Making a Choice

You are about to embark on a series of two year courses which lead to the UK’s compulsory Public Examinations called ‘General Certificate of Secondary Education’ .

The GCSE programme at The British School of Paris involves a broad, diverse and stimulating curriculum, similar to what is on offer at other national and international schools. GCSEs provide excellent preparation for the A-Level courses offered in Years 12 and 13, leading to university entrance world-wide.

GCSE courses require a deeper and more structured approach to the subjects you study. Success in these courses will depend not only on your ability to work hard in class, but also on your willingness to work on your own. All courses will be examined at the end of the 2 years, some will include practical projects carried out in class time. You will study Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Science, French and PSHE (Personal, Social & Health Education).

We also ask you to choose three other subjects from the following list:

• Art and Design • Business

• Computer Science • Design & Technology • Drama

• Geography • German

• History • Music

• Spanish

> For those needing academic support we can also offer English as an additional language (EAL) and/ or Curriculum Support (CS) during option time.

What happens next?

You will soon be asked to give an indication of your preferred subject choices at GCSE. This is an important step in your school life and you should take the opportunity to discuss your thoughts with your parents and teachers.

Please read carefully all the course outlines which we have prepared for you in this Guide. Of course, you should choose a good balance of subjects to keep future choices open. You should also base your decisions on enthusiasm and interest in a subject area, taking into account any career ideas you may have.

If you are already here at the BSP, talk to your Tutor, to your subject teachers and to pupils already in Year 10 in order to gain as much information as you can about your options and join us at the upcoming Information Evening. If you are a new pupil please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your questions.

To assist us in our planning we will ask you to indicate a fourth subject alongside your three first options. This must be a serious choice as, although every effort is made, it is not always possible to accommodate everyone’s first choice due to timetabling constraints and limitations on group sizes.

Life at the BSP in Years 10 and 11, however, is not just about academic opportunity and success. All our pupils enjoy a wide variety of lunchtime and afterschool activities. The programme varies from term to term but typically involves Drama, Music and Sports clubs and groups of all kinds.

You are encouraged to take positions of responsibility within your peer group and may represent a Tutor Group at Student Council or be part of the Young Managers Scheme, paving the way for future positions of responsibility in the school and society as a whole.

Charity work is an important part of our contribution to help those less fortunate than ourselves and you

are encouraged to participate in organising various activities for fund-raising. And it is at Key Stage 4 that you first have the opportunity to join the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Scheme, the world’s leading achievement award for young people. We also organise activities and visits to enhance your learning throughout the year. Many of the courses you choose will include experiences outside the classroom. Visits are a compulsory part of some GCSE courses: Drama, Geography and Art all need to use first-hand experience from sources outside school. Other subject areas find it desirable too and will organise trips to complement what you are studying. The costs of these trips are not included in the school fees. Key Stage 4 Guide

If at any time during the option process, you or your parents would like more information on any aspect of courses or careers, we shall be happy to assist in any way we can.

Ms A.C.Brooking, Head of Senior School

The GCSE Options timeline

February-March

The Curriculum Guides are made available to pupils. The Curriculum Guide outlines courses and pupils are informed about GCSE courses by subject teachers. Option choices are made. An Open Evening allows parents and staff to discuss the suitability of various courses.

May-June

Options are confirmed and the timetable is completed.

September

Year 10 courses begin.

Young Managers is a great experience. The interview was a bit frightening, but it was good experience to write a CV and talk about it. It’s been good to help in an area of the school I love. My best experience this year was the Duke of Edinburgh expedition. It was a chance to be outdoors dealing with the difficulties of doing everything in the rain! – it brought everyone who took part together.