1. GCSE Options
February 2018
Ms N Weatherston

2. How many GCSEs should my daughter be taking?
10 GCSEs is the standard number and this is what
we expect the vast majority of students to take
Some girls may only take 9 GCSEs, this has to be discussed with Mr Wahab and Ms Weatherston
We cannot accommodate anyone who wishes to take more than 10 GCSEs on-timetable, but we do offer Latin and (if enough uptake) Greek off-timetable

3. Does it matter how many GCSEs?
Taking fewer than 9 GCSEs can count against an application to some universities There is no point in taking more than 10 GCSEs- this is sufficient for the top universities As long as university applicants have 9 or more GCSEs all that matters is the grades. GCSE grades do matter very much to universities (much more than they used to)

4. Which GCSEs are compulsory?
Mathematics
English Language
English Literature (however, a very small number of EAL students may take IGCSE EAL instead of GCSE English Language and Literature)
Theology
Science (Double or Triple Award *) triple science is more difficult than double – there is far greater content and so the pace of lessons is fast)
A minimum of one language

5. Options
So, those girls who are taking Double Award Science will have 3 options left, and those are taking Triple Award Science will only have 2 options left
Students can choose from any of the following:
History, Geography, Computer Science, PE, Art, Drama, Music, DT or a second foreign language

6. New GCSE grading
Please note that, from September 2017 all GCSEs & IGCSEs will be on a new grading system.
The new system will no longer use grades A*-U. Instead they will grade from 9 to 1 (9 being the top grade and 1 being the bottom grade). Grade 9 represents the equivalent of A*+ and 8 will be the equivalent of the old A*, 7 of A, 6 of B, 5 of low B/high C, 4 of a low C, 3 of a D and so on…

7. Double or Triple Science?
Both these options involve studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics, but Double Award Science results in 2 IGCSEs, whereas Triple Award Science results in 3
Further details are in the GCSE Years booklet. A web link directing you to this booklet has been included with the options form

8. Double Award Science
Taking Double Award Science at IGCSE does not negatively affect the chances of taking science subjects at Sixth Form and beyond
Every year we have girls who are academically strong in a lot of subjects and, therefore, take Double Award to maximise their GCSE choices elsewhere, but still end up doing one or more sciences at A Level

9. Languages
The vast majority of pupils are required to take at least one language to GCSE. The normal options are French, Spanish, German or Latin
Chinese, Japanese, Russian and other language are not part of our curriculum offering
Some students may – after direct consultation with Ms Weatherston – be allowed not to do a language at GCSE, but there have to be very good academic reasons for this
Students should also consult with Ms Weatherston or Mr Wahab if they are planning to do Latin as their only language
Latin (and possibly Greek – if enough people are interested) will be available as an 11th, off-timetable, GCSE.

10. Completing and returning the options form
You do not have to post or the options form back to us
you simply click on “submit”
The deadline for completing and submitting options forms
is Monday 19 February 2018

11. What happens if students change their mind after 19 February 2018?
We will be using the options received in February to construct the GCSE option blocks. These are the basis of all timetabling for next year. This process happens quite quickly and cannot be reversed after that
We will only be able to accommodate a new choice if it fits both the option blocks we have created and our maximum class size for GCSE (20)

12. Very small subjects
We reserve the right not to run a particular subject if the total number of students selecting it as an option is below five
In the event that we decide not to run a subject we will, of course, contact students/parents who have chosen it very promptly to notify them and to discuss alternative options

13. Thank you for listening
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to Mr Wahab, Mr Smith or Ms Weatherston at any time between now and 19 Feb 2018

14. GCSE Options
February 2018