Options Choices Welcome – Mr Jackson Options process – Miss Saunders Heads of Core – Mrs Chadwick, Mr Townsend, Mr Richards Welsh Baccalaureate – Mrs Lewis Careers Service - Sara Llewellyn-Fitzgerald

Old Performance MeasuresNew Performance Measures L2 inclusive – the percentage of pupils who gained 5 GCSEs equivalence at grade C or higher including English and mathematics. Capped 8 Score – The average of all pupils best 8 GCSE scores. Welsh Baccalaureate Award – the percentage of pupils who gained 5 GCSEs at grade C or higher including English, mathematics and one other GCSE. Pupils must also achieve a level 2 pass or higher in the Skills Challenge Certificate Capped 9 Score – The average of all pupils capped 9 scores. This must includes English, 2 mathematics qualifications, 2 science qualifications and their best 4 other GCSEs. Curriculum changes

Options – What will pupils study? The subjects that pupils study in Key Stage 4 are made up of 2 parts CORE SUBJECTS - All pupils study these subjects OPTION SUBJECTS - Pupils choose to study these subjects

Core Subjects English (8 hrs) – either 1 or 2 GCSEs Mathematics (8 hrs) – worth 2 GCSEs Science (8 hrs) – either 1 or 2 GCSEs Welsh (2 hrs) – worth 0.5 or 1 GCSE Social Studies (2hrs) –worth 0.5 or 1 GCSE Physical Education (2hrs) Welsh Baccalaureate (5hrs) – worth 1 GCSE

Options Choices Art & Design Business Studies Child Development Computer Science Construction Design & Technology Engineering French Geography Health and Social Care History Hospitality (Food) ICT Media Music PE Performing Arts/ Drama Science Spanish Pupils get 3 choices from the above. Further information about each subject is on the Careers Wales website – your child will be given details on how to access this website in Pshe. If there is not enough demand for subjects they may not run and pupils will be asked to choose again. We work very carefully with parents in this case. There may be opportunity for pupils to study at college –details of these courses will be available from January.

Timeline for choices November Pupils complete scheme of work in Pshe lessons December First trawl completed (pupils choose 4 subjects they think they would be interested in) January Pupils receive options talks from subject staff February Pupils submit their choices

Introduction to Careers Wales How we can help you with your option choices after year 9

Careers Wales website: Helpline: or (if calling from a mobile). or webchat links can be found at the bottom of each page at Ask your tutor, head of year or Mrs Frost Careers Co – Ordinator to get in touch. How can you get in touch with Careers Wales?

What do I need to think about when choosing my options? Is it useful? What skills will I learn or develop? Does it interest me? Will I enjoy it? Have I thought of any Career Ideas yet?

What are good ways to decide what to do after year 9 Find out what you can about what is on offer by speaking to teachers. If you have a career idea – check to see whether it would be a useful subject to take. Speak to your parents or family about your ideas. Think about what you are good at and enjoy. Check what the subjects will be like in Year 10 & 11

What can I use the website for? Career Search Find out more about your career ideas using the leaflets. Ideas Quiz No idea what you would like to do? This may give you a few ideas. Games and Activities Holiday Game (for decision making) Subjects and Jobs.

5 top tips for making decisions after year 9 1.Don’t leave it until the last minute – start looking into your ideas now. 2.Find out as much as you can about the subjects on offer. 3.Speak to your family/teachers/ Adviser about what you would like to do after year 9. 4.Carefully consider all your options – make sure you get as much information as you can before making a decision. 5.Don’t panic – if in doubt speak to Sara or to someone in school.