YEAR 9 OPTIONS INFORMATION EVENING WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015

Aims Core curriculum for Key Stage 4 English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) Options process Next steps This presentation will be available on the website from tomorrow morning.

Progression Levels eg Degree MAPhD Level 3 A Levels BTEC Level 2 GCSE A*-C BTEC Level 1 GCSE D – G Entry Level

GCSE – External examinations completed at the end of the course. Most contain an element of Controlled Assessment – Work planned in class and then finally written in class but in exam conditions. Grades A* - G currently. For English Language, English Literature and Maths in 2017 students will be awarded a numerical grade from 1-9. Everything else will still be letter grades.

EnglishEnglishMathsMaths PSHEPSHEICTICTPEPE Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 The big picture ScienceScience

English GCSE in English Language GCSE in English Literature 8 periods per fortnight

Maths GCSE in Maths Some students will also be given the chance to complete GCSE Statistics 8 Periods per fortnight

Science GCSE in Core Science GCSE in Additional Science GCSE in Additional Applied Science 9 Periods per fortnight Two or Three science qualifications depending on ability of student. In order to complete the separate sciences students will need to be on a level 6b by the end of Year 9.

PSHE Course is broad ranging looking at employment, finance, politics, relationship issues. This is part of the statutory curriculum from the government 1 period per fortnight

ICT Focus will be on supporting the curriculum. Students will be given support with CV writing and application to college. Revision strategies and resources. 1 lesson per fortnight

PE Core PE time No final examination 3 periods per fortnight

The English Baccalaureate Introduced by the government and covers ‘respected academic subjects’ English Maths Science A modern foreign language French, German and Spanish History or Geography

The English Baccalaureate This combination of subjects does increase future opportunities for students if they can gain an A* - C grade in all of the five areas.

Option choices Up to FOUR subjects can be chosen 5 periods per fortnight

Blocks

Personalised curriculum Not all students are the same – they have different abilities and skills. We want to provide a curriculum that allows for all students to succeed. Some students have been identified as benefitting from some additional Maths and English instead of an option choice.

Vehicle Technology This course can only have 12 students on it for safety reasons. It is the only course that we run that will be assessed during the course with only a 25% final examination. We have selected the students who would most benefit from this method of assessment.

Options forms At the end of the presentation please collect the options forms. If your son/ daughter has been identified as benefitting from one of the alternative courses then there will be a letter explaining that and a slightly different form to complete.

Options German GCSE Spanish GCSE Geography GCSE History GCSE Philosophy and Ethics GCSE Art GCSE Music GCSE Drama GCSE Media Studies GCSE PE GCSE Photography

Options Food Technology GCSE Resistant Materials GCSE Textiles GCSE Child Development GCSE ICT GCSE Computing GCSE

Options booklet You will receive an Options booklet together with an Options form at the end of the presentation. Please spend time talking about the information within the booklet together with your child at home. The Options booklet and this presentationwill also be available on the school’s website and VLE.

Taster sessions For subjects that do not currently run at Key Stage 3, taster sessions have been arranged to run between Tuesday 22 January and Thursday 24 January for those students have shown interest in these subjects. This will enable students to make more accurate and informed decisions about their option choices.

Taster sessions Child Development GCSE Media Studies GCSE Photography GCSE Dates, times, rooms and student names are published outside Mr Eddy’s office. Please see Mr Heard by 2.50pm on Thursday if you wish to attend one of these sessions.

Careers Interviews These have already started and will continue throughout the Options process. Students will be directed towards these by tutors and Directors of Progress. If you would like to arrange a careers appointment, please speak to your Director of Progress.

Wednesday 28 January 2015 Parents’ Evening from 4.00pm – 6.30pm in the Main Hall. Parents will receive their child’s grade card on arrival. This will provide parents and students with an opportunity to meet with subject staff in the hall, to discuss your child’s progress and to clarify options choices. Please ensure that you bring the Options booklet with you.

Parent and student meetings Individual appointments will be made for every Year 9 student accompanied by their parents to discuss and finalise option choices. These will take place between 29 January and 4 February with a member of the Senior Leadership Team or a Director of Progress. Sign-up sheets with times are available for you to book a time with your linked member of staff at the back of the Main Hall.

OPTIONS FORM

Reserve Options Choices Please include two reserve choices on your Options form in order of preference. This is very important as the school cannot guarantee any choices at this stage. Please be aware that some options may not run due to lack of interest from students.

Friday 6 February 2015 This is the deadline for option forms to be returned to Student Reception. Alternatively, these can be finalised and handed to the linked teacher at your parent / student meeting. A late return of the options form might risk a student missing out on an option choice.

Wednesday 18 March 2015 Parents and students will receive a letter confirming option choices.

Contact us Please contact us at any stage throughout the options process should you wish to discuss any particular matter.

Options process During the options process, students should talk to their tutor, subject teacher, Head of Department, Director of Progress or a member of the Senior Leadership Team if they require any guidance.

Philosophy and Ethics Unfortunately, Mrs Moran is unable to be at tonight’s event. Parents and students will be able to book an appointment to discuss this subject at the Year 9 Parents’ Evening on Wednesday 28 January.

What to do now Pick up your Options booklet and form from the back of the hall. Go to the sign-up sheets in the hall to book a time with your linked member of staff. Visit subject areas to find out more about the options available. Visit the LRC to talk to the Careers Advisor and to Post-16 providers. Use the map provided to find out where subjects are situated.