1. Specialist Studies
Information evening

2. What are Specialist Studies?
This is about allowing students to have some curriculum choice at the start of Year 9 BEFORE they have to make choices about their GCSE Options.

3. The curriculum ALL students study English Maths Science
They will have 7 hours for each subject over the two week timetable.

4. The Curriculum They will all also study PE 4 periods
Computing 2 periods
French 4 periods
RS 2 periods
PSHE 1 period
34 periods of the 50

5. Choice
We have made the decision to give students some choice about the subjects that they wil continue with into Year 9.
This has happened for the last few years but is gaining greater importance with the changes being made to the GCSE exam.

6. New GCSE Currently GCSE specifications are being re-written.
They will be harder than current exams and students will be expected to know more.
There will be no more A* - G letter grades. Instead everything will be graded 1 – 9.

7. Specialist choices
Students will be able to choose FOUR subjects which they will study for 4 periods a fortnight.
This will give them more curriculum time in preparation for GCSE study.
Students will not have to continue Specialist subjects into Year 10.
Any subjects not taken in Year 9 will not be recommended for study in Year 10.

8. Subjects Geography History Music Art Textiles Resistant Materials
Drama
Food technology

9. Think ahead
It will be really important to make sure that the subjects chosen keep future options open.
It would not be sensible to take all technology or all arts subjects for example.

10. It may be that not every student will have their first four choices.
As a result it is important that they also have a reserve choice.

11. Next steps This is a short process.
Tomorrow students will be issued with a specialist studies form.
On Monday 29th February you will have the chance to discuss this with your child’s tutor and submit your choices.

12. Once all the forms are in then we will begin working on the timetable to make this all fit.
The aim will be to confirm the final allocations to you before the Easter holidays.

13. Staff will be around to answer any questions that you may have this evening.
Thank you for coming.