1. Welcome to the Year 9 Options Evening

2. Which Way Now ?
The aim of this evening is to provide an overview of the options process and the courses & qualifications which we offer.

3. How are GCSEs changing?
New GCSEs have been introduced in almost all subjects over the past few years – with the remaining ones being added this September.
Almost all controlled assessment will have gone.
In most subjects, all assessment will be by final (terminal) examination at the end of Year 11.
The grading scale will change from A*-G to 9-1 (9 is the highest grade).

4. When have the new GCSEs been introduced?
Start Date of New Qualification
Subjects
September 2015
English Language, English Literature, Mathematics
September 2016
Art & Design, Dance, Drama, Food Preparation & Nutrition, French, Geography, German, History, Music, PE, Religious Studies, Spanish, Science (including Triple Science)
September 2017
Business, Design Techynology, Sociology

5. How will the new grade scale work?
Current GCSE grades
New GCSE grades A* 9 8 7 A B 6 5 4 C D 3 2 1 E F G
The government’s benchmark for achievement for students in English and maths is going to move upwards. While the current ‘good pass’ is seen to be a C grade or above, the new ‘good pass’ will be a 5 or above. This is equivalent to a high C/ low B on the existing grade scale.

6. Core Subjects Everyone takes a core group of subjects:
English Language and English Literature
Mathematics
Science RS
PE (not examined)
ICT (used as a tool across all subjects)
PSHE

7. Option Subjects
There is also a wide range of courses that you can choose from.
These include:
- GCSEs
Vocational Course
Skillforce
Extra English and maths

8. How many choices do I make?
There are four slots for option subjects on your timetable.
Each of these slots covers five one hour lessons across each fortnight.
You will need to make five option choices.
These will cover the four subjects which you want to take plus one reserve subject.
You will need to rank the subjects in order of preference.
Most subjects count as one choice but Skillforce will count as three.

9. GCSE Option Subjects (Each 1 option choice)
Art & Design
Business
Dance
Design Technology
Drama
Food Preparation & Nutrition
Geography
History
MFL – French
MFL – German
MFL – Spanish
Music PE
Sociology
Triple Science

10. English Baccalaureate (EBacc.) subjects at GCSE
We require that (almost) all students must opt for at least one additional EBacc subject as one of their option choices.
The Ebacc subjects include:
- Geography
History
Languages (French, German or Spanish)
Triple Science (biology, chemistry & physics)
We also require that all dual linguists will need to choose at least one language.
We also encourage single linguists to opt for a language.
This can count as the additional EBacc subject.
We also encourage students opting for a language to also consider strongly to opt for geography and/or history.

11. Vocational Course at Gillotts (1 option choice)
We will be offering one work- related course this year:
- BTEC Children’s Play, Learning and Development
This course is linked to developing skills needed in the workplace.
It is equivalent to a single GCSE.
This course will take up one option choice.

12. Skillforce (3 option choices)
This course is studied for two half days each week and will take up three option choices.
Students will be guided through the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, the ASDAN scheme, Key Skills units and First Aid qualifications.
These are equivalent to two GCSEs.
Students will be taught by ex- members of the armed forces.
Students opting for this course will have 5 other lessons across their timetable.
These lessons will be used for a range of activities which may include: homework support, revision skills, ICT

13. Extra English and Maths (1 option choice)
While every subject is important, having strong literacy and numeracy skills is fundamental.
This is in terms of both developing the skills themselves but also gaining good grades (5 or above) in these subjects.
These skills will support you in your studies both at Gillotts and beyond – but also throughout adult life.
We will be offering ‘extra English and maths’ as an option.
This will take up one of your option choices.
Around 30 students are being guided towards this option.

14. Completing the options form
You will need to return the form to Student Services by Monday 6th February.
It must be signed by your parents and tutor.
It is not ‘first come, first served’.
If you are unsure about how to complete it, please ask.
GCSE Options Form- EBacc students
GCSE Options Form- No EBacc requirement

15. Key Dates Date Activity Thursday 5th January GCSE Options Evening
Year 9 Parents Consultation Evening
Monday 6th February
Options Form Deadline
Late April
Confirm Options

16. The next part of the evening
Ms Sadler will talk to you for a few minutes about the Triple Science option.
There will then be an opportunity to find out more about the different subjects available.
This is really a ‘fact finding’ opportunity rather than asking about your own child.
Focus on the subjects which your child is unsure about rather than the ones they know they will do.
Please remember that the Parents’ Consultation Evening is on Thursday 26th January.