choosing your GCSE Options Par arents/Carers P lea ease en - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

What to consider when choosing your GCSE Options

Par arents/Carers

Plea

ease en encourage you

• ur so

sons and and da daughters to:

• :-
• Research thoroughly to make informed choices
• Discuss and research their future career ideas
• Think about post 16 options – Sixth Form, College, Apprenticeships

and University.

• Continue to develop ‘employability skills’ through education,

hobbies, interests and work experience.

GCSEs are good general preparation for further education and employment

Students - Think about:-

• The subjects you enjoy.
• The subjects you are good at.
• The style of learning you prefer.

Talk to subject teachers about the course content and

• workload. See if the subject will play to your strengths.

Strong Foundations

Maths English Science EBAC?

BUT…….don’t drop these subjects if you might want to learn more of these skills in 6th Form/College: Art based courses, Technology, Geography, Languages or Music.

Check subjects/grades required for Sixth Form, College or an Apprenticeship. Sixth Form - A levels : 7 GCSEs - 5 at G4 plus 2 at G5 and above. College - Level 3 Vocational Courses: 4-5 GCSEs at G 4/5 and above

• Level 2 Vocational Courses: 4 GCSEs G 3

Apprenticeships: Many employers look for 4-5 GCSEs G 4/5

Stu tudents:-

• Research career interests: What specific entry requirements do

different careers have?

• https://sacu-student.com
• https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
• www.prospects.ac.uk
• https://targetcareers.co.uk/
• Talk to somebody who works in the sector that interests you.
• Thinking about going to university? Research degree courses, look

at entry requirements and work back from there. www.ucas.com

To summarise….

• If you don’t have a particular career or degree course

in mind – keep your choices broad and balanced.

• Think about your future study or career plans.
• Consider what you enjoy and are good at.
• Make the most of this evening to speak to subject

teachers about the subject content.

• Seek your teachers’ advice on which subjects will play

to your strengths.

Options Pathways 2020

Wednesday 4th March 8 a.m. Deadline for the completion of Options Online March – June July

Interviews (if appropriate) with senior staff about the choices made Notification of allocated Options subjects to students and parents

Key Dates

Impact of Absence

Research suggests that 17 days lost = 1 GCSE grade 17 days lost across Y10 /11 is 95·6% attendance 90% attendance is 39 days lost across Y10/11 80% attendance is 78 days lost across Y10/11: 4·5 grades or a good GCSE!

Reformed GCSE Grades 9 - 1

Reformed GCSE Equivalent to Old GCSE 9 Top 20% of those at G 7 or above 8 A* 7 A 6 B 5 Good Pass 2/3 of a grade higher than a C 4 Standard Pass C 3 D 2 E 1 F/G

Reformed GCSEs

• graded 9 -1
• result based on a final exam plus NEAs (Non

Examination Assessments) for some subjects GCSE equivalents

• graded Distinction* to Pass (Level 1 or 2)

using a combination of exams and NEAs.

GCSE equivalents (Levels 1 & 2)

Child Development (Cambridge National) Creative iMedia (OCR Certificate) Enterprise & Marketing (Cambridge National) Performing Arts (BTEC) Sports Science (Cambridge National)

Qualification Levels

Entry Level – just below GCSE level Level One – equivalent to GCSE grades 3 - 1 Level Two – equivalent to GCSE grades 9 - 4 Maths, Languages and Science have tiered entry: Foundation G 5-1, Higher G 9-4

The Core Curriculum

• English and English Literature (8)
• Mathematics (7)
• Science (2 or 3 GCSEs) (11)
• Society and Ethics – includes Religious

Studies, PSHE, Citizenship & Careers (1)

• Physical Education (3)

GCSE Science

• All Year 9 students have been studying GCSE Science

topics since September.

• Unit tests in each of these by Easter:
• Year 9 Exam Week (May 4th).
• Exam and Test results will be used to decide which

GCSE Science pathway students will follow in Year 10

Biology Chemistry Physics Cell Biology Atoms and Periodic Table Energy Enzymes Analysis Particles

AQA Combined Science

• AQA Trilogy
• 2 GCSEs
• Most students
• Foundation and Higher

level entry AQA Separate Sciences

• 3 GCSEs
• Only offered to our most

able 60 students because:

• Content is considerably

greater than the Combined Sciences

• Delivery time is the

same as for Combined Sciences so the pace of lessons will be high Students may continue on to any Science at A Level regardless

• f route providing they meet the entry requirements.

In July, students will be told their Science pathway.

The Optional Pathways

• 4 Option Pathway

4 GCSE, or equivalent, optional subjects Must choose at least one from French, German, History and Geography

• Level 1 College Pathway

1 morning at college and 2 GCSE (or equivalent) courses and support for English and Maths

– Ebacc Pathway

Choose either French or German and either Geography or History plus 2 other subjects

Level 1 College Pathway

Comprises:

• Level 1 College course – typically:
• Thursday am at Warwickshire College Group (Evesham or Pershore) or in

School

• Two other optional GCSE, or equivalent, subjects at Level 1 / 2
• Extra help with English and Maths GCSEs
• Most appropriate for students with targets G 1 – 3.
• Limited availability
• Progression
• Must see Mr Howell to discuss first

Animal Welfare Horticulture Motor Vehicle

Level 1 College Pathway

4 Option Pathway

• Students should follow a broad and balanced curriculum
• Choose subjects you enjoy but keep your options open

and develop a range of skills including linguistic, practical and artistic The English Baccalaureate (Ebacc):

• Students aiming for all G 5 or higher should consider a

combination which leads to the recognition of the Ebacc

French and/or German and Geography and/or History and two other optional subjects (The EBacc needs G 5 or higher in French or German, Geography or History, Science, English and Maths)

4 Option Pathway

Order of Preference

• Not every combination is possible.
• Some subjects may be oversubscribed.
• Some may not be popular enough to run.
• Reserve subject choices are essential.
• Interview with a senior member of staff if we

cannot fulfil all of the student’s subject choices.

Please note!

Options Online Registration - Students

• You will receive an email to your school account from SIMS Online.
• Click on ‘Accept this Invitation’ at the start of the email and follow the

instructions.

• Pick ‘Sign in with Microsoft’ and use your school email (e.g.

001234@pershore.worcs.sch.uk) as the username and your normal school password as the password.

• The next screen confirms your details and has an Invitation Code pre-
• populated. Click Register.
• Then enter your Date of Birth and click Verify.
• For subsequent logins use this link www.sims-options.co.uk and sign

in with Microsoft as before.

Options Online Registration – Parents

• You will receive an email from SIMS Online.
• Click on ‘Accept this Invitation’ at the start of the email and follow the

instructions.

• Pick any of the sign in methods (Twitter, Google, Microsoft, Facebook or

Office 365) except for SIMS ID.

• The next screen confirms your details and has an Invitation Code pre-
• populated. Click Register.
• Then enter your son/daughter’s Date of Birth and click Verify.
• For subsequent logins use this link www.sims-options.co.uk .
• You can see (but not edit!) your son/daughter’s choices (once made) and

give your approval by ticking the box at the bottom.

Submitting your choices

• Decide on your Pathway

–Discuss Level 1 College Pathway with Mr Howell

• Register with Options Online
• Make your choices
• Get parental approval

• Think carefully
• Make decisions for the right reasons
• Best pathway for you
• Ask for advice from others

Deadline is Wednesday 4th March (no advantage in early submission)

• Changes up until end of Sept.