Steps towards your GCSE choices

Making choices and decisions is as exciting as it is important, but can sometimes feel difficult and a little stressful. There are many people in school who can help and advise you, and dedicated sessions will be run to support you throughout the process. The world you will face when you leave school is changing rapidly, so although you may have some idea of the general direction in which you may wish to go, do try to keep your options open and aim for a broad and balanced education for the next two years. We have set out a timeline for making these choices which ensures that you can seek and take advice and reach decisions in a calm and unhurried way.

The schedule for choosing your GCSE options at Headington Rye Oxford is:

Friday 19th January 2024	In the first of your Next Steps PSHE series, you will hear from the Academic Director of Sixth Form, Mrs Alice Barrett, who will provide valuable insight into the links between GCSE and A Level studies, including some really helpful information on facilitating subjects and educational pathways beyond school. You will also be introduced to the National Careers Service and Headington's online research platforms and Career Profiling system, which will help you to investigate your future career interests and provide initial insights into professions and industries which might suit you.
Friday 26th January 2024	In the second PSHE session in the Next Steps series, you will hear about the range of alternative qualification options that are available for you to take alongside your GCSE subjects. Short course leaders from our already well-established 'plus one' programme will brief you on their course's content and methods of assessment, as well as providing you with some examples of the knowledge and skills that you will gain if you choose one of these year-long courses to supplement your GCSE studies. You will also hear from our GCSE Options Ambassadors; these L5 pupils will talk about their own experiences of choosing courses and their transition into Fifth Form.
Friday 2nd February 2024	In the final session in this half term's Next Steps PSHE series, you will have the chance to research your areas of interest using the information and platforms with which you have been provided. You will also be offered a 1:1 GCSE Options consultation with your form tutor to discuss your initial thoughts on GCSE subject choices.
Wednesday 21st February 2024	At GCSE Options Evening, you and your parents will have the chance to hear a presentation from Dr Anne-Marie Stanton-Ife, Deputy Head Academic, and Mrs Becky Hawkes, Academic Director of Middle School, before touring the School's academic departments to hear more details about the specific courses and ask any questions you might have
Friday 1st March 2024	Online Parents’ Evening (U4 pupils may also attend), at which the staff will be able to discuss your chosen subjects and progress with you and your parents.
Friday 10th March 2023	We will ask you for your option choices for GCSE by this deadline. On the basis of these choices, the option blocks will be set up. If you change your mind at a later date, you will only be able to select subjects from these option blocks and space may sometimes be limited.

The School will make every effort to accommodate all of your subject choice combinations but does reserve the right not to offer courses, should demand prove insufficient.