Key Stage 4 Options Process and FAQs

The EBacc consists of the core subjects which all pupils study (GCSE English Language, GCSE English Literature, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Science) alongside a humanities subject (either GCSE Geography or GCSE History) and a GCSE in a language. More information can be found on the Department for Education website here.

Blocks A, B & C all have 3 periods a week assigned to them. Pupils select GCSE Geography or GCSE History as their first choice and then will have two free choices in the remaining option blocks.

Once we have received the KS4 Preferences Form from each pupil, we will take a look at the subject combinations pupils would like to study and do our best to maximise the chance that they can take their preferred combination of qualifications. This will help us to determine which qualifications fall in each block. If a particular qualification is popular, we will aim to offer this in more than one option block. If a particular qualification doesn’t get enough uptake from pupils then we may have to withdraw this qualification. There may be situations where a child wants to study 2 subjects which end up being placed in the same option block and taught at the same time, in this situation we will prioritise your child’s highest preference and then assign them to the next preference available in the remaining option block.

These qualifications have been designed with industry in mind and they therefore provide pupils with a more hands-on experience and transferable skills which will support them to be successful in the workplace. These qualifications also typically have a greater proportion of non-examination assessment than final examination.

The four pathways are below:

• Business pathway: GCSE Business and Level 1/2 Vocational Award in Retail Business (Technical Award)
• Computing pathway: GCSE Computer Science and BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology
• Media pathway: GCSE Media Studies and BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Creative Media Production
• Sport pathway: GCSE Physical Education and V Cert Level 1/2 Tech Award in Health and Fitness

If your child selects one of these pathways as their preference, then they’ll study content in module 1 which is relevant to both courses. Curriculum leaders will assess pupils and consult with class teachers to determine the most appropriate qualification for your child. Pupils will then embark on the GCSE or vocational pathway from the start of module 2 of year 10.

To ensure that pupils receive a broad and balanced curriculum offer at Key Stage 4, they will not be able to study the following combinations as there is too much overlap in content:

• GCSE Business Studies and WJEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Retail Business
• GCSE Computer Science and BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology
• GCSE Physical Education and V Cert Level 1/2 Tech Award in Health and Fitness
• GCSE Media Studies and BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Creative Media Production

Yes, this is possible and we encourage pupils to select both of these options if they’re passionate about studying them.

GCSE Combined Science is a qualification which is worth the equivalent of 2 GCSEs and it covers biology, chemistry and physics content. For those who are passionate and interested in science, there is the option to select GCSE Triple Science as one of their options. Selecting this option will mean that pupils will complete three separate qualifications: GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry & GCSE Physics.

We are no longer offering these subjects at GCSE. These subjects are great options for post-16 study and all of them are available as an A-Level at Woolf Sixth Form. Studying these subjects at GCSE is not a prerequisite for studying them at sixth form or college. We encourage pupils who are interested in these subjects to select humanities subjects or other associated qualifications, such as GCSE Business.

Yes, parents and carers are invited to attend our Options Evening on Wednesday, 4 March.

We are very proud of the diverse range of languages spoken amongst our community and provide opportunities for pupils to complete a GCSE in their heritage language where possible. The GCSE is made up of four equally weighted components (listening, reading, speaking and writing) so pupils will need to be proficient in all of these areas. Pupils completing a qualification in their heritage language will sit the examinations in Year 10. This is available in the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Panjabi, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish & Urdu.

If your child’s first language is French or Spanish then we are happy to discuss the most appropriate course of action for your child’s options with you directly.