Options
In the Spring Term you will be making choices for your GCSEs. At this stage, the curriculum will still be broad, so that you can continue to extend your knowledge and skills in a central core of subjects while beginning to make choices in other areas, based on your own abilities and preferences. This curriculum will ensure that as many opportunities as possible remain open to you, both for further study, at school and in higher education, and for your future career.
At Cecil Jones, as part of the core curriculum, all students study a core of compulsory subjects –
- English Language
- English Literature
- Mathematics
- Science Combined (two GCSEs)
- PE (non-examined)
- History or Geography
You will choose a further three courses from those on offer in the table on the options form. It is important that your workload is manageable to allow you to continue to pursue other interests.
It is important that you keep as many options open as possible, and you should bear the A Level curriculum in mind, which encourages breadth and from which you will be choosing 3 or 4 subjects.
You can check our Sixth Form curriculum offer here
Making your choice
Your choice should be based on:
- What you enjoy;
- What you are good at; and,
- What you might need for future study and careers.
First, look into the content of the course. Make sure that it matches up with your abilities and interests and, if necessary, talk to other students in Years 10 and 11.
Your interest must be in the subject itself, not the teacher, since it is possible that a different member of staff would teach you next year. A more positive indicator would be that you are successful in the subject, can articulate how to progress, can cope competently with its demands and enjoy the lessons.
Some careers need certain subjects. If you have a particular career in mind you can find out what is required by using the careers section in the library or speaking to your ATL. For more information or advice, you should consult your form tutor. By the end of Year 11, you might have very different aspirations. Fortunately, the core subjects will help you to keep your options open.
Timeline for 2023
|
Monday 16th February 2024 |
Options booklet issued to students |
|
Monday 26th February – Friday 1st March 2024 |
Year 9 assemblies with a focus on the options process with a short presentation from subject leaders of optional courses |
|
Monday 26th February – Friday 8th March 2024 |
Lunch time drop-in taster sessions will be offered by subject areas for students to sample a range of activities to support their final choices. A timetable is included on the reverse |
|
Thursday 7th March 2024 |
Year 9 Parents’ Evening – an opportunity for you to discuss options choices with your child’s subject teachers to support an informed choice. There is the choice of having the options meeting with a member of SLT on this night |
|
Monday 18th March – Thursday 28th 2024 |
Options meetings begin to discuss choices with a member of SLT. An opportunity to complete and submit the options form |
|
Thursday 28th 2024 |
Deadline for submission of final choices |
|
July 2024 |
Letters issued confirming final subjects |
