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This year you will be choosing your GCSE Options.  This involves dropping some subjects.  This padlet will give you extra information and help you reflect so that you make well informed choices.  You can use this padlet in your own time, however, your form tutor will be going through this padlet with you over the coming months.    

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This year you will be choosing your GCSE Options.  This involves dropping some subjects.  This padlet will give you extra information and help you reflect so that you make well informed choices.  You can use this padlet in your own time, however, your form tutor will be going through this padlet with you over the coming months.    

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School ensures you are studying all the facilitating subjects that help to keep all your career options open.  This includes Maths, English, Science and Humanities.

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The most important thing that you should be guided by when choosing your GCSE options is what you enjoy.  When you enjoy something you will feel naturally motivated and therefore are more likely to achieve high grades.  And it's high grades that employers and universities are the most interested in.  However, it's important to reflect on whether it's the actual subject that you genuinely enjoy, rather than the teacher you have or the friends you're with, or just one topic of the subject etc.  Please play all the videos below to help you reflect on this.

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What I wish I'd known before choosing my options

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Recent secondary students open up about what they wish they'd known when they chose their options.

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So, if you're feeling unsure about your options, remember these three clear steps to help you make the right choice:
1. Look ahead
Think about the job you might like to do, or the kind of work environment you eventually want to be in, as this could inform your option choices. For instance, if you know that you want to travel with your work, a modern foreign language could be your calling. If you have no idea what kind of job you'd like to do, don't worry! You won't be boxed in if you take a mix of subjects across a range of disciplines and keep your options open.
2. Give yourself enough time
This isn't a decision to rush so, if you're feeling unsure, talk to teachers and older students. Research subjects and the potential jobs they lead to online, and feel prepared ahead of making your choices.
3. Do what's best for you
Don't just take a subject because your friends are taking the same one or if you like the teacher. Follow your talents and instincts to do what interests .

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How to choose your exam subjects wisely for the future you want

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So, if you're feeling unsure about your options, remember these three clear steps to help you make the right choice: 1. Look ahead Think about the job you might like to do, or the kind of work environment you eventually want to be in, as this could inform your option choices.

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Myths about choosing your options: Busted!

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When you choose your options, everyone has an opinion! We help you find out what's true and what's just a myth - with the help of a bit of comedy.

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It's worth exploring the jobs and jobs sectors related to GCSE subjects, because if you are struggling to choose between subjects, knowing what kinds of jobs and job sectors are linked to a subject might help you make some decisions.  However, if you have a specific career in mind, make sure you speak to Miss Grenaghan to check your choice and get advice.  Use the icould website link below to help you learn about the careers linked to all the various GCSE subjects.

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Meet Nick and find out about his life as a radio and podcast presenter. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.

Video Transcript Video Transcript

Nick Bright - Radio presenter

You need to be somebody who can connect with people; you need to be somebody who can talk a lot, which I definitely tick that box! At the end of the day people are listening to you on the radio because they want some kind of company. I love the fact that I can change somebody's mood, whether it's by saying a goofy joke or playing a song that they like. What we're here for as radio presenters is to educate and entertain, one, but two, without the audience we're nothing so I try and remember that all the time.

Whilst I was at college, that's when I fell in love with radio because I got involved with community radio. I wasn't actually set on going to university, but then I did go to university, did radio production and then from there I was just applying for jobs at the BBC and I eventually managed to get some interviews here and then, you know, cut a long story short, I've never left!

It's strange because some people really benefit from having a routine and we do have a routine, kind of, but one of things I enjoy is I can come in with all the intentions to talk about a particular thing and then it completely changes and we end up talking about something else.

There's so many challenges in media and one of the main ones is that you'll hear 'no' so many more times than you'll hear 'yes', that's just not in my job, that's... that's in life, to be honest with you, but in media, you have to a particularly thick skin, if you're studying, whatever field it is, try and get in and do something because people like it when you're doing something and, when I say people, I mean potential employers. If you just kind of sit around and hope for experience to find out, you'll be sitting around forever. If there's a student radio station, community radio station, a hospital radio, whatever it is, just go in and get your hands dirty because it's all experience at the end of the day.

I know there's loads of you out there, potentially watching this that are like, you know 'what do I need this for, Sir? What do I need this for, Miss? This isn't going to help me in life!' but actually indirectly, so many of those subjects you study at school will end up helping you every single day in your working life. Maths, helps you every single day in radio because we have to go to the news at a certain time and you have to hit it bang on so you have to use maths to back time and do that. English, as well, really really important because obviously you speak for living so if you're no good at English then you're in trouble if you're on the radio!

So for me, obviously, I'm really loving being on 1Xtra and Radio 5 Live as well but I'd love to do a bit more, maybe get out to the Olympics and do some work at the Olympics for BBC Sport, just to get more. As humans, we're always looking for the next thing and that doesn't mean I'm unhappy with what I've got now but it just means I want to improve and try and capitalise on this opportunity that I've got.

I love the fact that I can change somebody's mood - whether it's by saying a goofy joke or playing a song they like.

Nick Bright is a radio presenter for BBC Radio 1Xtra and Radio 5 live, incidentally combining his two passions, music and football

Whilst at college, Nick decided he wanted to do something in Radio. After some deliberation, he decided to go to university and did a course in radio production. In his last year at university, he applied for jobs at the BBC and was successful. Since then, he has held various posts at the BBC, gaining experience and continually challenging himself

"There are so many challenges in media... You hear 'no' a lot." Nick confides. His top tip is to "try and grow a thick skin", you'll have knock-backs but just keep going

Getting into a career as a presenter is highly competitive. Nick's advice is to get as much industry experience as possible. Volunteering at your local community, university or hospital radio station is a good way to build examples of work that you can show potential employers.

A similar job to a radio presenter is a DJ (disc jockey). DJs play music for audiences in live venues, at events or on the radio.

What to expect if you want to be DJ

DJ average salary: Variable. You may be self-employed/freelance

DJ typical working hours: 45 to 47 hours per week.

What qualifications do you need to be a DJ?
You could get into this role via a college course (such as a Level 2 certificate, a Level 3 Diploma or a T-level in Media, Broadcast and Production - England-only, from Sept 2023). You can also volunteer at community or hospital radio stations, or DJ at events like parties, weddings and charity shows. Alternative routes also include taking training courses or attending DJ workshops. You can also apply directly if you have relevant experience. Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service, GOV.UK This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed and the GOV.UK website for more on T-levels.

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What qualifications do I need to become a radio and podcast presenter? Nick Bright's story - BBC Bitesize

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Meet Nick Bright who's a radio and podcast presenter at the BBC and who explains how he got there. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.

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Research scientist average salary : £15,285 to £40,000 per year

Research scientist typical working hours : 39 to 41 hours per week

What qualifications do you need to be a research scientist?
You'll need an honours degree in a Science subject and, usually, a postgraduate qualification like a PhD. You could get your degree at university, or through a degree apprenticeship, both of which require A-level qualifications (or equivalent) to apply. Alternatives to A-levels include taking a T-level (England-only), which is equivalent to three A-levels. Check with your course provider which alternative qualifications they accept. Once you have your degree, you could work as a research assistant or graduate industrial scientist alongside studying part-time for your postgraduate qualification. Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service, GOV.UK. This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed and the GOV.UK website for more on T-levels.

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How to become a research scientist: Jaz's story

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Research scientist average salary : £15,285 to £40,000 per year Research scientist typical working hours : 39 to 41 hours per week You'll need an honours degree in a Science subject and, usually, a postgraduate qualification like a PhD. You could get your degree at university, or through a degree apprenticeship, both of which require A-level qualifications (or equivalent) to apply.

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To learn more about jobs linked to subjects try the websites below.

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The skills you develop when studying GCSE's are very  important because employers value these skills just as much as the grades you achieve.   Communication, leadership and teamwork are just a few examples.  Consider what skills you need to develop and explore the GCSE subjects that will help you develop them.  If you are struggling to choose between certain subjects, considering skills may help you decide.  For example, you might be struggling to choose between Art and Drama; you plan to be a teacher when you're older and you know you need to develop confidence for this job role so Drama would be the better choice because performing in front of people will aid your teaching skills and push you out of your comfort zone and help you develop your confidence.  Read the articles below to learn about the specific skills each GCSE will help you develop.

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Using the top 10 work ready skills, discuss how school and your GCSE subjects might help you develop these really important skills that employer most look for in job applicants.

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Lancashire Careers Information - Digital & Creative Opportunities Animation (Portal)

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Lancashire Careers Information - Green and Low Carbon Opportunities Animation (Portal)

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Space Careers are set to increase significantly, might you be interested in working in this area? Check out this video to learn more.

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Form Tutors: After watching the videos, ask you class to discuss in pairs what they understood in the videos and then what this might mean for them in the future and the job opportunities that might be available to them. Then discuss ideas as a class and post best comments and ideas in the comments box.