1. Options for Year 10
2013-2015

2. The Options Process
• Why make choices?
• Choice allows you to “make your own
timetable”
• Choosing subjects you want to study should
increase your motivation and chances of
success

3. The Key Stage 4 Curriculum
• Core: 30 lessons per fortnight
– Mathematics (1 GCSE)
– English Language & Literature (2 GCSEs)
– Core Science (1 GCSE)
– Core ICT
– Philosophy and Ethics (½ GCSE)
– Core PE
– PSHE
– Work Experience

4. Science – 6 additional periods
• Single Science
– One GCSE plus Certificate in Personal and Social
Development
• Additional Science
– Combines with Core Science to make 2 GCSEs
• Triple Science
– 3 separate GCSEs: Biology, Physics and Chemistry
• You will be placed on one of these courses
dependent on your performance in Year 9
Science and your attendance

5. Options – 24 periods per fortnight
• A range of GCSE, Cambridge National, and
BTEC courses
• Four options
• 6 periods per fortnight in each option
• Options organised into two pathways

6. Subjects on offer
• Specialising: History, Geography, RS, Music,
Dance, Drama, Technology subjects,
languages, ICT, PE/Sport...
• “New” Subjects: Business Studies, Health and
Social Care, Media Studies, Construction,
Performing Arts

7. Qualifications on offer
• GCSE
– Awarded from A*-G
– Combination of exams and controlled assessment
• Cambridge National / BTEC
– Awarded Distinction, Merit, or Pass
– “Vocational” or work-based learning
– Available in Sport, Business, Construction, and
ICT(iMedia)

8. The English Baccalaureate
• Represents breadth and strength in academic
achievement
• Awarded to any student gaining A*-C in:
– English Language
– Two Sciences
– Mathematics
– History or Geography
– A Language

10. The Academic Pathway
• Option 1: GCSE History or Geography
• Option 2: GCSE French, German or Spanish
• Options 3 and 4: Free Choice
• This pathway ensures that you achieve the
English Baccalaureate
• It is focused on GCSEs
• It is suitable if you want to go on to do A Levels or
to study at University

11. The Applied Pathway
• Options 1 and 2: combinations of
Construction, Health and Social Care, ICT or
Business Studies
• Options 3 and 4: Free Choice
• This pathway is focused on non-GCSE subjects
• It is suitable for those looking for routes into
Colleges or apprenticeships

12. Options in Insight

13. A few “rules”
• You must choose options one and two from
the Academic or the Applied Pathway
• You must then make two choices and a
reserve for options 3 and 4
• You can only opt for a subject once!

14. Things to consider
Do consider: Do not consider:
• What do I enjoy? • Choosing subjects just to be
• What am I good at? with friends
• What to I want to do post- • Choosing subjects because
16? “I like/don’t like the
– Sixth form? teacher”
– College?
– Apprenticeship/employment?
• Choosing subjects “because
you ought to”
• Choose a good range of
subjects
• Read your report carefully

15. Important Dates
• Monday 7th January: Options Assembly
• Wednesday 9th January: Options Evening
• Thursday 17th January: Subject Evening
• Friday 25th January: Final Deadline for
completing options in Insight

16. Sources of advice
• Other parents / friends
• Students in Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form
• Subject Staff
• Tutor
• Head of Year
• Careers Team
• Mr Kenny and the Learning Support team
• Year 9 Options page on school website

17. What now?
• Collect your Option Book
• PUT YOUR NAME ON IT
• Look through the book carefully over the
coming days
• Your parents must bring this book to the
Options Evening on Wednesday