Introduction

Er...This site is designed to help Year 9 students make the right choice of KS4 courses.

Here, you can find out about the courses you must study next year and those you can choose as options. You can also download documents and, after you've explored the possibilities, complete your official options form.

We wish you all the best with your decision-making

T. Wilmot (Headteacher)

Advice from the School

Read all the information carefully, as each course and subject has different requirements and ways of teaching. Download the "Which Way Now?" booklet and try out the questionnaires to help you discover your likes and dislikes.

Here's a five-point plan for making your choices:

  1. Know what you want to study? - Check out the course requirements
  2. Not sure yet? - Keep your options open! Read all the course information, ask lots of questions.
  3. Remember GCSEs and other standard level qualifications matter - that means particularly hard work in English and Maths.
  4. Think balance - do you have a balance of subject choices that reflect your abilities, strengths and interests?
  5. Make sure you know WHY - If you want to take a subject that you have not studied before, can you talk for a minute on what this subject is about? Try to unpick why you wish to study this subject.

What types of qualification are there?

Between the ages of 14 and 16, you have the opportunity to work towards a number of qualifications. They are your ‘passport’ to further education, training and employment.

GCSEs

  • Cover a wide range of subjects. These include many you already study like English and new ones like Sociology and Business Studies.
  • They come in 2 sizes; Full (one GCSE) and Double (two GCSEs).
  • Both have examinations at the end of the two years. A few have smaller examinations – modules - during the two years. Many have a controlled assessment element ranging from 20% to 60%.
  • Some subjects have tiers that link to a range of grades; Foundation (grades C-G) and Higher (grades A*-C).
  • GCSE A*-C passes help you qualify for Level 3 courses such as A Levels and BTEC Nationals.

BTECs

  • You will learn through completing a number of assignments based on real situations which encourage you to take the initiative and work independently.
  • Each assignment you complete goes towards a unit result. From September 2012 there will be an external exam or an assessed task making up 20% of the final mark.
  • Each BTEC at Level 2 consists of a different number of units. A BTEC level 2 extended certificate (taking 1 option) has 3 units making it the equivalent of 1 GCSE A*-C grades.
  • BTECs can help you qualify to go on to Level 3 qualifications; BTEC Nationals and A’ Levels.

Vocational Accreditation. Foundation Learning

  • Lead to an award that is recognised nationally by colleges and employers.
  • Enable students to continue with their study at a higher level. Students who achieve Level 2 can continue to study this at Level 3, either in the Sixth Form or at college.
  • Consist of a highly personalised package which ranges from Entry level courses through to vocational qualifications with 5A*-C equivalence according to students’ abilities and interests.
  • Students are guided towards the Foundation Learning package by the Curriculum Support team unless they are choosing one of our REBEP vocational courses in which case they would choose that element of this option.
  • A copy of the Foundation Learning booklet can be found on the Documents page.

NVQs, City and Guilds and Diploma

  • These cover subjects that prepare you for employment e.g. Beauty, Hairdressing, Motor Vehicle Maintenance
  • These provide you with the opportunity to develop the skills relevant to a particular vocational area.
  • NVQs are practical courses undertaken at a specialist provider e.g. Hedghogs academy of hairdressing
  • The NVQs are Level 1 or Level 2 courses.
  • You may wish to continue with NVQ study at a higher level (2-4) in the same or another vocational area or progress to Level 2; BTEC Diploma or Level 3 BTEC Nationals or A Levels.

What is the English Baccalaureate?

The government has introduced a new measure of achievement called the ‘English Baccalaureate’. It is to be awarded to any pupil who secures good GCSE passes in all of the following:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • The sciences
  • A modern or ancient foreign language – or a community language
  • A humanity: history or geography

The ‘E Bacc.’ is a composite award designed to ensure that students study a broad and balanced curriculum. The GCSE subjects can be combined with other choices from the GCSE or BTEC courses on offer. Beal students can choose all of the E Bacc. subjects and still have three free choices.

This combination of GCSEs at grades A*-C will entitle the student to a certificate recording their achievement. It is recommended for students aspiring to the top universities.

Core Courses

Anyone for Physics? The Core Courses section provides you with information about the subjects you must study.

Option Courses

Textiles - Suits you, Sir The Option Courses section provides you with information about the optional subjects you can study.

Choice-Maker

ICT Teacher? - This is a pen The Choice-Maker section takes you through the step-by-step process of producing your official options form.

  • Step 1: Choose your options
  • Step 2: Test your options
  • Step 3: Complete your options form

Documents

Chemistry mixes me up The Documents section contains useful downloadable documents such as your official options booklet.

Who will help me?

P.E. - Eat my shorts (Bart) The Who will help me? section lists the key people you can consult before making your decisions.