Understanding Your Child’s Curriculum

Curriculums have changed a lot in relatively few years – it’s probable that the curriculum you studied in school is very different to that which your child will study. 

It’s important for parents to fully understand their child’s curriculums in order to be able to offer full support as exams loom. The information you get from your child may not always be reliable so it’s best to have a good grasp of how things work today. 

Let’s have a look at how today’s GCSE and A Level curriculums work – whilst all schools may have minor differences in their timeframes, most are bound to the same curriculums across the country. GCSE is a synonym of The General Certificate of Secondary Education and was initially introduced in 1986. 

The GCSE courses are taught in what is the last key stage – key stage 4, of the National Curriculum in England. Key stage 4 is taught to students in years 10 and 11. That’s when they’re aged between 14 and 16. There are a lot of GCSE subjects to choose from – 50 in all! There are also 14 vocational GCSEs available. 

Not all subjects are covered by all schools though. So it’s important that you find out what’s on offer at your child’s school. Within those 50 subjects there are 5 ‘core GCSEs’ which all students are required to take. These include mathematics, science, English, Citizenship and PE. 

Students are allowed to choose at least one course in another 4 areas – these areas are known as ‘entitlement areas’ and include the arts, design and technology, as well as the humanities and some modern foreign languages. 

When it comes to A Levels (Advanced Levels) these are usually taken by students aged between 16 and 17 in the first instance – that’s known as Level 1 or AS Levels. Then aged 17-18, students take Level 2 – that’s known as A2. It takes 2 years for students to study for their A Levels and examinations are taken at the end of each year. If a student wishes to go to university, then A Levels are important. 

Examinations may of course be retaken if results aren’t as expected. Remember, choosing which subjects to take at either GCSE or A Level, is tricky and young people do have some anxieties over the decisions. 

A good school, such as this grammar school in Wirral, will have excellent support for students as they make those all-important selections. Remember, examinations are hard on young people and it’s important that they receive consistent support and encouragement.