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Case study 13: Offering extra GCSEs from year 9
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Case study 13: Offering extra GCSEs from year 9
This case study shows how a school is stretching its gifted students by offering them the opportunity to take an extra GCSE in ICT over years 9, 10 and 11.
selective girls' grammar school (11 to 18), with 1000 on roll and a rich ethnic mix. The school has Beacon status
offering gifted students the chance to take an extra GCSE in ICT
spreading the extra subject lessons across years 9 to 11
work of a very high standard (the GCSE results won't be known for another two years)
Background
The school is an LEA-funded selective girls' grammar school for 11- to 18-year-olds. It has 1,000 students on roll, with a rich ethnic mix that reflects the cultural diversity of its city location. The vast majority of students at the school are gifted, and a significant number are also talented.
The school considered enriching the curriculum and stretching its gifted students by early entry in examinations, but felt that this would be difficult to implement and would raise problems for progression. Instead, it decided to introduce an extra course (a full GCSE in ICT ) with lessons spread thinly across years 9, 10 and 11.
Implementation
Year 9 students began the new GCSE course in September 2001. All 150 students in the year group are involved, funded from the normal school budget.
The school found additional curriculum time by introducing a new two-week timetable. Initial plans for a one-hour ICT lesson per fortnight were soon changed to one lesson per week.
Staff development is an ongoing issue. The marking and moderation of coursework with a large number of extra students and a small team of staff still needs to be addressed. More planning time may need to be allowed for ICT staff to meet and discuss strategy and prepare materials. Some pupils who are finding the work or workload difficult may also need out-of-hours support. Pastoral staff are currently monitoring any additional workload stress caused by the extra course.
In the future, the school is considering introducing GCSE Religious Education (short course) from year 9, perhaps coupled with GCSE Citizenship Studies (short course).
Impact
Monitoring and evaluation will not be complete until the GCSE results are known. However, initial signs are that the year 9 students' work is of a very high standard -- in some cases, better than work produced by students in years 10 and 11 who have opted for GCSE ICT. The school believes that by acquiring additional ICT skills and knowledge at an earlier age, students' attainment will improve across the curriculum.