1. Y10/11 Options 2014 Parents’ Evening – 25 th Feb 2014

3. PRIOR TO HALF-TERM  12 th FebAssembly in Hall / option books handed out  15 th FebY9 Data available AFTER HALF TERM  25 th FebParents’ meeting to explain options process (7.30pm)  6 th – 12th MarIndividual student/parent appointments with member of curriculum team  14 th MarDeadline for option choices  2 nd JuneNew timetable starts Timetable of Events

4. How is the curriculum structured?  Most students will take 10 qualifications (GCSE/BTEC/OCR)  Compulsory subjects – 6 GCSEs  Option Subjects – 4 GCSEs/BTECs/OCRs GCSE courses comprise one or two of the following:  exam (taken at the end of the course)  coursework  controlled assessment BTEC/OCR courses:  cover broad vocational areas  are mainly coursework based (continuous assessment)  contain one exam or externally assessed module taken during the course

5. 6 Compulsory Subjects (all GCSE)  English Language  English Literature  Maths  Biology  Chemistry  Physics Some students may take will take a double science course (instead of 3 separate sciences) Compulsory subjects which don’t lead to qualifications  PSHE + PE

6. Early Entry: English Language  GCSE English Language will be studied/assessed in Year 10, with students completing controlled assessments during these two years and taking their GCSE exams at the end of the year (June 2015)  English Literature will be studied in Year 11 with students completing controlled assessments and taking exams at the end of the year (June 2016)

7. OPTIONS – 4 CHOICES (GCSEs or BTEC/OCR courses)  Students should think about:  their strengths & interests  their future plans  how they will be assessed:  exams  coursework  controlled assessment

8. Structure of the Curriculum Core/Compulsory  English4 hours  Maths3½ hours  Biology2 hours  Chemistry2 hours  Physics2 hours  PSHE1 hour  PE2 hours Options  Option 12 hours  Option 22 hours  Option 32 hours  Option 42 hours During block weeks students may spend more time on option subjects & less time on core subjects in year 10

9. Key Issues for 2014-16 1. The English Baccalaureate  E-Bacc - (English Baccalaureate)  “Awarded” to students achieving A*-C grades in English Language, Maths, two sciences (from Biology, chemistry, physics or computing), a language (modern or ancient), and either Geography OR History  39% of students got E-Bacc in 2013  Entry to our 6 th form is NOT dependent on students achieving the E-Bacc  Our advice is that students should choose subjects which they will enjoy and which they believe will give them the greatest chance of success

10. Key Issues for 2014-16 2. Measuring achievement Current system  Lots of indicators used in school performance tables  5 A*-C (inc Eng Lang/Maths) generally recognised for progression  Average Points Score at GCSE used by QEHS sixth form (and others) for entry onto some sixth form courses New System (from 2016 i.e. this year group)  Attainment 8 – average grade achieved in “best 8 subjects”  Best 8 subjects must include:  English Language & maths  3 E-Bacc subjects (sciences, computing, geography, history, languages)  3 other subjects (English Lit and all the options offered at QEHS)  Sixth form entry requirements (locally/nationally) still unclear

11. 2. Measuring Achievement (continued) How will schools be judged?  Attainment 8 – average grade achieved in “best 8 subjects” by all students in year 11  Best 8 subjects must include:  English Language & maths  3 E-Bacc subjects (sciences, computing, geography, history, languages)  3 other subjects (English Lit and all the options offered at QEHS)  Achievement 8 – performance against target for the 8 best subjects  % of students achieving A*-C in English Language AND maths  % of students achieving the E-Bacc

12. Key Issues for 2014-16 3. Other issues?  How much harder existing GCSEs will be?  How entry requirements for sixth form (here and elsewhere) may change in the coming years – our view is that the “Attainment 8” measure is likely to be the most important  Other changes to be announced by the DfE  GCSE target grades - what are FFT targets and how do we use them during the guidance interviews?

13. Making appropriate choices

14.  English, maths, biology, chemistry and physics  PE and PSHE Compulsory subjects

15.  You need to think about:  Your strengths & interests  Your future plans  How you will be assessed:  Exams  Coursework  Controlled assessment OPTIONS – 4 CHOICES (GCSEs or BTEC/OCR courses)

16.  Core subjects provide evidence of literacy, numeracy, science  Options are an opportunity to demonstrate where you excel  Follow your convictions  Don’t take a subject because you feel you should Making your choices

17.  Five boxes to complete – PE compulsory  Effectively making 4 option choices  Focus on your strengths  Not doing so will impact on your progression Making your choices

18.  English language and Maths basis for getting into 6 th form  If you can get one of those then you can get into 6 th form if you choose the right subjects  Not choosing correctly will impact on progression Consider Progression

19. Student 1 English LangC English LitD MathsE BiologyD ChemistryD PhysicsC Art & DesignA Food TechA HistoryE FrenchD Case Studies Student 2 English LangC English LitC MathsA BiologyB ChemistryB PhysicsB EngineeringA ITDist GeographyB PEA Student 3 English LangA English LitA MathsC BiologyC ChemistryC PhysicsD HistoryA SpanishB DramaA Religious StA

20.  Art and Design  Graphic Communication  Textile 60% Portfolio 40% Externally set task Will only count once in Attainment 8 measure Art – which one?

21. Business Studies Exam 75% Controlled Assessment25% Media Studies Controlled assessment60% Exam40% Business and Media

22.  BTEC Performing Arts  GCSE Dance  GCSE Drama  GCSE Music May take more than one but Dance and Drama count once in Attainment 8 measure Expressive Arts

23.  Dance GCSE – solo and group performances and choreography 20% written exam  Drama GCSE Internal and externally assessed performances. Evaluation of a play + 40% exam (performance)  Music GCSE Composition, performance and 40% exam  BTEC performing arts (musical theatre – music, dance and drama) Expressive Arts (continued)

24. Think method of assessment Controlled Assessment  PE60% Coursework  Sport75% Re-sit of exam component possible But also consider both PE or Sport?

25. Think method of assessment Controlled Assessment  Computing60% Coursework  IT75% Re-sit of exam component possible Computing is a technical course and an aptitude in maths is very important. Many of the lessons in Computing will be theory- based. IT is more practical IT or Computing?

26. Coursework  BTEC Health and Social Care 75% Re-sit of exam component possible Controlled assessment  GCSE Child development 60% Health Studies

27. Controlled assessment  (40-45 hours)  Electronic Products60%  Engineering60%  Graphic Products60%  Resistant Materials60% But, again, you could consider two Technology (Design) – which one?

28.  Controlled assessment  Catering60%  Food Technology60% Explore the difference in the courses. Consider the methods of assessment Could consider both Technology – Food and Catering

29. Think  Strengths  Interests  Assessment  Progression Choose what you enjoy and are likely to do best in! Talk to your teachers! Conclusion

30.  Read the brochure carefully  Students to discuss with parents  Look at Y9 data/report on e-portal  Read the assessment section on the options pages carefully  Think about whether you want:  Breadth – 4 different subjects  Some specialisation – 2 or 3 similar subjects  Mainly exams or more controlled assessments/coursework  Students should look at the option form prior to their interview and make some provisional choices What now?

32. Thank You