GCSE Options

HAGR Options Portal

The Year 9 Options Process

Your next step at HAGR is an important one in your life. You will create your own Personalised Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) Programme of Study.

To ensure that you make the decisions that are most suitable for you, it is important that you understand what will happen this term, what lies ahead and what you need to consider when thinking about your future studies.

In Key Stage 4, you may be introduced to new subjects, as well as building on your knowledge and experience of many of the subjects that you are studying already. You will be asked to work in different ways and be given more responsibility for your learning. You will develop skills to manage your workload, meet deadlines, and work more independently. You will also need to get to grips with coursework and learn how to prepare for external examinations effectively.

This portal has been put together to offer you substantial information around the subjects and process with the aim being to answer many of the more common questions.

You will also be able to view the subject videos, key dates and where to access support and guidance should you need.

Your teachers, pastoral manager Mrs Bailey, your SLT links Mr Sofianos and Mr Ali, the careers coordinator Mrs Massey and our independent careers adviser Ms Smith are all able to support and answer questions.

Virtual Options Evening- 5pm-6pm 23^rd February

During this live event, senior leaders in the school will give parents key information about our GCSE options process. There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions during a live Q&A. A link to this live MS Teams event will be sent out on the day.

Virtual Parents Evening- 4pm-6.30pm 2^nd March

Parents will have an opportunity to discuss options choices with subject teachers during our parents evening 4pm-6.30pm 2^nd March . This event will again be held via our parents evening portal, SchoolCloud, and a link for bookings will open on 23^rd February. Slots are available on a first come first served basis and open until 4pm 1^st March.

Taster Sessions- 7^th, 9^th and 10^th February 3.35pm- 4.40pm

Students are invited to sign up to taster sessions which will give you a flavour of what to expect in GCSE subject areas. It’s on a first come first served basis, and a link will be sent out to sign up to the slots. The closing date for signing up to tasters is Friday 4^th February.

What is a broad and balanced curriculum?

A broad and balanced curriculum provides a wide range of opportunities for students to learn across a range of different subjects. We believe that a range of subjects and courses helps students acquire knowledge, understanding and skills in all aspects of their education, including the humanities and linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technical, social, physical and artistic learning.

What core subjects will I study?

All students will study English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Double Award Science (or Triple/Separate). Additional non-examined subject time is given to PE, Philosophy, Religion and Government, and Personal Development.

The majority of students will also study a MFL (French/Spanish) and History and/or Geography. This means most students will receive 2 choices for their other subjects.

What is the English Baccalaureate?

The current English Baccalaureate (EBACC) is not a qualification itself, but a particular group of GCSE subjects that are usually looked on favourably by Post-16 providers and universities. You don’t need to have studied the EBACC to go to university, however, having your GCSE ‘mix’ steered towards the EBACC will help keep your options open. To achieve the EBACC you will need to achieve a minimum of a grade 4 in all of the above qualifications:

English (either or both English Language/Literature)
Maths
Science
History or Geography
French or Spanish

How do I make my choices?

You can get detailed information about the choices on offer by reading the Options Booklet which can be found by https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_greenwich/uploads/document/Year-9-Options-Booklet-2022.pdf. You will also get to hear from subject leads in assembly, be able to sign up for taster sessions and watch online videos (in the menu below) to help you make your decisions. Parents will be sent a link after the Parents’ Evening that will take you to an electronic Options Form which will need to be filled out by the deadline for submission which is Friday 4^th February.

Below is a programme of events, meetings and deadlines which supports the GCSE options process. Please add to your diary!

31^st January

Options assembly 1 P1

Taster sign-up forms sent home

1^st February

Options assembly 2 P1

2^nd February

Careers assembly P2

4^th February

Taster sign-up submission closes 5pm

4^th February

Options booklet and Options video links sent home. Options process shared in letter to parents with key dates.