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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.

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

The GCSE specifications in design and technology should enable students to understand and apply design processes through which they explore, create and evaluate a range of outcomes. They should enable students to use creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes (together with evidence of modelling to develop and product concept and function) that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. GCSE specifications should also provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge from other disciplines, including mathematics, science, art and design, computing and the humanities.

Drama & Performing Arts

There are 2 different pathways students can choose to explore for this qualification:

– Acting

– Production/Design (Lighting, Costume, Set Design Make-up etc…)

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.

Enterprise and Marketing

This qualification is for learners who wish to develop applied knowledge and practical skills in enterprise and marketing.

It is designed with both practical and theoretical elements, which will prepare students for further study of qualifications
in enterprise, marketing or business. For example, learners may progress onto OCR’s Level 3 Certificate in Preparing for a Business Venture, OCR’s Level 3 Cambridge Technicals in Business, Introductory Certificates in Marketing  or A Levels in related subjects.

Food and Cookery

This qualification aims to:

• focus on the study of food and cookery

• offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge

• provide opportunities to acquire a range of practical and technical skills

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

This qualification is for learners who wish to develop applied knowledge and practical skills in enterprise and marketing.

It is designed with both practical and theoretical elements, which will prepare students for further study of qualifications
in enterprise, marketing or business. For example, learners may progress onto OCR’s Level 3 Certificate in Preparing for a Business Venture, OCR’s Level 3 Cambridge Technicals in Business, Introductory Certificates in Marketing  or A Levels in related subjects.

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

Health and Social Care is for pupils who want to acquire sector-specific applied knowledge through vocational contexts by studying human lifespan development, health and social care services and values, and health and wellbeing.

History

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

Physical Education

The GCSE covers a broad range of practical activities and theory topics relating to the world of sport and health performance.
It equips students not only with sports skills and knowledge but the skills to evaluate the importance and relevance of a healthy,
active lifestyle.

Practical activities studied come from sports such as football, table tennis, trampolining, handball and off-site sports such as climbing.
The assessment includes two written examinations (Fitness and Body Systems and Health and Performance) worth 60% of the overall grade.
The non-examined assessment has a 30% practical element and a 10% coursework element.

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

GCSE Spanish is new to the option choices this year. It will broaden their 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. It is particularly suitable for students who wish to study at a higher level.

Sports Studies

You may be interested in this if you want an engaging qualification where you will use your learning in practical, real-life situations, such as:

– Understanding contemporary issues in sport and how they impact on different sporting activities
– Applying your skills as both a performer in two different sporting activities and as a leader in one sporting activity
– Understanding the relationship between sport and the media and applying this to real life examples
– How to evaluate and interpret the different ways in which sport is represented by the media
– Applying your skills to participate in an outdoor and adventurous activity in a natural setting and environment.

Travel & Tourism

This qualification aims to:
• Provide an engaging and stimulating introduction to the world of travel and tourism giving you the opportunity to develop knowledge and technical skills in a practical learning environment. You will explore some of the key areas within the sector, including accommodation, tourism development and promotion, transport and visitor attractions. You will investigate the importance of the travel and tourism sector to the UK, and investigate different types of customer and UK destinations. You will also have the opportunity to study international travel and tourism. You will develop key skills, such as research, report drafting and writing skills and project management. You will study the following three mandatory units, covering the underpinning knowledge and practical skills required:
• UK travel and tourism sector
• UK travel and tourism destinations
• The travel and tourism customer experience
You will choose one further unit from two optional units, covering more specific aspects of the global travel and tourism sector.
These are:
• International travel and tourism destinations
• Factors affecting worldwide travel and tourism