Where next? Pathways 2019- 2021

GCSE Pathways process Programme of Courses Ambition Endeavour Success 03/04/2019

Year 9 Pathways Parents’ Information evening – Tuesday 22nd January 2019 Pathways Booklet - published on the school website and available on paper this evening. Pathways Assemblies throughout the week of the 14th January 2019 Year 9 Parents’ Evening – Thursday 31st January 2019 Deadline for the return of completed Pathway Forms: Friday 8th February 2019 (Pathway forms will be given to pupils on Monday 4th February) Week commencing 4th February 2019 - Individual Pathway Interviews with Senior Leaders in School (If required)

What I must study? You must study a ‘core’ curriculum of English Language English Literature Maths Science (Combined or Triple) RS ICT – Creative iMedia • All leading to GCSE or equivalent qualifications

Changing demands Assessment will be linear (all exams taken at the end of the course) 100 % exam Exams will be harder Much more of an emphasis on extended writing Assessment of Mathematical skills across the curriculum Graded as 1 – 9

The EBacc Broad academic curriculum for all. All pupils will select a minimum of one EBacc subject (From Geography, History, Spanish) The EBacc is achieved when pupils achieve a good GCSE pass in all of the following subject areas: Mathematics English Language A Modern Foreign Language Two Sciences (From: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science) A Humanities subject: History or Geography A performance measure for schools: 2010 The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is a performance measure for schools in England, first applied in the 2010 school performance tables. It measures the achievement of pupils who have gained Key Stage 4 (GCSE level) qualifications in the following subjects: • English • mathematics • history or geography • the sciences; and • a language The Coalition Government stated that the principal purpose of the new measure was to increase the takeup of ‘core’ academic qualifications that best equipped a pupil for progression to further study and work. By introducing this performance measure, the Government hopes that more pupils will be offered the chance to take a broad core of more traditional academic Pathways. The English Baccalaureate was introduced because the number of non-academic qualifications taken up to age 16 had risen from about 15,000 in 2004 to about 575,000 in 2010, with a higher take-up of vocational qualifications by young people from deprived backgrounds. The government argued that many of these qualifications do not carry real weight for entry to higher education or for getting a job. They also believed there had been a decline in the opportunity to take some core subjects, such as modern foreign languages, history and geography at Key Stage 4. Put simply, it's a way for the government, and parents looking at school league tables, to measure and compare how many pupils in a school are getting grade C or above in certain academically-focused GCSEs. EBacc subjects are the core academic subjects that make up the EBacc and are most regularly asked for by college and university courses – worth bearing in mind when your child is deciding which GCSEs to take. Students don’t need to have studied all of these to go to university, but having their GCSE mix steered towards EBacc subjects will help keep their Pathways open.

Do all pupils have to take the English baccalaureate? Do all students have to take the English baccalaureate? No! BUT some pupils who we know have the best academic ability have been selected to study an Ebacc pathway. The government announced our intention that all pupils who started year 7 in September 2015 take the EBacc subjects . That is current Y8 pupils. SO this qualification is going to become much more in demand by universities and working establishments of the near future.

Science What is the difference between the Triple and combined Science? Combined Science Triple Science Who decides which science qualification you do? How does Science contribute to the EBacc? What is the difference between the Triple or combined Science? Triple Science is made up of 3 GCSEs. Higher ability students will be entered onto the Triple Science GCSE route. This is where students are awarded a separate GCSE in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Combined Science is made up of 2 GCSEs – GCSE Old Science and Additional Science. Pupils will take one of these routes. Who decides which Science qualification you do? New changes to courses mean that all pupils will be expected to achieve two GCSEs in science by the end of Year 11. The decision to enter a pupil for two (“Combined Science”) or three (“Triple Science”) GCSEs in Science or to enter the pupils for BTEC Science is made by the Science teachers and is based upon the pupil’s attainment in examinations and other key assessments during Year 9. Science teachers will discuss this with parents at Parents’ evening. How does Science contribute to the EBacc? You need to achieve a grade C or above in combined Science or a grade C or above in the three separate Sciences if you take Triple Science for them to count in the EBacc.

Non-Examined Courses You also have to study: PHSE and Citizenship PE These do not lead to a formal qualification but are statutory requirements.

You must make a choice from: GCSE History GCSE Geography GCSE Spanish GCSE D&T Design Technology GCSE Art and Design Hospitality and Catering – Level 1 and 2 GCSE Business Studies BTEC Sport BTEC Health & Social Care BTEC Tech Award in Dance/Drama/Music GCSE Music GCSE Sociology GCSE Computing

Coursework based assessment BTEC qualifications typically have 75% coursework and 25% exam BTEC courses are good if you are not confident at final exams

Advice on choosing Do Don’t Choose a subject that will help in your future career Choose a subject you like Chose a subject you are good at Focus on the subject rather than the teacher personalities Don’t Choose a subject because you like the teacher Choose a subject because your friends are choosing it Choose a subject because you think they will be easy

After your GCSEs in Year 11 you can progress to: Progression After your GCSEs in Year 11 you can progress to: A Levels Level 3 BTEC Vocational Qualifications An Apprenticeship

Who can you talk to ? Mr Barker – Assistant Head - mbarker@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk Mr Watson - Assistant Head - jwatson@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk Amy Cook – Careers Advisor - Acooke@forgevalley.Sheffield.sch.uk Mr Mintoft –Head of Year - rmintoft@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk Sociology – Lesley Norton - LNorton@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk Health and Social Care – Helen Bowler - HBowler@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk BTEC Dance - Lucy Elsmore - LElsmore@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk Business Studies – Anne Archer - Earcher@forgevalley.Sheffield.sch.uk Useful Website