Changes to GCSE (starting Sept. 2015 and First Examined 2017) New GCSEs (English and Maths) came on line Sept 2015 first examined June 2017 – followed by other core subjects (e.g. Geography Sept 2016 to June 2018) Increased content, reduced coursework components, greater importance placed on the terminal examination. Graded 9-1 We teach a variety of GCSEs and also IGCSEs (International GCSEs) and the grading system for the IGCSEs is also moving away from A*-G and will also use the 9-1 system. IGCSE passes continue to be recognised by Higher Education, employers and as the required English / Maths pass. Therefore English and Mathematics, along with a number of other subject areas, will continue to deliver IGCSE. We choose GCSE or IGCSE on a subject by subject basis, looking in each case at what we feel will most benefit our students. IGCSEs in some subjects – not included in government statistics but we are allowed to choose GCSE or

Developments in the Year 10/11 Curriculum at Windermere GCSE and IGCSE options remain at the core of our delivery, although we also offer a BTEC course in Sport. These courses continue to be provided over 1 and 2 years. The biggest change this year is a move to 9 rather than 10 GCSE options. This is to allow us more time to each subject in order to manage the additional course content in the new GCSEs. Over the last few years an increasing number of students have moved to taking 9 GCSEs and so this is a formalisation of something that was already happening. Developments in the Year 10/11 Curriculum at Windermere

Sport (including Outdoor Adventure) is the equivalent to 1 GCSE BTEC Level 2 Sport (including Outdoor Adventure) is the equivalent to 1 GCSE PASS = C MERIT = B Distinction is A/A* Sport BTEC is a combination of sport and outdoor adventure. It results it a qualification that is the equivalent to a GCSE, but instead of being examined at the end of the course, it has a greater bias towards on-going assessment throughout the course. We recommend that students interested in this qualification take this or PE GCSE but not both subjects as they are reasonably similar.

How to choose your optional subjects What do you enjoy? What are you good at? Do you need certain subjects for your chosen career? The question for most students will be “what will be the best options for me?” It is difficult to make the wrong choices at GCSE, not least because we have set up the option blocks to ensure students have a suitable breadth and variety in their choices. We recommend that all students take a Humanity (either Geography or History) and a Modern Foreign language (French or Spanish). It is more important at this stage to get good grades than it is to have very specific subjects – although it is important to know that Russell Group Universities like to see a Language amongst the GCSEs choices, even if you do not intend to study languages at University. So what is best for each of you? This depends on a number of factors, such as career thoughts (for students who already have an idea of what they would like to do), and what each student enjoys and is good at the nature of assessments in that subject – and whether that plays to your strengths. The best advice is to play to your strengths rather than worry too much about taking a particular subject.

There are some careers that may require specific post 16 qualifications. Mrs. King, Director of Student Pathways and Careers is able to assist with any questions. Good websites to help you decide on GCSE options include: www.icould.com www.careerpilot.org.uk www.Plotr.co.uk - 19 questions to ask yourself If you do have a career path in mind, there are some careers that may require specific post 16 qualifications and this will drive your subject choice. e.g. Medicine, Vet. Science, Pharmacy and Languages. The websites above are good sources of information in relation to careers – and also to your individual strengths. I would however highly recommend that you speak to Mrs. King or Mr. Blanch and they will be able to advise you on the best combination of GCSEs to take for specific careers.

Subject choice booklet Teachers Tutors / Heads of Section Guidance from School Subject choice booklet Teachers Tutors / Heads of Section Mrs. King (Director of Student Pathways and Careers) Guidance from School Subject choice booklets handed out tonight Each department will discuss the nature of their subjects tonight, but they are also available in the coming weeks – we recommend that you talk to these staff on an individual basis. Students are also encouraged to talk to their tutors and Heads of Section on an individual basis. Mrs. King (Director of Student Pathways) is very happy to discuss any specific issue with parents and students if you would like to make an appointment to speak to her.

Discussion October and November 2017 Time scale Discussion October and November 2017 Monday 27 November 2017 – deadline for options sheets to be submitted to the main office. Timetable written over the Spring Term, with choices confirmed then. It is very important that the choices sheets are handed in as soon as possible, with a final deadline of 27 November. This is to allow us to construct the subject blocks and to speak to students whose first choices may be problematic.

Non-examined curriculum. Option blocks Core curriculum CAS IDEALS PE Activities

Non-examined curriculum. CAS IDEALS PE Activities Non-examined curriculum. Option blocks Core curriculum English Language & Literature 2 GCSEs (2 years) Maths 1 GCSE (2 years) Science Biology Chemistry Physics 2 GCSEs (1 year each) MFL French Spanish 1 GCSE (2 years) EAL Study

Non-examined curriculum. English Language & Literature 2 GCSEs (2 years) Science Biology Chemistry Physics (1 year each) Maths 1 GCSE MFL French Spanish EAL Study CAS IDEALS PE Activities Non-examined curriculum. Option blocks Core curriculum 2 1 3 Select three subjects plus one reserve. F & N Chem Drama Art French Geog. Bus. Hist. Music PE Comp Study Sport BTEC

Non-examined curriculum. English Language & Literature 2 GCSEs (2 years) Science Biology Chemistry Physics (1 year each) Maths 1 GCSE MFL French Spanish EAL Study CAS IDEALS PE Activities Non-examined curriculum. Option blocks Core curriculum 2 1 3 Drama Hist. PE Comp Study Select three subjects plus one reserve. F & N Art Geog. Chem French Bus. Music F & N Chem Drama Art French Geog. Bus. Hist. Music PE Comp Study Sport BTEC Sport BTEC 3 GCSEs (2 years) Up to 9 GCSEs over 2 years