Curriculum Choices 2024
On this page you will find information about the different pathways students have been put on, videos about the option subjects and FAQ’s around the curriculum choices process.
All students will continue to study for 3 mandatory examined subjects: GCSE English, Maths and Science and 2 mandatory unexamined subjects: PSHE and Core PE.
It is vitally important that the choices made at Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) are the correct ones, because all students must do one of the following until they are 18:
- stay in full-time education, for example at a college
- start an apprenticeship or traineeship
- spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training
With this in mind, we offer a broad and balanced Key Stage 4 Curriculum, which has been designed with the following aims in mind.
Breadth of Knowledge–to acquire a range of knowledge and skills relevant to a variety of career choices. To develop knowledge and skills, including: literacy, numeracy, creativity, health and wellbeing.
Academic Challenge – to help every student reach their potential and ready for their next phase of life.
Empowering – providing subject choices that will help support enterprise and employability, making WHS students stand out in a competitive and changing world.
Pathways are sent to parents before the 11th January 2024. We will look forward to welcoming year 9 parents/carers and students to our curriculum choices evening on the 11th January 2024. Information about this event will be sent in the first week of spring term.
PATHWAYS
At Worthing High School we are committed to a broad, balanced and challenging curriculum. We want to ensure students pick a range of subjects to help them build a variety of knowledge and skills to help them succeed beyond school and into future employment. The pathways are assigned based on academic profiles and help make sure a range of challenging subjects are chosen as appropriate.
GREEN PATHWAY
This pathway is for students who we have identified as those who may benefit from additional support. All parents and carers of students placed on the green pathway are invited to an information evening (date to be confirmed).
ENGLISH BACCALAUREATE
The EBacc is made up of the subjects which are considered essential to many degrees and open up lots of doors.
A study by the UCL Institute of Education shows that studying subjects included in the EBacc provides students with greater opportunities in further education and increases the likelihood that a pupil will stay on in full-time education. Sutton Trust research reveals that studying the EBacc can help improve a young person’s performance in English and maths.
The government’s ambition is to see 75% of pupils studying the EBacc subject combination at GCSE by 2022, and 90% by 2025.
We have identified Blue pathway students as those who have the academic profile to complete the EBacc. However, the EBacc is open to all students.
TRIPLE SCIENCE
Triple Science is no longer an option when picking GCSEs but instead is available to all students to apply for as an additional subject. This way allowing all students the possibility to study a wider breadth of curriculum and if able attain three GCSEs for Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Please be aware triple Science will not affect the number of other subjects a student can take.
As you already know the curriculum for GCSE Science has changed in 2016 and as such we have moved to a three-year Science GCSE starting in year 9. This is to allow us to complete and review all the relevant content for the course and ensure all students are properly prepared for the exams at the end of year 11.
Application for Triple Science
To attain a place on the Triple Science course, at Worthing High School, students are now expected to write an email of application. This does not have to be long but should include their name, Science class and an indication that they wish to study Triple Science. It should be addressed to Mr Kent, akent@worthinghigh.net
All applications should be completed and received by me no later than Friday 10th May 2024. If a student hands an application in after this time they will not be considered for Triple Science as a key prerequisite for the course is to have good organisational skills.
Following the deadline, we will select two classes of students to study Triple Science based on who we believe to be most suited to the course, these students will carry on studying the curriculum for the remainder of their time at Worthing High School. Students unsuccessful in their application will study the Combined Science GCSE having completed a transition course into GCSE. Students will be informed about the course that they will follow in the latter part of the Summer term.
Once on the Triple Science course all students must complete their work to the best of their ability or they run the risk of being moved to the Combined Science course. Should the situation present itself you will be contacted and we will put in place a support programme to ensure that your child has the best opportunity to continue to study Triple Science.
Over the course of year 10 we will review the Triple Science classes, this gives students on the combined course an opportunity to demonstrate they have the potential to complete Triple Science and be moved into an appropriate Triple class.
If you have any questions relating to the new Science GCSE or course structure please email akent@worthinghigh.net
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An updated Curriculum Choices booklet will be uploaded at the start of Spring Term.