Year 9 Options

Step into Key Stage Four

You are about to embark on one of the most significant aspects of your education - your Key Stage Four studies. The next few years will be a very exciting yet challenging time for you so making the right choice is essential.

Whatever the stage you have reached, it is a good idea to make your decisions about your GCSE courses based upon some of the following tips:

Choose subjects that you will enjoy
Choose subjects that you are good at
Choose subjects that will support your career plans
Choose a combination of subjects that give you a broad experience of learning
Do not choose subjects because you want to be with your friends
Do not choose subjects because you like the teacher

Introductory Video

Options Timeline

Options Booklet

Subject Videos

Year 9 Options Evening

4:00 pm - 6:30pm Thursday 12th March

View document

Choosing your Learning Pathway

During the first three years at Croesyceiliog School, all pupils follow a common curriculum.

In Year 10 there are significant changes. You can begin to shape your Learning Pathway by making choices regarding your future studies. You may choose to:

Continue to study some subjects

End your study in some subjects

Start studying completely new subjects

For the first time YOU will have some choice in the subject you study

A Learning Pathway should include:

Core National Curriculum Subjects

English, Maths and Science

Statutory lessons

Welsh, Religion Values & Ethics, Physical Education

Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Which includes Personal, Social and Careers Education

A broad and balanced range of subjects

Many of you will make sure that you continue to study a humanities subject, a language and a creative or technical subject

Subjects which will suit and extend your abilities

Subjects you need for your future career

Subjects you enjoy

Compulsory Subjects

All pupils will study the following subjects:

Maths

All pupils will study Mathematics & Numeracy GCSE.

Welsh

All pupils are expected to take a GCSE in Welsh Language (Core Cymraeg GCSE), and you have already begun the study of this course in year 9

Physical Education

In order to help encourage a healthy lifestyle, all pupils will continue to have PE lessons. If you wish to gain a qualification in PE, then it is available as an option.

English

All pupils will study English Language & Literature GCSE.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (SCC)

You will have separate Skills Challenge Certificate lessons in which you will continue your personal, social and careers education and develop skills that will help you later in life. The SCC is a qualification equivalent to one GCSE.

Religious Education

All pupils will follow the Equality and Diversity BTEC Level 1/2 pathway. For those that wish to study Religious Studies GCSE, this is available as an option.

Science

You will be entered for the most suitable Science pathway, depending on your achievement in all of your school work so far. The final decision on your Science pathway will be made by Deputy Headteacher, Mr A Davies in conjunction with leaders from the Maths, and Science Faculties together with information on your attitude to learning across Key Stage 3.

Most pupils will study Applied Science (Double Award) GCSE.

Life Skills

All pupils will study a Life Skills course that will follow a Personal and Social Education (PSE) curriculum that will include developing physical health and wellbeing, and supporting pupils through the transition from education to the world of work. Some pupils will study the BTEC Sweet Level 1/2 qualification as part of their Life Skills course.

We generally advise that you choose a broad and balanced range of subjects. To help with this, the list below is split into Humanities, Languages and Creative/Technical subjects.

You do not have to choose one from each list, but if you do, it will ensure that you have a balanced choice.

Humanities

GCSE Geography

GCSE History

GCSE Religious Studies

Languages

GCSE Spanish

Creative and Technical

GCSE Art & Design

GCSE Drama

GCSE Product Design

GCSE Digital Technology

GCSE Media Studies

GCSE Food & Nutrition

GCSE Health and Social Care

GSCE Photography

GCSE Music

BTEC Sport

BTEC Public Services

GCSE Physical Education

ICT (Extended Certificate in IT User Skills in Open Systems and Enterprise

Types of courses

When you read the subject pages in this brochure, you will be told the type of qualification you will be taking. This section explains the types you will see.

GCSE

GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. The qualification mainly involves studying the theory of a subject, combined with some investigative work. Some subjects also offer practical work.

GCSEs are graded from A*-U. All GCSE qualifications have at least one written exam and some also have non-examined assessments (NEA). Within some subjects there is a choice of tier, which will ensure that you are examined on work that appropriately challenges you, giving access to a narrower range of possible grades. Subject teachers will advise pupils and parents on which tier is most suitable, but this decision will be made later in the course and will depend on progress made.

BTEC (Business & Technology Education Council) / IVET (Initial Vocational Education and Training)

In our curriculum offer we have several BTEC/IVET subjects. Pupils will be given clear guidance on the sections that they need to include in a lengthy piece of work, and will have to show that they can work hard consistently throughout the course to meet deadlines.

Each of these subjects will have less emphasis on examination, usually with 75% of the marks coming from written work completed in lessons and 25% coming from an externally set test.

All of these vocational courses will lead to a final grade that is equivalent to one GCSE. The table below shows how the grades awarded relate to GCSE:

Equivalent to GCSE

BTEC / IVET	GCSE
Level 2 Distinction*	A*
Level 2 Distinction	A
Level 2 Merit	B
Level 2 Pass	C -E
Level 1 Pass	F -G

The Options Process

During the Spring term you will have presentations introducing the options process and be given information about subjects you have not previously studied.
You have an opportunity at the Parents’ Evening to get feedback on your progress in the last year of Key Stage 3 at the year 9 Parents’ Evening. This will help you be realistic about where your strengths lie, and what subjects you might wish to continue studying.

Mr Davies has produced an Year 9 Options Introductory Video that will give you more details about what we offer along with the chance to answer questions. The presentation and all the subject options videos can be found at the top of this webpage.
You have an opportunity at the Parents’ Evening to get feedback on your progress in the last year of Key Stage 3 at the year 9 Parents’ Evening. This will help you be realistic about where your strengths lie, and what subjects you might wish to continue studying.

Mr Davies has produced an Year 9 Options Introductory Video that will give you more details about what we offer along with the chance to answer questions. The presentation and all the subject options videos can be found at the top of this webpage.
There will be opportunities to discuss your choices during registration periods. Parents will be contacted as appropriate if we need to discuss a change to your choice of options.

Careers Wales

The Careers Wales website Careerswales.gov.wales contains lots of information on career planning, courses and training, getting a job and apprenticeships. You can also visit the Careers Wales YouTube channel.