Evolving Qualifications: Equipping Students for the Future:

The educational landscape has shifted, with GCSEs and Level 2 qualifications becoming more rigorous in content. Designed to prepare students for higher education, vocational training, or employment, these qualifications now emphasise terminal assessments (typically at the end of Year 11) with reduced non-exam coursework (except for practical subjects).

Supporting Student Choice:

At The Cottesloe School, we recognise that students learn at different paces and have diverse aspirations. To guide them through the options process, we offer three pathways, each with slight variations in the number and type of qualifications attained. Our experience shows that while some students thrive in a more demanding curriculum with up to 10 GCSEs, others excel with a focused selection, allowing them to achieve greater success. Our goal is to ensure each student reaches their full potential within their chosen path.

The three pathways are Blue, Purple and Green:

Where the pathways do not suit a student’s learning needs, it may be possible to adapt parts of the curriculum; we know that much of a student’s success comes from getting them on the right course.

Where our pathway system does not suit a student’s learning needs, the curriculum may be adapted to suit. We know that a student's success comes from getting ‘the right student on the right course’.  Please discuss your child’s individual needs with Mrs Baldwin (Head of School) or Ms Hibbert (SENDCO).

Tuesday 21 January 2025 | Face to Face Options Evening 6:30pm to 8pm

Tuesday 21 January 2025 |PSHCE Options Conference for Year 9 students. Focus on making the right choices and learning more about specific subjects.

Wednesday 22 January 2025 PM | Electronic booklet, colour pathway and form issued to families

Thursday 6th February 2025 PM | Year 9 Parents’ Evening. This is an online virtual Parents’ Evening with a chance to speak to current subject teachers to aid the decision-making process.

Wednesday 12 February 2025 | Deadline for online options forms to be submitted. Subjects are not allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so there is no need to rush a decision. We would rather that students take their time and make the right decision for them than rush.

Art

Business Studies

Cambridge National Certificate in Sport Studies

Computer Science

Creative iMedia

Design and Technology

Drama

English

French

Geography

German

Health and Social Care

History

Hospitality and Catering

Maths

Music

P.E.

Philosophy and Applied Ethics (RE)

Prepare, Aspire, Succeed Leadership

Separate Science

What is EBacc, and why should my child take EBacc subjects?

The EBacc or English Baccalaureate is a set of subjects at GCSE that keeps young people’s options open for further study and future careers. The EBacc is made up of subjects which are considered essential to many degrees and open up lots of doors.

The EBacc is:

• English Language and Literature
• Maths
• Sciences
• Geography or History
• A language 

Research shows that a pupil’s socio-economic background impacts the subjects they choose at GCSE and that this determines their opportunities beyond school. A study by the UCL Institute of Education shows that studying subjects included in the EBacc provides students with greater opportunities for 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.

Can my child switch colour routes?

We are open to discussion about changing routes if appropriate for individual children because of specific reasons why their current route will not meet their needs or future career aspirations. The key difference between the colour routes is the opportunity to take some subjects and not others. For example, we ask students on Blue to select a humanities subject and a language and students on the Green Route study Prepare Aspire Succeed Leadership in Block B. Regardless of the colour route, students will be taught in the same mixed ability classes for their option block subjects, so an Art group in block C will have students from all three routes in.  

Option blocks are taught in mixed ability groups. Will my child’s colour route affect their core sets?

Maths, English and Science are set according to ability and are timetabled differently to the option blocks. This means that your child’s set for any of the core subjects is not affected by their colour route. 

Why are Separate Sciences and Computer Science only on the Blue route?

Separate Sciences and Computer Science are only offered in Blue as they are challenging subjects in terms of both knowledge and skills. Computer Science is very technical and involves writing and understanding computer code. Separate Sciences are challenging due to the amount of Science covered, with 13 hours of study across the fortnight's timetable. In order to take either subject, students should show an aptitude and enthusiasm for the subject and be working at a 3+. 

Can my child take History and Geography?

Yes, this is possible on all colour routes. It could impact other choices and whether they can fit with both subjects, but students can take both if they would like to. 

My child has been studying both French and German in Year 9. Could they take both languages at GCSE? 

Yes, this is possible. It could impact other choices and whether they can fit with both subjects, but students can take both if they would like to.  The only restriction is that a student could not study French, German, Geography and History because the option blocks don’t permit this combination and we feel that this combination of subjects narrows a student’s curriculum too much.

My child has specific SEND, and I am not sure about what subjects they should choose. What should I do?

Please contact Ms Hibbert, SENDCO with specific SEN queries, she will be happy to advise and consider with you the best route or combination of subjects for your child. 

We have looked through the booklet, talked about it at home, and spoken to teachers, and we are stuck on the final choice. What can we do?

Email options@cottesloe.sch.bucks.uk with the options and blocks that your son or daughter would like to choose and the possible subjects for the final block. We will be happy to look at possibilities and work with you and your child to reach a decision. 

My child is on Blue Route, do they have to take a language?

Ideally, we want as many of our students as possible to choose a language, whichever colour route they are on. Choosing a language as part of a student's KS4 options will also add depth and support The Cottesloe School’s expectations that students follow a broad and balanced curriculum beyond KS3 when the number of subjects naturally narrows. 

Continuing to study the language they are taking in Year 9 is open to all TCS students; we don’t limit opportunities for any student. For some students, this expectation is no problem; they want to continue learning French or German at KS4. We also know that some students would rather not do this and there is some flexibility in this decision, but we suggest that those on Blue route should choose one as part of their option choices. We ask that students really consider everything surrounding this decision by watching the video clips by Miss Goddard, Head of MFL, about why choosing a language is a good thing.

When will my child find out about their options?

We inform students of their confirmed choices in June of Year 9. This seems like a long time from when they submit their form. However, it takes time to coordinate the option block groups to fit into the whole school timetable for the following academic year, making sure specialist teachers can be timetabled to teach the groups. There are lots going on behind the scenes before we are able to confirm options.