Options
During Key Stage 3 at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School, students study a broad and balanced curriculum. At Key Stage 4, to allow more time for subjects to be studied in depth, an element of choice is introduced.
All option choices will be reviewed. Students will be interviewed regarding their choices and their progress data will be taken into account so that they can be sure that they are making the right choice for them.
All Students on Key Stage 4 will study the core subjects of English Language and English Literature, Maths, Combined Science, RE, plus non-examined subjects of Core Physical Education and PHSE.
Please know that we will do all we can at school to support you and your child through this exciting time and if you have any questions you only have to ask. Working together, we will ensure that your child realises their full potential and can go on to achieve great things in their further education and beyond.
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Explore your Options subjects
Click the subject for a full course outline
Art & Design
GCSE Art & Design (Unendorsed)
Unendorsed means a general art course covering a variety of different art experiences. Students must produce course work in at least 2 –3 different areas of art. Usually these are Drawing,
Painting and other 2D work, Graphic Design, and Sculpture/ 3D work. This non-specialised course will suit students of all abilities.
Child Development
R057 – Health and well-being for child development
R058 – Create a safe environment and understand the nutritional needs of children from birth to five years
R059 – Understand the development of a child from one to five years
Computer Science
Thinking of a career as a game’s developer? Or maybe somebody who designs websites? Or apps? Then Computer Science is the course for you.
The qualification will build on the knowledge, understanding and skills established through the Computer Science elements of the Key Stage 3 programme of study.
It will allow you to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science
Creative iMedia
Cambridge Nationals in Creative iMedia are media sector-focused, including film, television, web development, gaming and animation, and have IT at their heart.
It provides knowledge in a number of key areas in this field from pre-production skills to digital animation and have a motivating, hands-on approach to both teaching and learning.
Design Technology
3D Design is the design, prototyping and modelling or making of primarily functional and aesthetic consumer products, objects
and environments. As part of this course we look at architecture of the local area and create a woodworking outcome which is
inspired by the architecture.
Drama & Performing Arts
For this course you will explore the different production design elements, which include: – costume – make-up – masks – hair – set/props – lighting – sound. This course is divided into three units that students will be study across the 2 years. Students will take part in a series of practical workshops in their lessons that will guide them to be able to complete the 3 assessment units.
Unit 1 Exploring the Performing Arts
Unit 2 Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts
Unit 3 Responding to a Brief
Business Studies
This qualification equips learners with the skills and confidence to explore how different business situations affect business decisions. It is a well-rounded introduction to the subject. The qualification will encourage learners to make informed choices about a wide range of further learning opportunities and career pathways as well as develop life skills that enable them to become financially and commercially aware.
Food and Nutrition
The WJEC Eduqas GCSE in Food Preparation and Nutrition will equip learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating. Following this qualification will encourage learners to cook and enable them to make informed decisions about food and nutrition. This will enable them to be able to feed themselves and others affordably and nutritiously, now and in later life.
French
GCSE French helps students develop their language skills in a variety of contexts and a broad understanding of the culture of
countries and communities where French is spoken. It encourages enjoyment of language learning and the recognition that language skills enable students to take their place in a multi-lingual global society.
This four-unit specification requires students to develop their ability to write and speak in French and to understand French when it is written down or spoken. This course is assessed via four equally weighted exams at the end of Year 11. It is particularly suitable for students who wish to study at a higher level.
Geography
GCSE Geography is an exciting subject which looks at a wide range of contemporary global issues.
The course is split into three components.
Paper 1 – The Physical Environment. This includes topics such as rivers, coasts, climate change, weather hazards and ecosystems.
Paper 2 – The Human Environment. This includes topics such as cities and urban development, global development issues including poverty resolution and resource management, including water and energy supplies.
Paper 3 – Geographical skills. This paper includes work on fieldtrips and geographical skills.
Fieldwork is a compulsory part of GCSE Geography and all pupils choosing to study this course must be willing to attend and
participate in fieldwork.
Health and Fitness
This qualification aims to:
• focus on the study of the health and fitness sector
• offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge
• provide opportunities to acquire a number of practical and technical skills
Health and Social Care
This qualification aims to:
• focus on the study of health and social care
• offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge
• provide opportunities to acquire a number of practical and technical skills
History
Students will study the development of Germany during a turbulent half century of change. It was a period of democracy and dictatorship – the development and collapse of democracy and the rise and fall of Nazism. Students will also study a wider world depth study which focuses on the causes of the Second World War and seeks to show how and why conflict occurred and why it proved difficult to resolve the issues which caused it. Students who choose to study history now have an opportunity to learn about a contrasting period in time in “Shaping the Nation”, this helps students to gain an understanding of the development of the relationship between the citizen and the state in Britain. It considers the causes and consequences of protest. Finally the students will focus on major events during the last 35 years of Elizabeth I reign, including economic, religious, political, social and cultural opinions, and historical controversies.
Italian
GCSE Italian helps students develop their language skills in a variety of contexts and a broad understanding of the culture of countries and communities where Italian is spoken. It encourages enjoyment of language learning and the recognition that language skills enable students to take their place in a multi-lingual global society.
Music and Performing Arts
This course is divided into three units that students will be study across the 2 years.
Students will take part in a series of practical workshops in their lessons that will guide them to be able to complete the 3 assessment units.
COMP 1 – Exploring Music Products and Style
COMP 2 – Music Skills Development
COMP 3 – Responding to a Music Brief
Dance and Performing Arts
This course is divided into three units that students will be study across the 2 years.
Students will take part in a series of practical workshops in their lessons that will guide them to be able to complete the 3
assessment units.
Unit 1: Exploring the Performing Arts
Unit 2: Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts
Unit 3: Responding to a Brief
Separate Sciences, Biology - Chemistry - Physics
The 3 GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics emphasise scientific literacy – the knowledge and understanding of Science which candidates need to engage, as informed citizens, with science based issues. This course uses contemporary, relevant contexts of interest to candidates, which can be approached through a range of teaching and learning activities.
Spanish
It will broaden the understanding of the culture of communities and countries where Spanish is spoken. It encourages enjoyment of language learning and the recognition that language skills enable students to take their place in a multi-lingual global society. This four-unit specification requires students to develop their ability to write and speak in Spanish and to understand Spanish when it is written down or spoken. This course is assessed via four equally weighted exams at the end of Year 11.
Photography
GCSE Photography (AQA) is a creative and practical course that focuses on developing skills in lens-based and light-based media, including camera work, composition, lighting, and digital image editing. Students explore both traditional and digital techniques to produce visually engaging outcomes while expressing ideas and concepts through photography. The course is suitable for students of all abilities and encourages experimentation and personal creativity. Throughout Years 10 & 11, students complete a portfolio of 2–4 projects, each involving preparatory work such as research, planning, and experimentation, as well as final photographic outcomes. A key element of the course is studying photographers and artists from different times, places, and cultures to inform and inspire practical work.
Statistics
GCSE statistics will involve studying probabilities, manipulating datasets, exploring sampling methods and
forming scientific hypotheses. There are three primary areas of study in GCSE Statistics which are assessed in both written exams:
1. The collection of data.
2. Processing, representing and analysing data.
3. Probability.
