GCSE Options Evening Presentation 2026

GCSE Options Evening This presentation will be distributed via the school website and by email kinghenrys.co.uk

Introduction Mr Sewell - Headteacher kinghenrys.co.uk

Henry’s GCSE & A Level Results

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GCSE Journey at Henry’s • Teaching and Learning • Academic Support • Careers • Beyond the Classroom • Co-Curricular and Sport • Mental Health and Wellbeing • Preparation for Sixth Form kinghenrys.co.uk

The Current Situation • Christmas Grade Cards & general impressions: • Overall, there is much that is very good • Progress is being made by many • Maturing personally and academically • Showing good potential going forward • Room for growth: • Increase co-curricular participation • Respect for each other • Communication kinghenrys.co.uk

The future in Year 9 •

Regardless of the choices you make… you will still need to work hard in ALL subjects in Year 9.

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Why? • Our expectations are high • End of year exams • Development of character and mental toughness – “Gives up too easily” doesn’t look good on a reference!

• Transferable skills

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Rest of Year 9 is about building on their strengths and identifying and improving any weaknesses...

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The future in Year 10

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New teaching groups

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New friends

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New teachers

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New challenges

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New opportunities

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Studying subjects you’ve specifically chosen

Careers Department Mrs Pike – Careers Adviser kinghenrys.co.uk

Careers Department • •

Assembly outlining good decision-making skills Mr Amlani reiterating sound decision-making habits

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I work Monday – Friday This coming half term – Year 9 are my priority For 2 weeks in January , I will base myself in each of the Year 9 tutor rooms over lunchtimes for drop-in chats Senior Peer Support Team are also available

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Careers Department – Form Visits • During lunch break on the below dates, Mrs Pike and Year 12 Peer Support Team will be available exclusively for Year 9 students

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9AJR – Friday 16th Jan and Monday 26th Jan 9HXT – Monday 19th Jan and Fri 23rd Jan 9MBJ – Thurs 22nd Jan and Weds 28th Jan 9SCB – Weds 21st Jan and Thurs 29th Jan

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Careers Department • The decision is for the individual student, but you don’t have to struggle with it alone:-

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Personal Careers Interview IT resources – “SACU” Advice for online resources

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https://sacu-student.com/?page_id=2850

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Careers – Year 9 Options

• Mrs Sally Pike - Careers Adviser

• Tel: 024 7627 1124 (direct) • Email: spike@csfoundation.org.uk

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Careers – Year 9 Options So, to sum up….

• There are excellent resources available, please encourage your son/daughter to use them •

I can offer individually tailored advice and guidance

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Students are encouraged to focus on sound decisionmaking principles, which hopefully will result in strong, confident decisions being made

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Finally, I look forward to seeing you next term at the parents’ evening kinghenrys.co.uk

Option Choices Mr Amlani – Head of Year 9 kinghenrys.co.uk

Option Choices- You SHOULD…

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Option Choices- You SHOULD… • Make an informed choice – gather information • Talk to knowledgeable others – teachers, parents, peers and Careers Adviser • Take time – listen to the details from Parents’ Evening • Read the Options Booklet and see Mrs Pike kinghenrys.co.uk

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Option Choices- You SHOULD… • Think about what the you enjoy studying; what you are good at; and what motivates you?

• Balance, participation, determination and enjoyment are the keys to success • Think about what you want out of your education • Check career or university requirements • Consider possible A-level subjects Take time and consider what is best for you kinghenrys.co.uk

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Option Choices – You should avoid: • Choosing options based upon: • • •

Your friends’ choices – they will not be sitting your exams and you may not be in the same classes Relatives’ options choices GCSEs Teachers’ personalities – you don’t know who you will be taught by next year

• Being pressured - teachers will not be offended if you don’t take their subject kinghenrys.co.uk

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GCSE Grades are important - Choose the right GCSEs • GCSE - only common grades universities/others have to distinguish between applicants • GCSEs follow pupils for the rest of their lives c60 years • Many competitive degree courses require 5/6 GCSE grades at 8 or 9 kinghenrys.co.uk

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Curriculum and Timetabling Mrs Dowding – Deputy Head kinghenrys.co.uk

Curriculum

'Volume and intensity' of GCSE exams [and courses] is 'too high'

Too many exams Too much content At the cost of soft skills

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Key Stage 4 Curriculum • Curriculum Review: Wellbeing and Balance •

Reduced number of GCSEs • Reduced workload • Reduced homework

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Increased amount of non-examined activities kinghenrys.co.uk

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Key Stage 4 Curriculum • 9 GCSEs + Future Leaders course, PSHE, PE, Games • complemented by the co-curricular and super-curricular activities • 9 GCSEs comprised of: • Compulsory subjects: English, Maths, 2 Sciences • Expected and Recommended subject: 1 Modern Foreign Language • Three Option Subjects: • humanities, creative arts, classics, computer science, additional science, additional language kinghenrys.co.uk

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Key Stage 4 Curriculum 9 GCSEs + Future Leaders course, PSHE, PE, Games complemented by the co-curricular and super-curricular activities Future Leaders course, preparing our pupils for their futures • Digital literacy • Oracy / public speaking • Environmental citizenship • Global Citizenship

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• Cultural capital • Financial literacy • Critical thinking • Mindfulness 24

Key Stage 4 Curriculum 9 GCSEs + Future Leaders course, PSHE, PE, Games complemented by the extra-curricular and super-curricular activities Super-curricular

Co-curricular

academic activities outside the classroom, such as:

non-academic activities outside the classroom, such as:

• Academic Competitions • Academic Olympiads • Public Speaking and Debating • VEX Robotics

• Sports clubs/teams • Duke of Edinburgh • Walk for Wellbeing • Chess Club

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Key Stage 4 Curriculum • The Core Curriculum • Mathematics • English Language • English Literature

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At least 2 sciences 1 of French, German, Spanish

The Core ensures poor choices are unlikely e.g. omitting an essential subject; too many of any one subject group If you intend to study medicine – all three sciences are needed kinghenrys.co.uk

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Key Stage 4 Curriculum Balanced Curriculum & Assessment Additional MFL: • French • German • Spanish A third science: • Biology, Chemistry, Physics

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Art- Fine Art Art- Photography Classical Civilisation Computing DT – Product Design Drama Food Preparation and Nutrition

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Geography History Latin Music PE Academic Religious Studies

(NB options are provisional until confirmed)

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Option Submission • Submissions via 365 Forms- link in The Arrow of 16th January but the form opens on Tuesday, 20th January • A reminder will be sent prior to 4th February deadline • Order of submission matters – input choices in preference order

• Reserve option required kinghenrys.co.uk

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Option Submission • Can I change my options after submission?

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Yes – don’t panic

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Pupils should talk to their Form Tutor first

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Parents to email any option changes to Dr Barge (Timetabler) SRB@csfoundation.org.uk

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Changes confirmed by reply

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