Why We Do What We Do

In recent years we have made changes to improve, refine and develop our GCSE option process, bringing it more in line with a traditional, broader offer, and giving pupils the curriculum that will give them real choice on the next steps of their educational journey.

The Academy has run a two-year Key Stage 3 for many years, and while this model was effective in giving pupils a wide range of options, it narrowed the curriculum and learning experience at a very early stage and could limit pupil choices later in their education. By taking additional GCSE subjects the levels of pressure increase and many pupils find they have spread their efforts too widely. At The John Wallis Academy we base our curriculum on three key tenets: firstly, we believe in choice; secondly, we promote academic subjects and believe all pupils deserve the right to study the English Baccalaureate (a suite of subjects including English, Math’s, science, humanities and languages); and thirdly, that we want to promote cultural awareness and offer a broad balanced curriculum with a key focus of promoting the arts. The two-year Key Stage 3 limits our chance to do that.

To this end, we are changing how we approach GCSE options. Pupils will not be expected to select full GCSE options that narrow their curriculum at such an early stage in their educational development. Pupils currently in Year 8 will have the chance to specialise in GCSE options in sport, technology, the arts and vocational subjects in Year 10, making those choices when they can make an informed and focused choice when they are sufficiently mature and ready in Year 9. This will ensure pupils continue to study the broad range of subjects expected in the National Curriculum until they finish Year 9. This will give pupils the breadth and background for them to succeed and give them real choice when they move into sixth form or the world of work. It will also allow more pupils to successfully access the EBacc, as they will have longer to develop the broader range of knowledge required for these subjects.

To promote the arts, we will be giving pupils the option to specialise in their chosen branch of the arts in Year 9, becoming more expert in the area they choose, and giving them an excellent foundation to continue studying the subject into GCSE and beyond. The options we will be offering at this stage in Year 8 will be Dance, Drama, Media Studies, Graphics, and Photography, which will be studied alongside their work in Art. We will write to you in the coming weeks to explain how the revised option programme will work.

We are very excited about the opportunities for our pupils that this will bring. Please contact the Middle School team if you have any queries or questions regarding the process.

In March, Year 8s will need to choose ONE option from the Arts subjects to study in Year 9.  Pupils' main options for GCSE will be chosen during Year 9 to start in Year 10.

All Year 9 pupils will complete one lesson a fortnight called Creative Award

Year 9 Arts Curriculum from 2024

Creative Award

All Year 9 pupils complete this

1 Lesson a fortnight

One Project

Completing an Arts Award Qualification

Level 1 Qualification

One choice of an Arts Subject

3 Lessons a fortnight

Art

PhotographyGraphics

Drama

Dance

Media Studies

What is Creative Award?

All Year 9 pupils will complete an “Arts Award Bronze”

This Level 1 award develops young people’s artistic abilities alongside their research and communication skills. This course involves them in the arts as creators and audience members, and encourages them to take their first steps towards leadership by sharing their learning with others.

Click here to find out more.

FAQs

Will I have to continue the Arts subject I choose in Year 10 at GCSE?

No.  You are choosing the subject for one year only.  However, if you are thinking about choosing an arts subject at GCSE, the Year 9 will be very good preparation for you.

If I don't choose a particular Arts subject in Year 9, will I still be able to choose that in Year 10?

Yes.  Your GCSE choices in Year 10 will be a chance to consider your wider options.

Will I be able to change my mind after choosing?

There will be a “cooling off” period in September of Year 9 when pupils can request to change if subjects are not what they had expected. Staff will also communicate home if there any concerns during this time. Any changes will depend on capacity in other subjects.  However, after this process, pupils will be expected to stay in their selected option for the remainder of the year.

Is the Creative Award the same as Art?

No.  The Creative Award is a project-based course and involves researching, planning and delivering workshops as well as attending live events.

In March 2025

•Pupils need to choose what ONE Arts Option they will study in Year 9

•Form Tutors will go through this presentation in Tutor Time and answer any questions

•Pupils should talk to their current teachers of Dance, Drama and Art about what these subjects will look like in Year 9

•Mr Bean will talk about subjects that are not currently studied (Graphics, Photography and Media) in Assembly

•Go to the Forms section of EduLink and open the New Form called Year 8 Arts Options

•Select your Year 9 Arts Option by end of March.

•If in doubt, please speak to your current Arts subject teachers, your form tutors or Mr Bean