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Bancroft’s School was founded by the Drapers’ Company in 1737 on the Mile End Road as a day-school for local boys from a diverse range of backgrounds; the School has come a long way geographically and institutionally since then but the School remains committed to enabling pupils from a wide range of backgrounds to enjoy our education and has a long tradition of excellence.
We are now a co-educational independent day school for around 1000 pupils from 7 to 18 and an unashamedly aspirational school, devoted to scholarship and intellectual inquiry. We aim to provide an atmosphere in which each child can flourish and we believe that children succeed when they take full advantage of the huge range of different opportunities we provide – whether immersed in academic research, being out on the sports fields, taking part in charitable activities, acting on the stage, playing music and attending some of our numerous clubs and societies, our pupils challenge themselves and learn by taking part wholeheartedly in school life.
English and English Literature are two separate subjects, both studied under the Edexcel IGCSE specifications. The work in English and English Literature covers a wide range of material. The basis of the course is the development of many skills which are essential for success and fulfilment in today's world.
Why should I study English Language and English Literature?
The assured command of written and spoken English, which is developed through the Language course, is enormously empowering, both in your personal relationships and in the working world. The study of Literature teaches you more about yourself and your place in the world, as well as opening a fascinating world of cultural enrichment.
What will I study?
The two subjects are taught in parallel, and the course is organised so that the themes, techniques and issues studied in the Literature texts inform the practice work for the Language components.
The key elements of English Language are:
- Comprehension and comparison of non-fiction texts, one unseen and one from a studied anthology
- Analysis of prose fiction and/or poetry
- Adapting writing for a wide range of different readerships and genres, for example, speeches, magazine articles or advice pieces
- Creative writing
- Learning how to use literary techniques and to manipulate syntax to achieve your desired impact on a reader
- Developing written accuracy and strong vocabulary
The key elements of English Literature are:
- Unseen poetry
- A literary heritage text, either a novel or a play by Shakespeare
- A modern novel
- A modern play
- Studying poetry from a range of cultures, dating from 16th to 21st Century
- Analysis of writers' methods
- Understanding how writers reflect their context and try to influence their readers.
- Writing coherent essays in a formal, analytical style
At the simplest level in our everyday lives we all live with numbers, whether it be with household bills, percentages, measuring, timetables or statistics. On a slightly higher level, mathematics involves abstraction - using symbols, devising rules for their use, and learning how to use their powerful techniques to solve problems. At the highest level mathematics is about devising ways of solving problems of the most searching the web, or of analysing the stock market.
Why should I study Mathematics?
The skills, factual knowledge and techniques taught in Maths at this level are of fundamental importance in later life. An IGCSE or equivalent qualification in Maths is demanded by most careers and for entry into Higher Education.
What will I study?
The IGCSE Course can be broken down into 4 strands
- Number
- Algebra
- Geometry and Trigonometry
- Statistics and Probabilit
All pupils at Bancroft's start studying the GCSE Science content at the start of the L4. The AQA GCSE Science Suite together provide a coordinated science course in which the three sciences, although separate, remain linked by a common approach and course structure.
Why should I study Science?
The aims of this course are:
- To develop interest in, and enthusiasm for, science;
- To help develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and methods;
- To enable you to acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of Working scientifically and the essential role of science in society;
- To provide you with the scientific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for progression to further learning.
What will I study?
GCSE science will cover the following topics:
- Biology: Cell biology, Organisation, Infection and response, Bioenergetics, Homeostasis and response, Inheritance, variation and evolution, Ecology
- Chemistry: Atomic structure and the periodic table, Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter, Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes, Energy changes, The rate and extent of chemical
change, Organic chemistry, Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere, Using resources
- Physics: Particle model of matter, Energy, Electricity, Forces, Waves, Magnetism and electromagnetism, Atomic structure, Space physics (physics only)
The syllabus is designed for learners who are learning French, German or Spanish as a foreign language. The aim is to develop an ability to use the language effectively for purposes of practical communication. The course is based on the linked language skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing, and these are built on as learner's progress through their studies.
The syllabus also aims to offer insights into the culture and civilisation of countries where French, German or Spanish is spoken, thus encouraging positive attitudes towards language learning and towards speakers of foreign languages.
It is not possible to take these subjects if you have not studied them in the L4.
Why should I study French/German/Spanish?
- To use the language for practical communication
- To develop a better understanding of other cultures
- To see these countries and their peoples in a positive light so that you enjoy travel more
- To take the language study further, if you wish
- To understand your own language better
- To take on a rewarding cognitive challenge
- To build a bank of transferrable skills which will be useful in your other subjects, future studies and work
What will I study?
- Advanced vocabulary and syntax to enable you to take part in a variety of transactional activities but also enable you to read/write/listen and converse at a more advanced level
- Information about other cultures and ways of life
- Additional communication and problem solving skills
GCSE Art allows you to unleash your imagination in a variety of artistic mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and maybe even animation and film making if you choose to. This GCSE is designed to bring Art and Design to life and to help you develop your artistic skills and expand your creativity, imagination and independence. What's more, the possibilities for personal expression are endless.
In the past students who have not studied Art and Design in the L4th have taken GCSE Art and Design and have been successful.
Why should I study Art and Design?
Many employers now actively seek those who have studied the arts. Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, was fond of saying his success was due to his hiring artists fascinated by technology rather than computer geeks. Top talent management agency, The Curve Group specializing in financial and business services, concurs: “Employees with an arts degree have developed more quickly in their roles from the start. They have discipline, confidence and can accept criticism.”
The arts develop the broader dimensions of the human being – mind, body and soul. The arts can express the ineffable and make sense of things that otherwise do not seem to. This can be very fulfilling and helps us function as human beings – which can only be good for society as a whole.
What will I study?
You will draw, paint, print, photograph and maybe develop your animation and film making skills. You will research the work of other artists, architects, designers, photographers and film directors.
You will look at other artists to develop knowledge and an understanding of art in historical and contemporary contexts.
You will be encouraged to develop your technical skills but to also develop the them in a personal direction relevant to you and the times you live in.
You do not need to have studied Classics in the L4th to follow this GCSE course.
It offers you the opportunity to study elements of the visual and material culture (e.g. archaeological evidence and artefacts) and selections from the literature of the Classical World,
and to acquire an understanding of their social, historical and cultural contexts.
Why should I study Classical Civilisation?
- You will examine a wide variety of material, combining the source analysis of History, the environmental factors of Geography and the cultural comparisons of Religious Studies; you will also be introduced to elements of Archaeology and Anthropology.
- You will evaluate the culture of ancient Greece and Rome, using this fresh perspective to reflect on your own experiences and perspective.
- You will develop insights into the relevance of ancient literature and civilisation to our understanding of our modern world of diverse cultures.
- You will have opportunities to provide a personal response to the literature studied.
- Because the material is so wide-ranging, interesting and engaging, you will find it fascinating and enjoyable!
What will I study?
There are two areas for study:
Thematic Study: Myth and Religion
You will study myth as a symbol of power, myths about the underworld and the role of the gods and heroes in the founding of Athens and Rome, and the importance of Heracles/Hercules to both the Greek and Roman World.
You will also examine the role of religion in the everyday lives of Ancient Greeks and Romans; you will study temples, sacrifice, festivals, death and beliefs in the afterlife.
You will use visual and material culture and literature in conjunction with one another in order to inform your judgements.
Literature and Culture: The Homeric World. This component contains two elements:
1. An in-depth cultural study: the Mycenaean Age:
You will study particular sites, their archaeology and the valuable role they play in our understanding of the age. You will examine sculpture, frescoes and jewellery, as well as various tombs and the fascinating treasure found in them. You will also explore everyday life in the Mycenaean Age, enabling you to consider what life was like for real people in this period.
2. Study of related literature: Homer's Odyssey (Books 9, 10, 19, 21 and 22):
The books which you will study combine the fantastical and enjoyable tales of Odysseus's journey (9 and 10), with those which give you an insight into aspects such as palace life and the lives of women (19 and 21). The book which focuses on the battle between Odysseus and the Suitors (22) is exciting in itself and poses interesting questions about revenge and punishment
You must have studied Gratin in L4th in order to follow this GCSE course.
Greek GCSE has two main elements: language and literature.
Why should I study Classical Greek?
- You will develop a wide range of transferable skills (e.g. literary criticism, problemsolving, analysis, historical and textual evaluation, and attention to detail).
- You will read a selection of interesting and entertaining literature which has influenced the development of European literature and culture.
- You will study the life, history and customs of the Greek people and, by making comparisons, achieve a better understanding of your own culture.
- You will develop insights into the relevance of Greek and of ancient literature and civilisation to our understanding of our modern world of diverse cultures.
- You will develop the valuable skill of translation and acquire an understanding of the Classical Greek language, as well as enhancing your language awareness in general.
- You will widen your English vocabulary.
- If you are enjoying the Greek element of Gratin so far, you will relish the opportunity to study this fascinating subject in greater depth.
What will I study?
Language:
You will use the OCR endorsed textbooks Greek to GCSE (parts I and II) by John Taylor and Greek Stories by John Taylor and Kristian Waite. The wide-ranging and thought-provoking stories in these books will provide the grammar which you need to know for the GCSE; they will also enable you to develop your translation and reading comprehension skills and to increase your knowledge and understanding of Greek vocabulary (including English derivations), accidence and syntax.
You will also need to learn the words on the Defined Vocabulary List; these will be tested regularly and thoroughly.
Literature:
You will also study Greek prescribed texts, one prose text and one verse text.
You will be required to answer questions in English on a variety of aspects of content, and to analyse, evaluate and provide a personal response to the literature which you have studied.
The possible texts are:
- Prose Literature:
Selections from Herodotus's History concerning crocodiles and various interesting Egyptian pharaohs or selections from Plato's' Phaedo concerning the martyrdom of Socrates.
- Verse Literature:
Part of Homer's Odyssey Book VII, in which Odysseus describes to the King and Queen his journey to the land of the Phaeacians or part of the Bacchae, a play by Euripides, in which the god Dionysus takes revenge on Pentheus for not believing that he is a god.
What is Computer Science?
Computer Science is the study of Computers, how they work and how to develop them in order to best solve human needs. In contrast to ICT, in which students would be expected to just use computers, Computer Science aims to give a fuller understanding of how we can make our own software in order to make bespoke solutions to a variety of areas.
What will I study?
Students will study all aspects of how a computer functions on a day to day basis. This includes: how computers represent a wide range of data; how they communicate with one another; and how they process the data to give us useable results.
Furthermore, students will take on the study of algorithm design. This area is highly recommended in order to develop future problem solving skills. This will include learning to programme using the Python programming language, as well as design algorithms in a variety of ways including flow charts and pseudocode. Many of these abstract techniques are used in other areas of business in the modern world.
Why Should I Study Design and Technology?
Design and Technology is fundamental to many aspects of modern life and is key towards inspiring young people to become valued members of tomorrow's society. Whatever your career choice, having the ability to think creatively, think critically and design new and innovative solutions to challenging problems, will be key to shaping the future world that we live in.
This GCSE is planned to engage pupils with the world of design engineering and to develop problem solving skills, creativity and critical thinking through the production of real-life working prototypes (the Design Thinking process). The course has a strong focus upon ‘humancentred' design, which requires our pupils to identify and solve situations of genuine need. It's a process that starts with the people you're designing for and ends with new solutions that are tailor made to suit their needs.
The course would suit pupils who enjoy the creative process along with hands-on work (thinking through making) using a variety of materials and processes. It will also appeal to those who want to make a genuine difference to people's lives through inclusive design. We expect our students to challenge conventional wisdom and archetypes in pursuit of imaginative solutions.
The knowledge and understanding gained from this GCSE will provide an excellent starting point for pupils thinking of a career in creative or technical areas. With its practical application of scientific and mathematical principles, the subject offers an insight into developing products and systems to fulfil a real need.
The Design and Technology GCSE forms a valuable qualification, in combination with other subjects, as a possible step towards many career areas such as Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Product Design, Media/Advertising, Aeronautical Engineering and Civil engineering.
What will I study?
The Design and Technology course engages pupils in a wide variety of investigatory, design and construction activities. We cover; products analysis, drawing skills, prototyping and constructing objects from mixed materials. This can include polymers, woods, metals and smart/modern materials.
Students studying the GCSE will have access to modern CAD and manufacturing methods such as 3D Printing, CNC and Laser cutting, alongside the more traditional skills, in order to create working models.
Drama is a discipline involving the development of a breadth of skills including the ability to communicate, performance skills, research skills, and the development of analytical and evaluative skills focusing on both the written word and live performances. You will have the opportunity to explore theatre from all angles before choosing your focus, whether
performance or design-based.
Why should I study Drama?
The GCSE course provides you with the opportunity to gain a better insight and appreciation of issues, from the interpersonal to whole world concerns. It also provides you with a working knowledge of the theatre and how to put performance into practice. You will have the chance to explore the methods of different practitioners and directors, taking inspiration for your own performances. You will be taken to watch a range of theatre performances and you will also create your own pieces of theatre, both devised and scripted, to perform in front of a live audience. Drama develops key transferrable skills such as communication and leadership skills.
What will I study?
Practical Skills:
You will learn to perform a range of practical skills- both scripted and devised.
a) A devised piece which you create in its entirety
b) A scripted excerpt in which you will perform two different extracts from the same text
Studied Text:
You will be studying a set text practically during the lessons, bringing the text to life through rehearsals, performances and diagrams. You will explore the text from the eyes of an actor,
a director, a costume and set designer and a lighting and sound technician.
Live Theatre:
Within your exam, a section will involve analysing and evaluating live theatre. Therefore,
during the course of the two years, you will be taken to a range of different performances
covering a range of theatrical styles. Last year we saw Top Girls at the National and the awardwinning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the Piccadilly Theatre
We offer the Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE specification. Studying Electronics in the Lower Fourth will be an advantage in some areas but is not required. If you are considering opting for Electronics, you are welcome to come to the department for more details.
Why Should I Study Electronics?
The aim of the course is to provide an insight into a rapidly expanding subject, which has an enormous influence on many aspects of life in modern society, and to stimulate inquiry into an absorbing area of science and engineering. The study of Electronics will develop a scientific approach to both the analysis and solution of problems with a practical application of physics and mathematical principles. Electronics can reinforce and stimulate understanding across a number of curriculum areas.
The knowledge and understanding gained from this GCSE will provide an excellent starting point for related topics in the A-level Physics course. It also provides an excellent grounding for A-level Electronics. The majority of students who study Electronics to A-level go on to engineering-based degree courses.
What will I study?
The course provides an introduction to electronics and its applications in a wide variety of situations, providing a basic understanding of both simple circuits and more complex electronic systems. It will provide a stimulating challenge to those who enjoy problem solving and learning through practical experience. You will understand the function and purpose of individual components and basic integrated circuits and will learn to combine these in systems to fulfil specific functions. The course mixes theoretical elements with a range of practical activities. Practical assignments can be simulated using the Circuit Wizard software and handson assembly on proto-boards.
Why should I study Geography?
Geography is a very wide discipline and this is its major strength and appeal. With a growing global interest in issues such as migration, climate change, environmental degradation and socioeconomic inequality, there has never been a better time to study geography. Whether you have a passion for environmental, economic, political or social events, geography will have some interest and relevance to your life.
What will I study?
By the time you finish a GCSE in geography, you will have a knowledge and understanding of the following:
- Natural Hazards: tectonics, weather and climate change
- Ecosystems: tropical rainforests and deserts
- Physical Landscapes: rivers and coasts
- Urban Issues and Challenges: urban change globally and in the UK
- The Changing Economic World: the development gap and emerging markets, such as Nigeria
- The Challenge of Resource Management: food, water, energy
Why study History?
History is a vital subject if one is to achieve a clear understanding of today's world. In order to know where you are going, you need to know where you have been.
What will I study?
The course is firmly focused on modern world history of the 20th Century.
Religious Studies
This course is for all pupils, those with a religious faith and those with no religious persuasion. The course builds on and develops the religious knowledge and understanding gained in the Lower School. The course also develops an individual appreciation of beliefs, practices and ethical themes in religion.
Why should I study RS?
Living as we do in a multi-faith, multi-cultural community and country, it is important that we are aware of the religious beliefs prevalent in society. GCSE RS is about people, their varying religious and social beliefs, the way they live their lives and their moral principles. And this of course includes you!
What will I study?
The course will cover a variety of views on both religious and contemporary ethical issues. 50% of the course is comprised of learning about the beliefs and practices of both Christianity and Islam in detail. The remaining 50% of the course is concerned with studying four religious ‘themes' or topic areas.
There are four areas of thematic study as part of the course:
- Religion and Life: This theme explores moral issues such as abortion and euthanasia, as well as issues concerning our treatment of the environment and animal rights.
- Peace and Conflict: This theme considers both the causes of, and possible solutions to, global conflict. This includes consideration of religious and secular wars, terrorism, and the ideas of just war, holy war and pacifism.
- Crime and Punishment: What causes crime in our society and what is the purpose of punishment? This theme also examines the role of the law in society and pertinent moral issues, such as the death penalty.
- Human Rights and Social Justice: Here we will consider questions of freedom, responsibility and prejudice. This will include an exploration of issues connected with race and gender, poverty and exploitation in society.
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