Student Checklist
Once you begin courses in KS4 you will need to work hard, attend regularly and make sure that you keep up with all your homework assignments. All of the courses of study will prepare you for taking qualifications by the end of Year 11, usually at GCSE level, and these will be important next steps in your progress to your chosen career.
Most of the courses will require you to take written examinations (all courses will involve external assessment of some kind) and you will be given advice and help in order to prepare for these. Many of the examinations include a coursework element. Coursework is work done in class or as homework and the mark that you gain for it contributes to your final examination grade. Coursework is also done under controlled conditions in the classroom - this is called Controlled Assessment. You will be shown how to plan your time so that you can keep up with all the coursework requirements for each subject.
You may be thinking:
What subjects do I choose? How do I choose? Who helps me to choose?
- The information on the VLE explains what you need to do, what choices you have and how you choose. Each page of the Course details section tells you about the different courses that may be available next year.
- Make sure that you read ALL the Options information on the VLE so that you fully understand all the options on offer to you.
- Make sure that you listen carefully on Options day in College.
- Encourage your parents to attend Options Evening.
- Your subject teachers can advise you about whether you are capable of doing well on the courses on offer.
- Your iD teacher, PD Tutor and House Leader know you very well. Ask them for advice about the courses on offer and how to put together a balanced programme of study at Key Stage 4.
- Don’t forget to ask your parents or someone close to you about your future. Talk over your ideas with them at home before you make your final choice.
Use the following guide when making your final preferences:
- What subjects do I like?
- What subjects do I think I would like?
- What subjects am I best at?
- What subjects do my teachers recommend I take?
- Which subjects will be especially important for Higher Education, Further Education or career paths? – If you are not sure talk to your PD Tutor, iD teacher or Connexions adviser.
- Have I picked seven preferences in order – I know that I will not be studying all seven and will only study a maximum of five (or 5 if y8 GCSE PE) of the seven subjects. The submission form needs to be completed by 27th February 2013.