1. Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form College
Key Stage 4 Courses
Ms Witty – Curriculum Director
Mr Wilcox – Director of Learning Year 8
16 February 2019

2. Compulsory subjects - Core
English
Mathematics
Science
PE (Health & Fitness)
Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education/citizenship
16 February 2019

3. Option Subjects - Choices
Art, Craft & Design
Business Studies
Child Development
Computer Science
Dance
Design & Technology: Resistant Materials
Design & Technology: Textiles
Drama/Performing Arts
Food Preparation & Nutrition
French
Geography
Health & Social Care
History
ICT
Media Studies
Music
PE/Sport
Religion, Philosophy & Life
Spanish

4. Organisation for Core Subjects
Year group divided into two bands – not Lukin and Wells
Band A and Band B – 103 in each band
4 classes in each band for the core subjects
Each core subject will place students in a set depending on their ability in that subject
16 February 2019

5. Three Pathways – H, R & S for option subjects
More personalised approach
Based on:
achievement
learning styles
assessment preference
Aim for ‘personal best’
16 February 2019

6. The Pathways
Pathway S
take the English Baccalaureate – English, maths, science plus a language (French or Spanish) and a humanities subject (history or geography) + 2 other choices
Pathway R
don’t have to take a language, but can if they want to
do have to take a humanities subject (history or geography) + 3 other choices
Pathway H
have to take at least two vocational subjects + 2 other choices
more practical subjects
more coursework/fewer exams
16 February 2019

7. The English Baccalaureate
“The EBacc is a combination of subjects that
the government thinks is important for young people to study at GCSE.” DfE
English
Maths
Two sciences/combined science
A language (French or Spanish)
Either geography or history
Quite new – will possibly be necessary for entry
to the top universities.

8. Qualifications in KS4 GCSEs –most will have assessment by exams only
BTEC First Awards – 40% exam/tests, 60% coursework
Cambridge National Certificates - 50% exam/tests, 50% coursework
VCERTs – 3 portfolios & 1 assignment under exam conditions
Check the course descriptions in the Options booklet
16 February 2019

9. KS4 Assessment For GCSEs, previously grades A* - G Now grades 9 - 1
5 or more grade 4s will be necessary to move on to Advanced courses in the sixth form. Some subjects will require grade 5 or 6.
Some qualifications will have Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* grades
A Pass is equivalent to GCSE grades 4/5
16 February 2019

10. The New GCSE Grading System
The new GCSE content will be ‘more challenging’
The majority of subjects will be assessed solely through exams taken at the end of two/three years of study
16 February 2019

11. Choices, Choices, Choices
Your child’s education/training will continue until they are at least 18
Year 8 Choices – 4 option subjects
Year 11 Choices – subjects for Sixth Form, or College, or an Apprenticeship
Year 13 Choices – University, or an Apprenticeship, or Employment
16 February 2019

12. Careers Research
Students don’t have to have a career in mind at this stage
Use Kudos to match their interests to careers
Instructions in PSHEE lessons
See Mrs Kay, Careers Adviser, outside the Hall
See Mrs Abbott in the Careers Centre in school
16 February 2019

13. How to make choices – Do’s
Do consider your career aims
Do take subjects that you enjoy
Do take subjects that you are good at
Do ask your teachers for advice
Do aim for a broad and balanced curriculum – a variety of subjects
16 February 2019

14. How to make choices – Don'ts
Don’t choose a subject just because your friends are taking it
Don’t choose a subject just because you like your current teacher
Don’t choose too many similar subjects
Don’t choose a subject because you think it is an ‘easy option’ – there aren’t any!
16 February 2019

15. What happens next?
Options Evening – Wednesday 21st March, 6.00pm – 8.00pm. Talks/visit to subject stalls
A link will be sent to your child’s account on Thursday 22nd March
Make four choices and a reserve online
Deadline for choices – Friday 20th April
Students will be organised into viable options groups
Discussions with some students about choices
16 February 2019

16. Log on with your child’s school account
Log on with your child’s school account. The Student Choices page will be displayed. Prioritise the choices by clicking the choices and selecting the relevant position in the My Choices in Order of Preference list.
16 February 2019

17. Filling in the Choices Form
1st Choice
2nd Choice
3rd Choice
4th Choice
Reserve Choice
16 February 2019

18. Subject Locations
Corridor between the main office and Art stairs – Art, Craft & Design
A013 - Music
A04 - Business Studies, Child Development and Health & Social Care
A05 – Maths & Science
A06 – Computer Science and ICT
C01 – History, Geography & RPL
E01 – PE & Sport
E102 – Languages (French & Spanish)
E103 – English, Media, Dance, Drama & Performing Arts
E104 – Food, Resistant Materials &Textiles
Outside Hall – Independent Careers Adviser – Mrs Kay
16 February 2019

19. ANY QUESTIONS?
16 February 2019