Llangatwg Community School YEAR 9 – Learning Pathways Which Way Now? Monday February 9 th 2015

Curriculum Changes 2015 New GCSEs in: English Language Welsh Language Mathematics – Numeracy Mathematics Revised GCSEs in: English Literature Welsh Literature (revisions kept to a minimum in both)

English Language GCSE The new language GCSEs will: Focus on the skills that learners will need in their everyday lives Develop the functional aspects of reading, writing and oracy Build on and progress from the National Literacy and Numeracy Framework and align with the revised curriculum Be linear Not include any non-examination assessment (controlled assessment) other than in oracy Report separately on achievements in reading, writing and oracy

GCSE Mathematics The new Mathematics – Numeracy GCSE will: Focus on the skills that learners will need in their everyday lives Assess candidates’ ability to solve ‘real-life’ problems Include problems of increasing complexity at the higher levels The new Mathematics GCSE will: Extend to other aspects of mathematics Feature problems set both in real-life and purely mathematical contexts Encourage learners to employ and evaluate different mathematical techniques

GCSE Mathematics Both mathematics GCSEs will: Build on and progress from the National Literacy and Numeracy Framework Align with the revised curriculum Be linear Have three tiers Have a calculator and a non-calculator paper Have a resit opportunity in November

The option system at Llangatwg Is aimed to provide a range of experiences relevant to future needs Provides a broad choice that also includes the ability to specialise Offers subjects at the level appropriate to the pupils ability Offers subjects that lead to nationally recognised qualifications

What happens? Pupils receive advice from subject teachers, form tutors, SLT, careers adviser. Parents’ Evening and information given out about different subjects Pupils discuss choices and select. School examines choices made and a decision is made on what courses will run. Interviews with Deputy Head, Assistant Leader of Learning.

The KS4 Experience at Llangatwg Week A + Week B = 50 lessons. Compulsory Subjects Maths = 7 lessons English = 7 lessons Science = 10 lessons Welsh = 4 lessons Welsh Baccalaureate = 3 lessons RE = 2 lessons Games = 2 lessons Total = 35 lessons 3 Options = 5 lessons Total = 15 lessons Total number of lessons = = 50

Option Subjects Option A - Geography, History, Leisure and Tourism, Health and Social Care, Construction, French, German, Business Language, ICT Cambridge National Option B – Resistant Materials, Graphic Products, Art, Music, Catering, Hospitality and Catering, Construction, Hairdressing, Geography.

Option Subjects Option C – Triple Award Science, Art, Physical Education, French, History, Business Studies, Sport, ICT, Music.

The do’s Get as much advice as possible. If you are unsure, just ask. Find out as much as possible about the courses on offer. Choose subjects you like and will be good at. Listen to the advice you are given. Talk to your parents about your choices. Think about your future and how your choices may help you.

The don'ts Think that you are expected to know what to do later in life; keep as many doors open as possible Follow your friend's choices. You might find yourself in a different teaching group anyway! Choose a subject because you like the teacher Rush and make hasty decisions Choose a subject because you think it will be easier than others. Worry because you can’t fit everything in – you simply cannot study everything Don't take your future lightly.

Options Help and Advice Options booklet has all the information on the courses available Careers Wales website Qualifications Wales website School staff and subject teachers School careers advisor Year Group Team

DATES Deadline for return of completed Option choice form – TUESDAY 3 rd MARCH 2015 (to form tutor).

Thank you Diolch