Making your Choices

Choosing the subjects you want to study in Key Stage 4 needs careful thought. Your parents, your tutor, your teachers, your friends and others will all help you with your decisions.

You are about to choose four options, in addition to the core subjects of English, Maths, Science, PE, RE, and PSHE. These options are important because they are the first step on the pathway towards what you may do when you leave school. 

We offer two main types of qualification in years 9 to 11; GCSEs and Vocational level 2 courses. They are different in the way you learn and are assessed. Vocational courses are more focused in the world of work whilst GCSEs are learnt in a more traditional teaching style. Some GCSEs are 100% exam-based, whilst some still have a 'Non Examined Assessment' component. GCSEs are graded using a 9-1 scale with 9 being the top mark. Vocational courses are graded as Pass, Merit, Distinction and Distinction Star with Distinction Star being the top grade.

You will need to do some research and we can help you with this.   A good starting point is to ask yourself some of the following questions:

• Which subjects do you like now?

• Which subjects am I good at?

• Is there a career that attracts you and what qualifications does it need? 

If you are not sure yet, do not worry. This is not uncommon, and the key is to make choices that are wide-ranging and keep your options open for the future. 

Our advice is to choose subjects that;

• You enjoy

• You are most likely to work enthusiastically in and succeed at

• You feel you are good at

• Give balance and variety. By keeping a balance at this stage, you will not close off future options.

• You may need for your future education and/or career path, if you have some ideas as to what these may be.

Some Advice:

In choosing your two additional preferences, you need to consider the following:

• Do not take a subject because you like your current teacher

• Do not take the course because your friend is taking it; there is no guarantee that you will be in the same group

• Do make sure you take a subject because you enjoy it

• Do your research. Find out about the courses - do not assume they will be the same as the ones you currently study

Speak to your teachers, older students, tutor and Pastoral Team leader.  And finally....

• The only silly question is the one that you do not ask!