Year 10

Welcome to Year 10

Staff

10G - Ms R Craib/Mr R McDonald

The Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Your son has selected his final GCSE options and these will be examined at the end of Year 11. The maximum number of GCSEs taken will be:

• English Language
• English Literature
• Mathematics
• Language 1 (Non-European)
• Language 2 (European)
• Humanity 1 and 2 (two subjects chosen from Geography / History / RS)
• Options (one subject from DT/Computing/PE/Drama/Art/Music)
• Sciences (Separate or Trilogy Award)

The outcome of Year 9 and Year 10 internal school examinations will determine whether your son will study separate sciences (3 GCSEs) or Trilogy Science (2 GCSEs).  

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Creativity Weeks, Sport, Drama, Music and many other activities are on offer as part of a fully rounded co-curriculum.

Reporting

Your son will receive three grade cards and one full annual report during the year. He will receive new target grades for his GCSE subjects based on the most accurate data available. These target grades will be both challenging and aspirational and should give a clear focus for your son to work towards. Attainment in Key Stage 4 is expressed as a GCSE grade. If this is as good as or better than the target grade your son is on course to achieve his potential. If on the other hand it is below his target grade, he is working below par and neither student, parent nor teacher should be satisfied with that. Top universities are using the number of level 7-9 grades gained at GCSE to decide which students should be offered places. Year 10 examinations and reports will also be reported with reference to the equivalent grade at GCSE.

Effort grades will be reported using a numeric system with a 10 representing outstanding effort. A 9 will be awarded for students with high levels of effort and is the minimum expected of students at DGS. A level 8 is below expectations and your son should take positive steps to improve this. A level 7 is a significant cause for concern and will prompt intervention from subject teachers and the Year 10 pastoral team.

We trust that you will find this information useful and helpful in monitoring your son’s progress as he heads towards external examinations. If you have any queries with reference to the grade card or grades, please get in touch with either the relevant subject teacher or your son’s form tutor.

Key Events in the year for Year 10 Students 

• Year 10 Parents' Welcome Evening 
• Governors' Day 
• Autumn Grade Card
• Spring Grade Card
• Founders' Day 
• Y10 Examinations 
• Creativity Week
• Y10 Examination Reports 
• Parents’ Consultation Evening