What to Expect

Starting your GCSEs can be an exciting but also concerning time. The level of responsibility increases and this becomes an important two years to show off all that you are capable of. To ensure you make the best progress in your GCSEs the school will support your transition process from KS3 to KS4 carefully.

Before starting your GCSEs you will receive:

• Guided Choices assemblies to inform you of the GCSE options you can take and which combinations could suit you.
• You will receive a Guided Choices booklet outlining the different subjects and details about the courses.
• You will have a small group or individual meeting with your HoL or a member of SLT to discuss which subjects you are thinking about taking.

How Parents/Carers can help

Making GCSE subject decisions comes with a range of emotions for students and parents/carers alike. They will be excited to start their new journey but possibly apprehensive about the increased academic responsibility. Sometimes students and their families disagree about which are the most suitable subjects for them to study. If this is the case please contact the school and we will be more than happy to discuss the options with you.

Making a quiet space without distractions in the home for your child to study will also support them in their future studies and creating a good study habit early in their GCSE journey will be vital for success.

What the school will do

• Provide students and families with a GCSE Guided Options course guide
• Meet with each child to discuss their GCSE options
• Send the Parent/Carer pack home for final options choices
• Notify Parents/Carers of summer preparation work.

SEND Support

GCSE options are an important process in any child’s education and an important milestone to reach. For children with a SEND need, the SEND team will work closely with the child and family to ensure the most suitable combination of subjects are chosen.

For some, GCSE Support is an option. This gives students the opportunity to study their core subjects for additional lessons to replace a GCSE subject. This small group tuition gives students a confidence boost and help with pre-teaching some core subject content.