GCSE Options February 2018 www.woldinghamschool.co.uk Ms N Weatherston

How many GCSEs should my daughter be taking? 10 GCSEs is the standard number and this is what we expect the vast majority of students to take Some girls may only take 9 GCSEs, this has to be discussed with Mr Wahab and Ms Weatherston We cannot accommodate anyone who wishes to take more than 10 GCSEs on-timetable, but we do offer Latin and (if enough uptake) Greek off-timetable

Does it matter how many GCSEs? Taking fewer than 9 GCSEs can count against an application to some universities There is no point in taking more than 10 GCSEs- this is sufficient for the top universities As long as university applicants have 9 or more GCSEs all that matters is the grades. GCSE grades do matter very much to universities (much more than they used to)

Which GCSEs are compulsory? Mathematics English Language English Literature (however, a very small number of EAL students may take IGCSE EAL instead of GCSE English Language and Literature) Theology Science (Double or Triple Award *) triple science is more difficult than double – there is far greater content and so the pace of lessons is fast) A minimum of one language

Options So, those girls who are taking Double Award Science will have 3 options left, and those are taking Triple Award Science will only have 2 options left Students can choose from any of the following: History, Geography, Computer Science, PE, Art, Drama, Music, DT or a second foreign language

New GCSE grading Please note that, from September 2017 all GCSEs & IGCSEs will be on a new grading system. The new system will no longer use grades A*-U. Instead they will grade from 9 to 1 (9 being the top grade and 1 being the bottom grade). Grade 9 represents the equivalent of A*+ and 8 will be the equivalent of the old A*, 7 of A, 6 of B, 5 of low B/high C, 4 of a low C, 3 of a D and so on…

Double or Triple Science? Both these options involve studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics, but Double Award Science results in 2 IGCSEs, whereas Triple Award Science results in 3 Further details are in the GCSE Years booklet. A web link directing you to this booklet has been included with the options form

Double Award Science Taking Double Award Science at IGCSE does not negatively affect the chances of taking science subjects at Sixth Form and beyond Every year we have girls who are academically strong in a lot of subjects and, therefore, take Double Award to maximise their GCSE choices elsewhere, but still end up doing one or more sciences at A Level

Languages The vast majority of pupils are required to take at least one language to GCSE. The normal options are French, Spanish, German or Latin Chinese, Japanese, Russian and other language are not part of our curriculum offering Some students may – after direct consultation with Ms Weatherston – be allowed not to do a language at GCSE, but there have to be very good academic reasons for this Students should also consult with Ms Weatherston or Mr Wahab if they are planning to do Latin as their only language Latin (and possibly Greek – if enough people are interested) will be available as an 11th, off-timetable, GCSE.

Completing and returning the options form You do not have to post or email the options form back to us you simply click on “submit” The deadline for completing and submitting options forms is Monday 19 February 2018

What happens if students change their mind after 19 February 2018? We will be using the options received in February to construct the GCSE option blocks. These are the basis of all timetabling for next year. This process happens quite quickly and cannot be reversed after that We will only be able to accommodate a new choice if it fits both the option blocks we have created and our maximum class size for GCSE (20)

Very small subjects We reserve the right not to run a particular subject if the total number of students selecting it as an option is below five In the event that we decide not to run a subject we will, of course, contact students/parents who have chosen it very promptly to notify them and to discuss alternative options

Thank you for listening If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email Mr Wahab, Mr Smith or Ms Weatherston at any time between now and 19 Feb 2018

GCSE Options February 2018 www.woldinghamschool.co.uk