Year 9 Pathways 2018-2020

Access Exam Arrangements. What are they? Who is eligible?

The special educational needs must have been long term.

What does that look like at Sacred Heart? (Some examples) For hearing loss you can apply to have your MFL exam in a separate room with live speaker. Specific learning difference which makes reading difficult -: 25% additional time and or computer reader Medical conditions which create chronic fatigue-: rest breaks Diagnosed difficulty with maintaining attention -: a prompter Handwriting speed that is below a standardised score of 84 -: laptop

All put in place by end of Y10. The Senco and Exams Officer must apply to the board with evidence that complies with the JCQ Regulations. It is not the schools decision to give access arrangements, but the decision as to who can apply is based on the Senco’s professional judgement. 1. History of Need 2. Assessment carried out by a specialist teacher with OCR Level 7 qualifications. ( JCQ now insist on a school assessor NOT a private report commissioned by parents.) 3. A ‘Form 8’ paper trail. All put in place by end of Y10.

One score of 84 or below in the battery of cognitive tests means a candidate is eligible for extra time.

The desire to fit in and not be seen as different is very strong in Y9 however, in my experience this changes after their mocks in Y11 when extra time can make the difference between finishing an exam paper or not.

Queries to Mrs Reid : Senco senco@sacredh.lbhf.sch.uk Reasonable steps to overcome disadvantage. Queries to Mrs Reid : Senco senco@sacredh.lbhf.sch.uk

Context Broad and Balanced 14-19 curriculum Continuity and progression GCSE reforms: all courses now linear (exams at the end)

All examinations will be taken at the end of two years – there will be no opportunities to resit. In school examinations in Year 10 and mock examinations in Year 11 both are really important and need to be taken very seriously.

GCSE reforms: All subjects New GCSEs in English language, English literature and Maths has been taught in schools in England since September 2015, with students getting their results in August 2017. New GCSEs in all other subjects (with the exception of Business Studies) has been taught in schools in England since September 2016 with students getting their results in August 2018. Starting in September 2017 the new Business Studies curriculum will be taught in all schools in England. This means that your daughter will be getting her results as grades 1 to 9.

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) The Government believes that schools should offer pupils a broad range of academic subjects to age 16. In 2017, 89% of pupils where entered for the EBacc The E Bacc is not a new qualification – currently it measures A* to C passes in English A modern foreign language Maths A humanities subject (History or Geography) Sciences (x2) (includes Computer Science)

English Baccalaureate At present, no university uses the English Baccalaureate as part of its entry requirement Entry to sixth form does not require pupils to have achieved the English Baccalaureate. Not a qualification rather an accountability measure The Ebacc is the best foundation for entry to the most competitive universities. It is therefore the appropriate pathway for the vast majority of Sacred Heart pupils.

Geography, History and Modern Languages are regarded as facilitating subjects by the Russell Group of Universities, along with English, Maths and Science.

Enrichment Programme Weekly basis for all pupils – wide range of enrichment clubs (number 50) Duke of Edinburgh Sports Leadership Awards

Continuity & progression Sixth Form Continuity & progression GCSE A- levels University vocational qualifications future careers

Sixth Form Entry Requirements Entry requirements for sixth form – most subjects at A level requirement is a minimum of a level 6, for Science and Maths a 7 or above

The Pathways Booklet Section A: information and advice Section B: the core subjects everyone has to study Section C: the non-core (options) subjects on offer Section D: the option blocks and pathways

Core Subjects RE English Maths Science PSHE PE

Assessment in Maths A student must sit all three exams at the same tier.   A decision on which paper students take will be based on which tier is most appropriate for them and will be taken on an individual basis.

Science Separate Sciences = 3 GCSEs in science Combined Science’s = 2 Science GCSEs .

More about Science Year 9 pupils are already studying the GCSE course. All pupils start Year 10 with intention that they will sit exams in three separate sciences. At the end of Year 10 the science teachers will use the department assessment data on pupils to suggest the best option for pupils in Year 11. A small number of pupils may be entered for combined science but we expect the majority to sit three separate science GCSE exams.

More about Science Do bear in mind, though: In order to allow you to follow a balanced curriculum with the scope to take a creative or practical subject, you will need to work to complete three separate sciences in less curriculum time than other GCSE’s.

GCSE Religious Education Pupils will sit three papers in Philosophy and Ethics, Judaism and Christianity There is NO Foundation or Higher Tier – everyone sits the same paper. Paper 1: Philosophy and Ethics = 50% Paper 2 – Judaism = 25% Paper 3 - Christianity = 25%

Non-core subjects

Option Pathways 2018-2020 Pathway 1 All pupils unless directed by the school will follow pathway 1. All pupils will study the core GCSE’s and then all pupils must choose one choice from each block Pathway 1

Option Pathways 2018-2020 Pathway 2 Only pupils directed choose to follow pathway 2 If you think your daughter would benefit from following pathway 2, but hasn’t been identified by the school then please contact Ms Maton or Mr Davies to discuss further. Pathway 2

Some common questions which have already been raised… i) My daughter has already achieved her GCSE in French/Spanish can you study another subject instead of a language? No, all pupils who study pathway 1 must do a language so therefore she would have to study the other subject (i.e French or Spanish) ii) My daughter has a real passion for both Art and DT and is wanting to study them both at A-Level is there no way that she can study both? No, all pupils who study pathway 1 can only choose one from the other subjects (i.e. Drama/Music/ Art/ DT etc) so as a result she wont be able to study both Art and DT.

Some common questions which have already been raised… iii) My daughter really doesn’t want to study a language is there any way that she doesn’t need to study one? If a pupil doesn’t want to study a language then the alternative is for them to study pathway 2. If this is the case then please contact Mr Davies to arrange a meeting to discuss this.

Some things to remember… Size of groups – health and safety implications Limits on number of groups Pupils make preference choices and indicate alternative choices WE WILL CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE CHOICES We will do our best to accommodate preferences, but obviously there are some constraints School is committed to helping all pupils of all abilities to make the best choices for their future. We reserve the right to direct pupils in their best interests.

Over-subscription Directors of Learning and senior staff will take a holistic overview of each pupil’s choices The Options process is there to enable pupils to choose the best subjects for them. Subject departments do not select the pupils they would most like to teach. A professional judgment will be made in each case Consider carefully reserve choices

Next steps for pupils… Talk to your parents/carers, school staff, Mr Young and other adults about your choices. Read the options booklet thoroughly, find out about different careers and talk to tutors Ask if you are not sure! Think carefully about why you are choosing a subject. Start to think about what you want to do at Sixth Form and how your choices will support that.

Steps to follow in order to fill in the option form online

The Preferences Form DEADLINE Monday 28th May

Good luck on your pathway to SUCCESS!