1. “I have come so that they may have life and live it to the full”
Options 2018
“I have come so that they may
have life and live it to the full”

2. CAR PARK NEAR MAIN ENTRANCE
In the event of the fire alarm sounding please make your way to:
CAR PARK NEAR
MAIN ENTRANCE
Use fire exits in three corners of Hall
Please switch off your mobile phones
Bell will ring to end the evening
Exit via front door or side gate
Copy of this presentation is now on the website

3. Strong Pass
Standard Pass
In 2017:
50% of our pupils achieved 5 or more Grade 5s including English and Maths
70% of our pupils achieved 5 or more Grade 4s including English and Maths

4. Year 9 Choices Which Way Now?
Over the last two days Year 9 have had an altered curriculum so they could receive a wealth of information which will help them make well informed choices about their future. Careers Day – opportunity to speak to a wide variety of different professions Progress Day – an opportunity to reflect on: - the information they received about careers - hear about and meet colleges - think about how they are performing academically - begin to think about option choices

5. Important dates Date Information Wed 17th Jan/Thurs 18th Jan
Careers Fair/Progress Day
Thursday 18th January
Options Evening (6.00pm pm)
Talk at 6pm then visit subject staff
Monday 22nd January
Options forms issued in Tutor time
Friday 2nd February
Options forms returned to tutors
Monday 19th March
Year 9 reports go home
Thursday 22nd March
Year 9 Parents Evening at 4pm
Friday 23rd March
Last chance to change options choices
During 1st half of summer term
Option classes finalised/pupils informed

6. The Process
You make your initial option choices on the options form (in the pack)
This will dictate whether some subjects can or cannot be offered as options – you MUST think carefully about your choices, these should end up being the subjects you study
You MUST complete the options form. If your preferred combination of subjects is not possible there will be space on the form to write down what you would have liked if it were possible
Analysis of option forms will then take place – there may be amendments to option blocks or some subjects may be withdrawn
You will receive a report on your progress followed by parent’s evening before you have to make a final decision (hopefully confirming your original choices)
The final date for pupils to change option choices will be
FRIDAY 23rd March 2018.
Changes must only be agreed following a discussion with Mr McFarlane or Mr Morris

7. Example of the options form

8. Lesson allocation across Week A/B
YEAR 10 TIMETABLE
Subject
Allocation per week
lessons x minutes
Lesson allocation across Week A/B
English (inc Eng Lit)
4 x 60 8
Maths
Science (Double)
5 x 60 10 RE
2.5 x 60 5
PE (Core)
2 x 60 4
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3

9. This is a total of 6 qualifications
What do I have to study?
A core of compulsory subjects;
Religious Education GCSE (2.5 lessons) – 1 GCSE
English Language GCSE
English Literature GCSE
Mathematics GCSE (4 lessons) – 1 GCSE
Combined Science (5 lessons) – 2 GCSEs
Physical Education Core (2 lessons) – No qualification attached
This is a total of 6 qualifications
(4 lessons) – 2 GCSEs

10. Some subjects may not run (depending on option numbers)
Option Subjects
You will be required to choose 3 from the following list:
Art & Design
Computer Science
Drama
Food & Nutrition
Geography
History
French
Spanish
Music
Product Design
Physical Education
Separate Sciences
ICT – Creative iMedia (GCSE equivalent new course)
Some subjects may not run (depending on option numbers)

11. Science Separate Sciences
Biology, Chemistry & Physics are taught/examined as 3 separate subjects and 3 separate GCSEs (by the same teacher)
This is only available as an option. It can be beneficial if you are aiming to study science at ‘A’ level or if you really like science
You will get the 5 lessons of science that all pupils have + an additional 2.5 lessons per week to cover the extra content
Although the higher course is academically very demanding, if you have a love of science then there is also a foundation option (5 to 1)

12. Physical Education Core PE is compulsory for all pupils
Regular physical activity is known to have significant health and social benefits
You will not take a qualification in core PE and so it will be physical activity twice each week (a range)
If you wish to study PE GCSE, you use one of your options but Core PE remains a compulsory part of your timetable

13. Modern Foreign Languages
Studying a Modern Foreign Language is not compulsory however it is highly valued by colleges, universities and employers and is a fantastic skill for life
You can study GCSE French or Spanish (assuming you have studied Spanish in Years 8 and 9)
You can also study both languages
Achieving grade 5 or above in a Modern Foreign Language is a compulsory element of the Ebacc

14. Humanities
History and Geography are excellent academic choices, also highly valued within Further and Higher Education
History is our most popular option but Geography also has good numbers
You can study either or both of these subjects
Achieving grade 5 or above in one of the humanity subjects is a compulsory element of the Ebacc

15. Performance
Drama and Music are the Performing Arts related subjects in the option blocks
Both Drama and Music require some practical ability
Drama can develop key skills for life and Music (particularly playing an instrument) has high value on future CVs
Both subjects require students to perform as well as study
If you are interested in studying either Performing Arts subjects you MUST speak to Mrs Harrison or Mrs Chapman-Dean

16. Design & Technology
Art & Design, Computer Science, Food & Nutrition, ICT Creative iMedia (New) and Product Design, are the Technology related subjects in the option blocks
Creative iMedia is a Cambridge National Certificate Level 2 and is a new course. Pass is equivalent to GCSE Grade 4
It is most likely to be a specific talent or a particular personal interest that leads pupils to choose these subjects
All these subjects offer a “hands” on experience as well as study for exams. Computer Science is challenging so speak to Mr Washington if you are interested

17. Design & Technology
There will be strict limits on some of these subjects. For example there will only be 1 class of Food & Nutrition (25 pupils max) and 1 class of Product Design (25 pupils max). You will not be able to select both of these subjects as they are on timetable at the same time
Last year they were oversubscribed and we had to draw names randomly. This is the process again this year if necessary.
It is not possible to choose both Product Design and Food

18. English Baccalaureate
A Government measure first reported in 2011, in which Holy Cross traditionally performs extremely well
A collection of subjects (English, Maths, Science(2), Foreign Language & either History or Geography). Computer Science also counts as 1 Science.
A “traditional” route with an academic focus, which the current Government have been eager to encourage over the past few years
This route is not appropriate for every student and should be a personal choice but if your are in Set 3 or above you should really be looking to take an Ebacc combination.

19. Physical Education (Core)
Summary
Core = 6 (All Students)
English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Religious Education
Combined Science
Physical Education (Core)
(All Students)
Options = 3 Chosen from
Art & Design History
Computing Creative iMedia
Drama Music
Food PE
French Product Design
Spanish Separate Sciences
Geography

20. Each year there are combinations that are not possible due to a variety of constraints
There are fewer and fewer schools now offering their students three free true choices (pathways etc)
Please understand that if a student gets 2 out of 3 of their preferred subjects this is better than they would get in many other schools

21. Example routes Ebacc Route Ebacc Route Ebacc Route Dual Linguist Route
Core
Separate Sciences
French
Geography
Ebacc Route
Core (Combined Science)
History
Spanish
Art
Ebacc Route
Core (Combined Science)
French
History
Product Design
Dual Linguist Route
Core
French
Spanish PE

22. Example routes Practical Route Core History Food & Nutrition Art
Technical Route
Core
Product Design
Creative iMedia
Spanish
Performing Arts Route
Core
Drama
Music
Geography
Performing Arts Route
Core
French
Music
Drama

23. Example routes Other Routes Core Art & Design Geography PE
French
Physical Education
Art & Design
Other Routes
Core
Product Design
Music
Spanish
Humanities Route
Core
History
Geography
Food & Nutrition

24. Tips for making the right choices
Here are some good reasons for choosing a subject:
you have ability in a subject and have achieved good results
you are interested in a particular subject
you enjoy a subject
the subject could help you in your chosen career
 Here are some bad reasons for choosing a subject:
your friends have chosen the subject (it may not be appropriate for you)
you like the teacher (you may not stay with the same teacher)
Every year some pupils ignore the dos and don’ts and make the mistake of choosing subjects because they like a particular teacher or their friends are studying those subjects. This almost always results in serious mistakes being made with option choices and a lot of distress.
PLEASE make YOUR selections based only on what YOU want to study and believe YOU are good at.

25. To recap… Options booklets/discussions with subject teachers tonight
Options choices – week beg 22nd January
Deadline for option forms – Friday 2nd February (to tutors)
Option choices analysed– during February/March
Discussions/Reports/Parents evenings – 19th & 22nd March
You can change your subject choices up to Friday 23rd March
The subjects you have selected will now be your final choices

26. What Now?
Go and speak to the Heads of Department and Subject Teachers that are situated around the Sports hall.
Please move well into the sports hall on arrival
Ask about details of courses, subject specific commitments, ask any questions, skills required etc
Parents; ask about your child's potential in that subject
Discuss future aspirations/intentions/college/employment
Talk to the representatives from the colleges

27. “I have come so that they may have life and live it to the full”
Options 2018
“I have come so that they may
have life and live it to the full”