1. Key Stage 4 Guided Pathways Year 8 into 9
Mr Chris Vallance
Assistant Principal
**** See notes underneath each slide ****

2. and transforming lives.” Martyn Oliver Chief Executive
“Students first:
Raising standards
and transforming lives.”
Martyn Oliver
Chief Executive
Outwood Grange Academies Trust
Vision of new CEO, Martyn Oliver

3. “Students first”
The focus of our curriculum has always been and will continue to be :
High quality outcomes for all students
Curriculum changed for Sept 2014 and again for Sept 2017; might have older brothers/sisters who have done a different model

4. “Students first” Broad and balanced curriculum
Innovative and knowledge rich
Focus on the basics of English and maths
Entitlement for students to study the full EBacc
In addition …
More detail on all these later

5. The New KS4 Curriculum Key Stage 4 starts in Year 9 !
English Lang GCSE and English Lit GCSE; Maths GCSE; Science = Double/Combined GCSE/Separate Sciences of Ch Ph Biol
EBacc subjects = three year courses over Y9, 10, 11 (Eg …)
(Three years to maximise chance of best possible grades)
Non-EBacc subjects = two years over Y9 and 10 (Eg …)
(Proven success on this model)
Expectation to choose at least one EBacc will be explained later, but basically it is about supporting students to achieve a ‘broad and balanced’ curriculum leading to a broad and balanced portfolio of qualifications that will keep doors open in the future
This model will take some pressure off in Y11; and still return good grades in Y10

6. What are the Guided Pathway Subjects ?
Course choices which are personal to each student
There will be a mixture of GCSE and other approved courses (eg BTEC)
Choose 3 subjects which students start in Year 9; some will complete in Year 10 and some will continue into Year 11
The Academy will offer information, advice and guidance to help students choose the courses that are right for them

7. What is the difference between GCSE and (eg) BTEC ?
GCSE courses tend to be assessed with a final (terminal) exam – which carries a significant weighting in the overall grade
BTEC (and other vocational courses eg Cambridge Nationals) tend to be assessed with ongoing portfolio work and a smaller exam element

8. GCSEs are being reformed
They will be graded 9-1 instead of A*-G (with 9 being the highest grade)
They are being phased in over the next few years
A GCSE grade C+ is/was classed as a ‘good’ grade; a grade 5+ will be classed as a ‘good’ grade
For current Year 8 students, GCSEs in all subjects will be 9-1
You will see that a grade 5 is higher than a grade C – we will be raising our expectations and efforts to meet this new higher standard

9. OCR Level 1/2 GCSE (9-1) in Computer Science - EBACC
BTEC Level 1/2 Award in Information and Creative Technology
Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Business Studies
AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in German - EBACC
AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in French - EBACC
AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Geography [NEW] - EBACC
Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in History - EBACC
AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies Specification A [NEW]
AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Art and Design (Art, Craft and Design)
AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Art and Design (Photography)
Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Performing Arts (Acting)
Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Music
Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Performing Arts (Dance)
AQA Technical Award in Materials Technology
Eduqas Hospitality and Catering Level 1/2 Award
Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Health and Social Care
Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Sport
Insert list of option subjects
Make sure each course is clearly labelled as a GCSE or BTEC (eg)
Please mix up the lists so that GCSEs are not in one list and BTECs in another
Remember – picking three to start in Y9 and complete some in Y10 and some continue into Y11
No pre-set blocks …
Other than at least one EBacc subject, students choose from the list and we will set up the blocks to maximise student choices – Approx 85% of students will study their top three preference subjects (what was the figure for your school ??)

10. What will it look like ?
It’s pretty complicated but students will basically be one of three sorts of student:
Students choosing one EBacc subject and two non-EBacc subjects to start in Year 9
Students choosing two EBacc subjects and one non-EBacc subject to start in Year 9
Students choosing three EBacc subjects and no non-EBacc subjects to start in Year 9
No cohort is by ability
Remember every student has to choose at least one EBacc – our rationale to follow

11. Students choosing one EBacc subject and two non-EBacc subjects to start in Year 9
Non-EBacc subjects completed at the end of Year 10
One of the Y9/10 courses could be OPMA – to support attainment in this key subject
Leaves 6 hrs of Guided Pathway time in Y11 to allocate
Could be 6 hr new subject or
3 hr new subject plus extra time for En/Ma

12. Students choosing two EBacc subjects and one non-EBacc subject to start in Year 9
Could be Full EBacc eg 1x MFL (eg …) and 1x Hums (eg …)
Could also be eg History and Computer Science
More about the full EBacc later
Non-EBacc subjects completed at the end of Year 10
The Y9/10 course could be OPMA – to support attainment in this key subject
2 hrs in Year 10 could be ….
Discussion about use of this 2 hrs will commence at Xmas in Year 9
Leaves 3 hrs of Guided Pathway time in Y11 to allocate
Could be 3 hr new subject or extra time for En/Ma

13. Students choosing three EBacc subjects
Could be Full EBacc eg 1x MFL (eg …) and 1x Hums (eg …) plus one other EBacc subject
Very careful IAG for any student wishing to be on this pathway – leaves no Guided Pathway time in Year 11
4 hrs in Year 10 could be ….
Discussion about use of this 4 hrs will commence at Xmas in Year 9
Leaves no hrs of Guided Pathway time in Y11 to allocate

14. What opportunities does this KS4 curriculum offer?
Flexibility to take new subjects in Year 11
As a default, 4 (in some cases 5) choices over three years
Learning over time for Guided Pathway courses in Years 9, 10 (& 11) to promote best possible outcomes for students
Chance to use Guided Pathway time to boost grades in core subjects

15. Points to consider….. Begin with the end in mind ! Career ? A Levels ?
But we know that this isn’t always possible at this stage and is subject to (many !!) changes
We will guide students to keeping the overall package ‘broad and balanced’ … thus ensuring no doors are closed later in life

16. Points to consider….. GCSE grades at 5+
Full English Baccalaureate (Full EBacc)
GCSE English
GCSE Maths
GCSE Science × 2
Humanities – GCSE History or Geography
Language – GCSE French, German or Spanish
GCSE grades at 5+
Potential importance of full EBacc (and Language in particular) for University applications
Science could be Double/Combined Science or 2/3 from Ph, Chem, Biol, Computer Sc
All students will choose AT LEAST one of Hist/Geog or MFL or Computer Science in their Y9/10/11 Guided Pathways – this helps keep it ‘broad and balanced’
Emphasise difference between achieving the FULL EBacc (grades 5+ in all the subjects) and the requirement for all students to choose at least one EBacc subject
Students will be guided down this pathway if we believe it is appropriate for them; all students can access this pathway and study for the full EBacc
Not just about the full EBacc – these subjects individually are known as the facilitating subjects as they are good subjects that are valued in the world beyond year 11
The full EBacc is highly valued by the universities widely regarded as the top universities (Russell Group)

17. Level 2 Threshold Measure “Attainment 8”
Points to consider…..
Level 2 Threshold Measure “Attainment 8”
Bucket
Slot
Subject
Detail 1
English
Compulsory – these double count in a student’s Attainment 8 score 2
Maths 3
EBacc 1
EBacc subjects – GCSEs in Sciences, including Computer Science; Geography/History; MFL 4
EBacc 2 5
EBacc 3 6
Other 1
Approved vocational, further EBacc subjects, other GCSE subjects 7
Other 2 8
Other 3
Attainment 8 = measure of student performance over selection of subjects
University, colleges, apprenticeships etc – Attainment 8 score we think will replace the current Level 2 threshold measure of 5+ A*-C, incl En & Ma, and become an entry criteria for many jobs/apprenticeships & FE/HE courses … phased over next few years
Outwood are well placed to support students with both Attainment 8 and the basics of English and maths
All grades 1+ contribute, aiming for best possible grades
All subjects for current Y8 for GCSE will be on the new 9-1 scale
Double counting of English and maths grades … so actually Attainment 8 score is ‘out of 10’

18. IAG – Choosing your EBacc subject(s)
To support good achievement in the Level 2 Threshold Measure, follow this guide when choosing options for Year 9:
Do you want to study a Language ?
YES NO
Choose your Language plus two further subjects
Pick either Geography, History or Computer Science plus two further subjects
EBacc Subjects
Remember all students are expected/required to select at least one EBacc option subject to study in Y9/10/11
Many students we believe will want to study for the full EBacc ie an MFL and a Humanity

19. Points to consider….. Option English / Option Maths
Evidence, across all our schools, points to the positive impact of Option English and Maths
Year 9 and 10 = Option Maths
Year 11 = Option Maths and/or Option English
If students are identified for this provision it should be seen as a positive and embraced
Life chances !
Good GCSEs in English and Maths will continue to open doors for young people – college courses, apprenticeships, sixth form etc
Currently the Option Maths course in Y9/10 includes a GCSE in Statistics which certifies at the end of Year 10

20. Points to consider….. Raised Participation Age:
Children should be in education or training until the end of the academic year when they are 18
For info …

21. Insert picture (screen shot if necessary) of choices proforma – highlight the need for the two reserve choices and the consequence of not including two reserve choices.
Or demo of web-based process ??
This is one list of subjects – there are no blocks – we will form the blocks once we have choices in and aim to maximise student preferences
Only collecting choices for Y8 into 9; pathways for Y10 into 11 will be looked at this time in two years

22. Who can help ?
Subject staff at Guided Pathways Evening and over the next few weeks
VMG Mentor
Older students in a mentor group
Learning Manager
Parents
Friends – but beware of the dark side!
Make use of Praising Stars© predictions
Apologies for Star Wars reference !

23. To summarise ….
Three Guided Pathway course choices to start in Year 9 with some to complete in Year10 and some to complete in Year 11; at least one EBacc subject
We believe many students will want to study for the full EBacc
For the majority of students, at least one further subject in Year 11
Plan course choices for Year 9 – these should be the main Guided Pathway subjects a student wants to study; view Year 11 as a bonus year
We are only collecting choices for Year 9 now
Main Guided Pathway subjects into Y9 – year 11 is a bonus year

24. Deadline
3rd February 2017
Reinforce choices returns deadline

25. Students First... Change photo to your students
All qualifications matter to our students, both those that are in Attainment 8 and those that are not