St Bernard’s Catholic High School
Key Stage Four
Courses
2015-2017
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
KS4 Information
Booklet
on the school website
Core Subjects
at St Bernard’s
Options
choose
three of these
RE English
Maths Science
PE PSCHE
GCSEs and BTECs
at St Bernard’s
OR
choose one of these
Vocational Courses
at Hutton Park
and one subject
from St Bernard’s
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
In KS4 everybody will study:
 English – 2 GCSEs
 Maths - 1 GCSE
 Science – Double(2) or Triple(3)
 R.E – 1 GCSE
 P.E – Dance, Sports Leaders
 PSCHE
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
New GCSEs !!
 New style GCSEs in all subjects.
 Will be more demanding and content
based. 20% more in English and Maths!
 More exam based
 Number grades will be awarded 9 to 1
 All exams taken in Year 11
 Less coursework
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
New Progress 8 Measure
 This measures the Results and the Progress the students have
made in their best 8 GCSE subjects
 These subjects must include English and English Literature, Maths
and Science as well as at least one of the following academic
subjects from:
History, Geography, French, Spanish,
Computer Science (option A)
 Students then have two free choices from the whole range of
subjects available at St Bernard’s (option B)
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
English Baccalaureate
 Its not a qualification but another progress measure for schools
 Recognises student GCSE A*- C achievement in:
English Language, Maths, Two Sciences
a Humanities – History or Geography
and a Language – French or Spanish
 What does it mean for you?
 If you apply to University there may be an emphasis placed on
performance in the ebacc by certain Universities for certain courses.
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
GCSEs and BTECs at St Bernard’s
Rank Order 1-4 and (R)
Art Textiles (1 )
1
BTEC Health and Social Care (2)
BTEC Music Technology (2 )
BTEC Sport (2)
R
Design Technology – Food (1)
Design Technology – Product Design (1)
Design Technology – Resistant Materials
(1)
GCSE ICT (1)
4
Fine Art (1)
French (1)
3
Geography (1)
History (1)
Media (1)
Drama (1)
Physical Education (1 - 2)
Spanish (1)
2
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
Extended Vocational Courses
Only students in sets 3, 4, 5 and 6 for English can choose Hutton
Park
You can choose one course at Hutton Park. You then choose one
further option back at St Bernard’s and this must be an ebacc
subject
You will be based at Hutton Park on a full day each week in Y9
Y10 and Y11
You will make your own way to and from Hutton Park .
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
Hutton Park Courses
BTECS City and Guilds
worth up to three GCSEs
Extended Vocational Courses
Please
Tick
Construction (Level 1/2)
Motor Vehicle/Engineering
(Level1/ 2)
Beauty Therapy
Hair Services
(Level 1 / 2)
(Level 1 / 2)
PLUS CHOOSE ONE ST
BERNARDS EBACC COURSE
AND A RESERVE
√
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
Tips for choosing courses
 What do I enjoy? What am I good at?
 Do I want to follow a course outside of St Bernard’s ?
 What do I want to do after GCSEs?
 A broad and balanced curriculum.
 Discuss your choices with family as well as friends
 Choose the subject and not the teacher or what your friends
are doing
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
Will I get all of my choices?
 Don’t over specialise – you can only choose one from:
 Fine Art and Art Textiles or
 Music and Btec Music
 One Design Technology subject
 Several courses may over subscribe . There may only be 1
Resistant Materials, Drama, Music and GCSE PE Group
 Importance of reserve subject
 If fewer than 10 students choose a course it may not run
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
Where to find information/next
steps
KS4 Learning Pathways Booklet
KS4 Curriculum/Parents Evening
Subject teachers
Individual Interviews will help you to decide the most
appropriate courses to follow – return reply slips
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
Key dates
 Attend Parents Evening on Wednesday 4 February
 Attend Mentor meetings w/b 9 and 23 February and bring your
Parents
 Complete option choices by Friday 27February
 Confirmation of choices by March 2014
 Wednesday 17 June Y8 EPRA
Change your mind dates:
 Before the end of Year 8 – Yes if you have made the wrong
choice and places are available
 Before the end of October – As above . But you will have to
catch up.

Each request will be looked at individually
St Bernard’s Catholic High School
The end!
 Thank you!
 Any Questions?
 Evaluations