Let's Talk Careers

How to choose subjects wisely

Subject Selection Interviews for Year 10s are talking place soon. Here is a guide for parents and guardians to support their children in choosing the right subjects for their future.

Subject Selection Interviews are an opportunity for Year 10 students to discuss their academic goals, interests, and aspirations with their teachers and advisors. They are designed to help students make informed and realistic choices about the subjects they will study in Years 11 and 12, and beyond. The interviews are conducted by Mr Cotterall, Head of Years 9 and 10, Mr Bochrinis, and me, the Careers Advisor.

Subject Selection Interviews are important because they help students plan their future pathways and align their subjects with their desired outcomes. Whether they want to pursue university, vocational education, apprenticeships, or employment, students must consider the prerequisites, skills, and knowledge required for their chosen fields. Subject Selection Interviews also help students to identify their strengths, interests, and areas for improvement, and to receive feedback and guidance from their teachers and advisors.

As a parent or guardian, you play a vital role in supporting your child with their subject selection. You can help them by:

• Having conversations with them about their goals, interests, and aspirations.
• Encouraging them to explore their options and research different careers and courses.
• Helping them to understand their strengths and weaknesses, and to choose subjects that match their abilities and interests.
• Reminding them that exams are not for everyone and that there are many alternative pathways to further education and employment. Did you know that some university courses don’t do any exams anymore!? How times have changed!
• Providing them with positive and constructive feedback and encouragement.

To help you and your child with the subject selection process, we have provided you with some useful resources that can be found on the Pathways SEQTA cover page and in the documents sent to you by direct message in the last few weeks. These include:

• The Subject Selection Handbook, which outlines the curriculum, assessment, and reporting requirements for each subject.
• The Pathways booklet, which is where your child will indicate their preferences and submit their choices.
• The Subject Selection Traffic Light Guide, which is a tool to help your child assess their suitability for each subject based on their grades, feedback, and interest.
• The St George's Pathways Hub, which is a platform that allows your child to explore different careers and courses, and to create a personalised plan for their future.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Subject Selection Team. We look forward to helping all Year 10s to find a pathway that fits their learning style and allows them to achieve success.

Mrs Sharan Tagore

APEx, Careers and Curriculum Coordinator