Why do I have to make choices now?
Up until this point in your educational journey you have been building your skills and knowledge in a broad range of subjects. However, the time has come to start thinking about the areas you feel you can shine in, and also what subjects you’ll need to get to where you want to be in the future. This is the point where you can start to tailor your timetable to your needs and desires. The more you get involved in the process now, the more you will get out of the next few years of your education.
Everyone is different, we all enjoy different things and learn in different ways, but this process of choosing your subjects is all about YOU. All the qualifications you can choose from in this booklet are designed to make sure that you can move on with your studies at the next big options point when you are 16. The key to being in the right place atthe end of Year 11 is to make sure you have a broad and balanced range of qualifications and the way we run the choices you can make is designed to ensure you can do that. In other words don’t put too many eggs in one basket.It’s important to remember that at the end of Year 11 people are normally more interested in what you’re capable of achieving in a range of subjects rather than what you know in one specific area!
The most important thing now is that you make decisions for the right reason (i.e. your future) rather than just because you like the teacher, or it’s what all your friends are doing! There is lots of support around to draw on including parents, friends, relatives, Learning Coach, Head of Learning Community, subject teachers and for really independent advice there is also a range of other sources listed at the end of this booklet, so make use of them.You may want to try something that you know you can achieve well as to enhance your CV, or you may know exactly what you need for your career of choice. Just be sure you makeyour decisions for the right reasons!
Some questions you might have…
I am certain about what I want to do when I am older but how can I find out what subjects I need?
Ask your teachers, in particular your Learning Coach for help. Also take a look at the careers page at the end of this booklet for various links to websites that can help. If you are thinking of studying a particular subject at University or a specific career, think very carefully about the subjects you would need for that career/course. If you want an individual meeting with one of our careers advisors then just email them at .
I’ve got no idea what I want to do when I’m older?
It’s not something to worry about yet. The important thing is to choose a range of subjects which give you flexibility and keep all the doors open for you. Try not to choose too many subjects from oneparticular area but choose subjects you feel confident you can achieve well at.
I want to choose a particular subject but I don’t like the teacher?
Liking or not liking the teacher is absolutely no reason for not choosing a subject. You may not have that teacher next year and you have to think about your ability in the subject first.
I want to choose a particular subject because all my friends have?
You have to choose a subject because you want to do it, not because your friends are doing the subject. Your friends could be in different classes or may change their minds at the last minute (its happened before!). You need to think about what is right for you.
Will I get my first choice?
We cannot guarantee that you will get your first choice as sometimes courses don’t run due to lack of numbers, however we will do our very best to try and make sure that you do. In the unlikely event that you can’t get your first choice then we will be in touch with you to discuss and resolve it in the most suitable way.
Are there any rules to my choices?
The only two rules are thateveryone must choose at least one subject from Geography, History, French or Spanish and you can’t choose the same subject more than once. You also cannot do Drama and Music as these are both a BTEC in Performing Arts.
What are all these different types of qualifications?
There are currently two main types of qualification that we use:
GCSEs are traditional exam based courses that focus around studying the theory of a chosen subject and then demonstrating your knowledge and understanding through a final exam at the end of the course.
BTECsare work-related qualifications that are available in a wide range of subjects. They have both been developed in collaboration with industry and are good for people who want to learn more about a particular sector or industry. In allcases these courses include an external exam or assessment alongside a range of coursework assignments, but unlike GCSEs there is a greater opportunity to take these exams when ready.
How will my timetable be made up?
The following diagram shows how the subjects are broken down over the next few years. English, Maths, Science, Project (Year 9 only), Sport and Community Time make up the core of your timetable. You then study your other option choices over the remainder of your timetable.
You have four choices to make now. All option subjects are studied over three years up to the end of Year 11.
What subjects can I choose?
The diagram above shows on the left the subjects that you currently take. You can then see where you can go if you think there is an area you particularly excel at or that you’ll need for your future career aspirations.
Everyone must also choose one of the EBacc subjects (highlighted in red) to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum. Its important to remember that if you want to choose French or Spanish then it is expected that you have studied these courses in Year 7 and 8.
Please note, GCSE Computing will not be available until Year 10 as an option choice.
What happens next in the Options process?
Careers Support
To contact our careers team simply use the email address:
Weblink:nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
The National Careers Service website provides careers advice and information on a wide range of jobs, training course resources and funding.
Other courses of careers support:
•icould – Includes 1000 films of personal career stories, across all occupations:
•Careersbox – The national online careers film and video library. Real people, talking about real jobs, to help young people, students, parents, teachers, career professionals, and influencers:
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•Get Smaart– School leaver and student careers and courses advice and information. Career overview section, career fairs and events and a large library of career articles:
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•Best Course 4 Me – bC4me is an independent and free guide which shows the link between what you study, what you earn and the jobs you can get:
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•My Career Springboard – My Career Springboard is the essential FREE careers guidance tool for school & college students:
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•Plotr – Careers advice for 11-24-year-olds, school students and graduates:
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