1. Options for 2017 Do not limit your children to your learning,
For they are born in another time
Hebrew proverb
You do not know about education, get back in your box

2. Aims of the evening Overview of the year - Mrs Fyvie-Rae
The Maths curriculum – Mrs Taverner
The world of Science – Miss Le Cuirot
English in a nutshell – Mrs Edwards
e safety – Miss Jackson
Curriculum changes and GCSE options- Mr Hurley

3. Key dates Short Report – 16th December 2016
Full Reports – 24th March 2017
Options Fair – 6th April 2017
Careers Fair- 25th April 2017
Parent evening – 4th May 2017
Option returns – 5th May 2017
Short report – 23rd June 2017
Options confirmed – July 14th 2017

4. Information from the Maths Faculty
KS3 Coordinator

5. Groups 1a/1b/2a/2b ?
In the Westgate, there are only slight differences between the various classes. All pupils follow the same Programme of Study but different classes may cover topics in more depth with more challenging problems. Pupils can be moved at any time in Years 7-11 based upon their performance when comparative data is available from three topic tests and after end of year exams. We encourage all pupils to aim for the highest grades regardless of their starting point, we have several pupils that make 5 levels of progress from KS2.

6. Maths result 2016
Levels of progress % 3 level or more 45% 4 level or more 15% 5 level or more 89% A* to C 31% A to A*

7. New mathematics curriculum
Mathematical reasoning
Problem solving
New content
Memorise formulae
Three terminal exams, no coursework
Use of trigonometry in foundation
Venn diagrams and set theory.
Introduction to calculus and functions of functions in Higher.

8. The Maths House Style
Large orange “revision” books for written examples, notes and used over several years. Large yellow exercise books used for classwork/home learning showing a learning journey and dialogue between pupils and teachers. We use a rich vein of resources, including worksheets and text books, if applicable. Pupils should bring scientific calculators , protractors and compasses to every lesson.

10. Feedback
Where appropriate, at the end of each topic, pupils may complete a topic test and respond to any targets set by their teacher. Due to individual pupils’ strengths and weaknesses performance in topic tests might fluctuate. After three topic test assessments, pupils will need to respond to and work on any targets set by teachers – this may include a question in class, mymaths or home learning linked to the target.

11. Home Learning
5 min numeracy tasks - Complete a mymaths booster pack/homework booklet over several weeks.
Home learning – set as stated in school policy.
Mymaths westgate parallel
Mathslink homework books and electronic text books.

12. What can you do to help?
“I was never any good at maths…..” vs “I really enjoyed maths…..”
Encourage asking questions in class.
Maths catch-up Monday/Wednesday after school
Ensure they know their times tables – this really speeds up progress in lesson.
Ensure they have a calculator, preferably a scientific calculator, (mobile technology continues to be banned in formal exams), protractor and compass.
Make sure you check progress through planners, Maths Log Book forms and communicate with us.
Internet access
westgate parallel
Smiley sheets and Mathslink electronic text books.

13. Year 8 English curriculum
Mrs Edwards
Head of English

14. Year 8 units of Enquiry
What are the ingredients of a good gothic story?
Dracula, Frankenstein, Twilight
What if our world looked a little bit like this…?
Dystopian Fiction: Noughts and Crosses, 1984,
Trillions, Daz 4 Zoe
How is culture presented through poetry?

15. Why does Shakespeare still stand the test of time?
‘The Tempest’ or ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
How were children exploited in Victorian times and how does this compare to today’s society?

16. How are pupils assessed?
Exercise books – day to day work the most important;
Assessing Pupil Progress – in-flight repair;
Formal assessments to confirm progress;
Exercise books show a learning journey;

18. E-Safety @
The Westgate School

19. Why teach e-safety?
Technology is changing and developing at an exponential rate – new apps and websites are created everyday; and teenagers will usually discover them first.
Some of these present potential risks to children.
In order for us to safeguard our children, we need to teach them the skills to enable them to make safe decisions online.

20. How do we teach pupils to be safer online?
Parenting Evenings
CPR
Digital Studies
Assemblies

21. Online Safety Parenting Evening

22. E Safety and the CPR Curriculum
How do we cover E Safety within CPR?
Year 7- Cyber bullying and how to stay safe online.
Year 8- Staying safe online, sexting, online bullying, safe relationships, social media.
Year 9- Peer pressure and how to say no, online images, social media.
Year 10- The Media and Porn, what is a healthy relationship?

23. Digital Studies In Year 7 we cover:
Safe use of our internet access and school s
Cyber bullying
Phishing
Safe mobile phone use

24. Assemblies Anti-bullying week – November
Internet safety day - February

25. Home Learning

26. Vision and Purpose
Home learning is important for pupils’ success, because:
It provides them with opportunities to consolidate new ideas/skills learned in lessons
It develops their ability to work independently to solve problems
It teaches self-discipline and resilience
It develops the skills needed for exam preparation and revision at home
It encourages dialogue with parents/family about learning

28. The Pupil Handbook for Learning

29. Support is available Support For who? When and where?
Independent Study
Years 10 and 11
Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes in Room 17
Every day after school in Room 9
Home Learning Club
All years
Every day after school in the library
Learning Support Home Learning Club
Pupils with learning support needs
Tuesday and Thursday after school in Room 24
English & Media
All pupils
Every break or lunchtime with the class teacher
Maths
Years 9, 10, 11
Monday lunchtime in Room 39
Years 7 & 8
Thursday lunchtime in Room 39
All year groups
Monday after school in Room 39
Wednesday after school in Room 39
Friday after school in Room 40
Science
Wednesday 8.00 – 8.30am in Room 46
Wednesday after school in Room 21
Any break or lunchtime with the class teacher
Humanities
MFL
Wednesday after school in Room 28
Technology PE
Arts, performing arts and music

30. If you are concerned about home learning in any way, please contact:
The subject teacher who set the HL
Your child’s tutor
The Faculty Leader
Mrs Fyvie-Rae (Year Leader)
Mrs Judd (Assistant Headteacher)
Any questions?

31. Levels to GCSEs the flight path
Achievement in KS3
What does this mean in KS 3
Projections for Year 11 outcomes
Skilful and accomplished
Mastery of the skills
Grades 8 – 9
Confident and secure
Able to meet the challenges with a measure of confidence and independence that leads to consistently secure achievement in the subject
Grades 6 – 8
Meeting the expectations of the curriculum
Is able, with a measure of support, to meet most of the challenges of the curriculum overall
Grades 5 – 7
Developing or emerging skills
In some aspects of the subject may be secure, given additional support
Some areas of the subject may be more challenging
Grade 3 – 5
Below expected NC standards
Not yet securely demonstrating skills against all aspects of the curriculum

32. Year 7
Year 8
Year 11
Grade 8
confident
confident
meeting

33. What are the grades New GCSE Grade Old GCSE Grade 9 A* 8 7 A 6 B 5 C 43 D 2 E 1
F & G

34. Curriculum map Year 7 & 8 Core English Mathematics Science PE
Foundation IT
Art
Drama
Music
Technology
Geography
History
Language
CPR
Year 9
Core
English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Science – Double Award PE
Foundation
RE within CPR
Statistics within Maths
Language
Geography or History
3 additional choices
Year 10 & 11
Core
English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Science – Double/Triple PE
Foundation
Options (4x2)
Y7&8 – volume of subjects creates pressure
h/l an issue due to number of subjects

35. Year 9 Core + 6 KS4 Foundation courses:
RE (within the CPR framework)
a Modern Foreign Language
Geography or History
3 free choices

36. Year 10 Core + reduction Foundation courses from 6 to 4 KS4 courses
Option 1 = MFL
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Any 3

37. Foundation Subjects You will need to consider the choices from the following subjects and complete your options form
1. Humanities – please tick one Geography
Tick 1 of these, you ma tick the alternate as part of our free choice
History
2. Current Foreign Language
French German
Latin Spanish
Please tick 1 or 2 of these if you are taking them next year
3. Additional Choices
Art (Fine Art)
Dance
Geography Drama BTEC
Food preparation & Nutrition Media Studies Photography
Sculpture
Computing
Digital Applications
History
Fashion Design
Music
Product Design
Physical Education
Statistics
Please choose 3 choices (1-3) and 2 reserves (R)
4. CPR (Religious Enquiry) 

38. Janet year 9 year 10 RE RE French French History History Media Media
Art
Drama
year 10 RE
French
History
Media
Shows that can continue with IT/computing at GCSE

39. John year 9 in year 10 RE Spanish Spanish Geography Geography History
Media
Photography
in year 10
Spanish
Geography
History
Photography
Drop IT, but takes 2 humanities

40. Successes in Year 9 An exploratory year
Pupils benefitting from the extra time
Progress – not the same in all subjects

41. Choosing courses at KS4 Choose a course that…. They can succeed in
Contain those subjects they like best
Reflect their interests and personal qualities
Help them learn in their best way
Sets them up for a future life of work

42. Do not assume you know what is best, put aside your prior expectations

43. Just because it has worked for you in past, it may not work for your child

44. Discussion points Possible question starters:
What do I want to know about the option system?
What do I want to know about the courses?
What do I want to consider about their future in education and work?