This document provides information and guidance to students about choosing their GCSE subject options. It discusses factors to consider like current performance, challenges of increased standards, and maintaining a work-life balance. The national context around core subjects, options, and pathways after school are addressed. The school requires students to take core subjects and choose four additional options from a list of subjects. Tips are provided on creating a balanced option selection and considering future goals. The process of choosing options through interviews and forms is outlined. Common questions are answered regarding subject requirements, making changes, and ensuring choice availability.

1. What do you need to know?
How will you choose?

2. Moving Up…
Current Situation
 Attendance
 Punctuality
 Behaviour
 Progress

3. Moving Up…
Challenges and Concerns
 Jump in standards
 Time management
 Behaviour issues
 Dialogue with teachers
 Homework
 New groupings
 Coursework deadlines
How can you help?
 Monitor Google
Calendar/Show My
Homework and
Go4Schools
 Establish dialogue by email
 Establish work routines
 Fresh start
 ‘Study Buddies’
 Visual reminders

4. Moving Up…
Keep it in perspective
 Encourage hobbies
 Down time
 Look at future options
now
 Develop interests

5. National Context
 Raised participation age – 18
 The English Baccalaureate (E Bacc) – Core plus a
language and humanity (Geography or History)
 Breadth and balance
 A longer journey – keep doors open

6. At Simon Balle - Core Plus Four
 Everyone does core subjects – English, Maths, Science
(Core and Additional), PE, PRE.
 Then you choose four options from the list.
 New subjects: Business Studies, Computer Science ,
Creative iMedia, Engineering & Manufacture
 Plus: Art, Drama, Music, Spanish, German, French,
Geography, History, D&T, Sports Studies, Catering.

7. How do you choose?
 You need a balance. For example:
 One humanity subject (History, Geography, Business)
 One language (French, German, Spanish)
 One creative subject (Art, Drama, Music, D&T,
Catering, Sports Studies, Creative iMedia,
 Plus one other… Triple Science? Computer Science?
Another language or humanity? Creative subject?

8. Where are you heading?
 Sixth Form, A Levels and university – EBacc
 Sixth Form vocational courses
 College, apprenticeship, training?
 Think now about what choices you want to have in the
future and where you might want to be…

9. Choosing your subjects
Do Don’t
 Try to get a good balance
 Choose subjects you like and
are good at
 Choose subjects that will help
your future career plan, if you
have one yet
 Think about the way you
work and learn best
 Read about each subject in
the options booklet
 Ask staff lots of questions
 Choose subjects just because
your friends do
 Choose subjects because you
like the teacher – that may
change!
 Wait for someone else to tell
you what to do

10. What Next?
 If you have not already, complete and return the
appointment form tonight for SLT Interviews
 Tuesday 17th and Thursday 19th March, 3.30 –
7.30pm
 Return options form by Friday 27th March

12. The process
 Use interviews and the booklet to decide on your four
options.
 Form handed in by 27th March.
 Mr Klippel places the subjects into option blocks
based on your choices.
 Anyone with a clash of subjects following this process
is seen by Mr Klippel or Ms Green to find a solution
after Easter.
 Changes to options may continue up to half term in
May depending on staffing.

13. Frequently Asked Questions
 I can’t decide, can I choose 5? NO, there will be 4 option blocks and you need just one
subject in each block.
 Do I have to choose a humanity? We believe that you should but will listen to you if you
give us good reasons.
 Do I have to take a language? Think carefully about the EBacc but once again these are
your choices.
 Do I need to take triple science if I want to take A levels in science? Not necessarily
unless you are looking to take more than one science at A level.
 How will I know if I’ve got my choices? We will speak to you if there are any issues once
the timetable takes shape, if not you can assume that you have your choices.
 Why can’t I take two technology subjects? Technology subjects are timetabled together in
the lower school which makes it difficult to find different slots at GCSE.
 Who do I speak to if I’m not sure exactly what’s involved in one of the subjects? Talk to
the Head of department or your current teacher in that subject.
 I heard that someone didn’t get any of their choices, will this happen to me? This has
never happened, generally if someone has a problem it will just mean one new choice and
you will have first call on any subjects with limited spaces.
 If I want to change my mind can I? You can as long as you discuss any of these changes. It
may be that changes are not possible as they do not fit the option blocks or subjects are
full.