1. Y9 Options
21st February 2017

2. SCHOOL DAYS TO DECIDE YOUR GCSE OPTIONS!!24
SCHOOL DAYS TO DECIDE YOUR GCSE OPTIONS!!

3. Year 9: The time to make some decisions!
Year 9 are fast approaching the most critical point in their
school careers to date when they get to:
Make some choices over what subjects they study
(perhaps more importantly, which subjects they will choose not to continue with!)
Start to focus on possible routes at College (and beyond)
Begin GCSE content in a number of lessons (e.g. English, Maths, Science, History or Geography)

4. Year 9: The time to make some decisions! An outline of the process
Stage One: Selecting either Geography or History
Stage Two: Complete the Straw Poll activity
Stage Three: Read information issued carefully, listen to presentations given by teachers and ask questions
Stage Four: Attend Parents’ Evening in March and speak to your teachers about the GCSE courses

5. Some important dates in this process
Thursday 19th January (today): Initial introduction
Friday 20th / Monday 23rd / Tuesday 24th January: In RE lessons complete Straw Poll
Wednesday 25th January: deadline for History/Geography choice
Week beginning 30th January: Y9 Exams (more info later)
21st February: p5 Full Options process briefing (students). 7pm: Parents’ information evening
7th March: Commence either History or Geography GCSE
22nd March: Y9 Parents’ Evening
29th March: Deadline for Options choices

6. Information Received Today
During assembly today students received:
Confirmation of their History or Geography choice
Information about the on-going support with the options process
A copy of the options booklet

7. Looking Ahead https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide A Levels
Henley College, Reading School, Kendrick School, Highdown.
Vocational Diplomas/BTEC Level 2 and Level 3
Henley College, Reading College, BCA, UTC
Apprenticeships
Employers

8. GCSE Reforms
Current Y11 are the first students to sit the reformed GCSEs in English & Maths (June 2017)
Current Y10 and beyond will sit all their exams in the reformed GCSE style (June 2018 onwards)
GCSE qualifications will be awarded as a number from 9-1 (where 9 is the top grade).
An ‘old-style’ Grade C equates to a new Grade 4/5

9. GCSE Reforms – what do they mean for students?
More rigorous exams papers (more content)
Terminal exams (taken at the end of Y11)
Longer exam papers
Very little (or no) coursework contribution
Much greater emphasis on accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar

10. The National Picture
Government keen to promote students studying a ‘broad and balanced’ curriculum defined as English, Maths, Science, History or Geography and a Modern Foreign Language – gaining a Grade 5 qualification in each of these gains the ‘Ebacc’ qualification.
The Ebacc is nominal, although students who have aspirations of attending University should consider trying to earn it.

11. What lessons will you have?
Core curriculum: English (studying for both Literature and Language qualifications) Maths Science (studying for at least 2 GCSEs) PHSE PE

12. What lessons will you have?
Core Curriculum: In addition, all students will follow either a Geography or History GCSE. Students have already identified which one they will follow and will commence this course on the 7th March 2017

13. What lessons will you have?
Additional Courses: Students will select 3 additional qualifications from: Art, 3d Design, Textiles, Food Tech, Geography, History, RE, Dance, Drama, Music, French, German, Computing, Sport, Health & Social Care They will be chosen from the option blocks (1 from each block)

14. The Options Form

15. Pick one subject from each of the blocks
IMPORTANT!
Pick one subject from each of the blocks
(Some subjects appear in more than one block )
When you have decided – write your choice from each block here
Don’t forget a reserve!
Questions or concerns

16. What to do if your preferred combination doesn’t fit the blocks?
Please complete the options form in its current format (even though this means putting down choices you might not be completely happy with), including a reserve.
In the comments box please indicate what your preferred combination of subjects would be
Ensure the form is returned on time!
I can’t promise that I will be able to accommodate all requests, but this provides me with the information to investigate alternative block solutions.

17. How to Make Choices DO pick subjects that you are interested in
DO pick subjects that you are successful in
DO pick subjects that might be useful for your future studies or career
DO pick subjects that play to your strengths
DO pick subjects that complement each other
DO consider whether a GCSE or BTEC would be best

18. How Not to make Choices
DO NOT pick subjects because you like the teacher
DO NOT pick subjects because your friends are taking them
DO NOT pick subjects because your older brother or sister took them
DO NOT pick subjects without reading the course content carefully
DO NOT pick subjects (just) because your parents think you should take them

19. Further information available
There will be assemblies Weds-Friday this week and Thursday next week from subject teachers promoting their courses.
After NEXT THURSDAY’s assembly students will receive their options form (on blue) to complete. The deadline is 29th MARCH 2017
Bookable appointments with the Careers Advisor are available for students struggling with their choices
Access to Plotr – a web-passed careers website that students have been introduced to during PHSE lessons this year (

20. Preparing for your Future
The options process is the first step on the pathway to your future It is important over the next few years that whilst you are working hard to achieve academically that you develop wider interests and skills that will be invaluable to you in later life

21. Extra-Curricular Responsibility Amnesty/Power Group/Student Leadership
Volunteering Charities/Paired Reading
Participation Interhouse/fixtures/Performance
Independence D of E / Part time work
Healthy lifestyle Young chef/Sponsored Walk

22. Work related learning and careers
CV and personal statement preparation
Careers interview with external adviser
Profiling
College Open days
Apprenticeship talks and visits
Oxford visit
Employer Interviews
Work Experience?

23. Some important dates in this process
Thursday 19th January (today): Initial introduction
Friday 20th / Monday 23rd / Tuesday 24th January: In RE lessons complete Straw Poll
Wednesday 25th January: deadline for History/Geography choice
Week beginning 30th January: Y9 Exams (more info later)
21st February: p5 Full Options process briefing (students). 6.30pm: Parents’ information evening
7th March: Commence either History or Geography GCSE
22nd March: Y9 Parents’ Evening
29th March: Deadline for Options choices

24. Any Questions?