1. Lea Manor High School Performing Arts College
‘Learning for Life’
Welcome to Year 9
Pathways

2. Purpose
To ensure every student in year 9 is guided to choose a combination of courses that gives them the best chance of success and progress smoothly through Ks4 and beyond – maximising life chances and potential

3. believe they took the wrong educational path and say their
42% of 18 to 30 year olds
believe they took the wrong
educational path and say their
parents, schools and friends were all groups that influenced them.
Source: Edge Foundation: November 2007
Take your time and make the right choice

4. Key Dates Thursday 14th April
The pathways booklet published on the school website and the school’s VLE ‘FROG’
Monday 18th April – Friday 22nd April
Students are given their pathways booklet in form time and are explained the process in full during this week
Year 9 Parents’ Evening – an opportunity to meet your child’s subject teachers and discuss their progress
Thursday 12th May
Pathways Evening where the process will be explained to parents and information given by Lea Manor teachers and representatives from local colleges
Friday 13th May
All Pathway choices must be made and submitted

5. KS4 brings about many changes
Choice
New subjects
Assessment through examinations, coursework and portfolio work – in some subjects. Many courses are now assessed through examinations only – look carefully at this in the booklet
Students are expected to become increasingly independent learners
Students need to manage their workload effectively
Students need to start thinking about future careers and find out what skills and qualifications are required 5

6. The KS4 common core: (Things all students still have to study)
English Language GCSE and English Literature GCSE– 8pds
Mathematics GCSE – 8pds
Combined Science - 8pds
Philosophy and Ethics GCSE – 2pds
P.E. (practical) – 4pds
PSHCE and Careers Education – in form time
Good performance in English, Maths and Science provides a secure foundation for future study and improves career and college prospects 7

7. KS4: Personalising the curriculum Maximising chances of success
A ‘Personalised’ curriculum is one which:
Meets the interests, aspirations and needs and abilities of students
Is flexible, providing an appropriate choice of subjects and qualifications
Is suitable to a range of different learning styles
We have personalised our curriculum through the development of four learning pathways …… 8

8. Your Choices
You have a guided choice of 4 subjects and will study each subject for 5 hours every 2 weeks.
Your choice will change depending on the pathway you are choosing – look at your booklet. What pathway has been suggested for you? What does this mean?

9. The combination of subjects included in the English Baccalaureate are designed to ensure that academically able pupils study a broad core of subjects, ensuring that doors are not closed off to them in terms of future progression. For example, for pupils hoping to go to university, The Russell Group guide on making informed choices for post- 16 education identifies ‘facilitating subjects’ at A level. These are subjects most likely to be required or preferred for entry to degree courses and ones that will keep the most options open. The subjects they identify are those included in the English Baccalaureate – mathematics, English, additional science, geography, history and languages (classical and modern).

10. The GCSE Pathway
All courses in this pathway are GCSE courses with the exception of the Level 2 Certificate in IT User Skills in Open Systems and Enterprise, NCFE V-Cert in Creative Studies: Performance Skills, NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Health and Fitness and BTEC Music Technology. You can only choose one non GCSE subject in this pathway.

11. In this pathway students are permitted to choose a greater number of vocational courses. The vocational courses (BTECs and NCFEs) offer a slightly different way of working with a greater emphasis on course work.

12. The supported pathway is for young people who will need a little extra support and who will find 10 GCSEs or equivalent too challenging. These students will spend some time in Aspire studying a City in Guilds qualification that prepares them for the world of work. They will also be given extra support in Aspire in their core subjects and GCSE choices.

13. Non GCSEs – BTECs, NCFEs and Certificates
Count as a GCSE
Work related qualifications suitable for a wide range of students, built to accommodate the needs of employers and allow progression to University
A more practical, real-world approach to learning alongside a key theoretical background.
Formal assessment for parts.
Complete projects and assessments, which contribute to achieving each unit studied.

14. Non GCSEs – BTECs, NCFEs and Certificates
IT User Skills in Open Systems and Enterprise Level 1 and 2 Certificate
Creative Studies: Performance Skills NCFE
Music Technology BTEC
Health and Fitness NCFE

15. GCSE Theory and in some cases practical Written exams
Literacy content/demands of some courses
They are highly valued by schools, colleges, Universities and employers, so will be useful whatever you are planning to do afterwards
Most universities will ask for at least five GCSEs grades 5 to 9, including English, Maths and additional Science (as well as A levels or equivalent qualifications)
 6th form colleges will have different entry requirements for different courses.
Typically A/S levels require a ‘6’ grade or above to do the course.

16. GCSE Triple Science GCSE Art and Design GCSE
Hospitality and Catering GCSE
Citizenship GCSE
Drama GCSE
French GCSE
Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE
Geography GCSE
Graphic Products GCSE
History GCSE
Health and Social Care GCSE
Music GCSE
Music Technology BTEC
Physical Education GCSE
Resistant Materials GCSE
Spanish GCSE

17. Warning
The organisation of this programme is a very complicated business and sometimes we cannot provide everyone’s choice. For example, the number of people choosing a course may be too small or too large, or a particular combination of subjects chosen cannot be timetabled. Financial considerations and staffing are also considered by the school.
Some of you may have to adjust your choices at a later stage. We hope this will not happen, but we cannot rule out the possibility.
Working closely with you and your parents/carers the school will guide you toward a pathway that maximises your potential and life chances and can be accommodated by the school.

18. What now?
Take onboard all the information and guidance available and think carefully about
what you might like to do – keep options open...
Research colleges and courses so you know what courses they do and the specific entry requirements for that course.
Login to the Believe in Young People website that all Y9s should have used in their form time or at home. Complete the psychometric test and research areas of interest.
You should find out:
Entry requirements for a range of jobs in their chosen area
An outline of the type of work they will be doing in that job.

19. English Baccalaureate
Core + Options
Core
Subjects
(all students)
English Baccalaureate
GCSE Pathway
Supported Pathway
Alternative Pathway

20. Option Choice 1 (Please tick one box)
Reserve Choice (Please tick one box)
French GCSE
Art and Design GCSE
Geography GCSE
Hospitality and Catering GCSE
History GCSE
Citizenship GCSE
Spanish GCSE
Drama GCSE
Creative Studies: Performance Skills NCFE
Student Name:
 Please fill in and hand in to reception by Friday 13th May 2016
Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE
Graphic Products GCSE
Health and Fitness NCFE
Health and Social Care GCSE
Music GCSE
Music Technology BTEC
PE GCSE
 PE GCSE
 Resistant Materials GCSE
Resistant Materials GCSE
 Spanish GCSE
` Spanish GCSE `
Triple Science
IT User Skills in Open Systems and Enterprise Certificate
You will need to fill this in with your choices and hand it in on Friday 13th May