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Choosing Your GCSE Subjects
Compulsory GCSE subjects and Optional GCSEs
We want to ensure that every student has a broad and stimulating education which provides as many options as possible, whether they go on to study A Levels, Apprenticeships or BTECs.
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GCSEs form the core part of education in Years 10 and 11, with some additional options to study vocational courses. The school week is made up of 40 Periods of 35 minutes each. Compulsory GCSE Subjects make up 20 of these periods, whilst students get to choose what they will study in the remaining 20 periods – within a set of rules to ensure they cover a broad range of subjects.
Curriculum Area No. of Periods per week Total Periods
Compulsory Subjects (taken by all students)
Mathematics
English & English Literature 6
6 20
Science 8
Compulsory Subjects* (for most students)
Core PE & PSHE 4 4
Required choices
French, German, or Spanish. A maximum of two can be selected. 4 4
Students can choose two subjects
One from Humanities: Religious Studies, Short Religious Studies, Geography or History.
A maximum of two can be selected.
Art, Drama, Child Development, Computer Science, 3-Dimensional Design, Food and Nutrition, Graphics, Product Design, Music, Photography or PE 8 8
4 4
Compulsory GCSE Subjects
Some GCSEs are Compulsory for all students. These make up 20 periods per week and include: • Mathematics: 6 periods per week leading to 1 Maths GCSE • English: 6 periods per week leading to 1 English Language GCSE and 1 English Literature GCSE • Science: 8 periods per week covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics and leading to 2 GCSEs (this is termed ‘Double-Science’) • Core PE and PSHE are compulsory for most students. However, you can opt to take GCSE short course Religious Studies instead of either PE or PSHE.
Optional GCSE Subjects
Students can choose the GCSEs they wish to study for the remaining 16 periods, but: • they MUST choose between French, German or Spanish (4 periods per week leading to 1 GCSE) • they MUST choose one of the Humanities subjects - History, Geography or Religious Studies (4 periods per week leading to 1 GCSE). Please note short course RS meets the Humanities requirement. • students may choose to substitute Core PE or PSHE with GCSE short course RS. *
Students Needing Additional Support
There may be students needing extra support time, rather than additional GCSEs. These students may have an EHCP, be on the SEND register, or be entitled to extra time in exams. This extra support would be provided in lesson time in place of a GCSE course. The school will identify students who meet specific criteria and will approach students and parents to enable discussion at the forthcoming Parents’ Evenings.
Some Things to Avoid when Choosing
We sometimes receive requests from students asking to change their options choices in the Autumn Term of Year 10 because they haven’t properly thought their choices through. To avoid this happening: • Don’t make choices based on whether you like your teacher - you may not get the same teacher • If the subject is new (such as Computer Science or Photography), talk to the teachers who teach it and some of the students who currently study it, so that you have a good idea of what it is • Don’t decide your options based on what your friends are choosing: their choices may be best for them but not for you. Whilst a change can be looked at, it is not always possible or wise to change options. It is best
to talk, think and plan carefully before making the decisions – make use of all the opportunities to find out what you need.
Providing your Requested Choices
We are offering a wide range of courses to establish which patterns of choices emerge, and we will have to balance possible choices against resources and timetable constraints. Students should be aware that they may have to make adjustments, but we will support and continue to give opportunities for further consultation.
Questions and Queries
What to do now
We want the selections made to be appropriate for the ability and aptitude of each student. The options chosen will be checked and, where there is a problem or a concern, the individual
student will be seen, and further guidance given. Parents will be kept fully informed and involved. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions over the next few weeks. Make the most of these opportunities and make your decisions wisely.
How to complete your Initial Preference Form (IPF)
1. The initial preferences form is online and can be accessed using the following web link:
GCSE Options The Initial Preference Form needs to be submitted by Tuesday 22nd
February 2023.
2. The IPF can be submitted electronically or on paper. Paper forms should be collected and returned to the Ranmore Office. 2. A second form can be submitted before this date if you change your mind.
Please Keep Absence during Years 10 and 11 to a Minimum
The GCSE courses are intense and currently involve controlled assessment throughout the year. It is very important that absence is kept to a minimum and we urge all parents to arrange holidays outside term time. Any request for a holiday during term time would be unlikely to be agreed, unless the circumstances were exceptional.
