FAQs for the 14-16 Options process
Q: What does level 1 and level 2 mean?
Level 1 is equivalent to any GCSE grades G, F, E and D.
Level 2 is equivalent to any GCSE grades C, B, A, A*
Q: What are the routes available to students in English?
It is important to note that English is part of the core offer. Though alternative routes exist, they do so at the discretion of the college staff. E.g. although all students take English Language, some may additionally take Literature and others may take English Studies. It may not be in all students’ best interests to take any additional qualification, but instead to concentrate their efforts on achieving English Language.
Q: Can students progress from ICT 1 GCSE to 2 GCSE equivalents once the course has started?
The new OCR National course has an excellent success profile, but the only way to change the number of awards would be to move groups within the enthusiast routes. The theme here is to improve quality, not quantity of achievement and accreditation.
Q: Can students choose childcare in A and D and Children’s care in B and C?
there are two reasons why this would not be appropriate: a) these two courses are for different levels of ability – A&D options are for level 2 and B&C Children’s care options are for level 1; b) we strongly encourage breadth of subject choice rather than a narrow choice such as this.
Q: Is History available in option A?
By popular demand, History is now available in option A.
Q: How do I choose between subjects that are on offer?
There are a number of things to ask yourself:
Do you need certain subjects to be able to go on to certain post-16 courses later on (e.g. A Level). For example: which science route should you take to prepare yourself for A levels, if you wnated to go on to Medicine or Vetinary Science? - The prospectus details the post-16 routes that are available for each course at the bottom of each course description.
How good are you at the subjects you are choosing? - The year 9 reports and Parents' evening should help here.
How much do you enjoy the subjects you are choosing? You will be studying the course for two years so you want to get the most out of it. Only you can know this!
Q: Is there any difference between the PE offer in option B from that which is offered in the Enthusiast Route?
A. Simple answer: No. Both BTEC and GCSE PE are offered in both PE Enthusiast and option B PE.
Clearly, if a student chooses PE in option B, then he/she will still have some core or JSL PE offer alongside a different Enthusiast route, but there is no difference whatsoever in the accreditation of GCSE or BTEC in either the option B or Enthusiast route.