Y9 Options 21st February 2017

SCHOOL DAYS TO DECIDE YOUR GCSE OPTIONS!! 24 SCHOOL DAYS TO DECIDE YOUR GCSE OPTIONS!!

Year 9: The time to make some decisions! Year 9 are fast approaching the most critical point in their school careers to date when they get to: Make some choices over what subjects they study (perhaps more importantly, which subjects they will choose not to continue with!) Start to focus on possible routes at College (and beyond) Begin GCSE content in a number of lessons (e.g. English, Maths, Science, History or Geography)

Year 9: The time to make some decisions! An outline of the process Stage One: Selecting either Geography or History Stage Two: Complete the Straw Poll activity Stage Three: Read information issued carefully, listen to presentations given by teachers and ask questions Stage Four: Attend Parents’ Evening in March and speak to your teachers about the GCSE courses

Some important dates in this process Thursday 19th January (today): Initial introduction Friday 20th / Monday 23rd / Tuesday 24th January: In RE lessons complete Straw Poll Wednesday 25th January: deadline for History/Geography choice Week beginning 30th January: Y9 Exams (more info later) 21st February: p5 Full Options process briefing (students). 7pm: Parents’ information evening 7th March: Commence either History or Geography GCSE 22nd March: Y9 Parents’ Evening 29th March: Deadline for Options choices

Information Received Today During assembly today students received: Confirmation of their History or Geography choice Information about the on-going support with the options process A copy of the options booklet

Looking Ahead https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide A Levels Henley College, Reading School, Kendrick School, Highdown. http://www.henleycol.ac.uk/henleycollege/courses/entry.html http://www.reading-school.co.uk/26/admissions-guidelines Vocational Diplomas/BTEC Level 2 and Level 3 Henley College, Reading College, BCA, UTC http://www.bca.ac.uk/the-college/prospectus/ Apprenticeships Employers https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

GCSE Reforms Current Y11 are the first students to sit the reformed GCSEs in English & Maths (June 2017) Current Y10 and beyond will sit all their exams in the reformed GCSE style (June 2018 onwards) GCSE qualifications will be awarded as a number from 9-1 (where 9 is the top grade). An ‘old-style’ Grade C equates to a new Grade 4/5

GCSE Reforms – what do they mean for students? More rigorous exams papers (more content) Terminal exams (taken at the end of Y11) Longer exam papers Very little (or no) coursework contribution Much greater emphasis on accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar

The National Picture Government keen to promote students studying a ‘broad and balanced’ curriculum defined as English, Maths, Science, History or Geography and a Modern Foreign Language – gaining a Grade 5 qualification in each of these gains the ‘Ebacc’ qualification. The Ebacc is nominal, although students who have aspirations of attending University should consider trying to earn it.

What lessons will you have? Core curriculum: English (studying for both Literature and Language qualifications) Maths Science (studying for at least 2 GCSEs) PHSE PE

What lessons will you have? Core Curriculum: In addition, all students will follow either a Geography or History GCSE. Students have already identified which one they will follow and will commence this course on the 7th March 2017

What lessons will you have? Additional Courses: Students will select 3 additional qualifications from: Art, 3d Design, Textiles, Food Tech, Geography, History, RE, Dance, Drama, Music, French, German, Computing, Sport, Health & Social Care They will be chosen from the option blocks (1 from each block)

The Options Form

Pick one subject from each of the blocks IMPORTANT! Pick one subject from each of the blocks (Some subjects appear in more than one block ) When you have decided – write your choice from each block here Don’t forget a reserve! Questions or concerns

What to do if your preferred combination doesn’t fit the blocks? Please complete the options form in its current format (even though this means putting down choices you might not be completely happy with), including a reserve. In the comments box please indicate what your preferred combination of subjects would be Ensure the form is returned on time! I can’t promise that I will be able to accommodate all requests, but this provides me with the information to investigate alternative block solutions.

How to Make Choices DO pick subjects that you are interested in DO pick subjects that you are successful in DO pick subjects that might be useful for your future studies or career DO pick subjects that play to your strengths DO pick subjects that complement each other DO consider whether a GCSE or BTEC would be best

How Not to make Choices DO NOT pick subjects because you like the teacher DO NOT pick subjects because your friends are taking them DO NOT pick subjects because your older brother or sister took them DO NOT pick subjects without reading the course content carefully DO NOT pick subjects (just) because your parents think you should take them

Further information available There will be assemblies Weds-Friday this week and Thursday next week from subject teachers promoting their courses. After NEXT THURSDAY’s assembly students will receive their options form (on blue) to complete. The deadline is 29th MARCH 2017 Bookable appointments with the Careers Advisor are available for students struggling with their choices Access to Plotr – a web-passed careers website that students have been introduced to during PHSE lessons this year (https://www.plotr.co.uk)

Preparing for your Future The options process is the first step on the pathway to your future It is important over the next few years that whilst you are working hard to achieve academically that you develop wider interests and skills that will be invaluable to you in later life

Extra-Curricular Responsibility Amnesty/Power Group/Student Leadership Volunteering Charities/Paired Reading Participation Interhouse/fixtures/Performance Independence D of E / Part time work Healthy lifestyle Young chef/Sponsored Walk

Work related learning and careers CV and personal statement preparation Careers interview with external adviser Profiling College Open days Apprenticeship talks and visits Oxford visit Employer Interviews Work Experience?

Some important dates in this process Thursday 19th January (today): Initial introduction Friday 20th / Monday 23rd / Tuesday 24th January: In RE lessons complete Straw Poll Wednesday 25th January: deadline for History/Geography choice Week beginning 30th January: Y9 Exams (more info later) 21st February: p5 Full Options process briefing (students). 6.30pm: Parents’ information evening 7th March: Commence either History or Geography GCSE 22nd March: Y9 Parents’ Evening 29th March: Deadline for Options choices

Any Questions?