1. Choosing your GCSE Option subjects
ASSEMBLY
Friday 13th January 2017

2. Purpose of this assembly
Help you with your decisions about what optional subjects you should choose to study in Year 10/11, by advising you how these choices may affect your career decisions
You’ve had your options booklet, you’ve had your careers lessons and lots of help already from staff, to help you with your GCSE option subject choices.
The purpose of THIS assembly is to help you to make an informed choice about which subjects you should study, by advising you how your choices NOW could affect your career decisions and career pathways LATER ON. I have a lot of information to give you – some, we have chatted about in the careers sessions we have been doing, but quite a lot is NEW information aswell.
I will also be reminding you about the careers resources we have in school to help you to think about future careers you may be interested to explore.
So lets start with a very quick reminder of which subjects you CAN choose and those you CAN’T
Here they are

3. Core and Optional subjects
CORE SUBJECTS Religious Education Maths English Language and English Literature Science
OPTION SUBJECTS
Art GCSE Business Studies GCSE Business & Enterprise BTEC Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE) Computer Science GCSE Drama GCSE Electronic & Mechanical Systems GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition GCSE French GCSE Geography GCSE
Health & Social Care BTEC
History GCSE
ICT BTEC
Music GCSE
Physical Education GCSE
Resistant Materials GCSE
Spanish GCSE
Textiles GCSE
All students will continue to study the CORE subjects
And here are the OPTIONAL subjects, of which you can choose 3.
Most of you will choose 3 GCSEs, a few of you will choose 1 or 2 GCSEs plus perhaps a BTEC course and/or CoPE.
Some of you have an idea already about which subjects you would like to choose, others, I know, haven’t decided yet.

4. Considering a top uni? Russell Group universities
The 24 leading UK universities
- very best research, outstanding teaching and learning, unrivalled links with business and organisations, etc. and thus very competitive!
University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of Cambridge
Cardiff University
Durham University
University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
Imperial College London
King's College London
University of Leeds
University of Liverpool
London School of Economics & Political Science
University of Manchester
Newcastle University
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen's University Belfast
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University College London
University of Warwick
University of York
In our careers sessions, for those of you interested in going to university (and the majority of our students at St Peter’s do this), we have talked about how some of the best universities (called ‘Russell Group’ universities) are advising students about which A levels can help them to get into their courses at their universities.
Here is the advice…
I know that this is a long way off yet, BUT, if you already have an idea about what you might like to study in the future at university (for example, medicine, aeronautical engineering, Biology, Geography, French), you need to have a look through a list I have put on the VLE in the Year 9 careers area, which will advise you which A levels you need to be studying at school to be able to apply for those university courses.
Lets look at some examples…

5. SUBJECTS REQUIRED FOR DIFFERENT DEGREE COURSES
Accountancy (also Banking/Finance/Insurance)
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Usually none although one or two universities require Mathematics
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Mathematics, Business Studies (AGCE, National and Diploma) and Economics
Actuarial Science/Studies)
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Mathematics
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Further Mathematics, Economics, Business Studies (AGCE, National and Diploma)
Aeronautical Engineering
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Mathematics and Physics
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Further Mathematics, Design Technology
American Studies
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Requirements vary but English and/or History are often asked for
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Politics
Anthropology
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: None
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: A small number of courses like a science AS-level such as Biology
Architecture
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Some courses say they want an arts/science mix. Some may require Art
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Art, Mathematics, Design Technology and Physics. AGCE or National Art and Design may also be useful at some universities. Do note that a portfolio of drawings and ideas may be asked for
If you think you might want to do an Aeronautical Engineering course at university, you would need to do Maths and Physics A levels, and it would be useful to additionally do an A level called Further maths, or DT (but this is not essential).
Another example…

6. SUBJECTS REQUIRED FOR DIFFERENT DEGREE COURSES
English
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: English Literature/English Literature, Language (some courses will accept English Language)
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: History, Religious Studies, a Foreign Language
Environmental Science/Studies
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Many courses will ask for two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Geography
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Another facilitating subject, particularly a science
European Studies
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: A Modern Foreign Language
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Another Modern Foreign Language, English Literature, History, Politics
French
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: French
Geography
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Most degrees require Geography
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Some Geography BSc (science) degrees prefer one from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics
Geology/Earth Sciences
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Usually two from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Geography, Geology
If you want to study French at university, you would of course need a French A level, but also, other useful A levels to take would be ANOTHER language, or English literature, or history or politics, or any combination of these.

7. SUBJECTS REQUIRED FOR DIFFERENT DEGREE COURSES
Sports Science/Physical Education
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Many courses want to see one from Biology/Chemistry/Mathematics/Physics (some courses will treat Physical Education as a science equivalent).
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Physical Education, Psychology
Surveying
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: None
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: For some types of Surveying ie. Building Surveying, Mathematics and Physics could be helpful. For Estate Management (General Practice surveying) most A-level combinations will be considered.
Teacher Training (Primary and/or Secondary)
(Those best for Primary Teaching shown in Italics)
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: At least one from Art, Biology, CACHE, Chemistry, Design and Technology, Drama (Theatre Studies), English, French, Geography, German, History, ICT, Italian, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Physical Education, Religious Studies (Theology), Spanish
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Religious Studies/Theology, Philosophy, English Literature, History
Veterinary Science
ESSENTIAL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: You should do Chemistry and Biology and one from Mathematics/Physics so that you have all universities open to you
USEFUL ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS: Further Mathematics
If you think you might like to study Sports Science or PE at university, essential A levels are either Biology/Chemistry/Maths or Physics, though sometimes PE A level is accepted instead of the other science subjects, and USEFUL A LEVELS are: PE and Psychology.
If you want to become a teacher, you would need to look very carefully at the list of ESSENTIAL A levels and USEFUL A levels as teaching courses are VERY specific, as you can see.
So why am I telling you this information – you’re choosing your GCSEs, not A levels!
The reason is…if you want to study a subject at A level, you need to do a GCSE in it first.
If you are being advised here that you need a CORE subject at A level, that’s fine because you will all be continuing with your CORE subjects at GCSE level.
BUT, if the subject they are advising you to take at A level is a GCSE OPTION SUBJECT, you will need to choose this for one of your GCSE options.
So you can hopefully see why it is important for you to have this information.
You also need to know that
Universities sometimes specify what subjects and what grades they require at GCSE LEVEL for entry to their courses, as well as what A levels…

8. Considering university?
How do you look up what A levels and GCSEs you might need for a particular course at university?
UCAS website
(Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
You might like to check this out on the UCAS website (where you can look up university courses)…
Let’s take an example…to find out what A levels and what GCSEs you would need to do, to study Medicine at Manchester University…
Just type UCAS Search Tool into Google and this screen will appear.
Our example is to look at doing a course in Medicine, at the Provider: Manchester University. Type this in and click SEARCH…

9. Considering university?
And UCAS tells me EXACTLY what A levels I need to study and EXACTLY what GCSEs I need.
You can’t see the detail here so I’ll read the GCSE information for you…
For GCSEs, if I want to study medicine at Manchester University, I will need to have passed…
At least 7 GCSE subjects at grade C or above (at least 5 must be A or A*)
I must have passed English Language and Maths at grade B
Physics and Biology are required at GCSE, minimum grade C.
Chemistry is essential at A level. Etc.
Quite a few courses don’t mention ANY particular requirements for their courses at GCSE level – BUT, you need to check – like this example!

10. Considering a top uni?
If you want to increase your chances of going to a good university in the future, it is suggested that you choose at least 2 subjects at A level from this list.
Mathematics, English, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, History, Languages
(These are sometimes referred to as ‘FACILITATING SUBJECTS’)
So what do you choose for your option subjects if you are not sure what you might want to study at university? If you have no ideas about this yet, it is important to choose subjects which will leave as many opportunities open to you as possible. Some A level subjects are more frequently required for entry to university courses than others – these, as you know, are called the facilitating subjects, because choosing them at A level leaves open a wide range of options for university study.
These facilitating subjects are here…maths, English, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, history and languages – choosing 2 of these will keep a wide range of degree courses open to you.
HOWEVER…
The most important advice to you, is that we want you to get good grades in your GCSE subjects, and so, if you have strengths in OTHER subject areas which you need to pursue for your future career plans, you can choose OTHER subjects. But please first ensure that you speak to your subject teachers about which subjects they feel you should do. This is very important…
I’m aware that most of this information I am giving you relates to students who may be considering university, but some of the information on the next screen relates to all students, considering ANY future options, including college and apprenticeships.
There are some careers or career pathways that require a certain number of GCSEs and/or at a specific grade – here they are…

11. Some general tips on achieving at GCSE level
5 x A*-C grades are required for many Apprenticeships
Good grades in the Core (English, Maths, Science, RE) subjects cover many entry requirements to college or university
At least 5 x A* - Cs GCSEs are usually required to take A levels or to take a Level 3 vocational course at college
If you think you may want to apply to go to Oxford or Cambridge universities, you must try to achieve as many A* grades as possible (and certainly more A*s than As)
A good set of GCSEs are needed for ALL university courses and particularly a good grade (9 to 7) in English and Maths. - even for scientific courses)
Many apprenticeships require 5 x A* to C grades at GCSE (or equivalent), and ‘advanced’ apprenticeships require A levels or equivalent qualifications.
I cannot stress this enough…GOOD GRADES IN THE CORE subjects, particularly maths and english cover MANY entry requirements to universities and colleges.
To go on to take A levels after your GCSEs, you normally need AT LEAST 5 A* to C grades (or equivalent) in your GCSEs, and this is the same for if you want to go to college and study an equivalent level 3 course there.
If you are thinking you may want to go to Oxford of Cambridge university? You need as many A*s as you can achieve – the more the better to raise your chances of being offered a place
For all university courses – you need good grades (9 to 7) in English and Maths. (In fact all employers want good grades in English and Maths aswell).
Some more tips… mostly relating to university…

12. GCSE choices
For any Art or Design-based career – best to have an Art of Design-based GCSE and it is advised that you to go on to do a Foundation Diploma at art college, before going to university.
For a degree in English, universities often look for applicants who have a GCSE in a modern language
If you want to study Law, a modern foreign language is advisable
To become a primary school teacher you need GCSE science as well as maths and English (+ 2 others). C or above
If you want to study a particular subject at university, you usually need to have studied the same subject at A level first (except law and economics)
If you are interested in an Art or Design-based career – you should choose an Art or Design-based GCSE, and it is advised that you go on to do a Foundation Diploma at art college, before going to university.
To go to university to study English, it is useful to have taken a GCSE in a modern language
If you want to study Law, taking a modern foreign language at GCSE and A level is advisable.
To study primary school teaching at university, you must have GCSE science at, at least grade C, as well as english and maths and 2 others.
If you want to study for example Geography at university, you need to have studied geography at A level first. This is the same for most subjects with a few exceptions, like law and economics).
THIS IS A LOT OF INFORMATION! So let’s see how you can start to build up a picture of your future plans…
I’ve chosen just a few careers to show you…

13. Example 1: Thinking about LAW?
To become a lawyer or solicitor, you will need to get a degree qualification (not necessarily Law) at UNIVERSITY
You will need to take A levels
Examples would be History, English Literature, RE
(Law A level is not required)
If you are thinking about becoming a lawyer or solicitor, you will need to…
Go to university to get a degree – this doesn’t have to be LAW (students always think it does).
Before this you will need to take 3 A levels – examples for this career would be history, english, RE (again, law is NOT required)
And before this you need to achieve 5 A* to C grade GCSEs (remember – if you want to take History A level, you will need to choose history GCSE!)
You will need to achieve at least 5 A* to C grade GCSES
(if you want to take History at A level, you will need to choose to study GCSE History)

14. Example 2: Thinking about ENGINEERING?
To become an engineer
you will need to get a degree in ENGINEERING
at UNIVERSITY
You will need to take A levels in Maths and Physics
To become an engineer…
In most cases, you will need a degree in Engineering
You will need to take Maths and Physics A levels and one other (one recommended ‘useful’ A level is DT.
And you will need 5 A* to C grade GCSES – good grades in english, maths and science essential)
You will need to achieve at least 5 A* to C grade GCSES
(good grades in English, Maths and Science are essential)

15. Example 3: Thinking about ARCHITECTURE?
To become an architect
you will need to get a degree in ARCHITECTURE at UNIVERSITY
You will need to take A levels
Examples would be Art (you will need to show universities
a portfolio)
To become an architect…
Again a degree. In Architecture
You will need to take A levels – one will be Art and you will need to develop a portfolio of your work to show the university what you have done.
And again, you will need 5 A* to C grades at GCSE (good grades in maths and english essential)
(remember – if you want to take Art A level, you will need to choose art GCSE!)
You will need to achieve at least 5 A* to C grade GCSES
(a good grade in Maths and English are essential)

16. Example 4: Thinking about MEDICINE (Doctor)?
To become a doctor
you will need to get a degree in MEDICINE
at UNIVERSITY
You will need to take A levels in Chemistry (essential), Biology (recommended), a further Science or Maths (recommended)
Other recommended subjects to take at A level are English, RE, History, Psychology
To become a doctor…
You will need a degree in medicine
As we saw previously,
A levels including these subjects
And a very strong set of GCSEs, particularly in maths, english and science
Now its quite possible that you are still very unsure about what options to choose. And my advice would be…
You will need to achieve a strong set of GCSEs, particularly in Maths, English and Science

17. Still no idea what Option subjects to choose?
Keep your options open by choosing a wide range of subjects,
Speak to your SUBJECT teachers, to your tutor, to your Year Head, to Mrs Thompson, to Mrs Buck in the Sixth Form, and definitely chat to your parents/carers about this
Keep your options open by choosing a wide range of subjects. Don’t worry if at this stage you have no idea what you want to do career-wise. Choose subjects that you enjoy and that you will achieve high grades in.
But make sure that before you make your choices, you speak to…
Your subject teachers, to your tutor, to Mrs Hayden, to me, to Mrs Buck in the sixth form who can advise you very specifically about university courses, and definitely chat to your parents or carers.
A reminder about the careers resources we have in school and on the school VLE to help you to explore careers…

18. How to find out more about choosing a career
Careers resources in the LRC:
We have lots of excellent careers resources in the LRC
PLEASE COME AND EXPLORE!
Particularly these, which will help you to develop your ideas about possible future careers.
Available to you before school, at breaktime and at lunchtime everyday – sorry they can’t be taken away, as they are used a great deal.

19. How to find out more about choosing a career
‘Y9 Careers Information’ area on the VLE:
We also have some great careers resources on the VLE in the Y9 Careers Information area…
You have been using Fast Tomato in your careers lessons. Here are some others available to you on the VLE...
These sites will cover important questions you might be asking yourself now, which are
How can I find out about different jobs and careers?
What type of careers would suit me?
What way of working would suit me? Office work, working in a hospital, working in a factory, a warehouse, outside, etc.
What GCSEs would I need to do that job?
Please show your parents and carers these at home and ask them to help you to explore careers using them
Just looking at iCould for a moment…

20. How to find out more about choosing a career
‘Y9 Careers Information’ area on the VLE:
Do have a go at the Buzz Quiz on iCould – it’s a personality quiz which helps you to learn about yourself and each personality type is likened to an animal!!
I have done the quiz and I am a Koala bear – it’s a bit of fun but incredibly useful too. Have a go!

21. What next? Parent/teacher consultation evening – Thursday 2nd February
Deadline for handing in your Options Form – Monday 6th February
In just under 3 weeks time, you will have your parent/teacher consultation with your parents and subject teachers. You will be able to discuss with your subject teachers whether they would recommend that you take their subject at GCSE. Mrs Hayden will be presenting the GCSE options to your parents. And I will be there for advice and guidance.
And the deadline for handing in your Options Form is Monday 6th February.
This assembly will be available on the VLE in the Y9 careers info area, and on the school website, for you and your parents to go through together.
If you have any questions, please do come and speak to me.