Yes! 

It is very important that you have an interest in the subjects that you would like to study for IGCSE level. You need to make sure that the content is of interest to you and that you are happy with the styles of teaching and assessment that will be used. Some subjects require coursework as a substantial element of the course. The weighting (i.e. the number of marks or percentage) given to coursework varies between subjects up to 100%. You will need to find out about the particular requirements of the subjects you are considering and decide if this suits the way you prefer to learn. 

It really helps...

IGCSE study is challenging as well as stimulating. Success at KS3 may suggest you have the knowledge and skills to succeed at IGCSE level, and beyond in the subject. If you are unsure, then talk to your Y9 subject teachers - would they recommend that you continue their subject? Remember, KS4 offers some subjects that have not been on offer until now - Economics, Sociology, Business and Accounting - so, consider these too!

Not always...

Our options process is designed to maximise the chances of you being able to study the combination of subjects you choose. The 'provisional option' form that you complete will allow us to build the final option blocks that you will choose from. It is important to try and be as accurate as possible at this stage to allow us to do this. Choices should be made in partnership, with teachers and support staff from school working with you and your parents. Our options process and timelines are designed to make sure that you have access to all the information you need and all the people who can help, at the right times, to allow you to make fully informed choices. 

Not really!

Your choices at IGCSE level will not close any doors to you in the future. However, it is worth considering what you might want to continue with at A level as this can be a big help. Experience tells us that your career choices will change a number of times in the next few years so don't focus too heavily on a particular line of work. A lot of students at this stage don't even have an idea about which A levels they might want to continue with, the best advice is to choose a broad and balanced range of subjects and ensure you select what you love or excites you the most, not what you think you should do. 

Nope...

This is a difficult one because a teacher who knows you well and teaches in a style you like can help you to be successful. However we cannot guarantee that you will end up with a specific teacher when you make your options choice. It's also worth noting that teachers move so it's a better idea to focus on the subject areas that you are really interested in. 

No!

Although it is tempting, it is a bad idea. You should select subjects on what you want to do. Even if you picked exactly the same as your friend you might not be in the same class for any of your lessons due to the way class groups are allocated and the fact there are often more than one class for a particular option subject.

This can happen. 

Ultimately, the most successful courses for you will be those you enjoy the most. It has to be your choice. This is not to say that teachers and parents should not advise you. But, if you are feeling pressured, talk to your form tutor, or another teacher who has no vested interest in you doing a particular course. 

Do not worry!

We accept option change requests within the first four weeks of year 10. However the options blocks will be built in February based on the initial choices indicated. After this there are restrictions due to timetabling and class sizes that might not make it possible to change subjects. The 4 week cut-off point for changes is because, while we realise that some students might have decided at this point they have made the wrong choice, the longer you miss lessons for a subject the harder it will be to catch up.

Yes, you may well be! But it is quality, not quantity that matters...

Although undoubtedly important, academic achievement forms only one part of a well-rounded education that universities and employers consider in their selection process. The addition of our elective programme enables students to develop a rounded curriculum to complement their academic studies. The ability to then demonstrate a wider breadth of experiences beyond academic qualifications will be of value to both universities and employers. Remember, the curriculum offer will still enable access to these establishments but your child will now be able to talk about the wider study as a result of the elective programme or their experiences through the projects they engage in. 

Please look at IGCSEs as your ticket to the next level in your academic journey - you need a minimum of 6 B grades. More IGCSEs will not serve you better than working on a social project or being part of a Dragons team. In fact, if sitting more is at the expense of your wellbeing, or being able to participate in CCAs then extra IGCSEs could harm your potential!

No!

 As mentioned in question 9, this will not increase your ability to gain access to university or any other sixth form and could be detrimental to your wellbeing and overall academic achievement. There are some cases where a specific IGCSE is desired, such as in a home language not offered by GIS.

Our curriculum provision provides your child with a clear and explicit point of difference between them and students from other schools. There may be other schools that offer a greater number of IGCSE qualifications, for example. However, your child will be noticeably more rounded as an individual as a result of our broad and balanced curriculum. They will leave KS4 not only with a complement of IGCSEs that enables access to our Sixth Form, and beyond, but also with the ability to demonstrate wider learning and a deeper knowledge of social and emotional learning. 

At GIS our mission is clear:

"To be global leaders in building brave, brilliant and inquisitive young people who are committed to the positive growth of themselves and others."

Our curriculum supports both our vision and our mission. The electives and Social and Emotional Learning in Key Stage 4 provide opportunities for holistic learning and a personalised curriculum in ways that many other schools do not provide, meaning that our graduates will stand out as well-rounded individuals in a global arena, as the brave, brilliant and inquisitive young people they are!

Electives enable you to develop and broaden your curriculum experience beyond the formal IGCSEs. Here at GIS, a successful elective programme stands out as a key part of our Sixth Form experience, and since its introduction, it has helped us to further meet our mission as a school in preparing brave, brilliant and inquisitive individuals committed to personal growth. The introduction of the elective programme has seen students report an appropriate level of rigour and challenge while developing skills that they may never have had the chance to across the rest of the curriculum. The learning that students undertake in the electives gives them an opportunity to talk about in any personal statement, letters of application or interviews - this is unique to GIS learners and will help them to stand out from the crowd...

...last year, one of our Ivy League applicants missed out on a grade they needed...however, they still gained access to the college due to their broad and balanced experiences through our elective and service learning programmes. 

Choose separate sciences if you LOVE science...if not, choose coordinated science

Both will see you learning biology, chemistry and physics.

Studying separate sciences will mean you have three separate teachers, one for biology, one for chemistry and one for physics. Each has two periods a week (like all options) and so you will have six periods per week, three lots of homework and at the end of Year 11, sit exams in all three subjects separately.

If you study coordinated science, you will have four periods a week, one teacher and one lot of homework...at the end of Year 11, you will sit examinations for coordinated science which will combine the three sciences in the examination papers.

Myths...

There are a number of misinterpretations about which science option to follow. Neither is better than the other, it is about personal preference...Many students who choose coordinated still select one or more of the sciences for their A Levels, and many will often go on to study medicine at university. 

The best way to decide is if you absolutely love science then selecting separate sciences will give you more science each week. But, it will take one of your Options...so, if you want to continue to learn all three sciences but continue to choose 3 other options, coordinated may be better for you.

Is separate harder than coordinated?

No, all IGCSEs are considered equivalent in terms of difficulty. It really is a personal choice as to how much science you want to study. This slideshow shows some of the key differences

You can, but this does narrow your opportunities 

Choosing business and economics (or accounting in place of one or the other) is possible and a number of students do choose to do this. However, we feel that this can narrow your potential and reduces your access to a wider range of learning opportunities and replaces a further option you may not have considered. Do take your time to watch all the videos and ensure that you have made the right choice for youself.

View the economics page to learn more about the difference between the two subjects.