Y9 Options Evening – Wednesday 24th January

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I am writing to invite you and your child to attend our Options Evening on Wednesday 24^th January. This is an excellent opportunity for you to find out more about the options process and the different GCSE and BTEC subjects on offer at Hanham Woods Academy to ensure your child’s choices are well-informed.

You will also receive guidance about how to fill in the options form (and the paper copy to fill in) and further information about the deadline for completing your child’s GCSE options.

You will need to book into one of three slots: 4:15pm, 5:00pm and 5:45pm using our online booking system: https://hanhamwoods.schoolcloud.co.uk

Appointment bookings open on Monday 15th January 2024 at 19:00 and will close on Wednesday 24th January at 12pm.

During the evening there will be;

• Talk of 20mins starting promptly at 4:15pm, 5:00pm and 5:45pm with Mr O’Callaghan and Mrs Gardner.
• Optional refreshments 15mins before the talk times. This is organised by The Friends of HWA to raise funds for the academy.
• Opportunity to speak to Curriculum Leaders during a subject fair for 45mins. Families are welcome to leave prior to this time if they have finished.

We have decided as an academy to continue to offer the option of GCSE Religious Studies this year and intend to put an advert out for a Curriculum Leader of RE shortly. Please be aware that this course will only run following successful recruitment. If your child is interested in this option, I have attached the options information sheet as a second page to this letter to provide you with more information.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Academy on the 24^th January and supporting you with your child’s GCSE option choices.

If you have any queries regarding the event, please email me at [email protected]

Yours Sincerely,

Rebecca Gardner

Associate Assistant Principal

KS3 Raising Standards Leader

GCSE Religious Studies

Introduction

Religious Studies is the study of ethical issues and religious and humanist perspectives on these. Students study a broad range of issues that affect life in the 21st century, such as, LGBTQI+ rights, abortion rights, the role of family and the role of humanity amidst the climate crisis. Students will have the opportunity to study religious views on these big issues, consider how religion has impacted, and continues to impact our governing laws, as well as considering their own views on such difficult issues.

How will I be assessed?

Skills/equipment required

You will need a good grasp of English language and literacy, as well as tolerance of different points of view. The course is concerned with ethical and philosophical thinking rather than just the recollection of facts.

What will I learn from this course?

Students will have studied some of these topics during Year 9 giving them a good foundation for a good GCSE grade.  Not only does this course develop students’ understanding of different cultures locally, nationally and in the wider world, but it also contributes to their spiritual and moral development, their health and well-being and helps them to develop their own values, opinions and attitudes, which will contribute to social and community cohesion.  It helps students learn to argue a case, both orally and on paper and draw conclusions from evidence and people’s beliefs.  These skills are highly valued by both universities and employers.

What careers can this subject lead to?

This qualification is valued by many further education courses and career paths, such as, medicine, law, the police, armed forces, counselling, social work, youth work, teaching, journalism, Human Resources, administration, working in another country or in any career that requires an understanding of a variety of people and how their beliefs may affect their lives.

For further details please see Mr Singleton