Welcome to the Year 8 Guided Pathways process. You may be aware that the Government is introducing changes to the curriculum in schools.

Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor; that the son of a mine worker can become the head of a mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. Nelson Mandela

The Process So Far Gove rnment imposed changes Ebacc will impact on student progression rates - employment, education opportunities SDCC students need to be as competitive as the rest of the country Still get at least 4 options but not all at once as previously opted for in year 9. Non Ebacc subjects unimportant?

The South Dartmoor Curriculum: Meets the changes made by the Government with the EBacc. Enables students to maintain a range of options as well as EBacc subjects. Challenge Partners Review judged it as outstanding (2013) Personalises curriculum opportunities based on stage not age i.e. students will take exams when we believe they are ready and in a position to progress to the next stage of their learning rather than the old model of waiting until a given age. Personalised examination courses means A/S courses can be taken prior to Sixth Form and where appropriate additional lessons can be provided in subjects where performance is lower than expected.

We are involving Year 8 Students and Parents/Carers in the Guided Pathways process much earlier than usual. This is so we can respond to the Government Curriculum changes in a timely way that enables us to resource and staff History, Geography, French and Spanish.

Next Steps for Year 8 Students Humanities: Select the Humanity subject (Geography or History) you would prefer to study as part of the EBacc route in Year 9.

This might mean students decide to choose one of Geography or History now and begin to study it as a GCSE in Year 9 and then select the other in Year 9 and begin it as a GCSE in Year 10. Alternatively students may choose to study subjects from other areas, in Year 10.

Next Steps for Year 8 Students Languages: Enjoy getting fully involved with your French and Spanish taster lessons Later this term you will be given a language route You will then select French and/or Spanish as your preferred language option

Am I able to discuss whether my child should take Geography or History? Am I able to discuss whether or not my child might take either or both French and Spanish? Yes. We absolutely encourage you to do this. If you have any questions, please arrange a chat with your childs Geography, History, French and Spanish teachers at your earliest convenience. The Subject Leaders of Geography, History, French and Spanish are also available to chat with.

KEY DATES February 2013 Receive A5 Geography, History, French and Spanish Guided Pathways EBacc booklet. Tuesday 26 th February 2013 Guided Pathways evening pm. An important opportunity to hear short presentations from Geography, History, French and Spanish staff in order to help students make informed choices as well as learn more about our Curriculum changes. March/April 2013 Language options information following French/Spanish taster sessions. Summer Term We aim to confirm your options for you in a letter. Friday 8 th March 2013 Deadline for selecting Geography or History as an option to begin in Year 9.

KEY DATES FOR LANGUAGES 1.Before End of Spring Term Personalised letter with language route 2.Year 8 Parents Evening – Thursday 25 th April Deadline for making choices within your language route – 29 th April 2013

Commencing September 2013 Mustafa Shaikh Subject Leader South Dartmoor Community College

Complete two of the three topics: 1. River environments 2. Coastal environments 3. Hazardous environments

Complete two of the three topics 4. Economic activity and energy 5. Ecosystems and rural environments 6. Urban environments

The development of practical geographical enquiry skills related to the investigation of each selected topic from Sections A and B.

Complete one of the three topics: 7. Fragile environments 8. Globalisation and migration 9. Development and human welfare.

No tiers of entry – accessible to all students Assessment opportunity in June examination Single tier. Single examination. Provides a solid basis for Edexcel GCE AS and Advanced level Geography and World Development courses we do here. Equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Nationals in Travel and Tourism and land- based subjects.

GCSE class core text used and provided in class GCSE student book to support Home Learning issued to each pupil from the Library Resources on Moodle including OX box CD ROM revision and examination style resources. Geography intervention and support sessions provided as appropriate Access to the new geography ICT suite and notebooks Support from Edexcel Board Experienced Team of Mr Shaikh, Mr Wilson, Mr Hodges, Miss Fannon and other supporting colleagues

Edexcel Board =edexcel&src=ie9tr Geographical Association BBC Bitesize /gcsebitesize/ Geography blog

Controlled Assessment The Russian Revolution

75% exam at end of course Unit 1 (Cold War and America) – 45% Unit 2 (Britain) – 30% Controlled Assessment – 25% 8 hours in class time Research and write an analytical essay of approx 2000 words. Focuses on the role of a key individual

Take what you know and use it to analyse historical questions (making links) Understand and interpret historical sources such as photographs or cartoons Know the facts (but its not just about knowing the facts) Literacy/written communication Independence, perseverance. Up for a challenge! Communication skills

History is a facilitating subject, which leaves your options open to study any subject or follow any career path. Transferable skills, useful in any job or academic pathway Respected and valued by all universities and all professions, e.g. Law Lifelong love of History

Language Routes – September 2013 NVQ Business French NVQ Business Spanish

Language Routes – September 2013

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart. Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going. …the limits of your language are the limits of your world…

Year 9Year 10Year 11 Language Routes – September 2013: Overview Single Language Award French GCSE - Year 1 or Spanish GCSE – Year 1 Open to all GCSE students Single Language Award French GCSE - Year 2 or Spanish GCSE – Year 2 Open to all GCSE students Possible options include: - AS French - AS Spanish - GCSE MFL beginners - Free non-MFL option Single Language Fast-track Award - French French GCSE - year 1 Open to Permissions group Possible options include: - AS French - GCSE MFL beginners - Free non-MFL option Double Language Award French & Spanish GCSE - year 1 Routeway by invitation Double Language Award French & Spanish GCSE - year 2 Routeway by invitation Possible options include: - AS French - AS Spanish - GCSE MFL beginners - Free non-MFL option Non-GCSE Language Award French or Spanish – one year Possible options include: - Free non-MFL option

Common Topic Areas: Out and about Visitor information Basic weather Local amenities Accommodation Public transport Directions Customer service and transactions Cafés and restaurants Shops Dealing with problems Personal information General interests Leisure activities Family and friends Lifestyle (healthy eating and exercise) Future plans, education and work Basic language of the internet Simple job adverts Simple job applications and CV School and college Work and work experience GCSE: WHAT will I study?

GCSE: HOW will I be assessed? Combination of controlled assessment throughout the course and national exam papers taken at the end of the course. UNIT 1: Listening & UnderstandingUNIT 2: Speaking 20% of final GCSE grade30% of final GCSE grade National exam – end of course Foundation tier: 30 minutes Higher tier: 40 minutes Controlled assessment tasks (submit two tasks) Each speaking exam lasts 4 – 6 minutes Exam is based on the common topic areas UNIT 3: Reading & UnderstandingUNIT 4: Writing 20% of final GCSE grade30% of final GCSE grade National exam – end of course Foundation tier: 35 minutes Higher tier: 50 minutes Controlled assessment task (submit two tasks) Each written piece – minimum 200 words Exam is based on the common topic areas

GCSE Language Lessons

Dealing with the foreign language in real situations: Personal, work-related and business situations Instructions and directions Questions and requests Feelings, needs and preferences Numerical data Foreign language knowledge and skills: Relevant vocabulary The infinitive Simplest ways of expressing past, present and future Positive and negative statements Positive and negative questions Simple imperatives Simple link words Use reference sources Clear pronunciation Example topics include: Social arrangements, food, drink, travel, accommodation, shopping, work-related orders, number, quantity, prices, dates NVQ: WHAT will I study?

NVQ: HOW will I be assessed? Portfolio building qualification with no examination. All assessment tasks are classroom-based. UNIT 1: Listening & UnderstandingUNIT 2: Speaking 2 elements: L1.1 - Extract information from simple statements or descriptions L1.2 - Follow simple, predictable conversations Length of task: minimum of 3 minutes S1.1 - Give simple prepared statements or descriptions S1.2 - Take part in simple, predictable conversations Length of task: minimum of 3 minutes UNIT 3: Reading & UnderstandingUNIT 4: Writing 1 element: R1.1 - Extract information from signs, notices and simple correspondence 3-5 pieces minimum. No word limit. W1.1 - Complete forms and create simple correspondence 3-5 pieces minimum. No word limit.

Language Routes – September 2013 NVQ Business French NVQ Business Spanish