Questions for learners and parents/carers

What do I like doing?

Do not decide solely on the basis of what you have heard over the last half term, or whether or not you like the teacher or what your friends are doing.  You must decide for yourself.  However, you should ask your parents or carers for support in making your choices as they know you best.

What am I good at?

You know how well you are doing in all subjects, but do ask your subject teachers and Learning Group Leader for their advice and opinions.  Think back to your most recent Cohort 8 Learning Review meeting.

What do teachers recommend?

Your subject teachers are in a strong position to tell you whether you should attempt a particular course.  Arrange to speak to them about the course.

What do I need for my future plans?

Examinations are not everything but success in examinations is one way of measuring and telling other people what you are like – how well you know the subject, how hard you work, how much you want to succeed, how good a job you will do.  Therefore, examination results are keys that open doors.  Carefully consider the implications of not being able to achieve the English Baccalaureate.  We will help you decide which keys you need most to unlock your future.

Which courses will let me show my best work and attitudes?

Employers and Colleges always want to know more about you than examination grades.  The general impression you make in your attitude to work, behaviour and standards, is also very important.  

Which courses will develop my interests?

Interests and hobbies are extremely important for everybody; the subjects you take could help you develop new ones, helping you to develop as a whole person.

Which courses will give me most skills?

In the future people will have to both change jobs and learn new jobs more often.  In the next three years, by working hard and showing commitment to your learning, you can increase your range of skills making you more adaptable for the future.

Is there a balance?

The National Curriculum demands that your programme of study should be broad and balanced throughout your schooling.  In our view you should continue to study most subject areas of the National Curriculum to allow you to keep a wide range of future career choices open.

Will my choices enable me to qualify for the EBACC?

Remember that it is important that you have a broad curriculum and that if you do decide to study additional EBACC subjects such as History or Geography and a modern foreign language it will increase your chances of securing the EBACC measure and give you more opportunities when your Attainment 8 score is considered.

Is it closing any doors?

We will look at your choices and give an opinion on whether your choice is sensible for what you may want to do when you go on from Honywood.

Is the load too heavy?

You may be able to get good examination grades in each subject on its own but perhaps the total package will be too much.  We will advise you and your parents/carers; we may suggest that nine GCSE examination courses are too many for you.

What can be timetabled?

No school can give learners a totally free choice when it comes to GCSE courses; there are too many possible combinations, therefore choice has to be within limits.  Some courses can only be put on as one group, some courses may attract too small a number to run, some courses will have to be at the same time as others.  We have to look at all the other courses we have to provide and the staff we have available to run them.  The question we ask is: what arrangement of subjects will give the largest number of learners the courses (ie packages of subjects) which fulfil their needs?