GCSE Options 2015-2017

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Options Choices

2015-2017

25th November 2014

Aims for the Evening:

To share information regarding the choices
students need to make for their GCSE
options for September 2015.
To explain some of the Curriculum changes
that have happened in the UK.
To give some advice to students and
parents about the best option choices to
make.

Format for the Evening:

The KS4 Curriculum Offer at WIS
Richard McGrory, Director of Secondary Curriculum
The Compulsory Curriculum
Amy Denyer, Curriculum Leader English
Carrie McNerney, Curriculum Leader Maths
Rebecca Dibble, Curriculum Leader Science
Making the Best Choices
Samantha Murray, Head of Year 9
Subject Specific Conversations
With subject teachers in the Emerald Frog Caf.

KS4: Key Stage 4, Years 10 and

11. Often referred to as GCSE
but also including any level 2
qualification such as IGCSE and
some BTEC qualification.
Usually taken by students
between the ages of 14-16.

The Key Stage 4 Curriculum at WIS

Engaging
Broad and balanced curriculum
Provides access to appropriate progression
pathways
Promotes a philosophy of choice, with all
subjects and qualifications equally valued

Informed by professional knowledge and

understanding
Based upon students needs

Key Stage 4 Pathways at WIS

Text continued

Key Stage 4 Pathways

Compulsory

Option Choices

4 GCSE Options
or
Maths
English
Science
PSHE/Islamic Studies
PE Core

3 GCSE Options plus Additional Studies (by invite only)

or

2 GCSE Options (which may include Additional Studies by invite) plus a BTEC Level 2 in

Business or
Creative Media Design or
Health and Social Care (by invite only)

GCSE and IGCSE

GCSE is the acronym for the General
Certificate of Secondary Education.
IGCSE is the acronym for International
General Certificate of Secondary Education.
This qualification is equivalent to the GCSE.

GCSEs and IGCSEs are generally undertaken

over the two years of Key Stage 4, i.e. Years
10 and 11.
Both IGCSEs and GCSEs are designed to
examine all ability ranges with grades ranging
from G to A*

5 GCSEs at grades A* - C
are often used as a
benchmark of reasonable
attainment for students
of average ability, with
an expectation that
English Language and
Mathematics are
included.

GCSE and IGCSE

Many GCSE and IGCSE courses have an
element of coursework or internal assessment.
Tasks are marked by our teachers then
externally moderated by the examination
board.
Under new regulations all GCSEs are linear in
nature with assessments at the end of the two
years of study although with IGCSEs there is
more flexibility.

Most coursework happens in

the classroom.

All GCSE exams are linear

Introduction to BTEC Level 2

Extended Certificates
BTECs are work-related qualifications
suitable for a wide range of students.
The BTEC First is suitable for students aged
pre-16 and is designed for those who are
capable of achieving A* C grade GCSEs, but
wish to focus on a work related vocational
qualification or work area.
BTEC Firsts are Level 2 qualifications which
are the equivalent of traditional GCSEs
grades A*- C.
BTEC courses count as two subjects in the
Options Choices so that the required number
of learning hours can be fulfilled.

There are currently over 60

BTEC First qualifications
available, linked to industry
sectors.

The assessment of BTECs is

ongoing and portfolio-based
and so often plays to the
strength of those students who
perform better through ongoing
assessments.

Progression Beyond Key Stage 4

Text continued
Post 16 Pathways at WIS

Core Subjects

IB Diploma
Programme

6 subjects
Core (CAS/TOK/EE)

IB Courses

Agreed number of
courses
CAS

Course Elements

3 Higher Level subjects

3 Standard level subjects

The WIS IB Sixth Form

Information Brochure is
available on the school weebly
in the General Curr Info tab.
The booklet explains entry
requirements and general
course outlines.
http://wisdubaisecondary.weebly.com/

Agreed level of courses

Beyond Sixth Form

Applicants to study Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary
Science are usually required to have very good GCSE
results in Maths, Science and English.
Applicants to study Teacher Training are required to have
a minimum grade C in GCSE Maths, Science and English.
For a degree in English, universities often look for
applicants to have a GCSE in a modern or classical
language.
For a Business degree, sometimes a grade A, or more
often at least a grade B, in GCSE Maths is required.
A grade B in maths is often required for a degree in
Psychology, and a grade B in science may sometimes be
required.
To study a science subject at university (including
Biology, Chemistry or Physics) applicants who are not
offering Maths at sixth form level will often need to have
achieved a minimum of a grade C in Maths at GCSE.

Russell Group Entry

Requirements:

http://russellgroup.ac.uk/inform
ed-choices/

The Compulsory Curriculum at KS4

GCSEs in English Language and English
Literature
IGCSE Mathematics (a selection of
pathways)

GCSE Science (a selection of pathways)

Physical Education (Core PE)
PSHE or Islamic Education
Curriculum Enrichment Programme (CEP)

Muslim students attend two

lessons of Islamic Education per
week, one during PSHE and the
other during a lesson of Core PE,
and follow the Ministry of
Education curriculum.

GCSE English Language

All students take GCSE English Language.
GCSE English Language at C grade or
higher is a requirement for entry to most
Sixth Forms for IB and A level courses as
well as most Universities.
In GCSE English Language students will
draw upon a range of texts as reading
stimulus and engage with creative as
well as real and relevant contexts.
Students will have opportunities to
develop higher-order reading and critical
thinking skills that encourage genuine
enquiry into different topics and themes.

GCSE English Language

Exam Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
Section A: Reading
students are given one literature fiction text, on which questions are
answered. Questions assess students understanding of how and why
language used, and the impact on the reader.
Section B: Writing
descriptive or narrative writing
written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
50% of GCSE
Exam Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives
Section A: Reading
one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text. Questions
assess students understanding of how and why language used, and the
impact on the reader.
Section B: Writing
writing to present a viewpoint
written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
50% of GCSE

GCSE English Literature

All students begin Year 10 studying towards this

GCSE.
Some students will not take the GCSE Literature
examination, instead focusing on English Language
GCSE in order to maximise their chances of
success.
Students will be encouraged to develop
knowledge and skills in reading, writing and
critical thinking.
Through literature, students have a chance to
develop culturally and acquire knowledge of the
best that has been thought and written.
Studying GCSE English Literature should encourage
students to read widely for pleasure.

It is essential that all

students achieve a C grade
at GCSE English Language
due to its importance in
allowing access to sixth
form entry.

GCSE English Literature

Exam Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19 th century novel
Section A Shakespeare: students will answer one question on their play of
choice. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the
play and then to write about the play as a whole.
Section B The 19th-century novel: students will answer one question on
their novel of choice. They will be required to write in detail about an
extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.
Exam Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry
Section A Modern texts: students will answer one essay question from a
choice of two on their studied modern prose or drama text.
Section B Poetry: students will answer one comparative question on one
named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from their chosen
anthology cluster.
Section C Unseen poetry: Students will answer one question on one
unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second
unseen poem.
Please feel free to take one of our booklets which contains this
information.

IGCSE Mathematics Pathways

Every student at Wellington begins the IGCSE

course in Year 9.
The first year focuses mainly on the foundation
topics of the course.
Half way through year 10 students begin to work on
the higher A*, A and B grade topics. These students
sit their exam at the end of Year 11.
Candidates are entered at either Foundation Tier or
Higher Tier.
Questions in the Foundation Tier papers are
targeted at grades C to G. The highest grade which
will be awarded at Foundation Tier is grade C.
Questions in the Higher Tier papers are targeted at
grades A* to D.

IGCSE Mathematics Pathways

Accelerated Students
Students in the top two sets in Year 9 move
through the course at a faster rate and these
become the accelerated groups.
These students move onto the higher graded
topics towards the end of Year 9.
They will sit their IGCSE examination at the
end of Year 10 and then have the option to
take GCSE Further Mathematics or GCSE
Statistics in Year 11.
Examinations for both of these courses take
place at the end of Year 11.

Only candidates who complete

their IGCSE early and attain an
A* or A grade may embark on
the GCSE Statistics course in
Year 11.
To study Further Mathematics
students need to attain an A*
grade at IGCSE.

GCSE Sciences Pathways

There are four pathways at GCSE.
These pathways lead to either two, three or
four GCSEs.
All students will start to study elements of the
GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses
midway through Year 9.
Every pathway allows access to Sixth Form
study with the with the appropriate grades.

GCSE Sciences Pathways

ASTRONOMY
Pathway 1:
Students chose Astronomy option
Three lessons per week
Separate Sciences
Six lessons per week
In order to be accepted onto this Option
students will need to have demonstrated a
commitment to study Sciences at Key Stage 3,
with the necessary work ethic.

GCSE Sciences Pathways

HUMAN HEALTH AND PHYSIOLOGY
Pathway 2:
Students chose Human Health and Physiology
option
Three lessons per week.
Students also do Separate Sciences
Six lessons per week.
In order to be accepted onto this Option
students will need to have demonstrated a
commitment to study Sciences at Key Stage 3,
with the necessary work ethic.

GCSE Science Pathways

SEPARATE SCIENCES
Pathway 3:
All students who do not opt for Pathway 1 or
2 will start on Pathway 3.
This offers three Separate Science GCSEs in
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Six lessons per week.

Some students will be invited to take

Pathway 4 at some point over the Key Stage
4 course.

GCSE Science Pathways

DUAL AWARD SCIENCE
Pathway 4:
These students will take two GCSEs (Dual
Award).
This pathway allows some students to work
at a pace matched to their needs with three
specialist science teachers over six lessons
per week.

Students will achieve two GCSEs in Science

and Additional Science.

GCSE Options Subjects at KS4

Students are required to select four subjects that

they would like to study.

Students need to choose one subject from each of

the timetabled blocking groups to ensure that they
study a broad and balanced curriculum.

The Option Blocks are at printed at the back of your

Curriculum Information Booklet for your
information.

Instructions on how to sign up will be sent when

applications are accepted after Parent Evening.

GCSE Options Subjects at KS4

Arabic
Art and Design
Astronomy
Business Studies
Business BTEC
Computer Science
Creative Media Design
BTEC
Dual Language (French
and Spanish)
Drama
Economics
Film Studies

French
Geography
History
Human Health and
Physiology
Media Studies
Music
Physical Education
Psychology
Spanish
Health and Social Care
BTEC (by invite only)
Additional Studies (by
invite only).

GCSE Options Subjects at KS4

Details of each Option subject are in the
booklet.

Teachers for each subject are in the caf this

evening and are available by email over the
coming weeks.
Some of these subjects are by invite only to
serve the needs of specific students.

It is also a compulsory requirement of the

Ministry of Education that students who are
studying Arabic A at Key Stage 3 must choose
that Option at Key Stage 4.

Curriculum Developments in the UK

From September 2015, students in Year 10 (current
Year 9) study new GCSEs. These will be graded 91
(in August 2017) rather than A*G as are current
GCSEs.
This will affect students in English at WIS only. New
GCSEs in English language, English literature start in
September.
Students studying Maths may be affected for IGCSE
Mathematics only in terms of the grading system
changing to a number system. The specification stays
the same.

This approach supports the UK

policy aim to encourage schools
to offer a broad and balanced
curriculum with an academic
core which still meets the needs
of all pupils.

Curriculum Developments in the UK

The English Baccalaureate Certificates (EBC), will no

longer happen. However, The English Baccalaureate,
(EBacc) still remains as a measure of performance for
students achieving a C or more in certain subjects.

Schools will be held to account by the Progress 8

measure of performance:
A group of subjects that includes: English, Maths, 3 EBacc
subjects, and 3 other subjects. The remaining 3 could be
any other 3 GCSES and BTECs.

This type of choice at GCSE is already a prerequisite

for entry at many Universities so should not unduly
worry students.

English Baccalaureate :
English
Mathematics
Sciences (two subjects)
A Language
History or Geography

Options and Careers Advice

Students are following a six week
programme in PSHE lessons.
A series of corridor assemblies are also
taking place over the next few weeks in
which Heads of Subject are being given
the opportunity to describe and explain
their subjects to Year 9 students.

For those subjects that are not taught at

Key Stage 3, we have a series of taster
sessions set up in which students are
given short lessons in Business, Film,
Media, Psychology and Economics.

If you wish to make an

appointment to speak with Mrs
Branicki-Tolchard, our Careers
Advisor, please email her directly
on
b.joanne_wis@gemsedu.com

Subject Staff
Can provide a
true picture of
your subject
ability

Tutor
Knows you quite
well, having seen
you develop
socially and
academically this
year

Parents and Family

Know you best of
all as a person. Ask
their advice

Head of Year
Understands
your all-round
school situation

Help for
You
Career Advice
Can give you independent
advice and information on
careers and further
education requirements

Other Students
Students already
doing the course
can give you
valuable insights

Key Options Dates GCSE 2015-17

3/11:

20/11:
25/11:
25/11:
Dec:
10/12:

17/12:

Start of six week Careers and Options

Programme for students in PSHE
lessons
Release of Options Booklet to parents
KS4 Parent/Student Option Evening
Year 9 Corridor Assemblies for all
subjects
Taster Sessions for Subjects not taught at
KS3
Year 9 Parents Evening
Acceptance of Option forms from
students
Data Capture 2 reports released
Deadline for Options forms from
students

The KS4 Booklet and this

ppt are available on the
weebly in the Gen Curr
Info tab and on the Year 9
page:
http://wisdubaisecondary.weebly.com/