Year 10 & 11 Subject Information

Our year 10 and 11 curriculum is designed to meet the needs of individual students, allowing them to maximise their progress in core subjects and have flexibility in deciding their option subjects.

The curriculum at Whitchurch High School is made up of the following core components delivered over a two-week timetable:

  • Mathematics x 2 GCSEs 
  • English x 2 GCSEs 
  • Science x 2 GCSEs 
  • Welsh (1 GCSE over 3 years)
  • Philosophy and Ethics (Short Course – ½ GCSE)**
  • Sport and Exercise (non-examination course)
  • Wellbeing (previously Tutorial)
  • Relationships, Wellbeing and Health.

**Any student who opts to follow full course Philosophy and Ethics (previously Religious Studies) will study an alternative short course or equivalent subject. The remaining curriculum time will consist of 3 option subjects selected by each student. The option grid will be made available to students and will appear on this section of the website when it becomes available in February.

All students at Whitchurch follow a programme of guidance and support to ensure that they are following an appropriate and individual leaning pathway which matches their aspirations.

Year 9 Option Programme

Students in year 9 will be supported in making decisions on which option subjects to follow in years 10 and 11 according to the timeline of support outlined below:

YEAR 9 OPTION PROCESS 2022-2023

  • COMPLETION OF ILPP: September 2022 to June 2023
  • YEAR 9 OPTIONS LAUNCH: Week beginning 14th November 2022
  • UPDATED OPTION SUBJECT INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE: December 2022
  • KEY STAGE 4 SUBJECT OPTION TALKS IN LESSONS AND ASSEMBLY: December 2022 onwards
  • KEY STAGE 4 OPTIONS OPEN EVENING: 26th January 2023
  • FREE CHOICE SURVEY: 30th January – 10th February 2023 – the decisions made by pupils at this stage are used to help formulate the Key Stage 4 option grid.
  • OPTION GRID AVAILABLE: 27th February 2023
  • INDIVIDUAL PUPIL INTERVIEWS & CAREERS WALES WORKSHOP: 28th February, 1st March and 2nd March 2023
  • OPTION FORMS SUBMITTED: 10th March 2023

Year 10 Option Grid 2023 - 2024

Please click here for the year 10 option grid for 2023-2024.

Options Launch Presentations

Please click on the links below to view our Options Launch Presentations.

The PowerPoint presentation is also available below if you want to refer to any of the slides, or follow the links referred to in the presentations.

Options Programme Student Support

The presentations below provide video clips and voiceovers which take students through each step of the options process. The first presentation (video version) runs through the timeline of support that is in place as part of the options and guidance process. It includes explanations on how to log free choice and final option choice decisions using the SIMs Student App. or the options online website. The second presentation (video version) runs through the Exploration phase of the Individual Learning Pathway Plan.  The final presentation combines both presentations, but is in a PowerPoint format. When downloaded students can scroll through to any slide and click on the video or voiceover. This allows students to view the required information at the appropriate time during the year.

Wise Course for the Future

Even though a bewildering array of choices on offer in Years 10 and 11, it will be useful for students to discuss their option choices with their parents/carers, please Click Here for some advice and guidance for both parents/carers and students.

Who Should I See?

If students have any questions with regards to individual subjects, please encourage them to speak to their subject teacher or the Departmental Leader who will willingly give help and guidance on the subject content and suitability. Please Click Here for a list of Faculty and Curriculum Leaders at Whitchurch High School. If you have any questions in relation to the options and guidance process the following members of staff can assist:

  • Mrs A Dando – Year 7-9 Pastoral assistant and transition co-ordinator
  • Mr A Horgan – Year 9 Progress Leader
  • Miss N Stephens – Year 9 Assistant Progress Leader
  • Mrs L Jones – Year 9 Pastoral assistant
  • Miss C Robson – Assistant Headteacher KS2-3
  • Mr N John – Deputy Headteacher Curriculum

Subject Information

Please follow the links at the top of the page for year 10 and 11 subject specific information about core and option subjects.

*We cannot guarantee that all students will be able to take the subjects they choose. As some courses may be under-subscribed have to be withdrawn.

Individual Learning Pathway Plan - ILPP

Completion of the ILPP will help to guide students through each stage of the option process and help them consider their own personal pathway towards employment. Please click on the link at the top of the page to be taken to a digital copy of the Exploration Phase (year 8 and 9) and Development Phase (year 10 and 11) Individual Learning Pathway Plans. An alternative digital notebook version of the ILPP is available to students in their wellbeing team on Microsoft Teams