"Oh, you've got to start concentrating now!" Hopefully you will, but these are the constant chants of the teachers now you've moved up to upper school.

Yet another move in your school life and one of the most important. You are now able to study the subjects you chose, as well as the ones that some people would drop, but you have to do by law. There are four of these subjects, English, Maths, Science and R.E., but with the four subjects you choose it equals out in a fair way.

A lot more choices are given to you in Year 10, the main one being P.E. choices. There is more trust put into you as you can go off site to different activities. People can choose to go to the fitness centres at 'On the Ball' in Yeadon, or Farsley 'Workhouse', or to play badminton at Farsley Celtic, as well as taking part in a variety of activities which take place on site.

You also have the choice of how many marks you want to gain in your GCSEs. You can put the effort into your coursework, which is very important, and must be kept on top of if you want to succeed, or just leave it and fail. Hopefully, you should recognise the option that will allow you to get the best out of these two important years at school.

Now you have moved up to that next stage, you are treated as somebody older. Teachers talk to you in a more adult manner and are also much more approachable. P.E. kit is less like uniform: it doesn't have the school badge on, which makes it more 'grown up'.

Although there is much more pressure on you to perform, the year does seem to be more in your control, and this makes it a lot more enjoyable. The responsibility is all yours and, although there are exams to be taken, the year flies by because, now you are doing what you want, you can actually look forward to lessons.

Now I'm in Year 11, I look back at Year 10 and am very grateful for starting the GCSE work at that stage. It was an enjoyable year, but a lot more nagging from teachers occurs! However annoying it is, I suppose it is only in our best interests. The options given to you in Year 10 don't seem as wide-ranging anymore because now you are thinking about the options of what you do at the end of Year 11. Work? Sixth Form? College? Those are the next big decisions.

Although you might not choose every aspect of the Year 10 experience, it is worth it. It may not be the easiest of school years you have ever had, but it all adds up to something you will be very proud of at the end of your last, compulsory, year at school.

Christopher Cokill, on behalf of Year 10
(Year 11, 2002 ~ 2003)