November 2014
KS4 OPTIONS EVENING
GCSE Core Curriculum
All students will follow this Core Curriculum.
It comprises:
• GCSE English Language
• GCSE English Literature
• GCSE Mathematics (Double GCSE Award)
• Science (Double GCSE Award)
• PSHE
• Core PE
Option Blocks
• In addition to the core curriculum students
will select 4 additional subjects
• These will be a combination of guided and
free choice subjects
• The subjects will be selected from 4 blocks
and the students will be required to select one
subject from each block
Year 8 and Year 9
• Offering GCSE options to Year 8 and Year 9 will
triple the number of people making choices
this year
• Excluding English and Mathematics, subjects
will be delivered in ‘stage not age’ groups
• Students will pick subjects they enjoy and do
better at, thus making more progress
• Year 8s will study for three years, Year 9 for
two.
Timeline
November 2014
Straw Poll
Staff skills audit
December 2014
Analysis of poll
and work with
colleges on
vocational offer
February 2015
Options Evening
and Parents
evening
Options chosen
and discussed
April 2015
Options
confirmed and
timetabling of KS4
begins.
What are the choices?
The options form
Pupil Name: ______________________
BLOCK A Languages
Subject
French
Qualification
GCSE
Spanish
GCSE
✓
Alternative course
Tutor Group: __________
BLOCK B Humanities
Subject
History
Qualification
GCSE
Geography
GCSE
✓
Alternative course
BLOCK C
Subject
Qualification
Art
Media Studies
✓
BLOCK D
Subject
Qualification
GCSE
Music
GCSE
BTEC Level 2 First Certificate
Drama
GCSE
Dance
BTEC Level 2 First Certificate
Food Technology
GCSE
PE
GCSE
Triple Science
GCSE
Philosphy and Ethics
GCSE
Textiles
GCSE
Classics
GCSE
Product Design
GCSE
✓
My choice from Block A is
My choice from Block B is
Please make four choices, ONE
from each block
My choice from Block C is
My choice from Block D is
The deadline for return of this form is Friday 27th February 2014
Facilities
• As you know we are now in conversation with the
DFE discussing facilities for next year
• We intend to provide fully fitted specialist suites
to facilitate, for example:
• Science
• Design and Technology
• Art
• Dance
Dependent on demand…
Frequently asked Questions
• Q – My son/daughter wishes to select subjects
that they enjoy and are good at, is this the right
approach to take?
• A – Yes, we would recommend that all students
when making their choices focus on selecting
subjects they both enjoy and are good at.
• Q – I think Year 8 is too young to pick options, do
you agree?
• A – Ask them…
Any Questions?