It's a very important week for our Year 9 pupils as they make their final choices for their GCSE options for Year 10 and 11.
This year, we have had to do things slightly differently so the Options Guide has been sent out to pupils and parents with a series of subject videos embedded into it.
Pupils and parents would normally have the opportunity to come into school for an evening to talk to teachers about the different subjects on offer and ask questions.
Instead, each Head of Department has created their own video to address some of your frequently asked questions about their subjects.
Mr Sam Shaw, Assistant Head (Learning and Enrichment), said: "For GCSE study, pupils must select four subjects above the core subjects of English, Maths and Science.
"At GCSE we feel that pupils should continue to study a broad and balanced curriculum and should try to choose a humanities subject (Geography, History or Religious Studies) plus a practical or creative subject (such as Art, Design and Technology, Music, Physical Education or Drama). Additionally, boys should seriously consider studying a language as many top universities value the study of languages, even at GCSE. Those pupils currently in the Core Learning Development group will continue to receive this support, which must be one of their subject choices.
"Above all, it is important for pupils to be guided by the subjects they find most interesting and those subjects which present the greatest chance of success at the end of Year 11. Some pupils may know which subjects are most useful to their future aspirations but, for the majority of pupils a good set of GCSE grades is essential in order to make a successful transition into the Sixth Form."
This year, Shiplake College is delighted to introduce three new GCSE level subjects in Business, Psychology and Enterprise and Marketing Level 1&2, following the success and popularity of these subjects in the Sixth Form.
