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 also have to do courses in:
- Careers education, citizenship, information and communication technology (ICT), physical education (PE), religious studies, sex and relationships education and work related learning. You may be able to take exams in some of these too.
In addition, your school must offer you other optional subjects including at least one subject from each of four 'entitlement' areas:
- Arts (including art and design, music, dance, drama and media arts)
- Design and technology
- Humanities (history and geography)
- Modern foreign languages
Your school might also offer other courses such as a Diploma, Young Apprenticeship or Foundation Learning.
Qualifications
GCSEs - 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.
14 – 19 Diplomas - these offer 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. Ask your school for more information. Your Connexions Personal Adviser will be able to give you advice on what career choices are open to you if you take a diploma.
Vocationally Recognised Qualifications and NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) – some courses may lead to these qualifications rather than GCSEs.
Entry level courses – which you could take before GCSEs, or in addition to GCSEs – your school will be able to tell you more about these, and if they'd suit you.
Young Apprenticeships – you might be able to do a Young Apprenticeship course instead of a GCSE. A Young Apprenticeship gives you time with an employer, training provider or colleges, and leads to an NVQ.
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 Rochdale Borough Prospectus online prospectus.
Talk to your subject teachers and your school's Personal Adviser, so that you're clear what subjects are on offer and which ones might be the best for you.
Ask your careers teacher for a copy of 'Which Way Now'. It's a magazine that looks at how to choose your options in Year 9. Or download a copy from Connexions Direct.
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.