Cokethorpe School

GCSE Options

In Fourth and Fifth Form pupils study for the General Certificate in Secondary Education, or GCSE. All pupils study English Language and English Literature, with the most able, approximately 20% of the year, taking Language in Fourth Form to enable them to study a more intense and far reaching Literature course in Fifth Form. All pupils study Mathematics, with the possibility of entry to Statistics or Further Mathematics as well for the more able. Biology, Chemistry and Physics are studied by all, with the GCSE course having been started by pupils in Third Form. In addition to those compulsory core subjects pupils choose five further subjects from a list which includes all the standards – Art, Drama, ICT, Geography and so on – and some not always found in schools such as Sociology, Sports Studies, Psychology and Textiles. All pupils also continue to take part in lessons in Personal, Social and Health Education and to take part in competitive sport.

These choices take place in the Lent Term and are assisted by careers advice and talks with Heads of Departments and tutors. As Director of Studies I am also available for both children and parents. This time is enormously exciting and important for you, your children and the School. Getting it right means that pupils settle well into their GCSE study and lay the foundations of success in Fifth Form and on to Sixth Form and beyond. Whilst we try to guide pupils towards a broad and balanced curriculum we recognise the need for a real choice and so try to keep the system as flexible and open as possible in order to accommodate as many possibilities as we can. Please be in touch if I can offer advice or assistance.

Mr P Floyd
Director of Studies

PDF Icon GCSE Options Booklet 2010-2012 (288KB)

Click here to go to the Third Form GCSE Options form for 2010-2011.