1. Senior School IGCSE Options Process

2. Senior School Curriculum
Years 7 and 8 (Lower School) – enhanced UK curriculum to suit our students and our context
Years 9 – 11 (Middle School) – externally verified IGCSE/GCSE courses with some in-house core content
Years 12 and 13 (Upper School) – IB Diploma Programme

3. Why take three years for the IGCSE?
Provides a more appropriate level of challenge for Year 9
Allows time for enrichment both within curriculum areas and beyond
Reduces stress levels caused by cramming content and not mastering the learning
Allows students the time to develop ‘Approaches to Learning’ needed for the IBDP

4. UK based qualifications recognised by educational institutions around the world

5. The Compulsory Curriculum
IGCSE CIE Mathematics
IGCSE Edexcel English Language
IGCSE CIE World Literature
IGCSE Edexcel Physics
IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry
IGCSE Edexcel Biology
PE and Global Skills

6. What is Global Skills?
One lesson per week, in order to support our students to: •Develop important life/study skills such as critical thinking, time management, research and evaluation. •Become more aware of a range of global themes and issues of personal interest/relevance. •Be prepared for the challenges of the IBDP through introductory experiences of the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.

7. Subject
Lessons per week
Maths 4
English Lang and Lit 5
Phys/Chem/Biology 6
Option 1 - (Mainly Languages) 3
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4 PE 1
PSHE/Assembly
Global Skills

8. Year 8- IGCSE Options Process
EVENT
PURPOSE
LED BY
INVITED
Introductory Parent Talk
(Nov 15th)
Overview of Options process
NMA/MEL
Year 8 Parents
Tutor time introduction to Options for students. 
(Nov 16th- 30th)
 NMA will visit each tutor group and give a short  presentation outlining the whole process
NMA
Year 8 Students and Tutors
Options Market Stall
(Dec 6th 4-6pm)
Raise awareness on what each course entails
CL for Option Subjects
Year 8 Students/ Parents
Year 8 Assembly
(Dec 8th)
Student Perspective on course content/ learning experience in Option Subjects
Year 10 & 11 Student Department Ambassadors    (NMA/NCART)
Year 8 Students
Year 8 PTSC
(Jan 16th 4-8pm)
Feedback on Student Performance 
Year 8 Subject Teachers
Provisional Options form completed on Firefly
(Jan 16th- 31st)
This census allows the College to tailor our Options Blocks to fit as many students as possible
RLE NA
1 to 1 meeting between student and Senior School Staff
(February/ March)
Every student will meet a member of the Senior / Middle Leadership Team to discuss and ensure the choices made best suit the student
Final Options block released 
(Feb 28th)
Final choices can be made according the Options Blocks
Deadline for final submission on Firefly
(March 23rd)
Students complete final form to confirm the subjects they have chosen

9. The Options Pathways
Choose a subject from each of the four option blocks
Option blocks created every year depending on students choices

10. Curriculum Areas to Consider
Art, Drama, Music
Humanities: Geography, History, Economics
MFL: French, Chinese, Spanish, German
GCSE PE
Design and Technology, Computer Science

11. Factors to consider in choosing your option subjects?
Your enjoyment and personal interest in the subject itself   (NOT based on who is your favourite teacher) 
Your performance in that subject in Year 7 and 8
How that subject is assessed (examinations or coursework)? 
Try to maintain a breadth of study across the Languages, Creative subjects and Humanities
Ask for your teachers’ advice on which subjects will play to your strengths