Year 9 Options Information Evening March 2017

What do you want to be when you grow up?

What do you want to be when you grow up? Successful? Rich? Challenged? Fulfilled? Happy?

Your future is not pot luck! Where do you want the road ahead to take you?

How will I decide? What do I want to do in the future? What do my assessments tell me? What are my strengths and interests?

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.

GCSE – External examinations completed at the end of the course. Controlled Assessment – Work planned in class and then finally written in class but in exam conditions. There used to be a lot of this but fewer subjects have this now. Most of the final grade comes down the performance in the exams. Grades A* - G currently. By the summer of 2019 GCSE subjects will be graded on a scale of 1 – 9.

Progression Levels 4 - 8 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Entry Level eg Degree MA PhD Level 3 A Levels BTEC Level 2 GCSE A*-C (4-9) Level 1 GCSE D – G (1-3) Entry Level

The big picture English Maths Science PSHRE Preparation PE Option 1

English GCSE in English Language GCSE in English Literature 9 periods per fortnight

Maths GCSE in Maths 9 Periods per fortnight

Science GCSE in Core Science GCSE in Additional Science Two science qualifications. It is possible to take three science qualifications from the options choices. In order to complete the separate sciences students will need to be getting a grade 6 by the end of Year 9.

PSHRE Course is broad ranging looking at employment, finance, politics, relationship issues. It will also consider moral and ethical issues. This is part of the statutory curriculum from the government

Preparation Study Focus will be on supporting the curriculum. Students will be given support with CV writing and application to college. Revision strategies and resources.

PE Core PE time No final examination

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

The English Baccalaureate This combination of subjects does increase future opportunities for students especially if they can gain a grade from 5-9 in all of the five areas. It is not compulsory but strongly recommended – especially if students are thinking about university or jobs where there is lots of competition.

Option choices Up to Three subjects can be chosen 6 periods per fortnight Students should not make choices based on friendships or because they happen to like the teacher.

The Group A subjects You will need to select ONE from this list. History Geography French Triple Science Level 1 Vocational course (by invitation only) You will need to select ONE from this list.

The Group B Subjects Art Photography Design Technology – Food preparation and Nutrition Design Technology – Textile based materials Design Technology – Timber, metal based materials Drama French Geography History IT Media Studies Music Physical Education Religious Studies

Forbidden Combinations Art and Photography Design and Technology – Textiles and Timber

Free choice Unlike in previous years, students will be given a free choice of subjects from Block B Once all the forms are in we will then work out the best fit for all students across all of the subjects. However, there are 129 students in the year group and it may not be possible to please everyone.

Reserve choices Some subjects may not run because not enough students show an interest in taking them. Students will be asked to choose TWO reserve subjects and it is important that these have as much consideration as the first three choices. Should reserve choices be used for your child then you will be contacted by the school.

Be aware It will not be possible to do some subject combinations Block A Block B Block C PE Drama Geography Technology Music Photography Triple Science RE Art Media French Food Technology History IT

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.

Vocational Courses In Group A we have identified a vocational course. This will be more suitable for a group of students selected by teachers to follow. This will initially be a Level 1 course. We will discuss this in more detail over the next few weeks.

Options forms On Friday we will issue the options booklet. This will contain information about the subjects that will be offered from September. This will also have the options form. Tuesday 14th March - progress evening. This is a chance to talk to teachers about how well things are going in subjects and to explore potential courses. From 15th March to 30th March a 1:1 meeting will take place between a member of the senior staff, student and parents to answer any final questions and to agree option choices.

Final choices Parents and students will receive a letter confirming option choices during the first part of the summer term.

Options process During the options process, students should talk to their tutor, subject teacher or a member of the Senior Leadership Team if they require any guidance. They should, of course, also discuss possible choices with you at home.

Options Form The option form needs to be back in school no later than Thursday 30th March. There is no advantage to returning this before then as work will be done on it over the Easter holiday. However, late submissions might well find it harder to secure their first choices.

Thank you