1. Opportunity Responsibility Excellence
The Cherwell School
Opportunity
Responsibility
Excellence

2. Mr Jermaine Jarvis
Assistant Headteacher (Transitions and Progression)
Mr Tom Hilton
Assistant Headteacher (Curriculum and Faculties)

3. Advice and Guidance for students
Assemblies

5. Advice and Guidance for students
Assemblies
Taster Sessions

7. Advice and Guidance for students
Assemblies
Taster Sessions
1:1 meetings with tutors / other staff
Discussion with parents / carers
Student Carousel
Parents Evening – 28th February
Options form deadline 8th March

8. Jason Davis School Careers Adviser
Available Monday lunchtimes – Mr Jarvis’ office

9. Cherwell KS4 Recent Results
Grade 4 +
Grade 7 +
Overall
5x Grade 4+ 83%
5 x Grade7+ 52%
English
93%
57%
Maths
86 %
40%
Science
84%
47%
Languages
92%
45%
Humanities
53%

10. Last Year’s GCSE Results
The Cherwell School
Last Year’s GCSE Results
Why?
Culture of learning
Organised
Team ethos
Strong ATL

11. Courses for Years 10 & 11

12. Types of Courses at Cherwell
GCSE
NCFE VCert
WJEC Level 2
Cambridge Nationals

13. Understanding the offer – types of courses
GCSE
Most common form of qualification
2 year courses; graded 1-9

15. GCSE Usually examined at the end of the course
Some practical elements, eg Drama, Art, Music
Some coursework / Non-Examined Assessment

16. NCFE VCert WJEC Level 2 + More coursework; less exam
More vocational – aimed at the world of work
Equivalent in value to a GCSE

17. Hospitality and Catering
NCFE VCert
Health and Fitness
Engineering
WJEC Level 2
Hospitality and Catering

18. Cambridge Nationals More coursework; less exam
More vocational – aimed at the world of work
Equivalent in value to a GCSE

19. Cambridge Nationals
Health and Social Care
Creative iMedia

20. EAL / VRQ Cert
Cycle Maintenance

21. A combination of core courses and options
Courses for Years 10 and 11
A combination of core courses and options

22. (1 GCSE – completed in Year 10)
Core Curriculum
CITIZENSHIP
(1 GCSE – completed in Year 10)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
(1 GCSE)
ENGLISH LITERATURE
MATHEMATICS
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
SCIENCE
(2 or 3 GCSE)

23. 3 GCSEs in Physics, Chemistry, Biology 2 GCSEs in Combined Science
Triple
Combined
3 GCSEs in Physics, Chemistry, Biology
2 GCSEs in Combined Science
12 lessons per fortnight
10 lessons per fortnight

24. Why opt for Triple? Triple Combined Interest and ability are key
3 GCSEs in Physics, Chemistry, Biology
2 GCSEs in Combined Science
12 lessons per fortnight
10 lessons per fortnight
Interest and ability are key
Y9 Science exams on 29th and 30th April and performance over the year used to assess suitability

25. Why opt for Combined? Triple Combined
3 GCSEs in Physics, Chemistry, Biology
2 GCSEs in Combined Science
12 lessons per fortnight
10 lessons per fortnight
Can lead to higher achievement for some students – do less, do it better
Does give access to 6th Form Science courses here and elsewhere

26. 3 GCSEs in Physics, Chemistry, Biology 2 GCSEs in Combined Science
Where to get advice
Triple
Combined
3 GCSEs in Physics, Chemistry, Biology
2 GCSEs in Combined Science
12 lessons per fortnight
10 lessons per fortnight
Advice and guidance for all available through tutors, Science teachers, YL / DYL

27. OPTIONS 4 Option Subjects need to be chosen
Note - These are entered on the Options Form in ORDER OF PREFERENCE
Looking for a balance of subjects to keep future options open, but we take an individual approach to student choices.

28. How to make option choices?

29. Interest
Ability
Subject, not teacher
You, not friends
Breadth
New? But know what is
Career? With caution
Motivation

30. Reporting at PR3
7-9
5-6
3-4
1-2

31. Recommended for many students Some students take 2 languages
Language Options
FRENCH
GERMAN
SPANISH
Recommended for many students
Some students take 2 languages

32. Technology and Creative Options
RESISTANT MATERIALS
(GCSE)
HOSPITALITY and CATERING
(WJEC – Level 2)
GRAPHICS
ENGINEERING
(NCFE VCert)
If students do not choose to take one of the above options they are encouraged to take one from the following creative subjects.
ART
(GCSE)
TEXTILES ART
MUSIC
DANCE
DRAMA

33. Additional Options GEOGRAPHY (GCSE) HISTORY
RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY & ETHICS
CYCLE MAINTENANCE
(EAL / VRQ Cert)
BUSINESS
HEALTH AND FITNESS (NCFE V- Cert)
HEALTH
& SOCIAL CARE
(Cambridge National)
COMPUTER SCIENCE
I-MEDIA
SOCIOLOGY
SPORT SCIENCE

34. Extra-Curricular Option
ASTRONOMY
After School, once per week for 90 minutes
Please tick the relevant box on the Option Form

35. Top FAQs Is this the right number of courses?
What if my child changes their mind?
Are GCSE courses more highly-regarded?
Can more than one subject be taken from one area?
What is the best way for me to support my child through this process?

36. Not enough? Most students do 10 / 11 GCSEs
Is this the right number of courses?
Not enough?
Most students do 10 / 11 GCSEs
Performance measures are on top 8
High achievement and clear progression routes

37. Is this the right number of courses?
Not enough?
Too many?
Most students do 10 / 11 GCSEs
Strong support and high expectations
Performance measures are on top 8
Potential to do one less option
High achievement and clear progression routes
Will discuss if felt to be sensible

38. What if my child changes their mind?

39. Courses have genuine ‘Level 2’ equivalency
Are GCSE courses more highly-regarded?
Courses have genuine ‘Level 2’ equivalency
Provide valid route into post-16 education and University
Non-GCSE do give access to our 6th form

40. Yes – but with some caution Avoid taking courses that are too similar
Can more than one subject be taken from one area?
Yes – but with some caution
Avoid taking courses that are too similar
Health and Fitness
Sport Science

41. Yes – but with some caution Avoid taking courses that are too similar
Can more than one subject be taken from one area?
Yes – but with some caution
Avoid taking courses that are too similar
Computer Science
I- Media

42. Options Timeline March 8th – hand form in Courses start
Choices confirmed
Nov 7
Courses start
Dec 20
Today
5 days
Jan
Feb
March
April
May
June
July
Summer
September
16 days
Advice and Guidance
Time to reflect
No further changes
24 days
17 days
Changes possible
25 days

43. OPTIONS FORM
Please complete the Four Option boxes in Order of Preference
Please also add a reserve choice
Please tick any relevant boxes (Triple Science or Astronomy)
Please return the Options Form by Friday 8th March (not before the 4th March please)

44. French
History
Drama
I-Media
Spanish

45. Year 9 – Pre-GCSE Year Citizenship English Maths Science Macbeth
Tests on 29th and 30th April
Writing non-fiction
Romantic Poetry

46. Who to contact Year Leader – Mr Brown lbrown@cherwell.oxon.sch.uk
Deputy Year Leader – Mrs Goble
Assistant Headteacher – Mr Jarvis
Assistant Headteacher – Mr Hilton
SENCO – Dr Hawes
Careers Adviser – Mr Jason Davis