Year 12 Curriculum Statements Term 1:

IELTS

Course Content:

Students in year 12 have focused on increasing their language competence in the four main skills

tested in the Academic version of the IELTS examination. In addition, there is a range of

activities aimed at building competence in vocabulary and grammar relevant to the exam.

Students are familiarized with the test format, and advice, guidelines, strategies and tips are

provided on how to deal with different types of tasks and specific questions. The exam’s

different Reading, Listening, Writing (Tasks 1 & 2), Speaking (Parts 1-3) are then introduced,

practiced, tested and evaluated throughout the term.

Resources:

Ready for IELTS course book (Macmillan)

Ready for IELTS workbook (Macmillan)

The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS (CUP)

Improve Your IELTS Listening and Speaking Skills (Macmillan)

Assessment:

Controlled (Academic) Exam Component 30%

o Listening Exam (Sections 1-4)

o Reading Exam (Passages 1-3)

o Writing Exam (Tasks 1 & 2)

o Speaking (Parts 1-3)

Continuous Assessment Component 70%

o 4 listening sections

o 4 data analysis essays (pie chart, line graph/bar chart, table of information,

maps/diagram)

o 2 extended essays (problem and solution/cause and effect/POV)

o 3 reading passages

o 3 speaking parts

Maths

Course Content

The first term begins by looking at pure mathematics. The initial chapters contain material

covered in IGCSE including co-ordinate geometry, functions, quadratics, inequalities and surds

and indices. This serves as a review of previous learning and is expanded on to more difficult

concepts in each of the areas. The students will then begin studying calculus with two chapters

that examine differentiation and its applications. Subsequent learning will include properties of

arithmetic sequences, an introduction to the binomial theorem, an expansion of knowledge on

trigonometry and a more formal treatment of functions. The term will end by extending the

learning on differentiation and looking at vectors.

Resources.

Text, Cambridge University Press : Pure Mathematics 1;

Section 1, Quadratics – all

Section 2, Functions – all

Section 3, Co-ordinate Geometry – all

Section 4, Circular Measure – all

Section 5, Trigonometry – all

Section 6, Series – all

Section 7, Differentiation – all

Section 8, Further Differentiation – all

Section 9, Integration – all

School base and www.myimaths.com for online h/w.

Further resources and links will be posted on School base

Assessment.

Chapter / Unit Test (CT/UT) – 25%

Home works (at school base + www.myimaths.com) [HW’s] – 15%

Mid-term exam (MTE) – 20%

Final term exam (FTE) – 40%

Physics

Course Content

During the first week of the Edexcel International AS/A Level course, students will revisit

foundation skills of working with units and performing calculations with estimations (“Working

as a physicist”). The students will become familiarised with best practices, including appropriate

significant figures in answers, to avoid being penalised on the external examination. These skills

will be emphasized throughout the course.

The first topic is “Mechanics” that is largely a revision of International GCSE level

Newtonian physics on motion, forces, work and momentum. It is the first of the two topics (the

other being “Materials”) that will be addressed in the external examination (Paper 1) that the

students will sit in January. New contents for the International AS/A Level course include

resolving 2-dimensional vectors and performing calculations for a projectile. Students will revisit

the energy conservation law and utilise it to convert between kinetic and potential energies.

Conservation of momentum will also be considered for one-dimensional collision and explosion

events.

“Materials” begins with properties of fluids that include density and upthrust.

Characteristics of laminar and turbulent fluid flows are then introduced. Students will learn about

viscosity of fluids and how this property affects the motion of an object within the fluid.

Particularly, Stokes’ law for terminal velocity of an object under the influence of a viscous drag

force will be examined. Within the same topic, students will study the stress-strain properties of

solids that are described by Hooke’s law and the Young modulus. Force-extension and force-

compression graphs will be studied, where students will become familiar with elastic and plastic

deformation of a material.

Utilising the remaining time in Term 1, the students will learn through the majority of the

“Waves and particle nature of light” topic that will be included in the Paper 2 of the external

examination students will sit in the May/June examination series. First, the topic builds on the

International GCSE contents on wave characteristics and types. Students will then be introduced

to the behavior of waves: wave phase and superposition, stationary waves, diffraction, and wave

interference. Before transitioning to Term 2, the lessons will cover wave properties of light that

include refraction, total internal reflection and polarisation.

Note that the Edexcel International AS/A Level course specification prescribes core

practicals that complement the topics students will study this year. The first six of eight core

practicals for Year 12 will be completed during Term 1 as the associated theories and contents

are covered in lessons.

Towards the end of Term 1, KS5 students will sit the International AS/A Level Mock

Examination for science subjects. Only the topics for Paper 1 will be included on the Year 12

Term 1 Mock Examination.

Resources

Pearson Edexcel International AS/A Level Physics Student Book 1; the learning objectives can

be found on the first page of each section within the topics:

● Page 2: Working as a physicist

● Page 8: Mechanics

● Page 58: Materials

● Page 88: Waves and particle nature of light

Pearson Edexcel International AS/A Level Physics Lab Book

Further resources and links will be posted on SchoolBase

Assessment

Class participation, assignments, experiments: 30%

Topic tests (2): 40% (20% each)

Mock examination: 30%

Chemistry

Overview: Edexcel AS Chemistry is comprised of three units and offers external exams in

January for Unit 1 which covers the first 5 topics of the course. Exams are offered for Units 2

and 3 in May and June which respectively deal with Topics 6 – 10 and practical skills. The latter

is not a laboratory exam, but a written exam which will assess your exposure to chemical

practicals. We will do several practicals as prescribed and set out in the practical book (see

below). After every unit there will be a unit test forming the basis of continuous assessment.

We plan to complete the first 5 topics by mid-November, which will have us ready for the first

round of the Mock exams in the last week of November. Students have the December vacation

to practice and revise unit 1 so that they can write the exams in January. The sciences are all

written in the first few days of term 2 (Jan 6 – 13).

We will start with Unit 2 in mid-November and plan to finish the unit on March 20. Mock

exams are written Mar 25 – 29 followed by the external exams on Unit 2 and 3 in May and June.

After the Mock exams up to the external exams the time will be spent practicing previous exam

papers of a similar nature. The Unit 3 exam focuses on practicals of the whole year

Calendar: Term 1

Topic 1 3 weeks Aug 26 – Sep 13 Formulae, Equations & amount of substance

Topic 2 2 weeks Sep 16 – 27 Atomic structure and the periodic table

Topic 3 2 weeks Sep 30 – Oct 11 Bonding and Structure

Topic 4 2 weeks Oct 15 – 18 &

Oct 28 – Nov 1

Introductory organic chemistry and alkanes

Topics 5 &

6.1

2 weeks Nov 4 – 15 Alkenes and Energetics

Revision 1 week Nov 18 – 22 Practice previous papers for Unit 1 exam

Mock exams 1 week Nov 25 – 29 Preparation and practise for Unit 1 exam

Topic 6.2 1 week Dec 2 – 6 Energetics

Topic 7.1 1 weeks Dec 9 – 13 Intermolecular forces – first half

Calendar: Term 2

Exams

unit 1

1 week Jan 6 – 13 External Edexcel exams on Unit 1

Topic 7.2 1 week Jan 14 - 17 Intermolecular forces – second half

Topic 8 3 weeks Jan 20 – Feb 7 Redox chemistry and groups 1, 2 and 7

Res week Feb 11 – 14 Residential trip

Topic 9 2 weeks Feb 24 – Mar 6 Introduction to kinetics and equilibria

Topic 10 2 weeks Mar 9 – Mar 20 General principles in organic chemistry

Mock exams 1 weeks Mar 23 – 26 Mock exam season 2

Mar 30 – Apr 3 Practice previous papers for Unit 2 & 3 exam

Calendar: Term 3

2 weeks Apr 20 – May 1 Practice previous papers for Unit 2 & 3 exam

AS exam May 4 – Jul 17 External AS examinations

Note: This calendar may not be followed exactly since tests, public holidays, and other

commitments often take up some of the scheduled class periods.

Text book: Pearson Edexcel International AS/A Level Chemistry Student Book 1, First Edition,

by C Curtis and J Murgatroyd with D Scott, 2018, Pearson Education Limited, London.

Practical book: Pearson Edexcel International AS/A Level Chemistry Lab Book, First Edition,

by C Howe and N Saunders, 2018, Pearson Education Limited, London.

Biology

Course Content.

The first two lessons of the Edexcel International A-level Biology program, will allow students

to travel to the molecular scale to learn more about the structures and characteristics of important

biological molecules such as carbohydrates and lipids. The following lessons will be dedicated to

the physiopathology of the Mammalian transport system, as students review and reinforce their

knowledge and understanding of the circulatory system and familiarize themselves with the

characteristics of cardio vascular diseases. For the first time in their Biology studies, learners will

acquire the basics of epidemiology through the studying of the health risks in related to

atherosclerosis. The second half of term 1 will be the occasion for learners to deepen their

mastery of the processes of diffusion osmosis and active transport via the studying of various

surfaces of exchanges. Similarly to the way it started, term 1 will end with some biochemistry as

students learn more about the molecular structure and characteristics of proteins.

Resources.

Pearson Edexcel International S/A level Biology student book 1:

Page 8: the biochemistry of carbohydrates

Page 14: the biochemistry of lipids

Page 26: The Mammalian transport system

Page 50: Health risks

Page 74: Surfaces of exchange

Page 16: the biochemistry of proteins

Further resources and links will be posted on Schoolbase.

Assessment.

End of topic mini tests:30%

Class participation and assignments: 10%

Midterm and end of term exams:60%

Psychology

Year 12 psychology students will build their knowledge and evaluation skills of various

psychological research methods. Research methods include experimental design, observations,

case studies, correlations and ethics among other methodological practices. Following this,

students will learn and evaluate core studies from four psychological approaches.

The four paradigms to be explored are the social, cognitive, biological and learning approach.

Students will also be prepared for the Edexcel AS Level Psychology Exam 1 and Exam 2.

Media Studies

Course Content

This course begins with introductory concepts of media in all of its various types. An overview

of various concepts and terminology are introduced to the students, with students having the

opportunity to explore and create various media texts. The importance of disseminating and

viewing media with an analytical eye is emphasized. The focus will be on visual media,

particularly film and videos. Concepts that will be explored are MAIR, mise-en-scene,

semiotics, camera shots angles and movements, and narratives. This content will heavily

contribute to Component 2 of the CIE Media Studies 9607 syllabus.

Resources

Textbook: OCR A Level Media Studies, 4th Edition

Various sources dependent on media type:

o Video – Youtube, films, clips

o Audio – podcasts, radio

o Graphic – magazines, photography

o Social – facebook, Instagram

o Text – magazines, newspapers

Further resources and links

Assessment

Classroom work and effort – 30%

Projects and presentations – 40%

End of Term Project – 30%

MFL (Mandarin)

Content

Students will start a new textbook ‘Easy Steps to Chinese 5’ and will build on grammar and

sentence structures. Students will enhance their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills

through learning topics with vocabulary they that they will need to sit for their exam. Topics

include booking flights and hotel rooms, hobbies and making friends, country, hobbies, learning

languages. The students’ overall grades will be assessed on participation, group and individual

projects (presentation), dictation, homework (character writing and workbook exercises) and a

final exam.

Resources

Easy Steps to Chinese Textbook 5

Easy Steps to Chinese Workbook 5

Assessment

1. Participation 10 %

2. Examination 50 %

3. Dictation 20 %

4. Homework: 20 %

ICT

Course Content

Theory -

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the functions and uses of the main

hardware and software components of ICT systems, including portable communication

systems.

Identify the stages of the systems life cycle and the methods used within each of these

stages.

Practical-

Analyse database and charting facilities to store, search and manipulate data, solve

problems and to represent data graphically.

Able to use a spreadsheet to create and test a data model, extracting and summarising

data in a variety of forms.

Ability to use word processing, desktop publishing and presentation authoring facilities

to prepare documents/slides for an audience.

Resources

Applied ICT for AS Level and A Level

o Theory

Unit 1- ICT systems

Unit 4- The systems life cycle

o Practical

Unit 10-Document and presentation production

Unit 11- Databases and charts

Unit 14 – Using spreadsheets

Assessment

Topic Tests – 60%

Class Work- 40%

AS BUSINESS STUDIES

Course Content

The Cambridge International AS Level material begins with the Business and its Environment

with its emphasis on an understanding of business concepts and their application to business

situations, although some analysis of some issues is expected together with some evaluation.

Emphasis should be on the importance of enterprise, business objectives/ structure/size and

stakeholders. All sizes of businesses should be considered (including multinationals). Candidates

should understand the term Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

People in organisations will then be covered whereby the emphasis is on understanding and

applying the concepts of the workforce, with some analysis and evaluation of related problems.

The role of various management, leadership and motivation theories should be developed in a

practical way.

In reference to marketing, it will involve the development of knowledge and application of that

knowledge to business situations with some analysis and evaluation of marketing problems.

There is an emphasis on the process of finding and satisfying customers, with the focus also on

how marketing objectives can be met by understanding, applying and adapting the marketing

mix

Resources

Textbook (CIE Endorsed)

Cambridge International AS and A Level Business Coursebook (Cambridge University

Press)

o Unit 1 Business and its environment

o Unit 2 People in Organisations

o Unit 3 Marketing

Assessment

Written Feedback

o Comments on Achievement & Targets for Improvement (TFI)

Formal Assessment

o Knowledge & Understanding (+/- 40%)

o Application (+/- 20%)

o Analysis (+/- 15%)

o Evaluation (+/- 15%)

Economics

Course Content

Unit 1 - Basic Economic Ideas and Resource Allocation

At the outset of the course, it is essential that learners develop their understanding of the basic

economic problem of scarcity and choice, and why this arises. This section also introduces the

key fundamental economic ideas and principles which will underpin learning throughout the rest

of the course. In particular, basic economic concepts and their links to the key concept ‘scarcity’

and ‘choice’ are examined in detail. Leaners learn to understand positive statements, which are

objective and fact-based where the statements are precise, descriptive, and clearly measurable.

These statements can be measured against supported tangible evidence or historical instances.

Normative statements on the other hand focuses on the ideological, opinion-oriented,

prescriptive, value judgments, and "what should be" statements aimed toward economic

development, investment projects, and scenarios. Its goal is to summarize people's desirability

(or the lack thereof) to various economic developments, situations, and programs by asking or

quoting what should happen or what ought to be.

Learners also revisit the factors of production and the rewards that come from these. Learners

look at resource allocation in different economic systems; planned/command, free-market and

mixed economies and study the issues of transition from one economic system to another. In

addition, learners study the production possibilities curve/frontier which is illustrated in

graphical form that shows the maximum number of possible units a country can produce if it

only produces two products using all of its resources efficiently, for example capital and

consumer goods. We look at points on the curve and how movements have a sacrifice,

opportunity cost, as well as points outside the curve and within the curve and what they mean in

regard to production. Leaners also look at ‘money’, more specifically the characteristics and the

functions of money within the modern economy. Lastly in this unit the learners get a chance to

classify different goods and services and their related characteristics in the modern economy;

free goods, private goods, public goods, quasi-public goods, merit goods, and demerit goods. Unit 2 - The Price System and the Micro Economy

The theory of supply and demand and how it is used to determine market equilibrium levels of

price and output are fundamental requirements for understanding and applying economic

knowledge throughout the curriculum and in real-life practice. This section provides a basic

platform from which learners are able to analyse and evaluate a variety of alternative market

situations. Leaners study and analyse at both the different types of demand and supply curves,

including construction with a schedule and interpreting what they mean in a modern economy in

regard to movements along the curves as well as factors that influence shifts in these curves.

Furthermore, we look at the price elasticity of demand and supply in relation to the

‘responsiveness’ of consumers when there are price changes. We combine these curves to study

the interaction between demand and supply and how market equilibrium occurs at the

interception points, as well as look at cases whereby disequilibrium occurs. Learners finish off

this unit by looking at the issue of surplus, both from the perspectives of the producer and

consumer.

Unit 3 – Government microeconomic intervention

This topic builds upon the market analysis developed in the previous unit where the emphasis

here is on government intervention in the market and learners will be given opportunities to

apply theory introduced in the price system in the microeconomy. Leaners look at how both

maximum and minimum prices of products are determined and the effect they have the market in

a modern economy. Next the leaners look at the different types of taxation, more specifically

direct and indirect taxes. We cover the Impact and incidence of taxes, the specific and ad

valorem taxes, the average and marginal rates of taxation, as well as different types of taxation

systems; proportional, progressive and regressive. We then move onto to subsidies that are often

provided to businesses by the government towards further economic growth for example,

especially in regard to the impact and incidence of subsidies have on economies. Leaners also

gain an understanding of transfer payments, their meaning and effect on the market. Following

this, leaners cover the direct provision of goods and services, again looking at the Meaning and

effect on the market in economies. Lastly in this unit we look at nationalisation and privatisation

and analyse the meaning and the effect on markets.

Resources

Cambridge International AS and A Level Economics Coursebook & Workbook – 3rd Edition

Assessment

Topic Summaries / Mind Maps/ Diagrams / Graphic Organises

Written Feedback – Self Assessment Tasks

Objectives & Weighting

AO1 Knowledge & Understanding (30%)

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding.

AO2 Application (20%)

Interpret and apply knowledge and understanding to information presented in written, numerical

or graphical form.

AO3 Analysis (30%)

Analyse economic issues and arguments, using relevant economic concepts, theories and

information, and communicate conclusions in a clear, reasoned manner.

AO4 Evaluation (20%)

Critically evaluate economic information, arguments, proposals and policies, taking into

consideration relevant information and economic principles and distinguishing facts from

hypothetical statements and value judgements.

Media Studies

Course Content

Media Studies A2 level discusses contemporary issues in media, allowing students to explore in

much greater depth and detail. Term 1 introduces the topic of Media and Collective Identity

addressing important concepts such as media representation and identity of various groups of

people. Students examine case studies, look at representation across different media platforms,

and evaluate media representation in different contexts.

Students also begin planning and production on their advanced portfolio which is an extension of

their foundation portfolio component in year 12. Students continue developing their skills in

media creation and expanding their creativity.

Resources

Textbook: OCR A Level Media Studies, 4th Edition

Textbook: A Level Media Studies, The Essential Introduction

Various sources dependent on media type:

o Video – Youtube, films, clips

o Audio – podcasts, radio

o Graphic – magazines, photography

o Social – facebook, Instagram

o Text – magazines, newspapers

Further resources and links

Assessment

Classwork and preliminary tasks – 30%

Assessment – 70%