SLIDE 1 YEAR 9 OPTIONS
The courses information is available on the school website The options preference form is completed online A link to the online process is in the front of the options booklet
SLIDE 2 YEAR 9 OPTIONS – KEY DATES
- 27th to 31st January - Options Week (in lessons)
- This is their time to ask the questions and find out more …
- 22nd January – Year 10 Courses Evening
- 20th to 31st January – Options discussions with tutors
- Thurs 27th February – Year 9 Parents’ Evening
- Mon 9th March – Deadline for preference forms
SLIDE 3
- National performance will be measured on Progress 8
(GCSE or approved qualifications) including English & Maths
- An average Attainment 8 score of 5 including English &
Maths, will be required for a programme of three A-level/ Level 3 courses in Year 12
- English (Language & Literature)
- Maths
- Combined/Triple Science
- Religious Education GCSE
- A Modern Foreign Language
- Personal, Health & Social Education
- Physical Education
- Plus 2 further option subjects
WHAT ARE STUDENTS AIMING FOR?
SLIDE 4
- Examinations at the end of the course
- No re-sits
- Retakes only possible in Maths and English
- All subjects using performance rating of 9 to 1
- Specific marks for spelling, punctuation & grammar
- Majority of subjects have no controlled assessments.
- Some courses have Non-Examination Assessment.
ASSESSMENT
SLIDE 5 COURSEWORK, CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT, NEA?
- Controlled/Non-Examination Assessment
- Formal assessment in lesson time
- From 0%– 60% of your final marks
- Preparation
- Attendance
- Subjects with Controlled Assessment:
Food and Nutrition, Design, Health and Social Care, PE, Music and Performing Arts
- Subjects with Non-Examination Assessment: English,
Geography, History and Computer Studies
SLIDE 6
ENTRY LEVEL GCSE BTEC TECH AWARD CAMBRIDGE NATIONAL CERT A LEVEL
LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3
WHAT QUALIFICATION?
SLIDE 7 The 1 to 9 scale is not an exact conversion from old GCSE grades A* to G. A Grade 4 is considered to be a standard pass with a grade 5 being a good pass.
Level 2 Distinction * Level 2 Distinction Level 2 Merit Level 2 Pass Level 1 Pass
WHAT ARE THE POINTS?
SLIDE 8 An average Attainment 8 score of 5 including English & Maths This will be required for a programme
three A- level/Level 3 courses in Year 12.
SIXTH FORM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
SLIDE 9
- they are good at it and think they will enjoy the subject
- it links to a career idea
- it will go well with their other choices
- it will help them develop knowledge and skills that
interest them
- they think that they might want to continue studying it
after Year 11
- their research shows that it will interest and motivate
them
STUDENTS SHOULD CHOOSE A COURSE BECAUSE:
SLIDE 10
- their friends have chosen it
- someone else thinks it’s a good idea
- they like the teacher they have now
- It sounds good (but they don’t know much about it)
STUDENTS SHOULD NOT CHOOSE A COURSE BECAUSE:
SLIDE 11 PATHWAYS
There are 4 curriculum pathways They will be allocated a pathway in the next few days based
- n prior attainment and application at KS3.
- K – Triple Science route
- E – Combined Science route 1
- V – Combined Science route 2
- I – Combined Science route 3
The Triple Science route is an accelerated pathway with increased time for Science.
SLIDE 12
Per fortnight: 8 or 9 English 7 or 8 Maths 5 French or German 4 for PE 3 or 4 RE 9 for Combined Science or 12 for Triple Science 1 Tutor period
Plus 5 lessons for each of their options HOW MANY LESSONS WILL THERE BE?
SLIDE 13
K - TRIPLE SCIENCE
Subject Core English Language Core English Literature Core Mathematics Core Religious Studies GCSE Core Biology Core Chemistry Core Physics Core French or German GCSE Option 1 See Options table Option 2 See Options table
SLIDE 14
E – COMBINED SCIENCE
Subject Core English Language Core English Literature Core Mathematics Core Religious Studies GCSE Core Combined Science (2 GCSE’s) Core French or German GCSE Option 1 See Options table Option 2 See Options table
SLIDE 15
V – COMBINED SCIENCE
Subject Core English Language Core English Literature Core Mathematics Core Religious Studies GCSE Core Combined Science (2 GCSE’s) Fixed Option French GCSE German GCSE History GCSE Geography GCSE Option 1 See Options table Option 2 See Options table
SLIDE 16
I - COMBINED SCIENCE
Subject Core English Language Core English Literature Core Mathematics Core Religious Studies GCSE Core Combined Science (2 GCSE’s) Option 1 See Options table Option 2 See Options table Option 3 See Options table
SLIDE 17 LANGUAGES Languages are compulsory
Languages are chosen in year 8 Dual linguists can choose to continue with two languages:
- GCSE French (Level 2)
- GCSE German (Level 2)
SLIDE 18 Triple or Combined? Pathway K: Triple Science AQA 3 GCSEs in Physics, Chemistry & Biology. 2 Exam papers in each discipline. Pathway E,V & I : Combined Science AQA 2 GCSEs in Combined Science 6 papers in total and the format is as the triple only the content is slimmed down. Both Triple and Double Science can lead to A Level Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Medical Science
SCIENCE
SLIDE 19 All students complete Full course RE
- GCSE Religious Studies, Philosophy and Applied Ethics
- Those on the accelerated pathway K will cover the content
- ver 3 lessons a fortnight, those on the other pathways
- ver 4 lessons a fortnight.
GCSE RE
SLIDE 20 CHOICES
They have two further choices from a wide range of subjects. Things to note:
- On the options preference form students should make
sure they list their choices in order of preference.
- They must also choose two reserves as we can not
guarantee places on courses.
- Courses are not filled on a first come first serve basis
SLIDE 21
Art and Design French Business German Computer Science Performing Arts Food and Nutrition Geography Health and Social Care History iMedia Music Physical Education Product Design
ADDITIONAL GCSE CHOICES:
SLIDE 22 The options booklet contains information on each of the
There are videos on the website giving more details as to why they might, or might not want to choose a course. At the parents evening 27th February you will get chance to speak to the teachers of the options subjects. Also there will be representatives from Business and Health and Social care for you to get more information from if needed.
GET MORE INFORMATION:
Why should you choose Business
SLIDE 23
- Creative iMedia – Cambridge National Certificate
- BTEC Tech Award in Health and Social Care
- BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts
These are all Level 1/2 courses
- Microsoft Office Specialist Certification
NOT ALL COURSES ARE GCSES
SLIDE 24
- Not an overarching qualification
- Does not currently lead to a certificate
- Students need to obtain GCSE 9 - 5 passes in:
- English (and be entered for English Literature)
- Mathematics
- Two sciences
- History or Geography
- A modern foreign language
THE ENGLISH BACCALAUREATE
SLIDE 25
- Progress 8 is a measure of school performance:
- The floor standard for schools is based on schools’
results for the Progress 8 measure.
ATTAINMENT/PROGRESS 8
SLIDE 26
- 84% of students gained 9-4 grades in both English and Maths
- 87% achieved a ‘good pass’ (4+) in English
- 88% achieved a ‘good pass’ (4+) in Maths
- 65% achieved a ‘strong pass’ (5+) in English and Maths
- 78% of students achieved a ‘strong pass’ (5+) in English
- 71% of students achieved a ‘strong pass’ (5+) in Maths
Our students achieved the highest pass rate for English & Maths in Staffordshire for a non-selective school both this year and last.
- Our Progress 8 score is 0.24 for 2019
KEY STAGE 4 EXAM RESULTS 2019
SLIDE 27 Percentage of passes A/7 and above 30%+ National figure 20.6%
FROM OUR 2019 RESULTS INCLUDE
Performance measures Our school National figure Students achieving grades A*-C in Art 9-4 98% 73% Students achieving grades 7-9 in Business 30% 15% Students achieving grade 7-9 in Physics 57% 43% Students achieving a ‘strong’ pass in Computing (9-5) 74% 48% Students achieving a ‘strong’ pass in Geography (9-5) 80% 50% Students achieving grades 7-9 in PE 34% 20%
SLIDE 28
The Education and Skills Act 2008 increased the minimum age at which young people in England can leave learning, requiring them to continue in education or training until their 18th birthday from 2015. Young people will able to choose one of the following: full-time education, such as school, college or home education work-based learning, such as an Apprenticeship part-time education or training if they are employed, self- employed or volunteering for more than 20 hours a week.
RAISING THE PARTICIPATION AGE
SLIDE 29 WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
- Complete preferences online by Monday 9th March
- The option blocks will be drawn up in response to their
choices
- Consultation with students and parents
- Any changes to preferences confirmed in writing
- June – Final groups lists created
- Note – We recommend they get their choices right first time.
There will be no changes in September.
SLIDE 30
- Make the right choice for them
- A desire to want to do well
- Excellent attendance
- Regular and consistent effort in:
- Non-Examination Assessments
- Coursework
- Examinations
WHAT DO THEY NEED?
SLIDE 31
- Careers Adviser – Lynne Bateman
- Decision-making skills
- Which Way Now
- Fast Tomato
- Kudos
There are some useful websites on the last page of this presentation that may help. The presentation is on the school website.
CAREERS ADVICE
SLIDE 32 YEAR 9 OPTIONS
The courses information is available on the school website The options preference form is completed online A link to the online process is in the front of the options booklet Speak to: Form tutor Subject teacher Mr Whitehurst Mr Bailey Mrs Bateman Mr Cotton
SLIDE 33
- https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/my-career-
- ptions/choosing-my-subjects - advice on choosing subjects at
GCSE with a view to pursuing a particular career in the future
- https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors - gives case studies
and information about entry requirements for a range of jobs in different sectors
- http://www.careerswales.com/en/tools-and-resources/games-
and-activities/subjects-and-jobs/ - click on the icons which represent subjects to find a list of the types of jobs that they could do with qualifications in that subject.
USEFUL WEBSITES