Year 10 - Autumn Term

Note: If you are not sure who your child’s teacher is for certain subjects or what option subjects your child is studying then please contact your child's form tutor for more information.

 

English: (Mrs Margarita, Ms McGhee, Mr Sullivan)

This term, learners will engage in coursework for the Cambridge IGCSE. They will begin by honing their descriptive writing skills, focusing on scenes such as a train station and a celebration. Following this, they will work on narrative writing, using images as inspiration to craft engaging stories. Additionally, learners will practise for Language Paper 1, developing their comprehension and analysis skills.

 

Maths (Mr Stephen):

The first half of this term reviews key number skills such as place value with decimals, fractions, percentages and indices and, for some learners, the introduction of surds. Algebra is refreshed and extended through simplification, substitution and manipulation, ensuring all learners have secure foundations before advancing into more challenging material. Depending on sequencing, we may also introduce elements of geometry such as measurement and properties of shapes. The purpose is to establish confidence with the “building block” topics that underpin later GCSE content. Some learners will also be working towards achieving a Functional Skills Level 1 or 2 qualification by the end of the academic year.

 

PSHE (Mr Watkins): 

The PSHE curriculum in Year 10 will cover topics from the three main strands of ‘Living in the Wider World’, ‘Health & Wellbeing’ and ‘Relationship & Sex Education’. All topics can be found on our school website, however, learners will cover social anxiety, the influence of social media,  managing our screen time, critical thinking around fake news, dealing with grief and bereavement, positive role models and successful conflict management.

 

PE (Mr Lee and Mr Green): 

In P.E learners will take part in various different sporting activities including invasion sports, net and racket, target sports, athletics and health related fitness. In year 10 we are looking for learners to perform skills consistently over an extended period of time whilst developing their leadership skills. 

 

Careers: 

In careers this half term learners will be recapping Post 16 options. The unit will include sessions on A-Levels, BTECs, T-Levels and apprenticeships. We will also continue to discuss the differences between sixth form and college. This unit follows as a refresher from the Post 16 unit from year 9 as well as encouraging learners to think about what they want to pursue after Year 11. 

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Option Subjects

 

Biology GCSE (Mrs McCran, Dr Allouis  and Dr Doza):

In the first half of the term we will be looking at cells and how they are controlled. After half term, we will be focusing on the topic of genetics.  

 

Chemistry GCSE (Mrs McCran):

Chemistry lessons begin with atomic structure and the periodic table, before moving on to ionic bonding and the formulation of chemical equations.

 

Physics GCSE (Mr Gamble):

This term, physics will begin with the topic of conservation of energy, before progressing to the study of waves later in the term.

 

Entry Level Science (Mr Doza): 

The course begins with the biology topics of cells, genetics, inheritance, and genetic modification. After half term, the focus shifts to chemistry, with practical work on atoms, compounds and states of matter rounding off the term.

 

Drama (Mrs Khairdean)

Learners will take on a leading role in the Christmas pantomime ‘The Wizard of Oz’ contributing both performance and production ideas. They will develop confidence in offering directorial suggestions and making collaborative decisions, acting as positive role models for younger learners. Performance work will focus on refining acting skills including vocal variation, use of pace, pause, comic timing, and physical characterisation in line with Grade 1 LAMDA criteria, enabling learners to deliver engaging and polished performances that showcase their growing maturity as theatre-makers.

 

History GCSE (Mr Miller): 

In History this term we will start by learning how to answer some of the exam questions found in the Crime and Punishment topic. We will then be looking at Anglo-Saxon England, the last years of Edward the Confessor and the Norman invasion of 1066. We will then examine how William secured power and how the Anglo-Saxons resisted their Norman conquerors.

 

BTEC Music (Mrs Beardmore): 

We are progressing through the BTEC Music course, with learners preparing to take their first attempt at the Unit 1 exam in January 2026. A second opportunity will be available in June 2026 if needed. We will also be working on individual units based on composition, performing and sequencing alongside our work for the exam. 

 

Design Technology (Mrs Beck): 

Learners will begin their NCFE Level 1 qualification by investigating a design brief and developing a collection of design ideas. These ideas will then be refined and developed into prototypes. As part of the course, learners will also be introduced to a range of craft processes, such as wet felting, which will allow them to explore materials, techniques, and methods that can enhance their design work.

BTEC Sport (Mr Lee): 

With BTEC Sport the course is made up of four units; Sports Leadership, Online Exam, Rules and Regulations and Personal Development plan. In year 10 learners will be working on their Unit 2 Rules and Regulations. This includes the rules and regulations of two chosen sports and practically demonstrating skills and tactics within these sports before reviewing personal performance. 

 

Art (Mrs Easton):

The learners  are looking at how to draw realistic features, applying tone and plenty of detail  which they will then use to create a portrait. Once these are complete they will examine the  Surrealist work by Magritte and Dali  and create a surreal portrait. This will progress onto creating a surreal model on their own chosen theme. 

 

Food Technology (Mr Langsdon): 

In Year 10 this half term, learners will focus on developing ideas for their BTEC coursework, exploring different ways to present dishes to make them visually appealing. They will also study how combining various ingredients can create balanced and colourful dishes. In addition, learners will continue to refine their knife skills and reinforce safe practices in the kitchen.

 

Computer Science (Mr Arnold):

The focus for the first term will be to embed and expand on the coding skills that were learnt during year 9. As well as the coding in Python, we will also look at Computer Architecture, with particular focus on the Central Processing unit. Alongside this will be short sessions focussing on cyber security and the roles of different professionals within this sphere.