Introduction

You are probably excited and daunted in equal measure when it comes to making important decisions about the subjects you want to study at GCSE. This handbook is therefore designed to help you with that decision-making process. It is intended to provide you with as much detail about life and the options available to you in Years 10 and 11 so that you can make informed and sensible choices which best suit you as an individual and your personal interests and aspirations.

Education is frequently about learning to make good choices, and being thorough in your research is often a good way to ensure you make the right choices. So I urge you to consider this handbook carefully and, in addition, to take full advantage of all the other sources of advice available to help inform your decisions; your parents, your teachers, your Tutor and your Head of Year, to name but a few.

Above all, choose subjects which you enjoy, for which you show an aptitude and which will keep as many doors open to you for your future because you just never know what that future might look like for you!

Welcome to the Upper School of Wells Cathedral School. The Upper School comprises pupils in Years 10 and 11. During this phase of your education you will be working towards achieving your first formal qualifications.

This will be an exciting time for you as it is your first opportunity to begin to tailor your educational experiences to match your own interests. Unlike previous years, you will be able to select some of the subjects that you study and these may be the first tentative steps that you will take towards your future career.

You will notice differences in lessons; you will no longer move around as a form, but rather find yourself in classrooms with a wide range of pupils from your year group. Your timetable will differ from those of your friends, you will be expected to take a greater responsibility for your studies, and you will be encouraged to be more proactive in your approach towards your education and independent in your learning.

You are, of course, not expected to take these steps on your own. You will be assigned a Tutor who will support you in academic matters throughout Years 10 and 11. In addition to your Tutor you will have regular contact with Houseparents who will provide pastoral care throughout your time in the Upper School.

My role as the Head of Years 10 and 11 is to work with the Tutor Team to provide a thorough and consistent approach to catering for your academic needs. I will also liaise with your parents and/or guardians and, of course, be an extra source of support and guidance should you need it. I will work with your Tutor to monitor your academic progress to ensure that you reach your potential, and provide additional support whenever it is needed.

On entering the Upper School you should: embrace the opportunity to select your own curriculum; enjoy increased independence; rise to the challenge of your studies and aim to finish Year 11 with as many doors open to your future as possible.