Ampleforth College

Years 10 and 11 (Fifth form and Remove)

Just before Easter of Year 9, students are given a detailed options booklet*

and asked to make provisional GCSE choices. They are expected to discuss their provisional choices with their parents over the Easter holiday. By half term of the summer term, they are expected to make firm choices. Tutors guide their choices in consultation with parents. These choices are carefully examined and unsuitable choices discussed further. The curriculum for Years 10 & 11 consists of core subjects and either 5 or 4 options depending on ability. The allocations are given below.

The core subjects:

In the Science Core time, students are entered for a Dual Award (2 GCSEs) in Science. Those students with a particular interest or aptitude in science can opt for 'triple award' Science - 3 GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics (see Options below). In all cases, the three sciences are still taught separately by subject specialists.

All students (except EAL) are entered for English GCSE and all students are also entered for Ampleforth's own English Literature Certificate.

Options:

There are five option blocks, normally students choose one subject from each of four option blocks although there are some restrictions for option A. Some students may be allowed to leave one or more option blocks free because of special needs or musical commitments.

By taking Extra Science in option A, students can 'top up' their core science time to 12 periods per two week cycle (30%) in order to take three separate science GCSEs.

At the February half term of Year 11 students are issued with a Sixth Form options booklet* and at Easter provisional A level subject choices are made on the same basis as GCSE choices but it is recognised that these are inevitably more provisional until GCSE results are known. The normal requirement for progressing to the Sixth Form is a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade B or better.

* (If you do not have the free Acrobat Reader you will need to download it)