Frequently Asked Questions

Option choices are when you decide which course you will be joining in Year 10. In Key Stage 3 we have a broad curriculum, allowing you to have a taster of lots of different subjects. In Key Stage 4 those choices narrow so that you can study fewer subjects but study them in more depth.

The GCSE / iGCSE and BTEC courses are all two years long. You have to complete a certain number of study hours to be competent in that subject. We decide now so that the school can recruit all of the necessary staff and obtain all of the specialised equipment that you will need to successfully study that subject to a high standard.

Making these choices is a big decision; probably the first really big decision of your life. It is important that you think carefully about which life path you want to follow. You will have lots of opportunities to talk to the important adults around you who can help you to make the right choice. If you change your mind there might be the opportunity to change course, but this is dependent upon many factors. If you leave it too late after the course has begun, you might not be able to change because of timetabling restrictions. The course that you want to change to might not be running because of initial low numbers of students wanting to take it. This is why thinking carefully and asking questions now is the best thing you can do.

Yes; within reason. You will choose four subjects from a range of subjects. Once you have made your decisions you and your parents will have a meeting with Ms Amanda to discuss the pathway that you wish to take. If Ms Amanda can see any problems with the choices made (subjects overlapping content, previous achievement grades etc) these will be discussed at this meeting. Your personal choice and pathway will be taken into consideration and there would have to be a very good reason why you could not study your choice of subjects.

In order to have a full and round education the British curriculum and UAE KHDA advise that there are a number of subjects which all students must study. They are as follows:

• *English Language - iGCSE qualification

• *English Literature - iGCSE qualification

• *Mathematics - iGCSE / GCSE qualification pathways

• *Science - iGCSE / GCSE qualifications pathways (resulting in ____ qualifications)

• Arabic A

• Arabic B - for non-native speakers

• Islamic A or Islamic B or Non-Islamic

• Physical Education

• Swimming

• Moral Education

• Social Studies

*highlights subjects which result in a formal qualification (iGCSE / GCSE) at the end of the course

Do

• Do choose subjects that you are interested in.

• Do think about the career / life path you would like to follow.

• Do talk to adults that you trust (parents / teachers) to find out what you might enjoy.

• Do be brave and pick subjects that excite you.

• Do remember that you will be studying this for two years and will need to pass assessments in the subject.

• Do consider a balance between subjects that are assessed by an exam at the end (iGCSE / GCSE) and some that are assessed with projects and coursework throughout (BTEC) to get a balance.

Don’t

• Don’t choose a subject based upon the teacher (this might not be the teacher you have).

• Don’t choose a subject because your friends are taking it.

• Don’t worry that you don’t yet know what you want to do or be - some of the most amazing and inspirational adults still have not decided what they want to be when they grow up!

Yes - unless there is a really good reason why I think you shouldn't take the subjects. If there is a reason, I will explain it fully to you and your parents. I want each student to shape their personal pathway to academic success and their future life. There can be timetabling issues where some subjects can not run together, but these will be discussed with you and your parents after your choices have been made.

Each subject has a range of different assessment methods. Some courses will only have formally assessed exams at the end of the course (terminal examinations). Some will be assessed through work completed throughout the two years and some will be a combination of terminal exams and coursework. Check the requirements for each of the subjects that you are interested in, as well as your compulsory examined subjects (English / Mathematics / Science).

All subjects will have a different schedule for assessment but, as a school, all subjects will report upon student progress towards the end of each term. There will be ‘mock’ exams at the end of Year 10 and again in the Autumn term of Year 11 which will give us an idea of the grades that you are working towards and also an indication of the areas which you need to focus upon in your revision / private study.