Before you enter Y10, decisions need to be made as to what you will be studying. Under normal circumstances, we would have invited you in to school to attend an Option Evening. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we are unable to do this. However, we have tried to put some information together about the different Optional Subjects to help guide you.

All pupils will study these compulsory subjects – (Potentially 5 GCSE’s)

There are other subjects that are compulsory but do not require an examination

Then the students are asked to choose some options. We have tried to give the students a variety of subjects and qualification types.

· Entry Level – pre-GCSE, a qualification that suits students who may struggle with long pieces of writing or reading extensive texts.

· GCSE – graded 9-1 – pupils should be confident readers and writers and will be expected to undertake daily homework and revision in their own time.

· Btec – a more practical based approach but broadly in line with GCSE gradings.

Please choose one from each coloured row as the options for next year and return your choices to Mrs. West or Athena's Reception as soon as possible.

A letter at the bottom of this page is available to download. All you need to do is fill out the form with your options and return this to Athena

Both year 10 and 11 cohorts have been studying the events leading up to and the reasons behind the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, in the term before Easter. They have understood that Jesus sacrificed himself for his people and his people (The Jews) turned against him.

Jesus was put to death, by a reluctant Pontius Pilot, on the cross, where he died and then was placed in a tomb to be at rest. On Good Friday, three women prepared Jesus’ body for burial, when they returned on Easter Sunday, Jesus was not to be seen as the resurrection had taken place.

The GCSE groups have looked at different media in their research of the Easter story and have made visual representations of the ‘how?’, ‘what?’, and ‘who?’ in an aid to remember the specifics of the story.

This has been a very enjoyable term of work as it was very appropriate with the upcoming Christian festival.

Previously in Religious Studies, we have been tying together our ethical and theological intelligence to discuss the implications on modern day life issues, such as; divorce and remarriage, family planning and contraception and homosexuality and heterosexuality.

The pupils have used their knowledge of Christianity and Islam to inform their thinking, they have also used evidence from the Qur’an and the Bible in their discussions.

Mrs Wyles teaches RS in Year 10, and Miss Mills in Year 11.

The qualification provides an engaging and stimulating introduction to the world of travel and tourism giving you the opportunity to develop knowledge and technical skills in a practical learning environment. You will explore some of the key areas within the sector, including accommodation, tourism development and promotion, transport and visitor attractions. You will investigate the importance of the travel and tourism sector to the UK, and investigate different types of customer and UK destinations. You will also have the opportunity to study international travel and tourism. You will develop key skills, such as research, report drafting and writing skills and project management.

The qualification is 120 GLH, which is the same size and level as a GCSE and is aimed at everyone who wants to find out more about the travel and tourism industry.

You will study the following three mandatory units, covering the underpinning knowledge and practical skills required to work in the industry:

● UK travel and tourism sector

● UK travel and tourism destinations

● the travel and tourism customer experience

You will choose one further unit from two optional units, covering more specific aspects of the global travel and tourism sector. These are:

● international travel and tourism destinations

● factors affecting worldwide travel and tourism

Fine art practice is defined here as the need to explore an idea, convey an experience or respond to a theme or issue of personal significance.

Areas of study:

In Component 1 and Component 2 students are required to work in one or more area(s) of fine art, such as those listed below:

• drawing

• painting

• sculpture

• installation

• lens-/light-based media

• photography and the moving image

• printmaking

• mixed media

• land art.

They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas.

Miss Bunn teaches our Year 11's and Mr Gornall teaches our Year 10's.

Performing Arts is an award, which explores different aspects of performance. Time is spent and discussing what different kinds of performance there are and what job roles could be available. We explore the industry itself by visiting performances spaces, talking to actors and understanding what goes on behind the scenes (it turns out the lights don’t choreograph themselves!). We also, of course, get to spend time performing! Students have opportunities to create, advertise and perform their own pieces of drama. When students feel more confident they have the opportunity to support and lead workshops for younger students to enhance the drama within the school and promote confidence and leadership skills.

It is a BTEC, points-based award, so there are several ‘core’ modules which we have to complete, then other modules will be selected based on the abilities of the group; for example if someone can play an instrument, we could complete that module. The award is granted as long as the student completes the core modules and enough other modules to make up the points for that grade. Students have the opportunity to work to a higher award too.

It is a BTEC style award, which means that we complete work and then check that each bit is covered thoroughly, if there are bits missing we can go back and ensure students have the knowledge to complete them. The Performance Arts award is assessed through a variety of methods; diary entries; videos of rehearsals; teacher logs and written work – all of which the student is supported through.

The purpose of these qualifications is to develop the transferable skills, attributes and behaviours needed for learners to progress to further study and ultimately to employment. The qualifications are designed to be delivered in an applied way, bringing together appropriate content with practical and technical skills.

The GCSE PE course requires students to take part in a vast range of sports and they will be assessed in those sports based on their skills in isolation and then the ability to utilise those skills within a performance.

Students are also expected to complete an observation analysis task under exam conditions in which they need to evaluate their own performance or that of one of their peers, this plus their practical assessments make up the coursework element of the GCSE PE course.

What will you study?

The theory aspect of the course is based around topics such as –

• Health and Fitness and Training

• Applied Anatomy and Physiology

• Movement analysis

• Diet

• Education and school

• Cultural and social factors

• Media, sponsorship, and technology in sport

BTEC Specialist qualifications are work-related qualifications available from Entry to Level 3 in a range of sectors. The Construction Btec gives learners the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to prepare for employment in 8 occupational areas.

• Health and Safety and Welfare in Construction

• Producing a Timber Product

• Decorating Household Goods

• Developing Construction Drawing Skills

• Developing Bricklaying Skills

• Developing Joinery Skills

• Developing Plumbing Skills

• Developing Electrical Installation Skills