Options: GCSEs and equivalents
Choosing Key Stage 4 Options
Year 9 students choose their options by following the steps below:
- Read the options booklet
- Watch the subject information videos
- Ask questions and discuss the options
- Complete and submit the options form by Friday 11 February
Read on for more information...
1. Read the Options Booklet
Year 9 students have received a copy of the options booklet appropriate for them from school. They will have been given either a yellow, pink or blue version of the booklet, depending on the pathway that they are taking. These booklets give them information about the subjects available for study in Years 10 and 11, the options process and where to go for advice.
2. Watch the subject information videos
These videos will give you more detail about the subjects available for study in Years 10 and 11. Students can use them, together with information they receive in assemblies and in class to guide their choices.
art and design (fine art)
business
child development
computer science
dance (physical education)
drama
engineering
english
Food Preparation and Nutrition
geography
health and social care
history
imedia
languages (french and spanish)
maths
music
photographic communication
physical education
religious studies
science (trilogy)
science (triple)
sport studies
3. Ask questions and discuss the options
The answers to frequently asked questions are given below.
What are the key dates in the process?
- Throughout January: Options assembly, subjects advertised in lessons, in-school guidance
- Monday 24 January: Options booklets distributed to students
- Monday 24 January: Options form distributed to students (on back page of booklets)
- Thursday 27 January: Options information available at www.westfield-chorustrust.org/gcseoptions
- Friday 11 February: options forms to be handed in to form tutors
Who will offer advice to students in school?
Students can:
- Ask their form tutor for advice
- Talk to individual subject teachers, whose names are given in the options booklet
- Speak to the Careers Team in the Careers Hub at the back of the Library
- Speak to Mr Griffiths or any member of the School Leadership Team
What careers information is available for students?
Students can:
- Speak to the Careers Team in the Careers Hub at the back of the Library
- Visit nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
What is the English Baccalaureate (EBacc)?
o Students may wish to study a suite of qualifications called the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) – namely GCSEs in Maths, English, Science, (Computer Science counts as one of the Science subjects), a Language and a Humanity (either History or Geography). Students entered for a GCSE language must take either History or Geography or both, in order to achieve the EBacc.
By studying the EBacc suite of qualifications our students have a wide range of options available to them at both post-16 and degree level.
What are BTEC, OCR, WJEC and Technical Award qualifications?
BTEC, OCR, WJEC & Technical Awards are nationally recognised Applied Learning qualifications which are recognised by employers, further education institutions and universities. These applied learning courses are vocationally based qualifications that relate to the world of work. They are Level 1/Level 2 qualifications and are equivalent to one GCSE. Much of the work covered in BTEC, OCR, WJEC and Technical Award learning is assessed internally on a modular basis.
Should you have any questions about the options process this year, please don't hesitate to get in touch at enquiries@westfield.chorustrust.org or on 0114 248 5221.
4. Submit the options form
The hard copy options form is available on the back page of the options booklets.
This should be completed, cut from the back of the booklet and returned to form tutors by Friday 11 February 2022.