Please note key dates:
Wednesday 31st March – Options Preferences deadline for submission
Friday 1st October – Final deadline for application to change course
Q. How do I make my selection?
A. Our options selection process is online. We have produced a guide on how to do this under the ‘Options On-line’ link at the bottom of pages.
Q. How many subjects do I choose?
A. All students will choose three option choices and two reserve choices. You will be asked to show these in order of preference. While every endeavour will be made to meet students subject preferences, this may not always be possible. For that reason we will also ask you to indicate two reserve choices, should your original preference be unavailable.
Q. Will I get all of my first options?
A. Most students are able to study most of their chosen subjects. If this is not possible, it may be because the group is too large to include everyone or the option group is too small and has to be withdrawn. In this event, you would then be helped to choose an alternative subject (often the reserve preference).
Q. Some subjects are new. How do I know whether to choose them?
A. As well as information available on the website, there will be opportunities provided where you can discuss the course with a teacher.
Q. Can I change later?
A. You should not need to change if you choose carefully in the first place. If after trying your best and consulting with your subject teacher, you find that you are struggling with one of your options, you may apply to make a change of course. If you change courses, you must be aware that you will have missed out on a significant amount of work and it is your responsibility to catch up in your own time. In any event, the ultimate decision rests with the school and applications to change courses will not be considered if they arrive after the 1st October deadline.
Q. Which examination will I take?
A. In the majority of cases, pupils will be entered for the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) or BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) qualifications which are equivalent to a full GCSE. In some subjects, entry may be possible at different levels. The level at which you are entered will depend on what you have already achieved in that subject and what your teacher feels you are likely to achieve by the end of year 11.
Q. What happens when I have selected my Key Stage 4 Options?
A. All online Options choices must be completed by no later than Wednesday 31st March. After this date, it will be checked to make sure that your preferences match your abilities and interests and fulfil the requirements of a broad and balanced curriculum. Some subjects will require approval from the subject teacher. You will receive notification of which options you will be studying in the summer term.
Q. What is the English Baccalaureate?
A. The English Baccalaureate, or EBacc as it is commonly known, is a suite of subjects that the government are keen for young people to study as it can open doors to further study options and is highly regarded by universities. All students will study English Language and English Literature, Maths, and Science (either Double or Triple Award). In addition to these subjects, and in order to achieve the EBacc qualification, students must also study a language (at St Benedict’s we offer Spanish) and a humanities subject either History or Geography. If you wish to achieve the EBacc you must opt for these subjects.