FAQs

The simple answer is no.

• Sometimes we have to limit the number of students on a particular subject/course for safety reasons or because of equipment needed. It would be wrong to cram 40 students into a Food technology or IT room for example. It is also not possible for us to offer a course if only a few students make this choice.

• We may have to reconsider offering a course if we cannot provide the best possible staffing. Sometimes staffing in a school can change for a whole variety of reasons and we have to respond to such circumstances in the way that benefits the maximum number of students possible.

• We have to take into consideration your performance skills so far – the levels you achieve, your attendance, effort and conduct. Some subjects may demand a level of knowledge, skills and understanding that may not be appropriate for you. That is why we have a range of pathways to give access to courses that are suitable for you.

You will be asked to make a RESERVE choice on your Options Form and we will take this into consideration if need be to ensure the best possible fit. Remember this is about securing your future.

You MUST put careful thought into your choices in the first place. Once all of the groups are organised, class sizes are balanced and courses have started it becomes very, very difficult to make changes – organising personalised timetables for all students in Year 10 is a massive logistical task and you must play your part in making sure that you take this process seriously and get things right from the outset. 

If you wish to change a subject before the last day of term (Friday 18th July) please ask a parent to email laura.sweet@dchs-alnwick.uk with the subject they wish to change from and to included.

Any changes after the courses have started in September cannot be changed in the first 2 full weeks. Parents can request changes from Monday 22nd September to Friday 26th September 2025 by contacting school by letter, phone or emailing laura.sweet@dchs-alnwick.uk with all correspondence addressed to Miss Sweet. Any changes after this date will not be allowed.

GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. Each candidate will be given a certificate by an examination board setting out the grades awarded for each subject. Most employers will consider grades when selecting students for employment. Some employers along with universities and colleges may only be interested in grade 4/5 and above and it is therefore vital that students choose subjects that they know they will work hard in and where  they are likely to achieve the very best possible qualifications.

Level 2 awards are equivalent to a single GCSE. They are made up of a number of units, the number depends on the level and scope of the course – you will need to look at the individual subject pages for more detail. To complete each unit, work is assessed along the way, linking theory with practical assessments. This ongoing assessment allows students to analyse and improve their own performance throughout the course. Students need to work at the grade they wish to achieve by the end of the course at all times throughout the course due to the units contributing to the final grade. All Level 2 qualifications do include an examination component. The course provider for a level 2 qualification will be indicated on the subject information page (E.g. BTEC, CamTech, NCFE etc) 

Level 2 grades and approximate equivalent GCSE grades:

Level 1 Pass = GCSE grade 1

Level 1 Merit = GCSE grade 1.5

Level 1 Distincition = GCSE grade 2

Level 1 Distinction* = GCSE grade 3

Level 2 Pass = GCSE grade 4

Level 2 Merit = GCSE grade 5.5

Level 2 Distinction = GCSE grade 7

Level 2 Distinction* = GCSE grade 8.5