Once the students have submitted their option choice forms work begins on trying to make all the choices fit into the option blocks. If between submitting the option form and the end of the summer term your child changes their mind about the options it is really important to see Mr Drummond so a change can be made in good time for the new academic year.
We do everything possible to ensure that students can follow the courses they have chosen. Each year at least 95% of students are allocated their first choices in each option. The most common reason for option disappointment is that too few students have chosen the subject and we are unable to run the group.
Triple Science is offered to students who have displayed a strong and consistent approach to science throughout Key Stage 3 and have shown a particular aptitude for Science. We run a Triple Science group for each half year. The final decision about who takes this course rests with the Science department and is based on end of Year 9 results. Generally, students need to be working at Level G5 by the end of Year 9 in order to be considered for the Triple Science course. As students will be studying for three GCSEs in the time usually allocated to two, there will also be the need to attend some twilight sessions.
Yes! The Combined Science GCSE course which is followed by the majority of the students and worth two GCSEs, covers all three sciences and is a good basis for progression to Advanced level Science.
The aim is to create a balanced curriculum and by choosing three very creative subjects the overall balance would not be good. They are also very practical subjects which require a significant amount of commitment outside of lesson time. It is also very unlikely that all three subjects will be timetabled in such a way that this is possible. Any combination of two of these subjects should be possible though.
The vast majority of classes continue to be mixed attainment. English is the only subject which will be taught in tutor groups whilst the option groups are determined by the choices made by the students. In Mathematics the four tutor groups in each half year are divided into five mixed attainment groups making the teaching groups slightly smaller than in Key Stage 3.
In Year 11 the groups are ‘set’ in Mathematics based on likely level of entry. In Science those students studying Triple Science are brought together. The remainder are placed into groups, which are focused on the likely tier of entry but are very flexible, particularly during Year 10.
Some GCSEs have tiered levels of entry. Higher tier will cover grades 4- 9 and the Foundation tier covers grades 1-5. No decision will be made about the level of entry for your child until after the Mock examinations in December of Year 11.
We encourage students who speak, read and write their heritage language to take a GCSE exam. We are not able to provide lessons. Students wishing to take a heritage language should discuss this with Ms McNeela, our exam officer, at the start of Year 10.
If your child has studied both languages in Key Stage 3 this is possible. It is not possible to start a new language in year 10. Languages is such an important skill we would encourage every student to seriously consider continuing with their studies to at least GCSE.
The EBacc is a performance measure used by the government in the school league tables. It is not a qualification in its own right. The EBacc requires students to study Mathematics, English, Science, a modern foreign language and either History or Geography. If a student achieves a grade 5 or above in all of these subjects then their results are reported in the school league tables. Whilst we would always recommend that students seriously consider choosing a language, particularly if plans for the future include studying at one of the more prestigious universities, we also recognise that this choice would not suit everyone. The option system is designed so that a student may choose to do the required EBacc subjects if they so wish.
Core Support is one extra lesson per week in each of the core subjects of Mathematics, English and Science. It means that students will take one fewer GCSE subject and they get to spend a little bit of extra time on the other subjects. Your child should definitely consider choosing Core Support if it looks as if their end of Year 9 results are level G1 or below. This option will also be a time when we offer additional literacy support to some students.
If after attending the evening, reading the website and discussing the options choices with your child you have any further questions, please email options@qpcs.brent.sch.uk.