GCSE Options
Across Key Stage 4, we offer students Level Two qualifications which fall into two categories: GCSEs and Level 1/2 Awards (this year, just Hospitality & Catering from WJEC). Each of these course types are recognised by the Department for Education, will allow students to follow a broad, balanced and relevant programme of study and will be valued by Post-16 education providers and employers.
GCSE courses are of the 1-9 grading structure (where 9 reflects the best performance). The Level 1/2 Award qualifications are a more vocational style of learning, The grading is 75% internal assessment (coursework) and only 25% examination based. The grading system is Pass, Merit and Distinction and is available at both Level 1 and Level 2, with a Level 2 Distinction being equivalent to a Grade 7 (old grade A) at GCSE.
THE CORE SUBJECTS
All students take these subjects to full course GCSE level:
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English: double certificate, GCSEs in Language and Literature (2 GCSEs)
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Mathematics
- Religious Education
All students will also follow programmes of study in these core subjects:
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Science: We offer two routes—Triple Science (3 separate GCSEs) or Combined Science (a double qualification equivalent to 2 GCSEs). Both routes involve studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics
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Physical Education (no examinations unless GCSE is chosen)
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Personal development (no examinations)
ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS
Students are given the opportunity to express preferences for four additional subjects.
Students must indicate their choices via the Google form that will be sent to their email address on Wednesday 26th February. The deadline for completion of this is Monday 10th March 2025.
As far as we are able, we try to offer students their first choices but this is not always, possible.
Personal Development Mentors, the school Careers Lead, the Year 9 team, the ACE team and Senior Leadership Team will help students to choose wisely, taking into account each student’s aptitudes, interests and, where possible or appropriate, choice of career. On Tuesday 25th February 2025 there is a virtual Progress Consultation Evening, at which further discussions can take place with individual subject teachers.
Students need to select one subject from each column. All subjects are GCSE unless otherwise indicated.
Reserve Choices
It is often the case that, because of staffing, timetabling or the number of students opting for a subject, we are not able to allocate students’ first choices in columns 2, 3 or 4 so it is important that they also make three reserve choices. These MUST be different to their first choices.
Subject restrictions
Only one Art subject (Fine Art, Photography or Textiles) can be taken as these are technically the same GCSE, just variations within the subject. Likewise, students cannot do Hospitality & Catering and GCSE Food Technology.
If you would like to know more then please refer to our GCSE Options Booklet below.