IGCSE Options - A journey to Independence

There are a myriad of ways in which we support our students at BIS HCMC, both academically and pastorally, and this week we have been firmly focused on IGCSE and Key Stage 4.

On Tuesday, we were delighted to welcome parents of our Year 10 and Year 11 students into school to our Key Stage 4 Open Morning. Mrs McLoughlin, Head of Year 10, outlined some of the key challenges facing our students during these years as well as ways in which we can work in partnership to support our young people during this potentially busy and stressful time. As with all our Open Mornings, parents were then invited to tour the campus and visit lessons to see teaching and learning in action, before a further information sharing session on expeditions for Year 10 students and, for Year 11 parents, a question and answer session with Mr Porter (Head of Year 11) and Mrs Hall (Head of Sixth Form).

Following on from this, on Wednesday evening we welcomed almost 100 families to the Secondary Campus to begin the IGCSE Options process for Year 9 students. Mrs Murphy, Deputy Head Teacher, shared information on the curriculum shape at IGCSE as well as the Options process itself. The message for Year 9 students is centred on making informed choices: following the presentation, the second part of the evening was a subject fair where students and parents could speak with Heads of Department, teaching staff and student ambassadors to find out more about the subjects on offer. The IGCSE Options process is the start of a journey to independence for our students and, as ever, there are staff and older students eager and willing to help our students make the right decisions.

Open Mornings continue this term with the Year 8 parents invited to join us on Monday 23^rd September, Year 9 parents on Tuesday 1^st October, and Key Stage 5 parents on Thursday 10^th October. The IB Options Evening for Year 11 students, again focusing on making informed decisions, will take place on Thursday 26^th September. We hope to see as many of you as possible there: with effective partnerships between home and school in place to support our students, we can work together to help our students achieve all of which they are capable.

Amy Murphy, Deputy Head Teacher: Curriculum & Learning