1. Year 9 Options Evening 2015 Bob Elsey – Headteacher
Stuart Matthews – Deputy Headteacher
Gareth Croxon– Assistant Headteacher
Louise West – Head of Year 9
Phil Marshall – External Data Associate

2. Aims of the evening To introduce the Key Stage 4 Curriculum 2015-2017
To provide an outline of the Options Process and key dates
To highlight ways pupils are given support and guidance and how additional support can be gained

3. The Next Few Weeks… Options Evening Discuss Options with family
Discuss Options in school
Yr 9 Parents’ Evening (22nd Jan)
Complete Options Form by 12th February

4. Curriculum Principles
Broad
Balanced
Relevant
Personal Development and Challenge
Opportunities for Progression

5. Qualifications for Key Stage 4
GCSE
assessed through a combination of examinations and controlled assessments
graded A* to G or Maths and English graded 9-1
Vocational (BTEC/VCERT/OCR National)
continuous assessment – 25% external assessment
assessed at Level 1 (equivalent to GCSE grade D-G) and Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE grade A*-C)
graded Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction*

7. Measuring Pupils’ Achievement
Measuring School Performance
Attainment 8
Progress 8
English Baccalaureate
English language
Maths
Science
Humanity (Geography or History)
MFL (French, German, Spanish)
Computer Science

8. Educational Reform Some key changes being introduced are:
All non-GCSE subjects are being brought into line with GCSEs (120GLH, 240GLH etc.)
Modular exams will be replaced by linear exams
Exams will only be taken in the summer – no re-sits?
Extra marks for SPaG in En Lit, Geog, History & RS
All Year 9 pupils will be required to continue in education or training until the end of Year 13

9. The Key Stage 4 Curriculum
SCIENCE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
ENGLISH PE
MATHS
PSHGEE
OPTION 1
OPTION 2
OPTION 3
OPTION 4

10. Core Curriculum Subject Periods Qualification English 8 2 GCSEs
Mathematics 7
1 GCSE
Science 10
2-3 GCSEs
Physical Ed 4 -
PSHGEE 1

11. Optional Subjects - GCSEs
Art and Design, Photography
Business Studies
Computing
Drama
Economics
Geography
History
Information and Communication Technology
Modern Foreign Languages
French, German and Spanish
Music
Physical Education
Religious Studies
Technology
Catering and Hospitality, Graphics, Systems and Control, Resistant Materials and Textiles

12. Optional Subjects - Vocational
Business
Health & Social Care
ICT
Performing Arts
Sport (Physical Education)

13. Science Science pathways Advice & Guidance Triple Science
Core & Additional Science
Advice & Guidance
Prior attainment
Attitude to learning
Post-16 progression

14. Progress to the Sixth Form
Progression routes

15. Progress to the Sixth Form
Graphics A Level Product Design
Resistant Materials A Level Product Design
Textiles Technology A Level Product Design
Systems & Control A Level Systems & Control
Food Technology A Level Food Technology
Information Technology L3 BTEC IT
Computing A Level Computing

16. Progress to the Sixth Form
French A Level French
German A Level German
Spanish A Level Spanish
Geography A Level Geography
History A Level History
Religious Studies A Level Religion, Philosophy & Ethics
Art A Level Art and Design
Photography A Level Photography
Music A Level Music
Drama A Level Theatre Studies
(L3 BTEC Performing Arts)

17. Progress to the Sixth Form
PE A Level PE
L3 BTEC Sports Science
Business Studies & A Level Business Studies
Economics L3 BTEC Business
A Level Economics
Child Development / Health
& Social Care L3 BTEC Health & Social Care
Other Subjects A Level Sociology
A Level Psychology
A Level Gov’t & Politics

18. Options Form

19. Option blocks Option A Option B Option C Option D Geography Spanish
Computing
Art & Design
ICT Cambridge Nationals
Music
Child Development
Graphics
Physical Education
Sport OCR
Economics
History
Hospitality & Catering
Resistant Materials
Textiles
Systems & Control
Performing Arts BTEC
Business Studies
Business Studies VCERT
German
Religious Studies
Health & Social Care BTEC
Drama
Photography
French

20. Option blocks - example
Option A
Option B
Option C
Option D
Geography
Spanish
Computing
Art & Design
ICT Cambridge Nationals
Music
Child Development
Graphics
Physical Education
Sport OCR
Economics
History
Hospitality & Catering
Resistant Materials
Textiles
Systems & Control
Performing Arts BTEC
Business Studies
Business Studies VCERT
German
Religious Studies
Health & Social Care BTEC
Drama
Photography
French

21. Option for Double Linguists
Option A
Option B
Option C
Option D
Geography
Spanish
Computing
Art & Design
ICT Cambridge Nationals
Music
Child Development
Graphics
Physical Education
Sport OCR
Economics
History
Hospitality & Catering
Resistant Materials
Textiles
Systems & Control
Performing Arts BTEC
Business Studies
Business Studies VCERT
German
Religious Studies
Health & Social Care BTEC
Drama
Photography
French

22. Option blocks – be careful
Option A
Option B
Option C
Option D
Geography
Spanish
Computing
Art & Design
ICT Cambridge Nationals
Music
Child Development
Graphics
Physical Education
Sport OCR
Economics
History
Hospitality & Catering
Resistant Materials
Textiles
Systems & Control
Performing Arts BTEC
Business Studies
Business Studies VCERT
German
Religious Studies
Health & Social Care BTEC
Drama
Photography
French

23. Selecting Options One option choice needs to be made from each column
At least one option must be an EBACC subject
This will highlight four preferred choices
Rank your choices
Two reserve choices are also important
Pupils should not choose the same subject twice!
Each pupil should have six choices
Pupils should think carefully about their subject combinations

24. Options forms
Please choose ONE course from each option block, ensuring at least one is an EBACC
Option A
Option B
Option C
Option D
Now take the four options selected above and rank then in order of preference. Number 1 being the choice that is most important to you. 1 2 3 4
Now choose two reserve options from any block
Reserve 1
Reserve 2
Student Name
Tutor Group
Signed - Student
Signed - Parent/Carer
Signed - Form Tutor

25. Advice on how to make the right choices
Gather good information
Subject teachers
Form tutors
Parents
Pupils should select courses that they will enjoy studying
Pupils should be encouraged to follow a broad and balanced curriculum
Pupils should choose subjects that are important or essential for a future career
Pupils should opt for the course not the teacher or because of friends!

26. Broad & Balanced?
Most pupils will go on to further or higher education
Pupils will be required to show a wide selection of skills, in a wide variety of subjects
Pupils should be thinking about taking a language, an art, a humanity, and a technology
Whichever options a pupil chooses they will have to say… WHY?

27. Summary Choose four options & two reserves
Choose a broad and balanced curriculum
Pick at least one EBACC
Two Technology GCSE’s
Support and guidance

28. …and the pupils themselves !!
Who can help decide?
Parents/guardians
Friends & relatives
Older siblings
Careers teacher
Subject teachers
Form tutor
Head of Year
Head of Progress
…and the pupils themselves !!

29. Key dates and Events
Thursday 22nd January (5-8pm): Year 9 Parents’ Evening
Thursday 12th February: final date for returning option sheets to Tutors
Thursday 5th March ( pm): PTA Careers evening

30. Frequently Asked Questions
Why not have free options rather than four option blocks?
What if I don’t like anything in one of the blocks?
Why put the same subjects in certain blocks e.g. Business GCSE alongside Business VCERT?
Do pupils have to do what the school recommends?
Will I get all of my options? What will happen if I don’t?

31. An opportunity to ask questions!?