Choosing GCSE courses
Your son/daughter will shortly be choosing GCSE courses. This booklet is designed to give parents and students a brief introduction to the range of courses available and some guidelines for the process of making the selection. It is important to note that this is only the briefest of introductions and there can be no substitute for discussion with tutors, teachers and Heads of Departments.
Courses change, students have specific interests and different working styles and all this may mean that one student will perform better in one course rather than another. This booklet cannot convey all of this type of information. However, at the end of this section you will see some example programmes which may help you to make your selections.
If you wish to discuss your son/daughter’s choices please come to one of our Parents’ Consultation Meetings or get in touch with your son/daughter’s Head of Year, Mr M. Rimmington.
The curriculum at St Bede’s enables students to choose six GCSE courses from a range of nearly thirty. We have designed this curriculum because we believe it is right that young people should be able to study subjects in which they are interested and likely to succeed. Above all, we want their education to be relevant to their lives ahead. Therefore you will find that we treat all subjects equally and that there is no “academic snobbery” attached to any courses.
Nonetheless, there are some subjects which are indispensable; we consider these to be English, Maths and Information Technology. Accordingly, all students follow the former two and all subjects will include the latter in their teaching. In this way, students develop their ICT skills which will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. All students study a core of general subjects which are outlined in more detail in the section Core Curriculum Studies.
Most of our students will study for 9 GCSEs, although there are opportunities to study for additional GCSEs through the Activities programme. Where appropriate, some students may take GCSE examinations early, opening the possibility of studying further GCSEs, or moving onto A Level study.
As you embark on choosing GCSE courses with your son or daughter, it may be useful to bear in mind some important criteria upon which to base your decisions:
Enjoyment
It is crucial that students choose subjects that they want to study and that they expect to enjoy. No-one looks forward to two years of study in a subject that they dislike and de-motivation from the start is a recipe for disappointment.
Ability
We all enjoy doing well and achieving what we consider to be our best, aim for subjects in which your son/daughter will gain fulfilment.
Careers and university
Even at this stage, there are some careers which require specific subjects. Primary school teachers must have a science GCSE and all university degree courses require qualifications in Maths and English. If your son/daughter has a specific career in mind, please get in touch with Ms Anderson (Careers Advisor) to check which courses that they must study.
Coursework
We have highlighted the relative proportions of coursework in each GCSE. Some students perform better in their coursework whilst others find it a struggle.
Sources of Information
There may well be questions you would like answers to or you may wish to know our views on the subjects that your son/daughter should choose. If this is the case, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Your son/daughter’s tutor, his/her housemaster or housemistress or Head of Year will be able to help. If you have very subject specific questions, please come to our Parents’ Consultation Meeting in March or May, or you may wish to access the relevant web-site that we have given at the top of each subject page.
Changes to the published information
We have made every effort to ensure the information in this booklet is accurate at the time of print. However it is possible that changes may occur from the published material.
St Bede’s School reserves the right to alter any of the courses’ content and availability without prior notice and also reserves the right to cancel a course at any time without liability. In these circumstances, pupils will be offered appropriate alternatives. We shall, of course, endeavour to consult and advise all parents and students should this become necessary.
Some Example Programmes for Different Students
- Stephen - very keen on Sciences
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, French, Geography, ICT. - Jane - a more practical person
Double Science (two choices), Home Economics, Design Technology, German, Business Studies. - Jeffrey – has difficulties with Literacy
Learning Support, Geography, Design Technology, ICT, Physics, Art. - Natalia – An overseas student, English not her first language
English as a Foreign Language, Double Science (two choices), Home Economics, Art, Geography. - Charlotte – A Legat Dancer
History, Dance, Performing Arts, Spanish, Double Science (two choices).
Core Curriculum Studies
Your son/daughter will study English and Mathematics alongside their GCSE option choices to give a broad and balanced programme that is tailored to their needs. In addition to this, we run a General Studies programme that encompasses subject areas which we think are central to any young person's education. These are divided up between Years 10 and 11 as follows:
In Year 10 (Lower Fifth)
Physical Education
Following the course in the First Year, PE focuses on health related fitness so that our students understand the importance of exercise, know how to exercise and, we hope, find a style of exercise that suits them. The course includes cardio-vascular work, hand-eye co-ordination, team-work, swimming and survival.
SHAPE
(Social, Health and Personal Education) is a programme to help students develop their emotional health and sense of self responsibility. It covers a broad range of issues including drugs, sex, smoking, relationships, bullying and sometimes issues that the students themselves want to explore.
In Year 11 (Upper Fifth)
Physical Education
Following the course in Year 10, PE focuses on health related fitness so that our students understand the importance of exercise, know how to exercise and, we hope, find a style of exercise that suits them. The course includes cardio-vascular work, hand-eye co-ordination, team-work, swimming and survival.
Careers
It is essential that young people leave school having gained the knowledge and qualifications that they need in order to embark on the right course of Higher Education or to start a career. The course focuses on identifying the key characteristics of different career categories and how to source information about different careers and university courses. Students complete a Careers/Interests questionnaire which gives each one a profile of their interests and aptitudes matched to potential courses in Higher Education and careers. They are also interviewed and a report is written, which is sent to parents at the end of the Spring term, and includes information on A and AS level courses that should be considered. At the end of the U5 all students have the opportunity to undertake work experience.
Come and see what we have to offer in the Sixth Form - click here to find out more.
Study Skills
Different people learn in different ways yet many of the most successful students have little understanding of the ways in which they learn. This course explores how people learn and then focuses on strategies to make learning more effective and efficient. As coursework and exams draw near they become the focus of the course.
Please click here to download the Year 10 Curriculum Booklet
