1. Key Information for Parents and Students February 2018
“There is a broad range of subjects to choose from both at GCSE and A-Level.” Ofsted 2017
Year 9 Options
Key Information for Parents and Students
February 2018
“The curriculum is suitably broad and balanced.” Ofsted 2017

2. Aims of this evening Provide an overview of the Year 9 Options Process
Introduce you to the core curriculum and curriculum options for September 2018
Provide you with the opportunity to circulate and talk with subject leaders and teachers about their different subjects and courses

3. Which subjects do students have to take for GCSE?
English Language
English Literature
Maths (Maths or separate GCSEs in Maths and Statistics – teacher decides which)
Science
Triple Science (3 GCSEs)
or Combined Science (2 GCSEs)
(teacher decides which)

4. How many options do students have?
There are 3 options.

5. How is the offer tailored to different needs?
Students taking Triple Science and Statistics will take 10 GCSEs: Students doing Combined Science and Statistics will take 9: Everyone else will study 8:
Eng
Eng Lit
Maths
Stats
Phys
Chem
Biol
Opt 1
Opt 2
Opt 3
Eng
Eng Lit
Maths
Stats
Sci 1
Sci 2
Opt 1
Opt 2
Opt 3
Eng
Eng Lit
Maths
Sci 1
Sci 2
Opt 1
Opt 2
Opt 3

6. What are the option choices?
GCSE: Art and Design, Business Studies, Computing, Product Design, Food Tech, Dance, Drama, French, Spanish, Geography, History, Music, Photography, PE, Psychology, RE
Other qualifications: LIBF in Financial Education, NCFE Music Technology, BTEC Music, IT

7. Can students choose anything they like?
They have to choose one of French, Spanish, Geography, History. This is the compulsory option.
Then they have two more options of their choice (which can also come from the compulsory options)
Note there may be some entry requirements – so they have to get a particular Step in a subject in order to do it for GCSE. Triple Science is teacher-selected
Note it is not possible to start a new language in Year 10.

8. What’s the EBacc? Area Subjects English English, English Literature
The EBacc is a performance measure used to judge schools. EBacc subjects are the core academic subjects that make up the EBacc and are most regularly asked for by college and university courses . You don’t need to have studied all of these to go to university, but having your GCSE mix steered towards EBacc subjects will help keep your options open. The Ebacc consists of 1 subject from each of the 5 areas below:
Area
Subjects
English
English, English Literature
Maths
Science
Combined Science, Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics), Computer Science
Humanities
History, Geography
Languages
French, German, Spanish etc.
A good mix of subjects will keep a range of options open. You could choose to take subjects included in the English Baccalaureate (English, maths, double science, history or geography and a modern foreign language). Traditional subjects like these are valued by employers, sixth forms, colleges and universities.
If you have strong ideas on the sort of course or career you wish to pursue in future, you should check entry requirements for courses or careers or speak to a careers adviser or subject teachers in school. Some higher level courses will require you to have taken the subject at GCSE in order to progress to A level/ Level 3 diploma or degrees.
You may want to try a new subject which is only offered from Key Stage4. It is often the case that these subjects, whilst helpful and whilst they may still be “smart” choices for you are not required at GCSE in order to progress to higher levels.

9. Additional option
We are exploring the possibility of offering an additional option subject outside of the main curriculum* to students with excellent attendance, punctuality and attitude to learning.
Please indicate on the options form if you would be interested in this
* One lesson before school and 2 after school each week. This going ahead is dependent on a number of factors.

10. Joe Bloggs
H9G

11. How should students choose?DO
Think about what you enjoy and what you are good at
Think about the combination of subjects
Consider what you might want to do in the future
Speak to your teachers in school and at Options Evening.
Read up about GCSEs in the options booklet
DON’T
Make choices based on whether you like your teacher – you may not get the same one and it’s the subject content and skills which are important
Choose something because you think it will be easy – all GCSEs are challenging in their own way
(Donna)

12. When is the deadline?
Students must hand in their completed Options Form to Student Services by: Friday 2nd March 2018 First come, first served – submit as soon as possible!

13. When do students find out their choices?
In the summer term
Students must see Ms Swift or Mr German if they wish to change an option choice. Try to make an informed decision now!
Can they change their mind?

14. What next?
Discuss at home which subjects your son enjoys and is good at and his plans for the future
Have discussions with teachers and older students about the options choices