FAQs

These are not ‘options’, but ‘guided choices’. You need to be comfortable with these choices, but should listen to the guidance of your parents and the school.

• You are making a two-year commitment and it is vital that you are prepared to work hard at what you are doing.

• You are preparing yourself for both working and leisure time in the future; you should consider both aspects.

• Your choice now may well make a difference to which courses you can take in Years 12 and 13 and, later, at University, College, or at work.

DON’T choose a subject because

• your friend is doing the course

• you like/dislike the teacher

• you think it will be easy

DO choose a subject by -

• finding out exactly what each course involves by reading the details in this booklet. Consider how well you can cope with the demands of the subject. (Ask your teachers for help.)

• considering the entrance requirements of any area of employment you are interested in, but remember, these are minimum requirements and in today’s employment situation the standard of entry may be pitched higher.

• balancing the type of subjects, to show that you are able to succeed in more practical and creative situations.

70% of your curriculum is compulsory. You will continue to take English, Mathematics, Science, Games, and either History or Geography. You may also be on a pathway to take a Modern Foreign Language or iMedia. You will also continue with Games and P&B, as non-examined subjects - PSHE will be delivered as part of the P&B and tutor time.

In addition you may want to:

• Continue with one of your Technology options.

• Continue with one of your Arts options.

• Continue with both History and Geography.

• Choose a Vocational qualification in Business, Health and Fitness, Graphics, or Health and Social Care.

• Choose a second Modern Foreign Language, if you have taken two languages in Year 9.

In total, you will choose two subjects, and choose between History or Geography.

Pupils can take up to a maximum of 9 separate GCSE subjects.

A number of subjects sound very different, but actually use mostly the same skills, and are assessed in a very similar way. This means that a college or university will see these subjects as ‘the same’, meaning that you don’t have the breadth of subjects, and have ‘duplicated’. The College / University would only count one of these courses. This will reduce your chances of getting onto the course you would like at KS5. This is why we guide students away from choosing these similar courses.

The courses which can’t be taken together are:

• Art and Graphics

• Art and Art Textiles

• Graphics and Art Textiles

The Year 9 tutorial programme, which starts in the Autumn term, has been designed to deal with the issue of choice. At first, we look in general at the process of making decisions and to those people who may influence decisions. You examine your own strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes in a general way. The focus then moves to guidance on the specific decisions involved in choosing your options. We make full use of a variety of materials together with follow-up worksheets, and advice from the school’s Careers Officer.

• Your tutor and House Head - who will be able to help you consider your all-round abilities.

• Subject Teachers - who can give you some idea about your ability in the subject, plus more detailed information about the subject.

• Your parents - who know you best of all.

• The Careers Liaison Officer, can show you details about entrance requirements to different areas of work. Please contact Mr Phillips for further details.

• The GOOGLE FORM should be completed, by Monday 23rd January.

• Your choices will then be examined by senior members of staff and you may be interviewed to sort out any immediate issues.

• You will be informed by May / June of the options you are able to take.

Your options form will have been sent to your child's email account they hold at school. If they haven't received it, please ask them to check in their spam folder. If they still can't find the email, then raise the issue with us via enquiries@nortonhillschool.com

You can request to change your pathway by filling in the general question at the end of your option form.

You can 'resubmit' your options any number of times up to the deadline, 4pm on Monday 23rd January. After that, you will need to contact the school directly on enquiries@nortonhillschool.com