Third Year Options
An introduction to the Third Year curriculum
The academic programme for pupils starting the Third Year in September requires all pupils to take the compulsory core subjects and to take four other subjects of their choice. The studying of core subjects meets both the National Curriculum objectives and those of Caterham in providing a desirable basis to education for all pupils at this level. We recognise the value of all subjects in providing depth and interest to education. However, time does not permit all of the subjects studied in the First and Second Years to be taken in the Third Year.
The Core Subjects
English
Mathematics
Science, taught separately as Biology, Chemistry and Physics
PE
Games
History
Geography
Religious Studies
The Optional Subjects
Pupils will choose one subject from each of the following four option blocks:
| Block 1 (3ppw) | Block 2 (3ppw) | Block 3 (3ppw) | Block 4 (2ppw) |
| First Language | Second Language (3ppw) | Third Language (3ppw) | Creative |
| French German Spanish |
French Latin |
German (beginner) Italian (beginner) Spanish (beginner) Greek (continuation) Latin (continuation) |
3D Design Art Drama Music |
| OR | OR | ||
| Creative (2ppw) + IT (1ppw) | Creative (2ppw) + IT (1ppw) | ||
| 3D Design Art Drama Music |
3D Design Art Drama Music |
In selecting options, there are a number of important points to consider.
GCSE subject choice
All of the subjects in the option blocks are also offered at GCSE. If a subject is not taken in the Third Year, it will not be possible to choose it at GCSE.
IT provision
In the First and Second Years, pupils undertake a course of study, leading to the ECDL, an internationally recognised qualification and, if all the modules are completed, a GCSE equivalent. The modular tests can be taken at any stage of the course. As soon as a pupil has mastered the content of a module they will take the relevant test. Some pupils may have almost completed the ECDL by the end of the Second Year; others may have passed only one or two of the 3 modules and final component. Pupils new to the school in the Third Year have rarely taken any ECDL modules. IT provision in the Third Year varies according to the options taken. After school classes are available to all, and many students take advantage of these to work on and complete their ECDL. These classes are also available to those in the Fourth and Fifth Years who have yet to complete the course. Additionally, those who study only one language in the Third Year will have two lessons of IT each week, and those who study two languages will have a single IT lesson. Those who take three languages in the Third Year do not have curricular IT lessons, and may find it more difficult to complete the ECDL unless they attend after school classes.
Beginner Languages
These beginner courses in German, Italian and Spanish are designed to take pupils from scratch to GCSE standard in three years. Those who are weak linguists are likely to find this programme very challenging.
Please also note that these beginner languages will not be run unless numbers opting are sufficient to make each course viable. Should any course not be run, those who have chosen it will be given the chance to re-opt. The other language courses offered in the Third Year are not for beginners.
Downloads
Caterham School - Third Year Options Booklet 2011 - 2012