Year 9 GCSE Options

Information Evening

What will you do?Broad and balanced curriculumSubjects that allow you to follow

a variety of career pathsSubjects that inspire you to

carry-on to A-level and beyond

How do you go about making these choices?Read through the options booklet

carefully, preferably with your parents!

Ask your subject teachers for advice

You can also ask your tutor, HoYs (9,10 or 11), Mr Reddin or Mr Ryce

Choosing GCSE subjects

Don’t…choose subjects because they are ‘easy’choose subjects because you like a

teacheravoid subjects because you dislike a

teacher/think a teacher dislikes you

It is important to get this right first time – it is difficult to change courses once you have started!

Options form

Options form

Process

There are a number of core subjects◦Mathematics◦English (English and English

Literature)◦Science (Double Award or Triple

Award)◦RS◦Modern Foreign Language (French,

German, Spanish)

Options – You select up to 3 GCSEs from the following Art & Design Computer Science Classical Civilization Design &Technology Drama Food Technology French (German or Spanish can be chosen as a core Second

Language) Geography History ICT Latin Media Studies Music Physical Education Triple Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics

GCSE OptionsGrade Specifications September 2016

New Specification9-1

Existing SpecificationA-G

Art & Design Classical CivilisationBiology I-GCSE Design and TechnologyComputer Science Information & Communications

TechnologyChemistry I-GCSE Media StudiesDrama  English Language  English Literature  Food Preparation and Nutrition  French  German  Geography  History  Latin  Mathematics  Music  Physical Education  Physics I-GCSE  Religious Studies  Spanish  

TimelineProvisional choices to be made

by Wednesday 10th February

GCSE option blocks produced by Tuesday 23rd February

Choices will need to be made by Tuesday 1st March

Drop in Sessions SessionsThe following drop in information sessions will take place for Year 9 students:Media Studies (Tuesday 9 Feb,

1.15pm in M1)Academic PE (Monday 8 Feb

1.15pm SS1) Classical Civilisation (Friday 5

Feb)

English Language and Literature or English Language Only? More Information:1. Most students will be awarded 2 GCSEs.2. English Literature examinations are now closed text

and this might be a consideration for some students.3. English Language GCSE demands that the students

understand and appreciate 19th century English Literature texts . Therefore, the two courses will be taught to all students for at least the first term in Year 10.

Future Opportunities:1. The study of English Literature at A Level will only be open to those who study both GCSEs.

Modern Foreign LanguagesIf students are taking a MFL then

we strongly recommend that they spend some time in the target language country.  We offer:

 a residential trip to Berlina homestay visit to France,

typically Nice or Montpellier, a residential to Salamanca in SpainAll take place in the Easter holidays

GCSE Computer ScienceChallenging and academically

rigorousConsidered a “fourth” scienceOpportunity for students to

further develop transferable skills in:◦Critical Thinking◦Analysis◦Problem Solving

GCSE Computer ScienceTopics Studied

◦Computer Systems Physical Networks Network Security Systems Architecture

◦Computational Thinking Algorithms High and low level programming Logic

◦Programming Project

International GCSE

Option Choices in Science

International GCSE

I-GCSE choices in ScienceI-GCSE Double Award Physics, Chemistry and Biology

are taught as separate subjects, with separate teachers

The examinations will give two I-GCSE grades:

Double Science I-GCSE

I-GCSE choices in ScienceI-GCSE Triple Sciences Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Also taught separately. The examinations will give three I-GCSE grades:

Biology I-GCSEChemistry I-GCSEPhysics I-GCSE

Double ScienceThere will be in total 12 periods

of Science per fortnightThe students are taught in ability

groups (sets)The Double Science curriculum

will allow access to any Science A levels – providing the grades are good enough

Triple ScienceStudents choosing this route will

study Science instead of an option subject

18 periods of Science per fortnight

More rigorous than Double Science There will be no sets – the most able

Science students study Triple Science and so the groups will be of a similar ability level

I-GCSEThe assessment is through terminal

papers onlyThere is no coursework assessment

of practical work in the Sciences. Scientific method and experimental technique are assessed as part of the written examinations

The course content has more breadth and depth than GCSE and is deemed to be a good preparation for A level

Edexcel I-GCSEDouble Award

Single tier. The examination comprises paper 1 from Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. Three 2 hour papers in total

Graded 9 - 1Students are awarded two I-GCSE

grades Provides a sound foundation for

progression to A level science

Edexcel I-GCSETriple Science AwardThis course is a more intensive course

than Double Science.Single tier. The examination

comprises 2 papers in each science, one of 2 hours and one of 1 hour.

Graded 9 -1Students are awarded 3 I-GCSE

grades, that are completely separate.Provides a thorough foundation for

progression to AS and A level science

Which to choose?Seek the advice of Science teachers

before deciding which option to choose.

The Triple Award is an option aimed at those students who see science as a particular strength of theirs.

Double Science will provide a balanced science education, suitable for students of all abilities. It is likely to be taught at a slightly slower pace.

SummaryStudents should consider their options

carefully and discuss with parents and relevant teachers

Complete the option form – this creates the blocks

Triple Science will not be suitable for the majority of students. Almost half the student body will not do English Literature

Trips – enrich the curriculumMake a positive first step towards 6th form

study

Year 9 GCSE Options

Information Evening