1. Year 9 Pathways Vocational pathway

2. What will Y10 and Y11 look like for your daughter? All students study: – English ( and most will also study English Literature) GCSE – Maths GCSE (Foundation or Higher) – STEM award L1/2 in Science (equivalent to 1 GCSE) – RE GCSE – PE and PHSE (non-exam) – Students who follow the STEM Science course will also study IT (OCR National which is equivalent to 1 GCSE) so therefore don’t need to select it in the option blocks

3. The core curriculum These compulsory subjects take up about 80% of the timetable We believe students should study these subjects because they provide vital skills to help them access the sixth form and university courses It is also the case that some of them are statutory

4. Changes to GCSE assessment GCSE English, Maths, Science, RE and most other subjects will be graded 9-1 in 2018 Some optional GCSE subjects will be graded A*-U This means your daughter might have GCSE passes which have been graded differently on her CV This is happening nationally and will affect all students sitting GCSE examinations in 2018

5. Changes to GCSE assessment Grade 9: top A* performers; about half of the 6.8 per cent who got A*s this year are likely to get it Grade 8: the rest of those who obtained A* but did not qualify for a 9 Grade 7: equivalent to an A grade pass Grade 6: covering those from two thirds above current C grade to top of existing B grade Grade 5: international benchmark, showing performance equals that of students getting top-grade passes in high performing countries in international league tables. Pitched at half or two thirds of a grade above the current C pass Grade 4: equivalent to a C grade pass Grade 3: equivalent to a D grade pass Grade 2: equivalent to an E grade pass Grade 1: equivalent to grade F and G passes

6. Sciences at Key Stage 4 Science is a Core subject in the National Curriculum and is a compulsory subject at Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11). All girls study aspects of all 3 Sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics during years 10 and 11. It is important that girls think carefully about their possible career path beyond KS4 as the choice of Science course in year 10 and 11 will affect the courses that can be taken in the future.

7. Sciences at Key Stage 4 We believe the STEM L1/L2 Technical Award route will work best for your daughter Pupils will be awarded the equivalent of a GCSE in Science. The units for STEM L1/L2 Technical award are : Unit 1 which is an externally assessed examination at the end of Y11 (worth 40%), Unit 2 which is internally assessed and a portfolio of smaller assignments (worth 40%) Unit 3 which is internally assessed, a portfolio with a larger synoptic assignment (worth 30%). Girls suitable for this course are: (i) Those who find Science challenging, (ii) Prefer working in Science on a project based course. (iii) Prefer the continuity of ONE teacher for all Science subjects.

8. Why are Sciences so important? We live in an increasingly scientific and technology based world where an understanding of the principles of the Sciences and engineering are vital. Recent news reports on Science include: “Tim Peake tweets spacewalk selfie” “Ebola: $5m vaccine deal announced” “Climate change: 2015 'shattered' global temperature record by wide margin” “Is there a ninth planet in our solar system?” “Diabetes: Government and NHS too slow to act, say MPs” (Ref: BBC News website 22 nd January 2016)

9. Sciences at Key Stage 4 The Science Department has already provided guidance on the KS4 Sciences course we feel is the most appropriate for your daughter. Please feel free to discuss the KS4 Sciences routes with the Science staff tonight: Mrs. D. Hayward (Head of Sciences) Mr. A. McBurney (Teacher i/c Applied Science, KS4 Sciences Co.) Mr. K. Smith (Teacher i/c Physics, KS3 Co-ordinator)

10. Option subjects Students will get to choose 2 option subjects This makes up around 20% of their timetable We have increased the amount of time for the options over the course of Y10 and Y11 You need to think carefully about these choices We have working with students on options in the PHSEE programme and in assembly Students have free choice in the option blocks Students who study STEM Science only will also study IT (OCR National) equivalent to a GCSE

11. How should students chose their options? DODON’T Think about subjects you enjoyThink about what your friends are doing Think about subjects you are good atThink some subjects are ‘easier’ than others Think about how the subject is assessedThink about choosing a subject because it ‘sounds good’ Think about the advice of your teachersThink about choosing the subject because you like your current teacher Think about the skills you will developThink about choosing a subject because you can’t think of anything else

12. What happens next? We would like students to complete the option form by Friday 26 th February Write 1 for the first choice and 2 for the second choice in each column When deciding if an option subject will run, we will factor in the number of students opting for the subject Where more students opt for a subject than we can accommodate, we will take factors such as behaviour, attendance and progress in the subject into account Please make sure you are comfortable with both subjects in both option columns PLEASE NOTE THE ADDITIONAL GCSE SUBEJCTS WE HOPE TO RUN AS AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES Students will be informed of their final option choices by the end of March

13. What happens next? Subject staff from all option subjects are available in the Sports Hall options@bellerivefcj.org Miss Power is also available to advise on careers as is our Connexions adviser