Key stage 4 options
| Course information | What is Ebacc? | KS4 Option Choice Booklet  |
The Henry Cort Community College aims to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which engages and challenges our students so that they achieve the best possible range of qualifications to enable their future aspirations to be fulfilled. The curriculum is designed to offer students a diverse and coherent choice of courses and learning experiences that develops skills and knowledge which will remain with students long after examinations. We equip students to leave school as confident and independent life-long learners, equipped with the transferable skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
At the beginning of Year 10, students will start to undertake GCSE studies. The ‘Option Choice Booklet’ is designed to assist students with the process of choosing their courses. By Easter, students will have made their decisions that cannot be changed once they have started Year 10.
As students move from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4, students will be taking more responsibility for their learning and their future. The options process allows students to pick over a third of their timetable but will continue to take compulsory subjects at GCSE level. Students will need to choose 4 subjects from a wide range of options. Most of the subjects will be familiar and some will be new.
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Course information
CORE CURRICULUM – COMPULSORY
All students will follow a core curriculum to the end of Year 11 and will sit final GCSEs within each of the subjects. Detailed information about the core course is given in Section 2 of of the option choice booklet. All students will study the Combined Science syllabus which will lead to two GCSEs in Science. Many students that are successful in Combined Science follow one of these subjects into A-Level qualifications. A select group of students will be considered for Triple Science. However, students will need to be very able in both Maths and Science to be considered for this and may be moved back to combined if they are unable to maintain the level of progression required.
PE core lessons and religious education will continue to be provided as part of our statutory responsibility.
|
SUBJECT |
Year 10 (lessons per fortnight) |
Year 11 (lessons per fortnight) |
NUMBER OF QUALIFICATIONS |
|
English |
9 |
9 |
2 GCSEs – English language and literature |
|
Maths |
7 |
8 |
1 GCSE |
|
Science |
9 |
9 |
2 GCSEs (minimum) |
OPTIONAL COURSES
Students will make 4 choices; a choice within an 'Option Block' should then be backed up with 2 reserve choices. Therefore, 6 choices will be made in total; 4 primary and 2 secondary choices. Students are strongly encouraged to continue a language and either geography or history.
|
Option Block 1 |
Option Block 2 |
Option Block 3 |
Option Block 4 |
|
3D Art |
Citizenship |
Dance |
Art |
The choices have to be right for you, so think about the subjects you enjoy or interests you may need for future study.
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The EBacc is a key performance indicator which recognises students’ achievements in five academic subjects:
- English Language and/or Literature
- Mathematics
- Science (including Computer Science)
- French, German or Spanish (or another language)
- History or Geography
These are subjects most likely to be required or preferred for entry to degree courses and ones that will keep the most doors open. When considering what choices to make in the optional part of the curriculum, students should think about the following questions:
- What am I good at?
- What do I enjoy?
- What are my aspirations and expectations?
- Am I making choices for the right reasons?
- Have I gathered all the advice and guidance before making decisions?
Choosing the right and most appropriate subjects is essential if students are to achieve their full potential however choices made at this point will not define a student’s future career path.
You deserve to be successful. Aim high, choose wisely and work hard!