Year 8 GCSE Options - Tallis Choices
So how do you make your choices for GCSE courses?
Please do browse the our subject pages for information on each GCSE course that Design Technology offer to see if any of the courses are for you.
Below are a few principles to reflect on as you go through the process of making your mind up.
• Don’t make your decision on the basis of your teacher. There is no guarantee that you will get the same teacher next year.
• Do make a decision on the basis of being good at a subject. The quality of grades are important in progression to 6th form, colleges and universities. Look closely at the demands of the final exam for each subject when thinking about this i.e. it may be a bad decision to do an essay based subject if you hate writing essays.
• Don’t make the decision on whether your friends are doing the subject. There is no guarantee you will be in the same class and friendship groups do change.
• Do make your decision on whether the subject will help you in a particular career you want to pursue, but also don’t worry if you don’t know what you want to do at this stage.
• Don’t make the decision on the basis of a “package” going nicely together. There is really no such thing at this stage and many colleges and universities like
students who have aptitudes in lots of different areas.
• Do make your decision on whether you enjoy the subject, enjoy the challenge and feel you learn a lot in lessons.
Whilst your choice is always yours to make, it is important you are aware of expectations that exist for students intending to progress to the most competitive universities. The Ebacc (English Baccalaureate) is not a qualification, but is an expectation that students should have a mix of the more ‘traditional’ subjects in their offer. As well as the core of English, Maths and Science, this includes a language and Humanity (History or Geography). However, because of the number of options available, this still leaves plenty of scope for other subject choices.
This is clearly an important time for students and parents, but is only the first step in a long process. Give yourself time to think, ask lots of questions and you will, we are sure, make good decisions for all the right reasons.
You will also find information on the Tallis Choices page on the Tallis website.
Please do browse the our subject pages for information on each GCSE course that Design Technology offer to see if any of the courses are for you.
Below are a few principles to reflect on as you go through the process of making your mind up.
• Don’t make your decision on the basis of your teacher. There is no guarantee that you will get the same teacher next year.
• Do make a decision on the basis of being good at a subject. The quality of grades are important in progression to 6th form, colleges and universities. Look closely at the demands of the final exam for each subject when thinking about this i.e. it may be a bad decision to do an essay based subject if you hate writing essays.
• Don’t make the decision on whether your friends are doing the subject. There is no guarantee you will be in the same class and friendship groups do change.
• Do make your decision on whether the subject will help you in a particular career you want to pursue, but also don’t worry if you don’t know what you want to do at this stage.
• Don’t make the decision on the basis of a “package” going nicely together. There is really no such thing at this stage and many colleges and universities like
students who have aptitudes in lots of different areas.
• Do make your decision on whether you enjoy the subject, enjoy the challenge and feel you learn a lot in lessons.
Whilst your choice is always yours to make, it is important you are aware of expectations that exist for students intending to progress to the most competitive universities. The Ebacc (English Baccalaureate) is not a qualification, but is an expectation that students should have a mix of the more ‘traditional’ subjects in their offer. As well as the core of English, Maths and Science, this includes a language and Humanity (History or Geography). However, because of the number of options available, this still leaves plenty of scope for other subject choices.
This is clearly an important time for students and parents, but is only the first step in a long process. Give yourself time to think, ask lots of questions and you will, we are sure, make good decisions for all the right reasons.
You will also find information on the Tallis Choices page on the Tallis website.