Evidenced Centre Grades
This webpage outlines Westminster City School's arrangements for GCSE and A Level grades in summer 2021.
In January 2021, the UK Government closed schools and there was a return to remote teaching for most young people, to help limit the spread of COVID-19. As many currently studying for their GCSEs and A Levels had experienced disruption during the previous academic year, the UK Government also decided that summer 2021 exams could not be held as usual.
However, grades will be awarded to help young people continue to the next stage of their education, training or employment. Following a wide-ranging consultation, the UK Government has agreed that, in place of a full programme of summer 2021 exams, grades for subjects will be based on a school assessment of the standard at which young people are performing.
At Westminster City School, this means we will continue to teach full-time lessons up until Friday 7 May. Our young people will then sit a number of mini exams across their GCSE or A Level subjects. This allows our young people to demonstrate their skills and knowledge to the fullest and best extent.
Our mini exams will run from Monday 10 May until the week beginning 24 May, with our final date for mini exams being Friday 28 May. Papers will be anonymised, so marking is as blind as possible to ensure fairness. We have also agreed the following set of principles to guide our processes and decisions:
- Fairness – our School aims to determine grades which are fair to our young people given the circumstances;
- Equity – our School will provide support for all and extra support for those who might be most disadvantaged;
- Transparency – our School’s procedures will be accessible and open in order for there to be clear understanding and scrutiny by others;
- Clarity – our School will communicate regularly about our systems and processes with staff, students and their families;
- Progression – our School will aim to give the best grades possible given the evidence available so our young people can make important next steps;
- Validity – there will be checks and balances to ensure the measurement of student performance is accurate; and
- Evidence-based – our School will use a range of standardised and moderated information and as broad a base of evidence as possible.
Grading of our GCSE and A Levels will be a school-wide effort with hard work from our young people and our teachers, supported by a statistical modelling process and quality assurance. Our young people will receive grades following this process, with input from teachers and leaders, quality assurance by a range of leaders, and an exam board sampling system.
GCSE Art
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: IAD0
Coursework module only to be completed.
GCSE Biology
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: IB10
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
SB1 Key concepts in biology
SB3 Genetics
SB6 Plant structures and their functions
SB7 Animal coordination, control and homeostasis
SB8 Exchange and transport in animals
SB9 Ecosystems and material cycles
GCSE Chemistry
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: 1CH0
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
SC1 States of matter
SC2a Mixtures
SC3 Atomic structure
SC4 The periodic table
SC5 Ionic bonding
SC6 Covalent bonding
SC7 Types of substance
SC8 Acids and alkalis
SC9 Calculations involving masses
SC10/13 Electrolytic processes
SC14 Quantitative analysis
SC17 Groups in the periodic table
SC20 Fuels
SC21 Earth and atmospheric science
SC22 Hydrocarbons
SC25 Qualitative analysis: tests for ions
GCSE Combined Science
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: 1SC0
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
CB1 Key concepts in biology
CB2 Cells and control
CB3 Genetics (Topics C and D only)
CB4 Natural selection and genetic modification
CB5 Health, disease and the development of medicines
CB6 Plant structures and their functions
CB7 Animal coordination, control and homeostasis
CC1 States of matter
CC2 Methods of separating and purifying substances
CC3 Atomic structure
CC4 The periodic table
CC5 Ionic bonding
CC6 Covalent bonding
CC7 Types of substance
CC8 Acids and alkalis
CC9 Calculations involving masses
CC16 Fuels
CC17 Earth and atmospheric science
CP1 Motion
CP2 Motion and forces
CP3 Conservation of energy
CP4 Waves
CP5 Light and the electromagnetic spectrum
CP7 Energy
CP8 Forces and their effects
CP9 Electricity and circuits
GCSE Computer Science
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 8520
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Section 3 – Fundamentals of data representation
Section 5 – Fundamentals of computer networks
Section 4 – Computer systems
Section 6 – Cyber security
Section 1 – Algorithms
GCSE Design and Technology
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 8552
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Core, specialist and design principles
Contextual challenge and response
GCSE Economics
Exam board: OCR
Course code: J205
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Component 1. Introduction to Economics (whole component)
Component 2. The role of markets and money
- 2.1 The role of markets
- 2.2 Demand
- 2.3 Supply
- 2.4 Price
- 2.5 Competition
- 2.6 Production
Component 3. Economic objectives and the role of government
- 3.1 Economic growth
- 3.2 Low unemployment
- 3.5 Fiscal policy
- 3.7 Supply side policies
Component 4. International trade and the global economy (whole component):
- 4.1 Importance of international trade
- 4.2 Balance of payments
GCSE English Language and English Literature
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 8700 (English Language) and 8702 (English Literature)
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:English English Language:
Paper 1 Section A (Reading)
Paper 2 Section B (Writing)
English Literature:
Paper 1 Section A (Macbeth)
Paper 1 Section B (A Christmas Carol)
GCSE Geography
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 8035
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Paper 1: Physical geography:
- The challenge of natural hazards
- The living world
- Physical landscapes in the UK (coasts and rivers)
Paper 2: Human geography
- Urban issues and challenges (global trends and Rio)
- The changing economic world (development and Nigeria)
GCSE History
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 8145 TL
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
USA: Opportunity and Inequality. 1920-1973
Britain, Migration, People and Empires. c.970-2021
GCSE Mathematics Foundation Tier
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: IMAI
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Algebra 1: Simplifying expressions
F, D & P: FDP equivalence
Shape 1: Basic angle facts
Shape 1: Properties of shapes
Number 1: Four rules with integers and fractions
Number 1: Directed number arithmetic
Number 1: End of topic test
Graphs: Interpret real - life graphs
Graphs: End of topic test
Ratio and Proportion: Simplify ratios
Data: Recognise correlation
Algebra 2: Laws of indices
Algebra 2: Linear sequences
Algebra 1: Substitution
Algebra 1: Solving linear equations
F, D & P: Calculating percentages
Shape 1: Interior and exterior angles
Number 1: Rounding and estimation
Graphs: Plot y = mx + c
Graphs: Plot quadratics
Ratio and Proportion: Share into a ratio
Ratio and Proportion: Direct proportion
Shape 2: Perimeter and area of 2D shapes
Shape 2: Volume and surface area of prisms
Data: Finding averages
Data: Charts and graphs
Algebra 2: Changing the subject of the formula
GCSE Further Mathematics
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 8365
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Topic: Number
- Surds, product rule for counting
Topic: Algebra
- Functions - algebra
- Expanding, factorising and binomial expansion
- Manipulation of formulae and expressions
- Factor theorem
- Equations and inequalities both linear and quadratic
- Algebraic proofs
- Linear and quadratic sequences
- Simultaneous equations
- Index laws
Topic: Co-ordinate Geometry
- Gradient, parallel and perpendicular lines, and distance between two points
- Equation of straight lines
- Circles with centre at the origin and centre at a point
- Equation of a tangent at a point on a circle
Topic: Matrices
- Multiplication, IM and transformations
Topic: Calculus
- 1st and 2nd order derivatives
- Equation of a tangent and normal at any point on a curve
- Finding maximum amd minimum points on a curve
- Sketching the curve with max and min points
Topic: Geometry
- Sine and cosine rules and areas of triangles
- Problem solving trigonometry and Pythagoras thm in 2D and 3D
- Trig identities
GCSE Mathematics Higher Tier
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: IMAI
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Algebra 1: Linear inequalities and number lines
Algebra 1: Solve quadratics by factorising
*Algebra 1: Completing the square
F, D & P: Reverse percentages
*F, D & P: Recurring decimals
Shape 1: Bearings
*Shape 1: Circle theorems
Number 1: Roots and indices
Number 1: Limits of accuracy
*Number 1: Fractional indices
*Number 1: Upper and lower bounds
Graphs: Parallel lines
Graphs: Find the equation of a line
Graphs: Cubic and reciprocal graphs
*Graphs: Perpendicular lines
Ratio and Proportion: Density and pressure
*Ratio and Proportion: Gradients of curves
Shape 2: Arc length and the area of a sector
Shape 2: Volume of cones etc.
Shape 2: Plans and elevations
Data: Cumulative frequency graphs
Data: Box plots
Data: Lines of best fit
*Data: Histograms
Algebra 2: Quadratic sequences
Algebra 2: Factorise quadratics
*Algebra 2: Geometric sequences
*Algebra 2: Complex changing the subject of a formula
*Algebra 2: Proof functions
Ratio and Proportion: Use fractions in ratio
Ratio and Proportion: Inverse proportion
*Ratio and Proportion: Equations with proportion
Pythagoras and Trigonometry: Use trig in 3D
*Pythagoras and Trigonometry: Use sine and cosine rules
*Pythagoras and Trigonometry: Find the area of triangles using A = 1/2 ab sin C
Probability: Tree diagrams - independent events
*Probability: Tree diagrams - dependent events
*Probability: Conditional probability
Number 2: Compound interest
Number 2: Calculate with standard form
*Number 2: Surds
Algebra 3: Simultaneous equations, one linear, one quadratic
*Algebra 3: Quadratic inequalities
*Algebra 3: Iteration
*Algebra 3: Functions (including inverse)
* Grades 7 – 9 content
GCSE Music
Exam board: OCR
Course code: J536
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Area of Study 2 – The Concerto Through Time (baroque and classical)
Area of Study 3 – Rhythms of the World (Bhangra, Calypso, African and Samba)
Area of Study 4 – Film Music (film music)
Area of Study 5 – Conventions of Pop (rock and roll, pop ballads, solo artists to the present day)
There will be a non-exam assessment on the following topic:
Area of Study 1 – My Music (1 Composition project & 1 Performance recording)
GCSE Physics
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: 1PH01
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
SP1 Motion
SP2 Motion and forces
SP3 Conservation of energy
SP5 Light and the electromagnetic spectrum
SP6 Radioactivity
SP6g Half-life
SP7 Astronomy
SP8 Energy – forces doing work
SP9 Forces and their effects
SP10 Electricity and circuits
SP11 Static electricity
GCSE Religious Studies
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: Spec B – 1RB0 – 1A-1G and 2A-2G
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Unit 1 – Christianity: Christian beliefs
Unit 4 – Christianity: matters of life and death
Unit 2 – Islam: crime and punishment
Unit 3 – Islam: living the Muslim life
GCSE Spanish
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: ISP0
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Identity and culture (modules 3, 4 and 6)
- Who am I?: relationships; when I was younger; what my friends and family are like; what makes a good friend; interests; socialising with friends and family; role models
- Daily life: customs and everyday life; food and drink; shopping; social media and technology (use of, advantages and disadvantages)
- Cultural life: celebrations and festivals; reading; music; sport; film and television
Local area, holiday and travel (modules 1 and 5)
- Holidays: preferences; experiences; and destinations
- Travel and tourist transactions: travel and accommodation; asking for help and dealing with problems; directions; eating out; shopping
- Town, region and country: weather; places to see; things to do
School (module 2)
- What school is like: school types; school day; subjects; rules and pressures; celebrating success
- School activities: school trips; events; exchanges
BTEC Business
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: 603/1916/1
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Component 3
- A2 Targeting and segmenting the market.
- B4 Terminology in financial statements.
- B5 Statement of comprehensive income
- B7 Profitability and liquidity
- C5 Sources of business finance
- C4 Break-even analysis and break-even point
- C3 Suggesting improvements to cash flow problems
BTEC Physical Education
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: 603/0473/X
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Outstanding learning aims from Unit 2
Outstanding learning aims from Unit 3
A Level Biology
Exam board: Edexcel-B
Course code: 9BIO
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Cells and structure
Transport
Exchange
Cell recognition
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Populations
Recombinant DNA technology
Biological molecules
P1 and P2 of genetics
P3 and P4 of response
Gene expression
A Level Business
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: 9BS0
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Theme 1
1.1 Meeting customer needs (price elasticity of demand; income elasticity of
demand)
1.4 Managing people (approaches to staffing recruitment, selection and training)
Theme 2
2.2 Financial planning (budgets; sales, revenues and costs; sales forecasting)
2.3 Managing finance (liquidity; business failure)
2.4 Resource management (quality management; stock control)
2.5 External influences (economic influences; the competitive environment)
Theme 3
3.3 Decision-making techniques (quantitative sales; forecasting; decision trees)
3.4 Influences on business decisions (corporate influences; corporate culture)
Theme 4
4.1 Globalisation (protectionism; trading blocs; factors contributing to increased globalisation)
4.2 Global markets and business expansion (conditions that prompt trade reasons for global mergers or joint ventures)
A Level Chemistry
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 7405
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Atomic structure
Amount of substance
Bonding
Energetics
Kinetics
Redox
Intro to organic
Alkanes
Haloalkanes
Alkenes
Periodicity/Gp 2
Group 2 and 7
Thermodynamics
Rates
Acids and base equilibria
Optical isomerism
Carbonyl chemistry
Aromatics and amines
Polymers, amino acids
Organic synthesis
A Level Computer Science
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 7517
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Programming
Data structures
Algorithms
Theory of computation
Data representation
Computer systems
Architecture
Communication
Databases
Problem solving
NEA
A Level Economics
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: 9EC0
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Theme 1
1.1 Nature of economics
1.1.6 Free market economies, mixed economy and command economy
1.2 How markets work (entirety of 1.2, which comprises of 10 topics)
1.3 Market failure (entirety of 1.2, which comprises of 4 topics)
1.4 Government intervention (entirety of 1.4, which comprises of 2 topics)
Theme 2
2.1 Measures of economic performance (entirety of 2.1, which comprises of 4 topics)
2.2 Aggregate demand (AD) and national income (entirety of 2.2, which comprises of 5 topics)
2.3 Aggregate supply (AS) (entirety of 2.3, which comprises of 3 topics)
2.5 Economic growth
2.5.1 Causes of growth
2.6 Macroeconomic objectives and policies (entirety of 2.6, which comprises of 4 topics)
Theme 3
3.1 Business growth (entirety of 3.1, which comprises of 3 topics)
3.3 Revenues, costs and profits
3.3.1 Revenue
3.3.2 Costs
3.3.4 Normal profits, supernormal profits and losses
3.4 Market structures
3.4.3 Monopolistic competition
3.4.4 Oligopoly
3.4.5 Monopoly
Theme 4
4.1 International economics
4.1.6 Restrictions on free trade
4.1.9 International competitiveness
4.2 Poverty and inequality (entirety of 4.2, which comprises of 2 topics)
4.3 Emerging and developing economies (entirety of 4.3, which comprises of 3 topics)
A Level Geography
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 7037
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Physical geography:
1. Water and carbon cycles
2. Coastal systems and Landscapes
Human geography:
1. Global systems and governance
2. Changing places
A Level English Literature
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: 8ETO
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Component 1: Drama Section A (King Lear)
Component 2: Prose (Frankenstein and The Handmaid’s Tale)
Component 3: Poetry Section B (metaphysical poetry)
Component 4: Coursework (student choice, comparison of two texts)
A Level History
Exam board: OCR
Course code: H505
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
China and its peoples 1939-1989
Britain – Churchill 1929-1951
Coursework submission may be used to consolidate the grade given:
NEA – USA: Civil Rights 1863-1983
A Level Mathematics
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: 9MA0
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
AS Pure
AS Applied
Algebraic method
Functions and graphs
Binomial expansion
Radians
Trigonometry function
Trigonometry and modelling
Parametric equations
Differentiation
A2 Statistics
Moment
Forces and friction
Projectiles
A Level Physics
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 7408
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Matter and quarks
Waves
Forces in equilibrium
On the move
Newton’s laws of motion
Electric current
DC circuits
Motion in a circle
Simple harmonic motion
Thermal physics
Gases
Radioactivity
Nuclear energy
A Level Politics
Exam board: Edexcel
Course code: 9PLO
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Component 1: UK politics
1.2 Parties
1.3 Electoral systems
1.4 Voting behaviour and media
Component 2: UK Government
2.2 Parliament
2.3 Prime Minister and Executive
2.4 Judiciary and relations between
Component 3: US politics
3.1 US Constitution
3.2 US Congress
3.3 US Presidency
3.4 US Supreme Court
A Level Psychology
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 7182
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Social influence
Attachment
Approaches
Biopsychology
Issue and debates
Students must pick one of three topics from:
Memory
Social influence
Schizophrenia
A Level Religion
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 7062
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
(1) Design
(1) Ontological argument for God's existence
(1) Cosmological argument for God's existence
(1) Design argument for God's existence
(1) The problem of evil
(1) Religious language
(1) Miracles
(2) Natural law
(2) Situation ethics
(2) Virtue ethics
(2) Application of theories
(3) Sources of wisdom
(3) God
(3) Expressions of identity
(4) Science
(4) Secularisation
(4) Dialogues: philosophy and Christianity
A Level Sociology
Exam board: AQA
Course code: 7192
In your end-of-course exam, you will be tested on the following topics:
Education (with research methods)
Crime and deviance (with research methods)
