1. Assistant Headteacher
Guided Choices
Mrs Pickford
Assistant Headteacher

2. Gateway into GCSEs:
big decisions!

3. Enable students to be as successful as possible

4. Keep as many doors open as possible

5. Key Dates Activity When? Guided Choices Booklets given out
25th January 2018
Year 9 Parents’ and Students’ Guided Choices Evening
Completed Guided Choices forms returned
23rd February 2018
Key Stage 4 Guided
Choices confirmed
April 2018

6. Changing Times in Education

7. Challenges of the New GCSEs
Linear Assessment
Many exams are longer
Less Controlled Assessment
More difficult content in many cases
No tiering in some subjects
Changes to types of questions
If you have had siblings come through the school, do not assume that the course will be the same!

8. Grading for new GCSEs

9. What is a PASS?
It is important to check with FE institutions whether they require a standard or strong pass!

10. Should you take the EBacc?
What is the EBacc?
What?
EBacc = English Baccalaureate
It is a performance measure for schools
Students currently need to get a GCSE grade 5 or above in: English, Maths, Sciences, a Language and either History or Geography.
Why?
Encourage schools to enter more students into the more academic subjects and in theory to keep breadth.
Should you take the EBacc?

11. Changes in Further Education
A-levels = Advanced Levels
Currently many students see A-levels as the obvious next step after leaving Icknield to extend their learning beyond GCSEs.
T-levels = Technical Levels
T-Levels are being introduced and will be delivered by FE providers from The first 3 T-levels to be introduced are in:
Childcare & Education - Education
Digital – Software Applications Design
Construction – Building, Services and Engineering
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships have undergone many changes over the last few years and again in March last year. They are an increasingly popular route into FE where students can learn on the job, be paid a salary and still gain qualifications up to degree level and beyond!

12. Any Questions?

13. GCSE English Literature
Compulsory ‘Core’ Subjects
GCSE English Language
&
GCSE English Literature
GCSE Mathematics
GCSE Combined Science or
Separate Science
Core PE (not examined)

14. Option Subjects Creative Arts Humanities GCSE Art, Craft & Design
Creative Arts
Humanities
GCSE Art, Craft & Design
GCSE Geography
GCSE Drama
GCSE History
GCSE Music
GCSE RE
GCSE 3D Design
GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition
Modern Foreign Languages
Other
GCSE French
GCSE Media Studies
GCSE Spanish
GCSE Physical Education
GCSE Information Technology
GCSE Computing
Now with 6 hours of curriculum time per fortnight increased since last year!

15. GCSE Courses Compulsory ‘Core’ subjects 3 option subjects in total
One choice must be either History, Geography, French or Spanish (see option block A)
Recommended for all students to give access to the full range of post-16 opportunities

17. Helpful Tips DO think carefully about your choices
DO choose subjects you are interested in and feel successful in
DO be realistic about your own strengths and weaknesses
DO try to keep a range of subjects
DO find out as much as you can about the courses from teachers, parents and older students
DO research the future requirements for education, training or career options you may consider
_________________________
DO NOT choose a subject just because your friend has
DO NOT choose a subject just because you like the teacher
DO NOT choose a subject because you are told to by other people
DO NOT be prejudiced about thinking a subject is only suitable for boys or girls
DO NOT choose a subject because you think it will be easy

18. Helpful Tips DO think carefully about your choices
DO choose subjects you are interested in and feel successful in
DO be realistic about your own strengths and weaknesses
DO try to keep a range of subjects
DO find out as much as you can about the courses from teachers, parents and older students
DO research the future requirements for education, training or career options you may consider
_________________________
DO NOT choose a subject just because your friend has
DO NOT choose a subject just because you like the teacher
DO NOT choose a subject because you are told to by other people
DO NOT be prejudiced about thinking a subject is only suitable for boys or girls
DO NOT choose a subject because you think it will be easy

19. Please remember… These are important decisions.
These are important decisions.
If insufficient students select a course, it will not run.
Please be aware that some course combinations will not work.
Until July, changes to choices may be possible. However, please be aware that choices will be far more limited.
Once courses have started, it is very unlikely that you will be able to change courses.

20. Frequently asked questions?
Separate Science vs Combined Science
In both you will be taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics separately.
You do not need Separate Science to do A-levels in Science.
There are further, much more difficult sub-topics to do in each discipline to get Separate Science, which is why we usually offer this to our top set students only.
Biology Biology Paper 1 & 2
Chemistry Chemistry Paper 1 & 2
Physics Physics Paper 1 & 2
Combined Science Biology Paper 1/Chemistry Paper 1/Physics Paper 1
Biology Paper 2/Chemistry Paper 2/Physics Paper 2

21. Frequently asked questions?
What is the difference between IT and Computing?
Computer Science
Information Technologies
Exam Board
OCR
Grading System
9-1
Level 2 Distinction * - Level 1 Pass
Methods of Assessment
2 Exam Papers, each 80 marks, each 1 hour and 30 minutes long, 40% of overall GCSE each paper.
1 Controlled Assessment. 20 Hours long, 20% of overall GCSE. Coding based.
1 Exam Paper, 80 marks, 50% of Overall GCSE
1 Controlled Assessment, 20 hours long, 80 Marks, Real-World scenario evolved around data collection in a business.
Key Topics
Computer hardware, networks, computer code, algorithms.
Data collection, project life cycle, technological developments in IT
Higher Education Opportunities
A Levels, Vocational Courses at Level 3, Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships, Vocational Courses at Level 3

22. Frequently asked questions?
What is the difference between IT and Computing?
Computer Science
Information Technologies
Exam Board
OCR
Grading System
9-1
Level 2 Distinction * - Level 1 Pass
Methods of Assessment
2 Exam Papers, each 80 marks, each 1 hour and 30 minutes long, 40% of overall GCSE each paper.
1 Controlled Assessment. 20 Hours long, 20% of overall GCSE. Coding based.
1 Exam Paper, 80 marks, 50% of Overall GCSE
1 Controlled Assessment, 20 hours long, 80 Marks, Real-World scenario evolved around data collection in a business.
Key Topics
Computer hardware, networks, computer code, algorithms.
Data collection, project life cycle, technological developments in IT
Higher Education Opportunities
A Levels, Vocational Courses at Level 3, Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships, Vocational Courses at Level 3

23. Subject Leaders are all available now to answer any questions you may have to help you to make the right decision for you!