Options for 2016 Do not limit your children to your learning, For they are born in another time Hebrew proverb You do not know about education, get back in your box

Aims of the evening Overview of the year (Mr Damant) Curriculum changes and GCSE options (Mr Hurley)

Key dates Short Report – December18th Full Reports –March 23rd Options Fair – April 21st Parent evening – May 5th Option returns – May 6th Short report – June 24th Options confirmed – July 15th

The Key Stage 4 (GCSE) curriculum begins in Year 9. The Government have reviewed and altered the GCSE curriculum with the aim of increasing rigour and developing higher levels of literacy and numeracy skills of young people; to better prepare them for employability and lifelong learning. There will be an emphasis on pupils acquiring essential knowledge in English, Maths and Sciences. To achieve the top scores pupils will be required to have a deeper understanding of each subject, breadth of knowledge and its application to the wider world.

Year of GCSE examination New format GCSEs Current Year 10 9 8 (2015/16) Year of GCSE examination Summer 2017 Summer 2018 Summer 2019 Subjects Phase 1   English Language English Literature Mathematics Phase 2 All Sciences Art Computing Dance Design Technology Drama Geography History Latin and Foreign Languages Music PE Phase 3 All subjects New gradings 1-9 grades for Phase 1 subjects 1-9 for Phase 1 & 2 subjects All 1-9 grades Old gradings A*- G ‘Old’ style GCSE

What are the grades New GCSE Grade Old GCSE Grade 9 A* 8 7 A 6 B 5 C 4 3 D 2 E 1 F & G

Curriculum map Year 7 & 8 Core English Mathematics Science PE Foundation IT Art Drama Music Technology Geography History Language CPR Year 9 Core English Language English Literature Mathematics Science – Double Award PE Foundation RE within CPR Language Geography or History 3 additional choices Year 10 & 11 Core English Language English Literature Mathematics Science – Double/Triple PE Foundation Options (4x2) Y7&8 – volume of subjects creates pressure h/l an issue due to number of subjects

Year 9 Core + 6 KS4 Foundation courses: RE (within the CPR framework) a Modern Foreign Language Geography or History 3 free choices

Year 10 Core + reduction Foundation courses from 6 to 4 KS4 courses Option 1 = MFL Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Any 3

Foundation Subjects You will need to consider the choices from the following subjects and complete your options form 1. Humanities – please tick one Geography Tick 1 of these, you ma tick the alternate as part of our free choice History 2. Current Foreign Language French German Latin Spanish Please tick 1 or 2 of these if you are taking them next year 3. Additional Choices Art (Fine Art) Dance Geography Drama BTEC Food preparation & Nutrition Media Studies Photography Sculpture Computing Digital Applications History Fashion Design Music Product Design Physical Education Please choose 3 choices (1-3) and 2 reserves (R) 4. CPR (Religious Enquiry) 

Janet year 9 year 10 RE RE French French History History Media Media Art Drama year 10 RE French History Media Shows that can continue with IT/computing at GCSE

John year 9 in year 10 RE Spanish Spanish Geography Geography History Media Photography in year 10 Spanish Geography History Photography Drop IT, but takes 2 humanities

Successes in Year 9 An exploratory year Pupils benefitting from the extra time Progress – not the same in all subjects

Choosing courses at KS4 Choose a course that…. They can succeed in Contain those subjects they like best Reflect their interests and personal qualities Help them learn in their best way Sets them up for a future life of work

Do not assume you know what is best, put aside your prior expectations

Just because it has worked for you in past, it may not work for your child

Discussion points Possible question starters: What do I want to know about the option system? What do I want to know about the courses? What do I want to consider about their future in education and work?