Year 9 Options Evening Thursday 6 th November 2014 Please sign-in at the entrance hall Can we please request that all students sit with parents/carers – this is an important part of the Options process.

Year 10 and 11 Curriculum SubjectHoursQualification English4English and English Literature GCSE Maths4Maths Methods and Maths Applications GCSEs Science5 or 6Either Double Science GCSE Or Biology, Chemistry and Physics PE2 PSHE1Taught in two tutor times Option subjects4 x 2 or 3 GCSEs or BTECs

GCSE English - Y10 and Y11 Students take a GCSE in English Language and a GCSE in English Literature. Examinations in English Language which will test reading and writing skills. There will be separate speaking and listening assessments Examinations in English Literature will test understanding of poetry, prose and drama texts.

Mathematics The new Mathematics GCSE courses are starting in September We will be looking at the ratified courses over the next two months to make a decision on which exam board to use. Assessment is likely to be 3 papers at the end of Year 11, one of which will be non calculator. There will remain a Foundation and Higher tier.

Double Science (Core Science in Y10 and Additional Science in Y11) OR Triple Science (3 GCSEs over Y10 and Y11 - Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each subject has 2 lessons per week) You can take A Level Sciences from both routes. Entry onto A Level subjects depend upon grades and student effort in the subjects. Science

Double Science 3 x 1 hour (tiered) exams in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, all worth 25% taken in the summer of Year 10. The remaining 25% comes from the Controlled Assessment marks and these will be completed at the end of this current school year. This results in a GCSE in Core Science at the of year 10. The Additional Science qualification then follows the same structure in year 11.

Triple Science students: Commit to attending an after school lesson every Tuesday. Need to be aware that they will be taking 9 x 1 hour exams (3 Biology, 3 Chemistry and 3 Physics) at the end of Year 11. All students are welcome onto the Triple Science course if they are willing to work hard, as shown through their year 9 lessons. All students will sit Controlled Assessments in Biology, Chemistry and Physics during the course.

Triple Science This results in three separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Two thirds of the content for Triple Science is the same as the Core and Additional Science qualifications. Triple Scientists will study an additional ‘Extension’ topic in each of the three sciences.

Summary:

Any questions? Your science teacher will be able to discuss with you the most suitable route to choose. In addition the following staff can also help: Mr A Sampson, Head of Science Mrs H Russell, KS3/Year 9 Science leader

Qualification types GCSE BTEC Certificate Cambridge National award in ICT Level 1 Vocational Qualifications A mixture of traditional and vocational qualifications

GCSE Will be mostly written examinations with coursework in a few subjects Pass grades range from A* to G BTEC (Extended Certificate) Examination and Coursework – 3 units of work which are equivalent to 1 GCSE (Grade A* to C) Students who pass are awarded either Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*

The Options form 2015 – 2017 (Page 25 of the options booklet) In box A you will choose a language option. There is the provision to not take a language if it is considered appropriate. In box B you will choose a humanities option

In box C you make 4 choices in priority order GCSE Art and designCambridge award ICT BTEC Business studiesGCSE Music GCSE DramaBTEC Sport GCSE French (dual linguists)GCSE Hospitality* GCSE GeographyGCSE Product Design* GCSE HistoryGCSE Graphics* Your order of preference is very important. * Students can only study one technology option.

Option Blocks All student choices are considered at the same time Option blocks are formed based on the majority of students getting their choices These blocks form the timetable

Option Blocks There will be four option blocks The subjects in one block are all taught at the same time on the timetable E.g.

Timetable This year the timetable for Year 10 looked like this

Box D Students wishing to be considered for Triple Science must tick the box to confirm this. Students can choose to study BTEC Dance instead of core PE. Students wishing to be considered for a college placement must tick the box to confirm this. We will not know until later in the year what provision is available. Students on alternative placements will forfeit one, potentially two option choices.

Part B Compulsory Subjects Deadline for completed forms: 28 th November

Calendar of events Monday 17 th - Friday 28th November: Option interviews Friday 28 th November: Final deadline for submitting option forms. Y9 Progress Check12 December to parents/carers Y9 Parents Evening22 nd Jan Y9 MentoringTues 27 Jan-Fri 30 Jan Y9 Progress Check20 March to parents/carers Y9 Mentoring (Exam Focus)Tues 28 April – Fri 1 st May Y9 Exam weeksw/c 11 May and w/c 18 May Y9 Year Progress meet30 June Y9 Report3 July to parents/carers

Options Interviews All parents are invited to attend an interview alongside their son or daughter with a Senior member of staff. If you wish to take up this opportunity the contact details are in the Option booklet th Nov – Holywell - Mr Williams Beacon - Mr Hammond Jubilee - Mr Collard Midsummer - Mr Evans & Mr Sampson Selected Students - Mr Mudge and Mrs Lee Catherine Webster – Careers Advisor

The overwhelming majority of students get their options choices. However some may not because: There is a change in the staffing structure of the school. There are insufficient numbers to run a course. There are too many students choosing one particular course. There is strong evidence to suggest this is not an appropriate choice.

Classic Option Mistakes

Good advice about Options

Ultimate Options Choice? Skills/Abilities PassionExperience

Calendar of events Monday 17 th - Friday 28th November: Option interviews Friday 28 th November: Final deadline for submitting option forms. Y9 Progress Check12 December to parents/carers Y9 Parents Evening22 nd Jan Y9 MentoringTues 27 Jan-Fri 30 Jan Y9 Progress Check20 March to parents/carers Y9 Mentoring (Exam Focus)Tues 28 April – Fri 1 st May Y9 Exam weeksw/c 11 May and w/c 18 May Y9 Year Progress meet30 June Y9 Report3 July to parents/carers