1. St Benedict’s Catholic High School
Curriculum Guidance for KS4 & Options Evening
15 February 2017
The range of subjects and courses available to
the students is planned carefully to meet their
individual needs and interests.
Ofsted 2012

2. Why Choose? KS3 –> KS4 –> KS5 KS3 – Approx 15 subjects
Post 18 – 1-2 subjects

3. Grade 4 or above students should seriously consider taking the Ebacc
The English Baccalaureate consists of:
English GCSE Grade C or above
Maths GCSE Grade C or above
Science (x2) GCSE Grade C or above
Humanities GCSE Grade C or above
Foreign Languages Grade C or above
This is becoming an increasingly important measure
Grade 4 or above students should seriously consider taking the Ebacc

4. GCSEs GCSES are changing!
This will apply to ALL your child’s subjects except
Now graded 1-9 (9 at the top)
5 is the new ‘good’ pass
No Coursework (except practical subjects)
Generally no tiered papers (not H/F)
Terminal exams at end of year 11
Harder content

6. Core Lessons Core Subjects GCSE’s 4 hours
English language & literature 2
Maths
6 hours
Science
2 or 3
2 hours
Religious Education 1
1 hour
Physical Education

7. Health & Social Care BTEC
Option Blocks A B C D
Additional Core *
Geography
History
Spanish
ART
Business DT
IT & Enterprise PE
Computing
Drama
Health & Social Care BTEC
L1/2 Food and Cookery *
Music
Coursework Support * FT
Psychology
Textiles
* = By invitation only – Please see Mrs Ball to discuss
Choose: 1st and 2nd choice in each block
Choose: Top Choice Subject – The one in any block you really want to do!

8. Suggested Process 1 - Know your core curriculum 2 - Know you
Use fast Tomato and other sites (see Useful links)
Talk to your parents
Look at your previous reports/profiles
Talk to your teachers
3 – Know your future Ambitions – College, University, Employment
4 - Know the Option Blocks
Look at the page entitled ‘Option Subjects’ so you know what you can choose
5 - Know the Option subjects
Look at the details about the options subjects on the Options site
Speak to students who are taking the courses (but be careful some are changing this year)
6 - Make your choices
Follow the link from the ‘Making My Choices’ page by 3 March

9. What to Choose? A balanced curriculum
Academic/Practical
A curriculum that enables you to succeed
Uses your strengths
Isn’t too onerous or intensive
Ebacc?
Options for the future (education/career)
Don’t close doors!

10. Options Information

11. How To Make your Options

12. Key Dates Options Evening Talk: Tuesday 23 February 2017
Student subject talks: W/C Monday 13 February 2017
Options Deadline: Friday 3 March 2017

13. All staff available by ‘phone on 01789 762888
Key Contacts
Staff Contact Details:
Mrs Michelle Parton – Assistant Headteacher
Mrs Jackie Holmes – Careers Adviser
Heads of Department – for subject specific queries
Form Tutors – general pastoral advice
All staff available by ‘phone on