STUDENT GUIDE TO GCSE

GCSE Courses 2009-11 Year 10 Options

As you approach the end of Year 9 and the first phase of secondary education (Key Stage 3), it is necessary to make some important choices about the courses you wish to follow at GCSE level.  The implementation of a National Curriculum means that all students study the same core subjects and choose from a limited number of options.

This booklet gives information about the choices available and some advice about making those choices.

You will receive further information in PSHCE lessons and from teachers and tutors.   

We will try, as far as possible, to enable you to study the options you choose, but you must be aware that certain constraints including:

• staff availability;
• the arrangement of subjects in timetable blocks;
• viable teaching set numbers;

mean your choices cannot be guaranteed.

Making Choices

We are concerned that these decisions are made with the involvement of all concerned.  We will be explaining the options and providing guidance to you during the next few weeks. 

Your parents will receive a letter explaining the process and will have an opportunity to discuss matters at the Parents’ Evening on Thursday 19 March, at which careers advice will also be available.

You are required to return your option choice form by Thursday 26 March.  Forms should be returned to the school office.  All forms returned by this date will be treated equally and there is no advantage in handing them in early. There is much to be gained by considering your options carefully and making the right choices.

If you require any further help or information, please speak to your Tutor, your Head of Year, The Head of Careers or Mr Sebire (Deputy Head).

In making option choices, think carefully about the following points:

1. choose subjects which take account of your abilities, interests, enjoyment and commitment.
2. choose subjects which keep your options open at later stages, ie. when choosing Sixth Form courses or a career.  Careers guidance is available to you from The Head of Careers, and information about A Levels from the Sixth Form Management team.
3. talk with people before you make a decision.  Good sources of information are your subject teachers, tutors, and the students in Years 10 and 11 currently taking the courses. Make sure you discuss your choices with your parents.

Programmes of Study at Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11)

The programme of study followed by all students in Years 10 and 11 consists of GCSE courses, each of two years duration.  In addition, lessons are provided in Physical Education, Games, Careers Guidance and Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education, which do not lead to a qualification.

The programme of study consists of two types of course:  

A Compulsory core;
B Optional subjects.

A. The compulsory core:

This core is studied by all students.  

B. The optional subjects available:

The optional part of your programme of study is made up of two subjects you choose from those listed below. You may choose freely from this list but should bear in mind the advice given on the previous page.

In addition to the two subjects you choose from the list above you may also choose to study a GCSE short course in Physical Education. This subject will be taught, to students who select it, during normal Physical Education and some Games lessons.

By choosing in this way you will follow a programme of study consisting of between 9 - 11½  GCSE’s.

Please click on the link for the Full GCSE Options Booklet