DOWNLANDS SCHOOL YEAR 8 OPTIONS Downlands Delivers Headline - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

WELCOME TO DOWNLANDS SCHOOL YEAR 8 OPTIONS

Downlands Delivers Headline figures 2016

Pupils ls at Downl wnlands ands make ‘outstanding’ progress, as judged by Ofsted 76% of pupil ils s got t a C or bett tter er in Math ths & Engl glis ish h co compare mpared d to 62% national ionally ly On On aver erage age Downl wnlands ands pupi upils ls made e signifi ificantl cantly y more re prog

• gre

ress ss than n similar ar pupils pils national ionally ly In some e key y areas eas such ch as the Ebac acc pupil ils s were e in the e top p 10% national ionally ly for r prog

• gre

ress ss

• Downlands outperforms
• All similar Schools within a
• 75 miles radius

‘New’ GCSE Qualification

Key Differences

• All pupils will be taking the ‘new’

GCSE

• Current y8 will sit exams at the end
• f year 11 (in 2019)
• Much more emphasis on terminal

examinations, tiers of entry only in Mathematics.

• Little or no controlled assessment in

most subject areas.

• Grades 1 - 9

‘New’ GCSE grading

• Grade 1 will equate to current F/G grades
• Grade 4 will be equivalent to C grade
• Grade 7 will be equivalent to current A grade
• Grade 9 will be awarded for ‘exceptional performance’ – about

half of the students achieving A* will achieve this grade

• Grade 5 to be benchmarked against international standards – PISA

tests

If you thought that was confusing………

League tables

New Measures

New Measures from 2016

Key change

• 5 A*-C inc English and Maths no

longer the ‘Gold Standard’ Key indicators…..

• Progress 8
• Attainment 8
• Percentage of pupils achieving

4 & 5 and above in English and Maths

• The EBacc

English Baccalaureate

A measure but not a qualification

Appears on league tables alongside

• ther

measures

Achieved when pupils get grade 5

• r above at

GCSE in… English Language, Double Science (or computer science),

Maths, a Language and History

• r

Geography

Progress 8

English (counts double if Lit is taken) Maths (counts double) Ebacc subject Ebacc subject Ebacc subject

Any ‘high value’ qualification Any ‘high value’ qualification Any ‘high value’ qualification

Aims of KS4 Curriculum

A Broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of our learners

Our Curriculum aims to provide:

• greater flexibility and choice,

whilst ensuring pupils acquire the core of general learning and experiences essential for later learning and employment

• a broad balanced curriculum

that keeps all routes at 16+

• pen to all pupils
• a curriculum that is

appropriate to the needs of all individual learners abilities or interests

Level of Qualification (AQs) = Accredited Qualifications AQs

Level 1 = GCSE grade D-G = New Grades 1–4

Level 2 = GCSE grade A*-C = New Grades 4 – 9

Assessment

Examinations Controlled Assessment Coursework

Terminal examinations at the end of the course Assessed work carried out under controlled conditions in

• school. (will not

apply to most subjects) Coursework – Assessed work to be completed in class and at home (Btec only)

Core National Curriculum subjects – Key Stage 4

DFE Requirements

Core National Curriculum subjects – Key Stage 4

CORE

• English – Language and Literature
• Mathematics
• Science – Double or Triple Award

National Curriculum – non exam

NON EXAM

• Physical Education*
• PDC (including Citizenship, Careers and Health Education)
• RS*
• Computing*

*GCSE’s in these subjects are available – to be chosen in year 9.

Two Further Yr 9 Options Two options from:

• Creative Arts – Art, Music and Drama
• Sport and Dance
• Technology and Computing
• Humanities
• Languages

Number of Qualifications

• Science – Combined or Triple
• Mathematics – Single Award for most pupils
• English – Language and Literature
• Four Options (2 chosen in yr8 & 2 in Yr9)*
• Most pupils will achieve 9 GCSE equivalent qualifications

Fortnightly Time allocation in year 9

• English, Maths, Science – 6 periods
• History/Geography + Languages (option)– 5 periods
• Art, Music, Drama, PDC, RS (core) – 2 periods
• Technology – 5 periods
• Computing – 2 periods
• PE – 4 periods

English Language and Literature

• English Language and

English Literature are two separate GCSE’s.

• Students prepare for GCSE

during year 9.

• There will be no

controlled assessment in the new GCSE – terminal examination only.

• No tiers of entry

Mathematics

• New GCSE from 2015
• Foundation and

Higher Tier

• Examination only
• Changes will include

(re)introduction of calculus and Venn diagrams

Science

• Most students will follow combined

science – 2 GCSE’s made up of chemistry, biology and physics.

• The choice is part of the Year 9
• ptions process.
• More able scientists may choose

Triple Science as one of their additional 2 options – GCSE’s in Chemistry, Physics and Biology. The course will begin at Easter in year 9.

• Triple science is for able students

who enjoy science and would be committed to the demanding

• course. The department will

advise students on the most appropriate course.

• It is not necessary to take Triple

science to study the sciences at A level – colleges will accept double award for any A level in science.

Yr8 Options In Summary Two options, one from each block

Languages Block Humanities Block

Languages Block

• Double (express) group of able linguists who will

take French and German GCSE over 3 years

• Single language option in French, German and
• Spanish. Students could still opt for a second

language in the year 9 options process.

• Students wishing to take Spanish are advised to

choose it as an option in year 8

Humanities Block

• Choose History* or Geography. In Geography Students prepare for

GCSE in year 9 and start the GCSE syllabus in Year 10. In History pupils will cover aspects of the GCSE course in Year 9. Those wishing to do both will follow a combined course of Geography & History in yr9. GCSE preparation in Geography in the Autumn term then switch to History to begin GCSE core content for the Spring & Summer terms.

• 100% Final examination in year 11
• Students will have the opportunity to choose another Humanities

subject in the Year 9 Options process.

Foundation Learning

A practical course which students will be selected for – includes:

• Catering qualification
• Horticulture
• Fitness (accredited course)
• Forest Schools
• 10 periods a fortnight
• Students will be selected for this course which will replace the

Humanities and Languages options

Any reason I won’t get my choice?

• Not enough students have opted for a subject
• Too many students have opted for a subject
• This is why a reserve choice is necessary.

Option Blocks In year 9 students will choose 2 of the below*:

• Art and Design
• Drama
• Computing
• Information Technology
• Music
• Physical Education
• Sport
• Religious Studies
• French
• Geography
• Child Development
• German
• History
• Product Design
• Resistant Materials
• Food Technology
• Textiles
• Classical Civilisations
• Dance

However…..

• In 2017 we have begun to trial some alternative pathways, which

may mean that:

• Some students may be able to replace a Modern Foreign Language

with an ICT , PE/Sport, Art

• Some students may be able to choose to study Triple Science od

Two languages. However this will impact upon other choices

• Concentrate on this Years’ Choices, as things may change. Do not

assume things will necessarily be the same

Considerations

• Subjects you like, perform

well in and are appropriate.

• Progression to Post 16

courses

• Future career plans
• Balance between academic

and practical

• Workload – Coursework

requirements v examinations

• Subjects chosen will be studied for

the next three years (Changes are not possible)

• Pupils will be entered for a final

examination in option subjects

Do NOT take into consideration

• What your friends are doing.
• Which teachers you like.
• Previous years’ Curriculum

Options or Grades. Students will be compared with their peers.

Key Dates & Documents

• Option Booklets, Full Reports and Option Forms have been issued
• Parents Consultation Evening Thursday 28th April
• Option Forms to be returned by Wednesday 4th May
• Options Evening – Heads of Departments in the two option blocks

available for further questions after the main presentation.

GCSE History - Edexcel

Thematic Study – Medicine in Britain, c1250- present Historical Environment - the British sector of the Western Front 1914-1918: injuries, treatment and the trenches Period Study – Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 British Depth Study – Early Elizabethan England, 1558-1588 Modern Depth Study – Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-1939

Given the changes to the GCSE, there is no longer any coursework. Students will sit all 3 papers at the end of year 11.

There are no tiered examinations in History. In order to fit all of the content in, we now have to start teaching the content in year 9 (from Christmas). If students wish to take History as an option they must opt for it in year 8 as we begin teaching the content in year 9.

GCSE History - Edexcel

Thematic Study – Medicine in Britain, c1250-present Historical Environment - the British sector of the Western Front 1914-1918: injuries, treatment and the trenches Period Study – Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 British Depth Study – Early Elizabethan England, 1558-1588 Modern Depth Study – Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-1939 Given the changes to the GCSE, there is no longer any

• coursework. Students will sit all 3 papers at the end of year 11.

There are no tiered examinations in History. We do begin teaching the content students need in year 9.

Why chose history?

• You want to learn about the big issues of the past.
• You want to develop employable skills, like creating an

argument or analyzing sources.

• You want to be critical of the things you see and hear.
• You are an independent learner who enjoys debating their

views. ‘History never repeats, only man does.’

You will learn the skills to question headlines like this…

HOW CAN DIVINE CHOCOLATE SAVE LIVES? ARE DESERTS PLACES TO LIVE? LOGGING: DAMAGE OR DEVELOPMENT?

The course

The exam

What makes a good geographer? are you....

inquisitive, analytical, critical, logical and resourceful? willing to use a range of skills as tools for problem solving? able to see the political, economic, environmental, social and cultural components of many issues? But most importantly...

Are you interested in the world YOU live in?!