14-16 at Caerleon Comprehensive School presentation to parents/carers 14 January 2025

Curriculum for Wales at Caerleon Comprehensive School

Scope of presentation:

  • 14-16 qualifications
  • Core and compulsory subjects
  • Science options
  • Process of choosing and submitting options
  • Option subjects (free choice)
  • Support - website, individual

Curriculum for Wales

Current year 9 are the first cohort experiencing the Curriculum for Wales

New 'Made for Wales' GCSEs - what does this mean?

  • Refreshed course content to support the curriculum's cross-curricular themes and its four purposes
  • Incorporate a broader range of assessment methods to make the qualifications relevant and engaging
  • greater use of digital technology to provide relevant assessment and to support teaching and learning

Similarities with old GCSEs - grading/exams/coursework

Wave 1 qualifications available from September 2025. So, a mix of established and new qualifications for September 2025

This is the full list of 'Wave 1' subjects available from September 2025 (the school doesn't offer all of these eg it doesn't offer Spanish)
These are the subjects that will have the new qualifications in September 2026. Established GCSE courses will be available up until then.

Core Subjects

All learners 14-16 will follow a course in the following:

English

Mathematics

Science - choice of double award or three separate sciences

Compulsory Subjects

All learners 14 -16 will follow a course in the following:

Welsh

RVE - Religion, Values and Ethics (RS and Equality and Diversity

Physical Education

Finance qualification

Science

Two options:

Double Award: All three sciences covered as part of the course. 10 hours each fortnight. Qualification size is 2 GCSEs

This leaves a further three option subjects to select

Three separate sciences: GCSE in biology; GCSE in chemistry and a GCSE in Physics. 15 hours each fortnight

This leaves a further two option subjects to select

How do you choose option subjects?

  • Have a genuine interest and enjoy the subject
  • Have an aptitude for the subject area
  • Already have a track-record of success in the subject
  • Complements other subject choices or interests
  • Has a bearing on post-16 choices
  • Is linked to a possible future career

Support for learners

  • Parents, carers, relatives and friends
  • Subject teachers
  • Head of year - Mrs Tiupancal
  • AAHT - Mr Evans: Lead teacher - Ms Edmondson; HTLA - Mrs Marchant
  • Learners currently studying the subject
  • Careers Adviser - David Jones
  • Those currently in relevant jobs or careers
  • Online
  • Personal counselling
  • Equity and support for our learners

Example option form that will be used to submit your choices to Mr Jones

(These forms will be available on the 14 - 16 options website week beginning 10 March 2025)

14-16 Options Website

The 14 - 16 options website will be launched learners and parents/carers in February 2025

Key dates 2025

  • Options Evening - 14 January 2025
  • Year 9 Parents' Evening - 22 January 2025
  • Careers Fair - 20 March 2025
  • Target date for options form - Monday 24 March 2025

And finally...

  • Can I change my mind after the option forms have been submitted?
  • Can I change my mind in September 2025?

Credits:

Created with images by Steve - "Newport Wales" • Wendy - "A dragon, the national emblem of Wales, carved into a piece of wood." • ronnarong - "Science Instruments in laboratory room. Science Research Concept."