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Corfe Hills School

Which Subjects will you Choose for Years 10 and 11?

Introduction

This information is designed to give you an overview of all the courses on offer in Years 10 and 11. 

What subjects do I have to do?

There are some subjects that everybody must follow.  These include the core subjects of English Language, English Literature, Maths and Combined Science.  In addition, all students continue Physical Education as a non-examined subject and some may choose a PE qualification from the two available.

What is the English Baccalaureate (EBacc)?

The EBacc is made up of the subjects which are considered essential to many degrees and open up lots of doors.  A study by the UCL Institute of Education shows that studying subjects included in the EBacc provides students with greater opportunities in further education and increases the likelihood that a pupil will stay on in full-time education. Sutton Trust research reveals that studying the EBacc can help improve a young person’s performance in English and maths. The government’s ambition is to see 75% of pupils studying the EBacc subject combination at GCSE by 2022, and 90% by 2025.

We recommend that all students strongly consider the EBacc as a pathway but must do so in the context of their intentions beyond GCSE.

The EBacc is made up of the following:

  • English language and literature
  • maths
  • the sciences
  • geography or history
  • a language

What subjects can I choose?

Your online options form will give you some guidance about which subjects you should be considering.  You need to select the right number of courses to fill up your timetable for next year from those shown on your online form and on the subject tabs on the left. 

How should I set about choosing courses?

Read the subject information.   Make sure you get past the course title and what you think it means.  Spend time making sure you really know what the courses are about. 

Talk to the people who are teaching you the subject at the moment in Year 9.

If a course is new, seek out the people who teach it and talk to them.  Send an email to the person named at the bottom of the subject page and ask them the questions you need answered before you make your decisions.  Book to see them at the subject evening.

Talk to students in Year 10 or Year 11 who are on the course at the moment.

Talk to your parent(s)/carer(s) and tell them what you're thinking of doing.  Ask them what they think and listen to what they have to say.  Though they won't be doing the courses, they do want you to be happy and successful.

Think!

  • Think about what you're good at
  • Think about what you enjoy
  • Think about what you might do in the future – some courses might be essential for your next steps after Year 11.

Use the various websites available to you e.g.

Use the exam board website address given at the bottom of a subject sheet.

What questions should I ask?

What sort of learning styles are used in this course?  Some courses are highly practical, some will require you to spend a lot of time working in groups, and some might require you to produce individual controlled assessment tasks.  Think about the way you prefer to learn as you read the course descriptions.

What forms of assessment will there be?  Some courses are 100% exam, some have a small percentage of controlled assessment and others have a much larger amount of it.  Think about which of these you tend to be better at as you read the course descriptions.

What questions should I not ask?

Don't base your choices on what your friends might be doing.  Corfe Hills is a large school, so even if you choose the same things as your friends, there is still a good chance you won't be in classes with them.

Don't base your choices on who you think the teacher might be.  Most subjects have a number of groups and you may not get the teacher you particularly like next year.

What happens next?

Once you have completed your online options form, we look to see how many people have chosen the various courses.  Our aim is to satisfy as many choices as possible.  However, some courses may have too many applicants and others might not have enough.  This is why we have asked you to choose some reserves on your form. 

Before you read on …

We are fully aware that these decisions are important for you and it can be a worrying time.  This is why we are totally committed to trying to help you make good decisions.  Please make sure you take full advantage of:

  • the range of printed and web-based materials available
  • the people who are here to help you (subject teachers, your tutor, year office staff and school leaders)
  • the presentations and parents evenings