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Curriculum Choices (2024 - 2026)

2023_05_25_Byrchall-High-School-279-CDT_
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.
 
Byrchall High School pupil and teacher in a French lesson

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

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GCSE Choices

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Additional Academic Qualifications

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Vocational Qualifications

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How to Choose

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These PowerPoint Presentations in pdf format will assist you in your choice:

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  • 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

Support and 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 and Advice

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If you need any more help:

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Head of Year:

Miss R Radcliffe

rradcliffe@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk

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Careers Personal Adviser

Julie Tindall

jtindall@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk

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Careers and Curriculum Support

Mr. A Rastrick

arastrick@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk

Mr. C Eccles

ceccles@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk

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Deputy Headteacher-Curriculum

Mrs A Finch

afinch@byrchall.wigan.sch.uk

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