Curriculum Choices (2024-26)
Overview
The aim of our curriculum is to help our pupils become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens. This will support the other activities, experience and opportunities, provided by you as parents and us as a school, that your child has to help them to develop to their full potential in all aspects of their life.
The key features of our curriculum is that is it broad and balanced. The choices that we have available cater for the needs and interests of the individuals. We want pupils to engage with their learning because they have an interest in the subjects, or want to develop a particular talent or skill. When picking curriculum choices, we want pupils to have plenty of choice, providing a breadth in the subject areas available, enabling us to prepare them for the world of employment, further/higher education and their futures.
An overview of the curriculum choices process, choices available and all other information can be found in the handbook below.
GCSEs and Vocational Qualifications
GCSEs are focussed on academic study followed by a final assessment. They are graded 9-1. These are traditional qualifications that help you to study a topic in depth.
Vocational Qualifications are usually skills based, with practical elements and are often industry related. These usually have a higher proportion of coursework rather than formal examinations. They are graded Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction *.
Additional Academic Qualifications are choices for pupils who really enjoy and excel at certain subjects and want to study them in more detail. These can often bridge the gap between GCSE and A-Level.
Core Curriculum
- English (Language and Literature)
- GCSE History or GCSE Geography
- Mathematics
- Personal Development Lessons
- Physical Education
- Religious Education
- Science (Two or Three)
GCSE Choices
- Art
- Business Studies
- Computer Science
- Dance
- French
- Food and Nutrition
- Geography
- History
- Product Design
- Spanish
- Photography
Additional Academic Qualifications
- Further Maths
- Further Science
Vocational Qualifications
- Child Development
- Creative i-Media
- Drama/Performing Arts
- Enterprise and Marketing
- Health and Social Care
- I.T.
- Music
- PE/Sport
- Level 1/2 Vocational Award in Engineering
How to choose
These PowerPoint Presentations in pdf format will assist you in your choice:
- Byrchall Options Presentation 2024 (for Pupils)
- Byrchall Options Presentation 2024 (for Parents and Carers)
- Choose subjects that you like and are good at.
- Choose because you have chosen it rather than your friend.
- Choose because you like the subject, not the teacher.
- Choose because you think you will enjoy it.
- Choose based on your intended pathway after school (if you know it)
- Choose based on your preferences. Coursework or exams? What are you comfortable with?
- It’s your choice!
You will pick 3 curriculum choices.
- Choice A will be a humanities subject – GCSE History or GCSE Geography.
- Choices B and C will be free choice from the remaining subjects.
- You will also have to pick a reserve choice.
Curriculum Structure
If viewing via a mobile device, scroll left and right on the table below to view all school years.
| YEAR 9 (2022/23) | YEAR 10 (2023/24) | YEAR 11 (2024/25) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expressive Arts & PE (Art, Drama, Music, PE) | 4 | Option A (Geography or History) | 3 | Option A (Geography or History) | 3 |
| Product Design | 2 | Option B | 3 | Option B | 3 |
| Computing | 1 | Option C | 3 | Option C | 3 |
| Science | 5 | Science | 5 | Science | 5 |
| Maths | 4 | Maths | 5 | Maths | 4 |
| English | 4 | English | 4 | English | 5 |
| MFL | 2 | PE | 1 | PE | 1 |
| Humanities (Geography, History, RE) | 3 | RE | 1 | RE | 1 |
Support & Key Dates
- Progress report – 16th February 2024
- Parents’ Consultation evening – 28th February 2024
- Interviews with staff for all students starting week commencing 4th March 2024. These will be available on-line if parents would like to attend the interview.
- Deadline for return of the options form 15th March 2024.
Help & Advice
If you need any more help:
- Read the Curriculum Choices Handbook (2024-2026)
- Speak to your subject teachers
Miss R Radcliffe
rradcliffe@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk
Careers Personal Adviser
Julie Tindall
jtindall@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk
Careers and Curriculum Support
Mr. A Rastrick
arastrick@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk
Mr. C Eccles
ceccles@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk
Deputy Headteacher-Curriculum
Mrs A Finch
afinch@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk