engineering Design (OCR Level 2)
Engineering Manufacture (OCR Level 2)
Financial Education (LIBF Level 2)
Practical Skills (non-examined)

Options – learners will then choose one option from:

English (Functional Skills Level 2)
French (GCSE)
German (GCSE)
ICT – Creative iMedia (OCR Level 2)
Practical Skills (non-examined)
Design and Technology (Product Design) (GCSE)
Spanish (GCSE)
Sport (BTEC Level 2)

Please click here to see descriptions of all subjects and optional subjects.

GCSE English Literature

Examination: 100% Untiered examinations at the end of year 11

Component 1: Shakespeare and Poetry

Written examination: 2 hours
40% of qualification

Section A (20%) Shakespeare

Macbeth: One extract question and one essay question based on the reading of Macbeth.

Section B (20%) Poetry from 1789 to the present day

Two questions based on poems from the WJEC Eduqas Poetry Anthology, one of which involves comparison.

Component 2: Post-1914 Prose/Drama, 19th Century Prose and Unseen Poetry

Written examination: 2 hours and 30 minutes
60% of qualification

Section A (20%) Post-1914 Prose/Drama

The Woman in Black (Hill)
One source-based question on a post 1914 prose/drama on The Woman in Black.

Section B (20%) 19th Century Prose

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Stevenson)
One source-based question on a 19th century prose text from The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Section C (20%) Unseen Poetry from the 20th/21st Century

Two questions on unseen poems, one of which involves comparison.

Learners are not permitted to take copies of the set texts into any of the examinations.

Topics covered in Y10:

Unseen poetry
Anthology poetry (selected poems from the anthology grouped in themes)
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Topics covered in Y11:

Further development of analytical approach to texts, with a closer focus on precise timing and exam board requirements in preparation for the summer examinations.

Unseen poetry
Anthology poetry (selected poems from the anthology grouped in themes)
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Stevenson

GCSE English Language

Examination: 100% Untiered examinations at the end of year 11

Component 1:

20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Prose Writing
Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes
40% of qualification

Section A (20%) – Reading
Understanding of one prose extract (about 60-100 lines) of literature from the 20th century assessed through a range of structured questions.

Section B (20%) – Prose Writing
One creative writing task selected from a choice of four titles

Component 2:

and 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading and
Transactional/Persuasive Writing
Written examination: 2 hours
60% of qualification

Section A (30%) – Reading
Understanding of two extracts (about 900-1200 words in total) of high-quality non-fiction writing, one from the 19th century, the other from the 21st century, assessed through a range of structured questions.

Section B (30%) – Writing
Two compulsory transactional/persuasive writing tasks

Component 3:

Speaking and Listening Assessment
Non-exam assessment
Unweighted

One presentation/speech, including responses to questions and feedback.

Achievement in Spoken Language will be reported as part of the qualification, but it will not form part of the final mark and grade.

Topics covered in Y10:

Functional and transactional writing
Creative writing
Speaking and Listening
Non-fiction and fiction reading
19th Century non-fiction reading

Topics covered in Y11:

Further development of topics covered during Y10, with a closer focus on precise timing and exam board requirements in preparation for the summer examinations.

Functional and transactional writing
Creative writing
Speaking and Listening
Non-fiction and fiction reading
19th Century non-fiction reading

GCSE Mathematics

Examination Board: AQA
Examination: 100% exam

Topics Covered:

Number

Decimals, Place value and Rounding:

Find the upper and lower bounds of more difficult calculations with quantities given to a various degrees of accuracy
Find the upper and lower bounds of more difficult calculations with quantities given to a various degrees of accuracy
Round to a given number of significant figures
Find the upper and lower bounds of simple calculations (addition and subtraction) involving quantities given to a particular degree of accuracy
Estimate answers to calculations

Properties of Number:

Find the least common multiple (LCM) of two or more numbers
Find the highest common factor (HCF) of two or more numbersFind the highest common

Percentages:

Work out reverse percentage problems
Understand how to use successive percentages
Work out compound interest

FDP, Ratio and Proportion:

Solve direct and inverse proportion problems
Interpret the graphs of direct and inverse proportion relationships
Convert recurring decimals to fractions and fractions to recurring decimals
Identify recurring and terminating decimals
Calculate proportional changes using a multiplier

Powers, Indices, Standard Form and Surds:

Simplify surds, such as 4(3 + √3) and (2 – √3)(4 + √3) in the form a + b√3
Use index notation and index laws for fractional powers ie. 〖16〗^□(3/4)
Rationalise the denominator of a surd such as 2/√5
Use index notation and index laws for simple fractional powers such as 〖16〗^□(1/4)
Use index notation and index laws for simple negative powers such as 2-3
Convert between ordinary and standard index form representations
Use standard index form with and without a calculator

Fractions:

Do calculations with mixed numbers
Do calculations with simple fractions involving division

Algebra

Expressions and Equations:
Simplify harder rational expressions
Solve fractional linear equations with the unknown in the denominator such as 4/(x+2)+3/(2x-1)=2
Solve harder quadratic equations (a≠1) such as 5×2 -3x + 5 = 0 by using the quadratic formula
Simplify quadratic expressions by completing the square
Use completing the square to solve quadratic equations
Use completing the square to find maximum and minimum values
Solve a pair of simultaneous equations where one is linear and one is non-linear such as x + 4y = 15 and x2 + y2 = 9
Factorise harder quadratic expressions (a > 1)
Solve quadratic equations (a=1) such as x2 -3x + 5 = 0 by using the quadratic formula
Solve a pair of simultaneous equations where one is linear and one is non-linear such as y = 3x – 5 and y = x2
Solve quadratic equations such as x2+ 6x+ 8=0 by factorisation
Solve a pair of simultaneous equations in two unknowns such as 2x+y=5 and 3x+2y = 4
Simplify rational expressions involving quadratic expressions
Solve fractional linear equations such as (2x-1)/6+(x+3)/3=5/2
Expand and simplify two expressions of the form (x ± n)
Factorise quadratic expressions

Inequalities and Formulae:

Rearrange formulae where the variable appears twice
Rearrange formulae that include brackets, fractions and square roots
Rearrange linear formulae such as s = 4q – 7
Solve inequalities such as 3x < 9 and 12 ≤ 3n < 20

Sequences:

Write the nth term of a quadratic sequence or a series of diagrams
Write the nth term of a sequence or a series of diagrams
Write the terms of a sequence or a series of diagrams given the nth term

Graphs:

Plot and sketch graphs of exponential functions
Recognise the shapes of graphs of functions
Transform the graphs of y = f(x), using the transformations
y = f(x) + a, y = f(x + a), y = f (ax) and y = af(x)
Solve simultaneous equations graphically, such as y = 2x–1 and x2 + y2 = 13
Explore the gradients of perpendicular straight-line graphs
Use the points of intersection of a quadratic graph such as
y = x2 – 2x – 4 with lines such as y = 2x + 1 to solve equations like x2 – 2x – 4 = 2x + 1
Construct the graphs of loci, including the circle x2 + y2 = r2
Solve simultaneous equations graphically, such as y = x – 1 and x2 + y2 = 9
Explore the gradients of parallel straight-line graphs
Solve a set of linear inequalities in 2 variables by representing the solution as a region on a graph
Know that each equation can be represented by a line on a graph and that the point of intersection of the lines is the solution
Complete tables for, and draw graphs of cubic functions
Use cubic graphs to solve equations
Complete tables for, and draw graphs of reciprocal functions
Use reciprocal graphs to solve equations

Geometry

Perimeter, Area and Volume:

Find the volume of the frustum of a truncated cone
Calculate the lengths of circular arcs
Calculate the areas of sectors
Calculate the surface areas of cylinders, cones and spheres
Calculate the volumes of cylinders, cones and spheres
Compare areas and volumes of enlarged shapes
Find the area of a 2-D shape, given the area of a similar shape and the ratio
Find the volume of a 3-D solid, given the volume of a similar solid and the ratio
Distinguish between formulae for perimeter, area and volume by considering dimensions

Speed, Distance, Time:

Interpret velocity–time graphs
Discuss and interpret graphs modelling real situations

Angles:

Use trigonometry to find sides and angles in three dimensions
Find the angle between a line and a plane
Understand the graphs of trigonometric functions for angles of any size
Solve more difficult vector geometry problems
Prove the angle properties of a circle
Prove the tangent / chord properties of a circle
Use and prove the alternate segment theorem
Add, subtract and multiply vectors to solve vector geometry problems
Understand the relationship between parallel and perpendicular vectors
Use Pythagoras’ theorem in 3-D problems
Sketch and draw trigonometric graphs
Use the sine rule to find the missing sides and missing angles in any triangle
Use the cosine rule to find the missing sides and missing angles in any triangle
Use the formula for the area of a non right-angled triangle
Use the angle properties of a circle
Use the tangent / chord properties of a circle
Find the distance between two points from their coordinates
Use sine, cosine and tangent to calculate an angle in a right-angled triangle
Use sine, cosine and tangent to calculate a side in a right-angled triangle

Properties of Shapes and Objects:

Prove that two triangles are congruent
Use the conditions for congruent triangles in formal geometric proofs
Match sides and angles of similar triangles, given some dimensions

Constructions:

Prove the construction theorems
Construct the perpendicular bisector of a line
Construct the perpendicular from a point to a line
Construct the perpendicular from a point on a line
Construct angles of 60° and 90°
Construct the bisector of an angle
Construct accurately loci, such as those of points equidistant from two fixed points

Transformations:

Enlarge a shape by a negative scale factor
Reflect shapes in the lines y = x and y = –x
Rotate shapes about any point
Describe fully reflections and rotations about any point

Statistics and Probability

Collecting Data and Sampling:

Use stratified sampling methods
Identify possible sources of bias in the design and use of data collection sheets & questionnaires
Specify hypotheses and test them

Averages:

Construct a time series graph
Use the trend line to estimate other values
Find the mean for grouped data
Find the median and modal class for grouped data
Use measures of average and range to compare distributions and make inferences

Constructing and Interpreting Charts and Graphs:

Construct and interpret a histogram including unequal class intervals
Construct and interpret a cumulative frequency diagram
Use a cumulative frequency diagram to estimate the median and interquartile range
Construct and interpret a box plot
Compare two sets of data using box plots

Probability:

Draw tree diagrams and use them to find probabilities of successive dependent events
Understand dependent and independent outcomes
Understand probabilities associated with mutually exclusive events
Use tree diagrams to find probabilities of successive independent events
Use relative frequency to find probabilities
Complete a tree diagram

GCSE Chemistry

Examination Board: AQA
Examination: 100% exam at the end of year 11

Assessments

Paper 1:

What’s assessed
Topics 1–5: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and Energy changes.

How it’s assessed

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE

Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.

Paper 2:

What’s assessed
Topics 6–10: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.

How it’s assessed

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE

Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.

Topics Covered in year 10:

Atomic structure and the periodic table
Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
Quantitative chemistry
Chemical changes
Energy changes

Topics Covered in year 11:

The rate and extent of chemical change
Organic chemistry
Chemical analysis
Chemistry of the atmosphere
Using resources

GCSE Biology

Examination Board: AQA
Examination: 100% exam at the end of year 11

Assessments

Paper 1

What’s assessed
Topics 1–4: Cell biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.

How it’s assessed

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE

Questions

Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.

Paper 2

What’s assessed
Topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.

How it’s assessed

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE

Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.

Topics Covered in year 10:

Cell biology
Organisation
Infection and response
Bioenergetics

GCSE Physics

Examination Board: AQA
Examination: 100% exam at the end of year 11

Assessments

Paper 1:

What’s assessed
Topics 1-4: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.

How it’s assessed

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE

Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.

Paper 2:

What’s assessed
Topics 5-8: forces; waves; magnetism and electromagnetism; and space physics.

Questions in paper 2 may draw on an understanding of energy changes and transfers due to heating, mechanical and electrical work and the concept of energy conservation from energy and electricity.

How it’s assessed

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE

Questions
Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.

GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy

Examination Board: AQA
Examination: 100% exam at the end of year 11

Assessments

There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas.

Biology Paper 1

What’s assessed
Biology topics 1–4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.

How it’s assessed

Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
70 marks
16.7% of GCSE