1. HINCKLEY ACADEMY AND JOHN CLEVELAND SIXTH FORM CENTRE Key Stage 4 Option Choices Information Evening February 2017

2. Objectives
To outline the curriculum at Hinckley Academy and John Cleveland Sixth Form Centre
To explain the options process
To answer your questions about the Key Stage 4 Choices and the Curriculum

3. What has happened so far…
Y8 ‘aspirations and ambitions’ interviews with local employers
Series of Careers lessons in Y8 and Y9
Financial Management Workshop delivered by WizeUp
Curriculum Guides issued
Assemblies about subjects not studied at KS3
‘Market Stalls’ for all the subjects on offer

4. Making Progress…
The curriculum is designed so that students have access to a broad and balanced curriculum
This will allow for further choices and progression at the end of Y11
Students’ progress will be measured across EIGHT subjects (Progress 8) including English and Maths

5. …Making Progress
Students will be awarded number grades (not letters) for their GCSE grades
The grades will range from 9 – 1
1 will be equivalent to grade G
4 will be equivalent to grade low C
7, 8, will be equivalent to grade A/A*
9 will be equivalent to the top end of A*
The DFE sets a benchmark of the grades your child should achieve based on KS2 SATs

6. The Curriculum
All students must study the CORE Curriculum. Students can choose which other subjects they wish to study. However, ONE of these subjects MUST be an EBAC subject – Geography; History; French; Spanish; Triple Science or Computer Science – linked to Progress 8

7. Core Curriculum… The core curriculum is made up of:
English Language and English Literature
Mathematics
Double Science*
One EBAC Subject
PSE – Personal Social Education (this is not examined)
Core PE (this is not examined)
Statutory requirements for ICT, RE and work related learning will also be covered

8. …Core Curriculum
Double Science Studied as part of the core curriculum and students achieve TWO GCSE grades. Study elements of Biology, Chemistry and Physics Both grades will be the same e.g. 5,5; 3,3; 8,8 Students can study A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics if grades 6 or above are achieved in Double Science as well as in Maths.

9. Double Science Vs Triple Science
Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Students study all the elements of Double Science during Double Science lesson time, but have additional lessons through an option choice and achieve THREE DIFFERENT GCSE grades, at the end of Year 11.
Another route to Triple Science
Students study Double Science and choose Computer Science as their third Science, through an option choice.

10. PE and PSE
These are compulsory non-examined subjects and cannot be disapplied at KS4, unless there are very special circumstances for an individual student.

11. Options Choices

12. Students will study an additional four GCSEs or equivalent to add to the five that they follow as part of the core curriculum.
GCSE: Assessed by examinations and controlled assessments (in some subjects). All examinations will be taken at the end of the course.
Controlled Assessments: These are ‘tasks’ set by the exam board and marked by teachers. They assess skills such as research, processing, analysing and evaluating information and report writing.

13. Vocational Qualifications…
BTEC / Technical Awards / Cambridge Nationals:
These are qualifications in which students learning is assessed via coursework (maximum of 80%) and external assessment (minimum of 20%) set by the exam boards. They will be graded as follows:
Level 1 = Pass
Level 2 = Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* (star)
Students can only study a maximum of TWO vocational qualifications.

14. …Vocational Qualifications
The Rules… The rules changed from September 2014 for vocational qualifications. All students can only submit each piece of work ONCE. If ONE deadline is missed for submitting a piece of work, students will FAIL the course. Good attendance is crucial.

15. Most students will study 4 GCSE Options or equivalent, but there may be exceptions: Personalised Learning Programmes If your child is identified as a student who would benefit following a personalised learning programme such as Foundation Learning, you will be contacted by Hinckley Academy staff.

16. Modern Foreign Language - French or Spanish
Students should opt for the language they have been studying in Y9 as this will mean they have a good foundation in that language.
History
High levels of literacy are needed to be able to confidently tackle the set essays both for the Controlled Assessment and for the Exam.
Child Development
If your child has a criminal record of any kind with either the police or the courts they are not allowed to study Child Development.

17. Although we support and encourage students to choose their subjects, it is important that students follow the advice of parents and carers, the teaching staff, and other adults who may be involved in this process.

18. Students should opt for subjects that they enjoy and are good at
In most cases, we advise students to choose a broad and balanced curriculum that may include:
a creative or practical subject
a subject where students develop their research, recording and presentation skills
This still allows for a more specialised fourth choice.
Students should opt for subjects that they enjoy and are good at

19. There are a number of good reasons for this…
When it comes to making the actual choices for options, we are asking students to choose six subjects that they would like to study.
There are a number of good reasons for this…
Some subjects may not run if there is not enough student demand for them
There may be timetabling restrictions.

20. Your child will get this subject on their timetable.
Students must opt for ONE of the following EBAC Subjects
COMPULSORY GROUP
Tick ONE subject from this group (you have to study this subject).
Computer Science
French
Geography
History
Science – Triple
Spanish
Your child will get this subject on their timetable.

21. Students have a further five choices from the Optional Group subjects.
No more than TWO vocational subjects can be chosen from this list.
Students must rank them in order of preference with 1 being their most preferred subject.
Choices 4 and 5 will be their reserve subjects.

22. Although we will do our best, we cannot guarantee that students will get all of their first ‘three’ choices from the Optional Group subjects. This is why we ask students to make another two choices. We may need to look at what they have opted for Choice 4 and Choice 5.

23. Your option choices 4 and 5 will be your reserve subjects.
OPTIONAL GROUP
List FIVE subjects in order of preference 1-5, with no more than two from Vocational.
Your option choices 4 and 5 will be your reserve subjects.
Do not repeat any subject ticked above.
GCSE
VOCATIONAL
Art (Fine Art)
Child Development
Art (Photography)
Design & Technology –
Fashion & Textiles
Business Studies
Visual Communication (Graphics)
Computer Science
Engineering
Dance
Health and Social Care
Drama
ICT
Food Preparation and Nutrition
Performing Arts
Ethics, Philosophy and Morality
Public Services
French
Geography
History
Music
Physical Education
Science – Triple
Spanish

24. Page 5 of Curriculum Guide…
There are certain combinations that students CANNOT do:
Art (Fine Art) GCSE and Art (Photography) GCSE
Computer Science GCSE and Triple Science GCSE
Computer Science GCSE and ICT Vocational
Engineering, Design and Technology Visual Communication and Design and Technology Fashion and Textiles
Dance GCSE and Performing Arts BTEC

25. English Baccalaureate (EBAC)…
The Government refers to an English Baccalaureate. This is not currently a certificated qualification, however, the DFE acknowledges students who receive a grade 5 or above in ALL the subjects below, and publishes the results in performance tables.
English
Maths
Two Sciences (can include Double Science or Two out of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Computer Science)
Modern Foreign Language
Geography or History (page 6)

26. …English Baccalaureate (EBAC)
Students do not have to study the combination of the EBAC option subjects (MFL, Geography, History) if they do not wish to.
However, if your child is ‘More Able’ they may want to consider the EBAC combination, or if you would like your child to follow a more traditional route.
Students CAN still opt to study a Modern Foreign Language or Geography or History even if they are not likely to achieve grade 5 or above.

27. Final Form
The final options form will be issued after Wednesday 22nd February (Y9 options assembly). Please help your child complete the form and sign it. Deadline for submission of the form to your child’s Tutor is Friday 17th March 2017

28. What Next?

29. Get your child to think about their long term plans e. g
Get your child to think about their long term plans e.g. careers, further/higher education (pages 6-7 of Curriculum Guide for Careers websites and guidance). We also have a Careers Advisor on site.
Get advice from teachers, other adults.
Do some research on subjects, especially new ones that are not included in the Year 9 curriculum.
Speak to current or ex-students.
Support your child to make the right option choices.

30. The Key Stage 4 Options Choices is a long process, not only for you – but for us too. You and your child should know what subjects they are studying in the last half term of Year 9. Please do not hesitate to contact HAJC6 staff if you need further information, advice and guidance.

31. Planning for the future Some university and career choices will require that students have studied particular subjects at Level 3 (A-level and/or BTEC). Some 6th form choices will require that students have achieved well in specific subjects at GCSE Seek advice if you know where you are aiming for.

32. Examples (but there are many more) GCSE Business can lead to A-level Business, A-level Economics, BTEC Business Level 2 Public Services may lead to a career in the armed forces or police but is not essential. Double or Triple Science can lead to A-level Chemistry and Biology for Medicine.

33. Useful sources of information include:
UCAS – the university applications site
University websites
Apprenticeship website
Informed Choices – advice from Russell Group universities