GCSE Options 2024-2025
As our pupils look ahead to their GCSE programmes, they are able to personalise their curriculum and further develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in their preferred areas. Individualised support is provided, with our subject guides aiming to provide information to allow informed choices, in collaboration with teachers, tutors , the Head of Careers and Higher Education, and parents and guardians.
If prospective numbers are not significant to provide the learning environment needed for our pupils to thrive in any subject, we may withdraw the subject. Pupils wishing to study a subject not currently offered are also encouraged to reach out to the Deputy Head, Academic. Every effort is made to accommodate all learning patterns; pupils are informed at the earliest possible opportunity in the rare event of timetabling challenges around their choices.
FAQ
When will we find out more about GCSE options? Who should we contact?
We will be delivering a presentation on the GCSE options process at the Parent’s Conference this Friday 19th January 2024. Given the length of the evening we will be running this at both 16:10 and 17:15 in Piccadilly Café. Our GCSE options booklet is also available on our website. We are offering the same GCSE and IGCSE courses as last year. If you do have questions about (I)GCSE options, please contact your child’s tutor in the first instance, and you may wish to contact subject teachers and Heads of Department.
What is the deadline for submitting GCSE/IGCSE option choices?
You can access the GCSE/IGCSE Options Form on Firefly. This will need to be submitted no later than 9am on Friday 26th January 2024. It is possible to make changes, subsequently, however these initial choices are used to design the curriculum and ensure that as many pupils as possible are able to study their chosen combinations of subjects.
How many GCSEs can our children study and how many options do they have?
Most of our pupils take nine GCSE/IGCSE subjects. Our core subjects consist of English Language and Literature (two qualifications), Maths, and Double Science (or Triple Science for the top set). That leaves most pupils free to choose an additional 4 optional subjects which they are asked to submit, together with a reserve choice in case there are any timetable clashes. Any pupils that wish to be considered for Triple Science must indicate and select ‘Triple Science’ as one of their options.
How much coursework is there for practical subjects, such as art?
This varies from subject to subject. Art, for example, is moderated and examined based on a complete portfolio which counts for 60% and a practical exam which counts for 40%, and other subjects require portfolios or practical elements that are worth between 40-60% of the final grade.
Is there any way of taking additional GCSE qualifications?
We offer the Additional Maths course to our most able pupils in top set Maths, based on their performance during the 4th Form. Pupils study for both the Maths IGCSE taken by all pupils and Additional Maths which is a separate qualification.
Music scholars who have completed Grade 5 theory are able to complete IGCSE Music as an additional 10th GCSE completed through a combination of Saturday workshops and after school sessions that augment their peripatetic music classes.
Now that so many pupils are using laptops extensively, will they be able to sit public exams using laptops?
There are some schools where all pupils sit their public examinations using laptops. This is a whole-school decision, and we feel it needs to be supported by a targeted course to ensure that all pupils can touch type effectively. Currently, we do not have plans to take this route, and we do ask pupils to maintain their handwriting, particularly as we are aware of research which suggests that pupils who take handwritten notes perform better in public exams. We aim to continue balancing use of laptops with ensuring that pupils can write well by hand.
