Thursday 15 February 2018 at 7.00pm
As you know, the time is now approaching for Year 9 pupils and their parents to decide on their GCSE Options. There are a number of ways in which we would like to support you in that process, most notably through the Year 9 Options Evening next Thursday 15 February 2018 and the Year 9 Parents’ Evening on Monday 5 March 2018.
The Year 9 Options Evening comprises a brief presentation in the Chapel and then an opportunity for you to meet all the Heads of Department in the Sixth Form Centre to ask any questions you might have about their subjects. You will also be provided with the GCSE Options Booklet which provides further details on every GCSE, both compulsory and optional.
An online version of the booklet is available. Click here to view the PDF if you would like to begin reading it before the evening.
Please make the most of all these opportunities to read the Options Booklet carefully before making your choices.
The booklet explains in more detail, but the following provides a very simple overview of the Year 10 curriculum. There are some core subjects, which are taken by all pupils, and then a list of optional subjects of which pupils will study three.
Core subjects, that all pupils will study:
- English
- Mathematics
- Religious Studies
- Sciences (either Double Award or Triple Award, to be decided by the Head of Science following the Year 9 exams in June)
- Games (non-examined)
Optional subjects, of which you study three:
- Art
- Business Studies
- Computer Science
- Design and Technology: Resistant Materials*
- Design and Technology: Electronic Systems, Programmable Components and Mechanical Devices*
- Design and Technology: Textiles*
- Drama
- Food Preparation and Nutrition*
- Geography
- History
- Latin
- Modern Foreign Languages**
- Music
- Physical Education
- Psychology
- Sport (BTEC)
* In the interests of maintaining balance, only one Design and Technology subject may be chosen.
** We strongly recommend that those pupils who would be successful at a Modern Foreign Language should include it in their option choices.
We have been able to improve the system of making Option Choices which we hope will make the process easier and more user friendly for you. As a result, there is a slight alteration to the timeline I outlined to you last year. The day after the Options Evening I will email you a link to an online survey. In the survey you will be asked to choose three option choices and one reserve. We will use that information to generate the option blocks (the timetable in which the options are taught). We will do our utmost to ensure that all pupils can take their first choice of subjects. In the rare event that we cannot offer a pupil’s particular combination of subjects, we will look to use their reserve choice but we will contact you personally should that become necessary. If there is insufficient demand for a particular subject, we may not be able to offer it. Again, if that becomes the case, we will contact you personally.
Having attended the Options Evening, had time to reflect on the subjects over half term and then discussed next steps with teachers at the Year 9 Parents’ Evening, we would be very grateful if you could complete the survey by Monday 12 March 2018.
I look forward to seeing you next Thursday evening and I hope you find the evening and the Options Booklet helpful.
Dr Michael Reddish
Assistant Head - Director of Studies
