1. Options for 2016 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 (Mr Damant)
Curriculum changes and GCSE options (Mr Hurley)

3. Key dates Short Report – December18th Full Reports –March 23rd
Options Fair – April 21st
Parent evening – May 5th
Option returns – May 6th
Short report – June 24th
Options confirmed – July 15th

4. The Key Stage 4 (GCSE) curriculum begins in Year 9.
The Government have reviewed and altered the GCSE curriculum with the aim of increasing rigour and developing higher levels of literacy and numeracy skills of young people; to better prepare them for employability and lifelong learning.
There will be an emphasis on pupils acquiring essential knowledge in English, Maths and Sciences. To achieve the top scores pupils will be required to have a deeper understanding of each subject, breadth of knowledge and its application to the wider world.

5. Year of GCSE examination
New format GCSEs
Current Year 10 9
8 (2015/16)
Year of GCSE examination
Summer 2017
Summer 2018
Summer 2019
Subjects
Phase 1
English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Phase 2
All Sciences
Art
Computing
Dance
Design Technology
Drama
Geography
History
Latin and Foreign Languages
Music PE
Phase 3
All subjects
New gradings
1-9 grades for Phase 1 subjects
1-9 for Phase 1 & 2 subjects
All 1-9 grades
Old gradings
A*- G ‘Old’ style GCSE

6. 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

7. 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
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

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

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

10. 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
Please choose 3 choices (1-3) and 2 reserves (R)
4. CPR (Religious Enquiry) 

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

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

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

17. 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?