During Year 9 you'll have to choose the subjects to take in Years 10 and 11, some of the subjects are compulsory and others are optional. They could lead to exams like GCSEs, or vocational qualifications, so it's important to choose ones that interest you and that suit you. It's possible that in your school you make some choices in Year 8.
The compulsory subjects are:
- English, maths and science, and these lead to exams, usually GCSEs.
You will also do courses that will help you develop the knowledge and skills you'll use as an adult, these include information and communication technology (ICT), physical education (PE), and PSHE. You may be able to take exams in some of these too.
Many schools make studying a Modern Foreign Language compulsory too.
In addition, your school is likely to offer you other optional subjects including subjects like:
- Arts (including art and design, music, dance, drama and media arts)
- Design and technology
- Humanities (history and geography)
- Modern foreign languages
- Work related subjects like leisure and tourism.
Your school might also offer other courses such as a Diploma or the English Baccalaureate.
Qualifications
GCSEs or iGCSEs - a GCSE course usually involves studying the theory of a subject, combined with some investigative work; some subjects also involve practical work. GCSEs are usually studied full-time over Years 10 and 11. The final award can be
- GCSE - one full GCSE in a particular subject
- GCSE - short course, worth half of a GCSE
- GCSE - double award, equivalent to two GCSEs.
The Diploma - this offers a more practical, hands-on way of learning and getting skills. You would take a Diploma course instead of a full range of GCSEs. It might be possible to do a Diploma at your school at Foundation or Higher Level. Ask your school for more information. Your Connexions Personal Adviser, he or she is your careers expert and will be able to give you advice on what career choices are open to you if you take a diploma.
- A Foundation Diploma is a Level 1 qualification equivalent to GCSEs D-G
- A Higher Diploma is a level 2 qualification equivalent to GCSEs A* - C
Vocational Qualifications – some courses may lead to BTEC or City and Guilds or OCR National qualifications rather than GCSEs. These will be mainly at Entry level or level 1 or 2 – your school will be able to tell you more about these, and if they'd suit you.
Foundation Learning – is available if you need more time to build your confidence. Your school can talk to you about this and design a course to suit your needs. It will always include functional skills in English, mathematics and ICT.
How to choose:
Each school is different, so you need to check what courses your school can offer – make sure you get a copy of their Options booklet and look at the My Course My Future online prospectus.
Talk to your subject teachers and your school's Personal Adviser, he or she is your careers expert, so that you're clear what subjects are on offer and which ones might be the best for you.
You can use the library in your Connexions Centre too as it has information for you to read or take away. Visit Education weblinx for more useful websites.