Pathway 2
If you have been told that you are on pathway two, this information is specifically for you. Within pathway two you have one less open option subject available to you, but will be using the time for supplementary English and Maths lessons instead. This is to ensure that you secure a stronger grade in these crucial subjects, enabling better opportunities for your next steps once you finish at Fernwood. This decision has been taken by your Maths and English teachers, together with your head of year.
Option Blocks
Once you have considered the decisions to be made, and discussed your choices with your parents , it will be time to select the courses you wish to study. You will be asked to nominate one subject from each option block, and then a reserve choice (from any block). Remember, to be eligible for the Ebacc, you must choose a language, and a humanities.
Decisions to be made
Decision 1: Combined or Triple Science?
We offer two different versions of science to suit different learners. These are combined science and triple science. As a minimum all students must take combined science within the compulsory core curriculum. However, you can also choose to opt for triple science which will take up one of your option choices.
Triple Science:
These separate courses in biology, chemistry and physics which each lead to a separate GCSE qualification. This course is academic and aimed at those with a keen interest in science or those with a high chance of pursuing science beyond Fernwood. Triple Science prepares students very well for studying any of the three sciences at post 16 as well as competitive degrees such as Medicine or Veterinary Science.
Combined Science:
These are separate courses which cover an equal mix of all the three sciences above, but there is less content. It leads to a double award GCSE i.e. is equivalent to two GCSEs.
Decision 2: The English Baccalaureate (Ebacc)?
The EBacc is a suite of academic GCSE subjects intended to expose children to a broad range of subjects. The EBacc is not a separate qualification but children who fulfil the EBacc requirements are eligible to ‘pass’ the EBacc with a ‘standard pass’ (grade 4+ in all EBacc subjects) or a ‘good pass’ (grade 5+ in all EBacc subjects). Following the EBacc route keeps young peoples’ options open for further study and future careers, particularly in cases where students are unsure of their next steps. These are highly regarded, traditional academic subjects. These subjects complement other GCSE option courses including practical and vocational courses.
The subjects that are included in the EBacc are:
- English, Mathematics, Science,
- French or German (a modern foreign language),
- Geography or History (a humanities subject).
As a school, we do encourage students on Pathway 2 to choose either a language or a humanities subject, but they would need to do both in order to be eligible for the Ebacc. It’s worth noting that the language element could come from a subject studied to qualification level outside of school (Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Turkish, Russian etc. so would not take up one of your option choices).
Decision 3: GCSEs and/or Vocational qualifications?
When you choose a subject think carefully about what type of qualification the course leads to. Most courses at Fernwood lead to a GCSE (General Certificate of Education) qualification, but not all. Because GCSEs are highly academic in nature some students prefer, or are more suited to vocational qualifications. The Government call these Technical Awards.
You must decide if you want to take academic subjects (GCSEs), technical awards or a mix of the two.
Technical Awards are broad, high-quality qualifications that equip students with applied knowledge and associated practical skills. They focus on the applied study of an industry sector or occupational area, or the acquisition of practical and technical skills. Technical Awards fulfil entry requirements for both academic and vocational study post-16, alongside GCSEs.
So, if it’s not a GCSE make sure you know what type of qualification your chosen course leads to, e.g. OCR Cambridge National, Level 2 NCFE, and what type of grades it offers.
All the information on what each course will entail is available below for you to look through. There are videos from most subjects, along with written information that I encourage you to read thoroughly. Some children are quite surprised during year 10 as to what studying a specific subject actually entails, in comparison to what they imagined it would involve.
EBACC eligible GCSE Options:
GCSE Options:
Vocational and Technical Awards
