1. West Island
School Pre 16
Options
2010-2011

2. Key Stage 4 Options ProcessKey Stage 4 Options Process
23 November:23 November: KS4 Options Evening (7:00-8:30pm)KS4 Options Evening (7:00-8:30pm)
10 December:10 December: Option forms returned to tutorsOption forms returned to tutors
January 2011:January 2011: Validation check of option entriesValidation check of option entries
April 2011April 2011 :: Re-selection for students who can’t beRe-selection for students who can’t be
offered their preferred choice ofoffered their preferred choice of
subjectssubjects
May 2011:May 2011: Final confirmation of option choicesFinal confirmation of option choices

3. Important DecisionsImportant Decisions
Which language?Which language?
Pre 16 OptionsPre 16 Options
Post 16 OptionsPost 16 Options
University or work?University or work?

4. The Core CurriculumThe Core Curriculum
English LanguageEnglish Language
English LiteratureEnglish Literature
MathematicsMathematics
LanguagesLanguages
Science (Double or Triple Award)Science (Double or Triple Award)
Total:Total: 6/7 (I)GCSE certificates6/7 (I)GCSE certificates
.
Learning for Life
ICT
Physical Education

5. OptionsOptions – a guided choice– a guided choice
To provide choice while maintainingTo provide choice while maintaining breadth andbreadth and
balance in your educationbalance in your education, and without closing doors, and without closing doors
on future learning (WIS Diplomas).on future learning (WIS Diplomas).
Choose 3 other options
• 22 Subjects on offer
• 20 examined subjects
• 2 non-examined subjects (LS and EAL)

6. Try to ensure that you will experienceTry to ensure that you will experience thethe
Eight Areas of LearningEight Areas of Learning
Expressive and CreativeExpressive and Creative
ScientificScientific
Linguistic and LiteraryLinguistic and Literary
TechnologicalTechnological
MathematicalMathematical
Human, Social andHuman, Social and
EnvironmentalEnvironmental
Physical and RecreationalPhysical and Recreational
Religious, Spiritual and MoralReligious, Spiritual and Moral

7. EAL and Individual Needs SupportEAL and Individual Needs Support
Students may be advised by theStudents may be advised by the
EAL or Individual NeedsEAL or Individual Needs
departments that it would bedepartments that it would be
beneficial to take fewer optionalbeneficial to take fewer optional
GCSE subjects and take EAL orGCSE subjects and take EAL or
Learning Support supportLearning Support support
instead.instead.
.

8. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st
RESERVE 2nd
RESERVE
KS4
Y10/11
The Options Form
Now turn over and give us some information about your plans for the future.
Student’s Name (IN CAPITALS): _________________
Tutor Group:________
Signed:_____________________(student) _____________________(Parent)
Date:________________
• You must select a language as one of the four unless advised not to do so.
• Order of choice important: 4th choice will be replaced with a reserve
• Parents to sign your options form
• Late forms = no guarantee of choices
• Learning Support decided by teachers – tutor to advise
• Only one D&T (ICT with a D&T ok)

9. Strength from Diversity – a better school, a better world.
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6
IB
Y12/13
English
HL/SL
__________
HL/SL
___________
HL/SL
____________
HL/SL
Mathematics
HL/SL
____________
HL/SL
GROUP 1
Higher or Standard
GROUP 2
Higher or Standard
GROUP 3
Higher or Standard
GROUP 4
Higher or Standard
GROUP 5
Higher or Standard
GROUP 6
Higher or Standard
English French History Chemistry Mathematics Theatre Arts
Spanish Geography Biology Visual Arts
Chinese
Environmental
Systems*
Physics Music
Chinese ab initio* Psychology
Environmental
Systems*
Film Studies
French ab initio* Philosophy
Design and
Technology
Computer Studies
Spanish ab initio* Economics
Another subject from
Groups 2-4.
Business &
Management
Students must have already studied French, Spanish or Chinese to take the Standard or Higher Level Language in Group 2.
Students cannot take Environmental Systems with Biology.
Students are encouraged to take a listed Group 6 subject before considering an elective.
* = Standard Level only

10. General AdviceGeneral AdviceIt’s your choice not your friends’It’s your choice not your friends’
Choose subjects that will be useful for yourChoose subjects that will be useful for your
future, because you have an interest in them,future, because you have an interest in them,
because you enjoy them or you are good atbecause you enjoy them or you are good at
themthem
Ask advice from your parents, tutors andAsk advice from your parents, tutors and
subject teacherssubject teachers
Consider what you might wish to do in theConsider what you might wish to do in the
Upper SchoolUpper School

11. University AdmissionsUniversity Admissions
As a general rule university admission is notAs a general rule university admission is not
going to be affected by GCSE choicesgoing to be affected by GCSE choices
Prerequisites for university courses are usuallyPrerequisites for university courses are usually
associated with science/maths/languageassociated with science/maths/language
programmes (covered by IB)programmes (covered by IB)
The one exception would be forThe one exception would be for Art and DesignArt and Design
courses where an art portfolio is usually required,courses where an art portfolio is usually required,
andand sometimessometimes forfor architecturearchitecture

12. Questions?Questions?
Strength from Diversity – a better school, a better
world.