Year 8 Options Evening Thursday 18th January 2018

The Purpose of This Evening Explain the reason for the 3-year Key Stage 4 To outline the options process and the choices your daughter will need to make. To provide you with the information necessary to help you and your daughter make informed choices about GCSE options. To provide a timeline of events in the options process

Our Vision IMAGINE THE FUTURE BRENTFORD GIRL... She thrives on challenge and has a desire to fulfil her learning potential; she is able to think independently and is confident in her social and academic capability; she is emotionally aware and emotionally intelligent; she is capable and dependable; she is resourceful and inquisitive; she embraces the technological world as a global village and is ready to interact with others in the local and worldwide community; she accepts the welfare of others as her responsibility; she understands the need for sustainable living both locally and globally; she is ready for life in the future – whatever that may be. She is the centre of our vision and will remain the very core of our being and purpose.

Curriculum Changes There have been large scale curriculum changes nationally. All examinations at the end of Year 11- no modules Around 16 separate examinations to be sat in Summer 2020. Grades will now be numerical Coursework /controlled assessment taken out from most subjects. Greater emphasis on literacy and numeracy

Reformed GCSEs These are more challenging than the old GCSEs They have more content They will require greater depth of knowledge e.g. in Maths and Science students are required to cover content previously taught at A Level Assessment tends to be linear rather than modular

3-Year GCSE In 2015 the school decided to offer GCSEs over three years This gives more time to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to enable to them to fulfil their potential with increased challenge Year 9 was often seen as a dip year Opportunity for early entry to exams e.g. English Literature

Attainment 8 and Progress 8 The Government recommends that all students complete at least eight GCSEs. This must include the following: English Language English Literature Maths Science (Double or Triple) History/Geography/German or French

Attainment 8 and Progress 8 Students’ attainment and progress across these eight GCSEs is now the key measure of performance in schools. English and Maths retain their importance and are given double weighting in these measures

Your Options: Core Curriculum Your daughter will pursue a statutory core curriculum: English Language- one GCSE English Literature- one GCSE (usually sat in Year 10) Mathematics- one GCSE Science- two or three GCSEs RE- one GCSE PSHCE (not examined) PE (not examined)

Your choice: Ebacc/facilitating subjects Your daughter must choose one Ebacc subject: History Geography French German These are facilitating subjects that are preferred by Russell Group universities Because of changes to A level becoming linear, many more universities will consider GCSE choices and grades when making decisions If you are forecast level 5s in Maths & English, you are encouraged to take two Ebacc options

Russell Group Universities The Russell Group universities represent 24 of the UK's top higher education institutions and promote excellent teaching and research. You'll find them all at the top of the UK rankings, as well as some global league tables. Examples include University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, Durham University, Cambridge & Oxford

Informed Choices Booklet

Your choice: other options Art Business Studies Drama Film Studies Food Health and Social care Music PE Photography Textiles Some students may be encouraged to take two options (from Block B & C). This would give an opportunity to have one block used for an Academic Support session to be offered to support achievement

Initial Considerations When Choosing You may wish to consider your journey post-16 Researching the entry requirements for A level courses running at Brentford may be a good starting point The question to consider is are you on the correct flightpaths in your options to meet the entry requirements?

Ms Garrett – Head of Year 8

How to make the right choice Your daughter must consider the following questions: Which subjects is she good at? Which subjects does she enjoy? Which subjects will help her towards her career goals and aspirations? Does her choice of subjects keep her future options open?

Your Choice: Blocking OPTION A OPTION B OPTION C French Geography German History Academic Support Business Studies Photography Music PE Health & Social Care   Art Food Drama Textiles Film Studies

Options Form

Support and advice Your daughter has had the opportunity to attend subject assemblies for each of the option choice subjects. Your daughter took part in a careers-focused activity day earlier this term You will have the opportunity to discuss options choices and your daughter’s suitability for the courses with teachers at the Year 8 Parents Evening. Tutors will help throughout the process in tutor time.

What should you do now? Between now and 28th March you should: Discuss options choices with your daughter – use the options booklet as an information resource. Research any future careers/universities that your daughter may be interested in– what GCSEs/BTECs/A Levels do they require? Use your daughter’s report data as an indicator of the subjects she should be choosing and confirm this with her teachers tonight. Sit with your daughter when she is completing her form. Ensure paperwork is completed, signed and returned by 28th March to tutors.

Timeline Date Activity 19th February-2nd March Lunchtime Taster Sessions 22nd March Year 8 Parents Evening 28th March Deadline for Options Forms to be Returned 18th April Interviews to Confirm Choices 23rd April Students Informed of their Final Option Choices 30th April Deadline to Request Changes 7th May Changes Made and Relayed to Students

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are two options chosen for each block? The two blocks are not preferential i.e. not a first and second choice By giving two choices it enables the school to look at the data available to assess the most suitable option based on achievement at KS3 out of the two

How are different students advised? Students have been encouraged to consider their future aspirations and pathways We will also advise based on information we know about the student. E.g. a student who has high achievement (L5 or above) in Maths and English will be encouraged to take two Ebaac option choices E.g. If we feel students may find the pressure of three GCSEs challenging or could benefit from extra support then taking the Academic Support option and two GCSEs may be suggested

If there are not enough students choosing an option, would it run? We try to ensure that all options run when we can However, when demand for an option subject is low, we will look at the subjects individually before deciding if the course runs

Why is Computer Science not offered? More than half of England's secondary schools, 54%, did not offer GCSE computer science in 2015-16. The biggest issue was the lack of skilled teachers – this is the case at BSfG where there is not currently a teacher available to deliver the complex content

Can I take a subject at A Level that I did not take at GCSE? For most subjects you can The most important factor is to choose subjects that they enjoy and are good at It is advised that you speak with the Subject representative tonight or your class teacher to find out if you are unsure

Who can take Triple Science? The Science department will look at achievement at KS3 before offering triple science to students Completing Triple Science is very challenging and requires excellent ability in Science and good independent learning skills Therefore, you will invited to take Triple Science rather than selecting to take it

Rest of the Evening For reference, this presentation will be put on the website The next stage of the evening is to find out more about the courses offered at KS4 If you could remain seated, we will escort you to Curie Gym where subject representatives will be there to show you the courses offered

Thank You For Listening