Belfast Model
School for Girls

Information for parents and pupils

• All pupils have been given an Options booklet and will receive an options form on Friday 12th March.
  
• Pupils will have had the opportunity to talk about making choices in form time or employability classes.
  
• At the parent consultation for year 10 on Thursday 11th March 2010 there the opportunity is given to discuss choices with individual subject teachers.
  
• In school pupils will be given information about the options process and will have the opportunity to ask any questions about their concerns.
  
• Between 22nd and 24th March each pupil will have the opportunity to have a careers interview with experienced members of staff who will be able to give further guidance to you if needed.
  
• Options forms should be completed and returned to Mrs Catherwood by Friday 26th March.

The Options Form

• There are 4 blocks on the form P Q R and S.
  
• Pupils need to follow these guidelines when completing the form.
  
• 1 subject should be chosen in each block.
  
• A block cannot be left blank.
  
• Nor can you choose 2 subjects in the one block.

Group 1 pupils

• Pupils MUST select Science (SA) in Block R.
  
• Each pupil then selects 1 subject from each of 3 remaining option blocks
  
• So pupils in this group will have 4 core subjects:
  - English
  - Maths
  - Science
  - ICT SA
  - And 3 other subjects which pupils choose themselves
  
• Pupils in group 1 who want to choose double award Science -
  
• Science is already ticked in Block R
  
• Pupils need to choose Science (DA) in 1 other Block - either Q or S

Group 2 pupils

• Each pupil will select 1 subject from each of the 4 option blocks
  
• So pupils in this group will have 3 core subjects:
  - English
  - Maths
  - ICT (SA)
  - And 4 other subjects which pupils choose themselves
  
• Pupils may of course choose to do Science (SA) but this will be chosen from the options groups

Occupational Studies 2010-11

Year 10 Options Groups 2 and 3

• Occupational Studies has changed this year. We can now offer every girl the chance to take 4 Occupational Studies and each is worth 1 GCSE's A* to G. This means that by choosing it in 2 blocks it can be worth 4 GCSE's to you.
• Each pupil can choose any Occupational Study in Block Q but please select two.
• Put a "1" in the box beside your first choice and a "2" in the box beside your second choice.
• You do not have a free choice in Block R. Your course will be decided by what you select in Block Q.
• Here are the choices for Block R.

Points to remember

In choosing your subjects you need to remember the following points.

• There are no guarantees that any particular subject will run next year
• If a subject you have chosen does not run you will be informed and given advice about choosing another subject in its place.
  
• If too many pupils choose a subject then pupils will be selected on criteria such as attendance, attainment in Year 10, effort grades and teachers' comments on reports
  
• When choosing your subjects remember to think ahead to post 16 - 2 years from now - and check that you have given yourself enough choices and progression routes at that stage.
• Once you have had your interview you can complete your form.
  
• Your form should be returned on Friday 26th March.
  
• Pupils need to remember that places in some subjects fill up quickly so make sure your form is in on time.