KS4 Options
Further information on subject choices and on the process of choosing your GCSE subjects will be included in your personalised Options Book – which will soon be given to students. If your child has any questions regarding subject choices they can speak to Mr Mitchell, the Head of Learning and Teaching, or to Miss McKinty, their Head of Year. Subject Teachers and Heads of Department will also be keen to answer any questions regarding their subject.
The Year 10 Options Day will take place on Friday 9th February from 9.30am until 12.00pm. This will give students and their parents the opportunity to meet with subject teachers and Heads of Department to discuss pathways for Key Stage 4 study.
Core Subjects
| English |
| ICT |
| Mathematics |
| Religious Studies |
Additional Subjects
| Art & Design | Music |
| Business Studies | Occupational Studies |
| Child Development | Personal Success and Wellbeing |
| Construction | Physical Education |
| Digital Technology | Prince's Trust Award in Personal Development and Employability |
| Double Award Science | Public Services |
| English Literature | Science OCN |
| Food & Nutrition | Single Award Science |
| Further Mathematics | Spanish |
| Geography | Technology & Design |
| History |
Travel & Tourism |
| Moving Image Arts |
Drama |
The curricular offer can change from year to year the above list only provides an example of the subjects which may be on offer. Please consult your options booklet, or speak with your class teacher for more information regarding individual subjects on offer.
Information Regarding your Choices
Subject choice quiz:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/forms/year-10-subject-choices-quiz
Where you can get help and advice
When it comes to choosing subjects and careers, you’ll find there are many people ready to help you, but it’s important for you to do as much as you can to check out all the options.
For help and information, speak to:
- a careers adviser from the Careers Service
- a subject teacher as they know exactly what studying a subject in Year 11 and 12 will involve and can advise you whether it's right for you
- a careers teacher as they can tell you which subjects and qualifications are suitable for certain careers
- a special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) as this is the person at your school who can arrange support if you have a disability or learning difficulty which affects your studies
- a volunteer or learning mentor who can help you to overcome the things that are getting in the way of your learning so ask if there is one at your school
- parents, carers, family and friends probably know you best and understand your strengths and weaknesses so talking to them can help you work out what subjects might best suit your skills and interests
Making Choices:
You'll have many options in Year 10, but there are some subjects so important that everyone has to take them. English and Maths are the subjects most often required for courses and careers. Doing as well as you possibly can in Maths and English will improve your chances of getting a job or course at a later stage.
For subjects you can choose you should:
- make sure that you have accurate and up-to-date information
- talk to those who can give you good reliable advice such as your careers teacher/adviser
- discuss the options with your family and subject teachers
There are a number of factors you should consider when you make your subject choices.
- Choosing the subjects you need: If you know what career you want, choosing the right subjects can be critical. For example, if you are considering following a science pathway you will need at least double award science.
- Choosing the subjects you like and are good at: Nearly everyone gets better marks in subjects they enjoy and are good at. You should take this into account, but always keep in mind your preferred course or career when you leave school.
What to avoid:
You shouldn’t choose subjects for the wrong reasons, for example:
- you like the teacher – the teacher may change
- there isn’t much homework – that will change
- your friends are taking the subject – it might be right for them, but not for you
Interests and aptitude:
You may already know what you hope to do after your GCSEs. Although it may be too early to make final career decisions, you may have an idea of the broad area, which interests you, for example, clerical, active, social, practical, scientific or artistic for example. Some subjects may be more relevant to one area than to another.
Careers Advice
When it comes to choosing subjects and careers, you’ll find there are many people ready to help you, but it’s important for you to do as much as you can to check out all the options.
If you have a particular career in mind, or you are hoping to go to university, then it is worth finding out if there are specific subjects you need to study.
Before choosing your GCSE subjects you should be aware of choosing subjects which may affect your choices at a later stage, for example, double award science is essential for careers related to medicine but it will also give you many other options.
To learn more about the various careers and the qualifications required why not check out the Careers A-Z below.
Careers A-Z (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/career-z-list)
You might be unsure of what you want to do yet and that's fine. It just means you need to keep your options open when you're choosing your subjects. To help you start matching your interests, skills and values with jobs, you could use the career matching tool Career Ideas.
Career discovery - Xello (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/career-discovery-xello-11-19-year-olds)
Option blocks will be released on the Year 10 Options Day. These blocks are determined using a statistical ‘best fit’ model based on the student trawls completed in November/December.
Every effort will be made to accommodate the choices made by your child however, difficult decisions may arise and reserve subject choices may have to be implemented. If a course is oversubscribed, prior attainment data (including PTE & PTM results and applicable CA results) will be used to determine which students will obtain a place on that course.
The key to a successful and meaningful outcome for Key Stage 4 choices is ongoing process of collaboration between the College, pupils and parents, guardians or carers.