This document provides information about course options for students entering Year 10. It outlines the core curriculum of subjects like English, maths, and science. Students can choose from four option subjects in addition to the core. A variety of GCSEs, BTECs, and Cambridge Nationals are available as options. The document explains qualifications and considers factors for students to weigh when selecting their options. Key dates in the options process are also provided.
7. Non-Core Science – 6 periods
• Double Science GCSE
– Combined Science to make 2 GCSEs
• Triple Science
– 3 separate GCSEs: Biology, Physics and Chemistry
• Students are placed on one of these courses
dependent on their performance in Year 9
Science assessments
9. Options – 24 periods per fortnight
• A range of GCSE, Cambridge National, and
BTEC courses
• Four options
• 6 periods per fortnight in each option
10. Subjects on offer
• Specialising:
Dance, Drama, Geography, History, ICT,
Languages, Music, PE/Sport, RS, Technology
subjects...
• “New” Subjects:
Business Studies, Child Development and
Care, Computer Science, Construction, Media
Studies
11. Qualifications on offer
• New GCSE
– Graded from 9-1
– Available in English and Maths only
• GCSE
– Awarded from A*-G
– Combination of exams and controlled
assessment
• Cambridge National / BTEC
– Awarded Distinction, Merit, or Pass
– “Applied” or work-based learning
– Available in Sport, Business, Construction,
and Social Care
12. The English Baccalaureate
• Represents breadth and strength in academic
achievement
• Awarded to any student gaining A*-C (or 9-5)
in:
– English Language
– Two Sciences (including Computer Science)
– Mathematics
– History or Geography
– A Language
13.
14. Options Pattern
Option A and B
• A Humanities subject,
Computer Science or a
Language:
– Computer Science
– French
– Geography
– German
– History
– Spanish
Options C and D
• Free choice
• Can add a further
Humanities subject or a
Second language
• Can complete the English
Baccalaureate
• Double options – Child
Development and Care /
Construction
16. Things to consider
Do consider:
• What do I enjoy?
• What am I good at?
• What to I want to do post-
16?
– Sixth form?
– College?
– Apprenticeship/employment?
• Choose a good range of
subjects
• Read your report carefully
Do not consider:
• Choosing subjects just to be
with friends
• Choosing subjects because
“I like/don’t like the
teacher”
• Choosing subjects “because
you ought to”
17. Important Dates
• Tuesday 5th January: Options Assembly
• Wednesday 6th January: Options Evening
• Thursday 14th January: Subject Evening
• Wednesday 20th January: Final Deadline for
completing options in Insight
18. Sources of advice
• Other parents / friends
• Students in Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form
• Subject Staff
• Tutor
• Head of Year
• Careers Team
• Mr Kenny and the Learning Support team
• Year 9 Options page on school website
19. What now?
• Collect your Option Book
• PUT YOUR NAME ON IT
• Look through the book carefully over the
coming days
• Your parents/carers must bring this book to
the Options Evening on Wednesday
Editor's Notes
Welcome
Provide information
Opportunity for questions
Welcome
Provide information
Opportunity for questions
Choice allows students to “make their own timetable”
Choosing subjects they want to study should increase their motivation and chances of success
60 periods per fortnight
Broken down into two halves – 30 periods compulsory core curriculum, 30 periods of “Options”
Core Curriculum:
English & English Literature (two GCSEs)
Maths (one GCSE)
Core Science (one GCSE)
Physical Education (JSLA)
Philosophy and Ethics (Short Course GCSE)
ICT (OCR National)
PSHE
Provides a secure and balanced foundation upon which students can build
Equips all students with the basic functional skills to develop into responsible adults – reading, writing, arithmetic but also physical education in the broadest sense (including healthy lifestyles, team working and leadership), ICT skills, and moral and social education through the RE course and the PSHE curriculum.
60 periods per fortnight
Broken down into two halves – 30 periods compulsory core curriculum, 30 periods of “Options”
First part of the “Options” half of the curriculum is the top-up Science
Students are selected
Attendance may be taken into account
PSD provides students with excellent personal and social skills in team work, problem solving, and confidence building
Note that both Additional and Triple Science are perfectly adequate preparation for A Level Sciences.
60 periods per fortnight
Broken down into two halves – 30 periods compulsory core curriculum, 30 periods of “Options”
Completed online – issues with logins / usernames / passwords to Leigh
Students without access should bring a note from parents and tutors can then complete the options