Frequently Asked Questions

Option Allocations – FAQ

Q: My daughter/son put down two traditional subjects, but has only been given one – why?

• The curriculum diagram at the back of the brochure gives the clearest view: each student has three option slots, normally filled by a DT subject, a Vocational subject and a “Traditional” subject. For quite a large number, the Vocational subject requirement is met in DT (Vocational Engineering) or Science (Vocational Science) which frees up an extra option slot for a second Traditional subject. There is insufficient space on the already crowded Option Form to describe all details and exceptions.

Q: My daughter/son did not get a particular first choice subject – why?

• Some choices – especially DT Food Technology, Engineering and Health & Social Care are always oversubscribed. We do not have the capacity to have more than 2 classes of each, which means that as many as 50% of those wanting these options may be disappointed. This is done on a fair and sensitive basis: high achieving students who have more life options open to them have less need for a particular vocational route, for example; and students opting for two shortage areas will be allowed one but not the other.

• The opposite effect applies to subjects where there is insufficient take-up. GCSE RE is not running this year because only a handful chose it, and running a course would not be value for money. German, Spanish and Leisure & Tourism were not strictly viable; we have let them run this year but the subjects are under review.

• Some combinations of subjects become impossible when blocks are put together. GCSE PE and German/Spanish are all in the same block this year. We decide the blocking after analysing choices in order to disappoint as few students as possible.

• Some courses are inappropriate for some students, because their prior attainment (or commitment) in the subject at KS3 indicates that they will do badly. This screening is mentioned in the options literature.

Q: We have heard that another student has been given both PE and Spanish or German – is this possible?

• Some students who have a track record of commitment and effort are allowed to study GCSE PE as a “Twilight” subject, which means they agree to attend lessons once a week at 3.15. This is a limited option for a single group of students to enable them to study PE and another traditional GCSE.

Q: Can we change an option after choices have been finalised?

• If there is space in the group, we will allow this in a few cases where a good reason for the change of heart is given. Clearly we cannot have lots of students failing to make up their minds, since that would make planning, resourcing and timetabling impossible. Some changes cannot realistically be made because they affect other blocks (e.g. changing Vocational Science to Vocational Business would mean also changing the second Traditional option, as described above.) Really late changes are very wasteful – documentation for the groups may have to be altered and reprinted, as well as registration for examination units.