This document provides information to Year 9 students about choosing their GCSE option subjects. It outlines the compulsory subjects students must take and lists the optional subjects available. It emphasizes that students should choose subjects they are interested in and think about their strengths, weaknesses, and future goals. The progression routes after GCSEs are also depicted in a chart. Advice is given to keep options open and to seek information from multiple sources when deciding. Key dates for submitting option choices are noted.

1. Year 9 Options

2. You and your options
• Think about where you
want to go
• Think about how to get
there
• Plan the journey now!

3. Progression Routes
Foundation, Higher or Further education
GCSEs
Advanced Diploma
Foundation & Higher education
Higher Diploma GCSE / A-Level
At Foundation Learning
At Foundation Learning At Apprenticeship post 18
14 Tier 16 Tier 18
Apprenticeship Employment
Young
Apprenticeship
Employment with Employment with training
training

4. Compulsory subjects
Commitment to high quality education:
 English GCSE
 English Literature GCSE
 Maths GCSE
 Dual Award Science ( = 2 GCSEs)
 RE GCSE
 ICT (level 2 qualification = 1 GCSE)
 PHSCE
 PE

5. Optional Subjects
 GCSE ICT
 Hospitality and Catering GCSE
 French GCSE
 German GCSE
 Music GCSE
 Textiles GCSE
 Art and Design GCSE
 Certificate of Personal Effectiveness
 Young Apprenticeships

6. Optional Subject
 Geography GCSE
 Drama GCSE
 History GCSE
 Product Design GCSE
 Physical Education GCSE
 Triple Science

7. Young Apprenticeships
 One or two days based in Yorkshire Coast College
 The work is both practical and written
 Pupils use up all their options following this course
 The courses on offer will depend on demand from all 8
schools across the area
 Young Apprenticeships are suitable for pupils who would
gain 5 A*-C at GCSE
 The course will require successful interviews by staff from
outside this school to gain a place

8. CoPE
 Certificate of Personal Effectiveness
 Level 1 – GCSE Grades D-G
 Level 2 – GCSE Grades A*-C
 Two year course
 Approved by QCA
 Develops personal skills

9. Suitability
 All pupils choices will be looked at by senior staff to
assess suitability, any concerns will try to be addressed

10. English Baccalaureate ( Ebacc )
English, Maths, Science, History or Geography and a Modern Foreign
Language
Not a qualification
•more a guidance in choosing subjects
•perceived by the Government as more academic pathway
•This is not currently a requirement for university entry – however some
universities may have extra criteria
•Our philosophy is that the child is at the centre of our learning community
•option choices should be chosen on what is right for your child
•Irony is:
•70% of our pupils chose History/Geography
•At least 50% of pupils chose a Modern Foreign Language
•All pupils take RE but this is not included!

11. Option Groups
 Pupils are to place all subjects in order of preference
 Even if you want to choose Young Apprenticeship you
need to do this
 Choices will be inputted into our system and 3 option
groups will be produced to give as many pupils as
possible their choices
 When the groups are decided then pupils will make
their final choice.
 Some pupils may be interviewed by senior staff to
ensure their choice is in their best interest

12. Dates
 Important to keep to deadlines
 Dates will be on letters home

13. Options
 Think about yourself:
 What you want in life
 Where you want to go
 Strengths & weaknesses
 Aptitudes & personality
 Learning style
 Interests and passions

14. What should not determine
your final choice choice?
 Friends
 Parents
 Favourite teacher
 Fun factor
 “Easy” option (there are no easy options!)

15. Option Choices
 Advice – keep options as open as possible
 Use information from many sources –
staff, parents, careers advisor, internet
 Useful sites – see our website under the
options tab
 www.st-augustines.n-yorks.sch.uk

16. Further Information tonight
St Augustine’s staff – please ask about any subject – this
is not a parents consultation evening

17. remember….
It’s your choice for the
next two years
(as long as it can be fitted it into the timetable)
Yr 9 Options
St Augustine’s

18. and remember….
You are quite likely to change
your career at least once in
your life
Yr 9 Options
St Augustine’s