1. Key Stage 4 Options February 2015

2.  What is compulsory (the core) and what is optional.  Which subjects and qualifications are offered at Key Stage Four.  How the option process works.

3.  Skills for Life lessons  Option information assembly  Options booklet  ‘Taster lessons’ at lunch-time  Subject presentations in assemblies and lessons  Year 9 report  Year 9 Parents’ Evening 5 March  Yr10 pupils presenting to tutor groups  Options Evening 19 March  Option forms to be handed in on the 23 March

4. Everyone in Year 10 will take the subjects listed below and because everyone takes them they are referred to as CORE subjects:  English Language  English Literature  Mathematics  Science [Core and Additional, or you may choose to do Triple Science]  Physical Education  Skills for Life  RS*

5.  All of you will have 1 lesson a week of RE in Year 10 and Year 11 and will follow the GCSE SC curriculum and take the exam at the end of Year 11. You have the opportunity to opt to take Full Course RE.  Places on this course are limited. You will need to work to a demanding schedule but it has been found to be very enjoyable by pupils involved in previous years. As a guideline we normally feel that if you achieve a high level 6 or above in RE and English and are in Band 2 or above for English, you should be able to cope with the rigours of the course.  In order to ensure that you do not have too heavy a workload, the school will make a judgement on whether you will be capable of following the full course.  Please indicate on the options form whether this is something you would like to be considered for.

6.  The Department of Education is reforming GCSE qualifications and for current Year 9 students the English, English Literature and Mathematics GCSEs will be the new GCSEs. The main differences is that they are designed to be more rigorous in content with greater emphasis on end of course examinations in Yr11.They will be graded 9- 1[rather than A*-G ]

8. Maths 78 English 89 Science 109 PE 44 RS 22 SFL 1 Option 1 66 Option 2 66 Option 3 66 50 Yr10Yr11 2015-20162016-2017

9.  All GCSEs[ apart from Maths and English] are graded A*-G and are Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications.  Most GCSE examinations include a coursework requirement [20-60%],known as controlled assessment. Some subjects have:  practical examination at the end of the course.  Nearly all subjects have a final (terminal) written examination making up the remaining marks. Art and Drama do not have final written exams, however, as all of the marks come from practical assessments and coursework.  We also offer 2 Vocational GCSEs Engineering[ double award ] and Health and Social Care.

10. We offer the following WJEC course: Construction:  WJEC Level 1/2 Constructing the Built Environment [equivalent to 1 GCSE] This course is linked to the world of work more than most GCSE courses, with a greater emphasis on developing practical, work related skills. They are mostly assessed throughout the course through written and practical assignments. There is an external examination which is worth 25%

11.  The EBacc is not a qualification, but a government initiative that recognises achievements across a range of selected academic qualifications: Core:Options: EnglishGeography or History MathsFrench or Spanish ScienceComputer Science To ‘achieve’ the EBacc, you would need to attain A*-C grade [or equivalent] in English, Maths, 2 sciences[ CS counts as a Science] and then a language and either Geography or History.

12.  Currently, you will have to stay in education until you are 18. This could include full time education or training or workplace training.  On page 3 of your booklet, there is a brief overview of some of our local providers. You will get a lot more information on this in Year10 and Year 11, but you may wish to consider; what sort of courses and 6 th form college/school that you may wish to go to, and to start looking at their entry requirements.

13. The booklet covers the same information for each subject : ART AND DESIGN Qualification: GCSE[AQA] Levels available Level 2 (A*- C) Level 1 (D –G)

14.  What will this course enable me to do?  What will the course cover?  How will I be assessed?  What will this qualification help me to progress to ?  Who to speak to for more information

15.  YOUR interests  YOUR understanding of how YOU learn best (visual, auditory or kinaesthetic)  YOUR future plans – if you know what they are!  YOUR enjoyment of the subject

16.  YOUR best friend’s favourite subject  who else might or might not choose the subject  who YOUR favourite teacher is  what YOU think will be the easiest choice

17.  The Government and the Department of Education have made a lot of changes this year to the curriculum.  We have had to make some changes due to this, but have still managed to offer a broad and balanced curriculum that will give you a good range of subjects and prepare you for post-16 courses.

18. A Computer Science French Geography History Spanish Triple Science

19. B Art & Design Business Studies Computer Science Construction Dance Drama Engineering Food Technology French Geography Health and Social Care History ICT Media Studies Music Physical Education GCSE Product Design[Textiles and Graphics Materials] Resistant Materials Spanish Triple Science

20. APlease √ Computer Science French Geography x History Spanish Triple Science OPTION SELECTION FORM. Name: ______________________Tutor group:____ Please select 1 subject from Column A belo w: Please select 2 subjects from Column B below in rank order by placing 1 and 2 in the box against them and also select a reserve subject [res]: B Art & Design Business Studies Computer Science Construction BTEC Award Dance Drama Engineering Food Technology French 2 Geography Health and Social Care History ICT GCSE Media Studies RES Music GCSE Physical Education GCSE Product Design[Textiles and Graphics Materials] 1 Resistant Materials Spanish Triple Science Please indicate below whether you would like to take Short Course or Full Course GCSE RE: Short Course ___________________________________________

21. You will all have an individual class calendar that sets out when the taster sessions are for Media, Business Studies and Health and Social Care. There is also an Art display at designated times. Therefore you will go into dinner 1 st for this week and next Monday. Lunchtime taster sessions start at 1.20pm.

22. MondayTuesdayWedThursdayFridayMonday 23-Feb24-Feb25-Feb26-Feb27-Feb02-Mar Assembly Options assembly with JP Business Studies Media Health and Social Lunch- time taster session 9A1, 9A2, 9A3 Art DisplayMedia Business Studies Health and Social Lunch- time taster session 9C1, 9C2, 9D1 Art Display Business Studies Health and Social Media Lunch- time taster session 9D2, 9T1, 9T2 Business Studies Art DisplayMedia Health and Social

23.  I will be available all evening if you have any queries  Mrs Hindes[ Independent Careers advisor] will also be available all evening.  Both our desks will be situated at the back of the hall by Mrs Guthrie’s office.

24.  All choices are analysed.  Most of you will be able to take the subjects you choose.  If a single subject has not attracted enough pupils it will be closed. You will be informed and asked to make another choice.  If a subject is heavily oversubscribed, this will be discussed with you and preference may be given to pupils who have shown an aptitude for that subject.