Transcript Slide 1

Option Choices
2014
“I have come so that they may
have life and live it to the full”
In the event of the fire alarm sounding
please make your way to:
CAR PARK NEAR
MAIN ENTRANCE
Use fire exits in three corners of Hall
Year 9 Choices
Which Way Now?
Over the last two days Year 9 have had an altered curriculum so they could
receive a wealth of information which will help them make well informed
choices about their future.
Careers Day – opportunity to speak to whole array of different professions
from micro-biology to law.
Progress Day – an opportunity to reflect on the information they received
about careers, listen to assemblies about colleges and what certain
qualifications mean, look at their reports and levels and consider which
option choices they might make
Which brings us to this evening….
Important dates
Date
Information
Wed 15th Jan/Thurs 16th Jan
Careers Conference/Progress Day
Thursday 16th January
Option Evening (6.00pm - 7.30pm)
Week of Monday 20th January
Options dry run – this is not your final
choices but vital to options process
During February
Option blocks decided
Monday 3rd March
Option forms issued
Friday 14th March
Year 9 subject reports
Thursday 20th March
Year 9 Parents Evening at 4pm
Monday 24th March
Option forms must be returned
Shortly after Easter Holiday
Option classes finalised/pupils informed
The Process
 The Careers Conference may give you ideas about your future
 Progress day will involve a talk about options and time for
discussion with tutors
 The “Dry Run” is an essential part of the process as it will be this
that decides whether some subjects can or cannot be offered as
options – you MUST be as honest as you possibly can. You will be
asked to rank order the 5 subjects you are most likely to choose
 THESE ARE NOT YOUR ACTUAL CHOICES
 Analysis of the dry run will then enable the creation of the actual
option blocks
 The official options form along with the supporting guidance
booklet will be given to you on Monday 3rd March
 The completed form MUST be returned to me ON OR BEFORE
MONDAY 24th MARCH. If this deadline is missed it is extremely
unlikely you will be able to take your chosen options!!!!!
Example
Dry Run
Form
Example of an official options form
What do I have to study?
A core of compulsory subjects;
 Religious Education GCSE (3 lessons)
 English Language GCSE (4 lessons)
 English Literature GCSE is included for A Band + 1 extra lesson
 Mathematics GCSE (4 lessons)
 Science GCSE
Separate Sciences = 3 GCSEs in 6 lessons +1 extra in Year 11
Double Award = 2 GCSEs in 6 lessons
Single Award = 1 GCSE in 3 lessons
What do I have to study?
 Physical Education (3 lessons)
This will be either GCSE PE, BTEC Sport or BTEC Dance
 Pupils in the B band will also study Core ICT (1 lesson) working
towards Cambridge National Certificate in ICT which is
equivalent to 1 GCSE
Science
Separate Sciences
 Studied in 6 lessons per week
 Biology, Chemistry & Physics are taught/examined as 3 separate
subjects and 3 separate GCSEs
 Only appropriate for the most able scientists due to the significantly
higher degree of academic difficulty and additional content which
requires a large amount of self study
Science
Double Award Science
 Studied in 6 lessons per week
 Biology, Chemistry & Physics are taught/examined separately but
certificate as Core Science GCSE and Additional Science GCSE
Single Award Science
 Studied in 3 lessons per week
 Biology, Chemistry & Physics are taught/examined separately but
combine to certificate as one Science GCSE
 Pupils selected for this course will be entitled to an extra option
Physical Education
 Compulsory for all pupils
 You will study for a qualification in this subject
(either
GCSE PE, BTEC Sport or BTEC Dance)
 Which qualification you take will be based on the advice
and guidance of your teacher and your practical ability
 To follow the GCSE course you will need to be able to
offer a good level of practical ability in four different
sports
Modern Foreign Languages
 Studying a Modern Foreign Language is not compulsory
however it is highly recommended
 You can study GCSE French or Spanish
 If you are keen on these subjects or considering taking a
language at A Level, you can elect to study both French and
Spanish (Dual Linguist)
 Universities value a GCSE in a Modern Language very highly so
think ahead.
 Globally there are many Spanish & French speaking countries
Option Subjects (all GCSE)
You will be required to choose 3 from the following list:
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*Pupils may choose
Art 2D Drawing & Painting*
only one of the Art
Art 3D Studies*
courses
Art (multi-discipline)
Drama
Environmental & Land Based Science
Food and Nutrition or BTEC Hospitality
Geography
History
ICT (additional GCSEs to the B band core)
Computer Science (a brand new GCSE)
Modern Foreign Language (French and/or Spanish)
Music
Product Design
English Baccalaureate ??
 A relatively new measure first reported in 2011, in which Holy Cross has
performed extremely well compared to similar schools
 A collection of subjects (English, Maths, Science(2), Foreign Language &
either History or Geography)
 A “traditional” route including subjects with an academic focus rather
than practical subjects
 This route is not appropriate for every student and should be a personal
choice
 You do not get a separate Ebacc certificate
Example routes
Ebacc Route
Dual Linguist Route
Core
Core
(includes Eng Lit but not ICT)
(includes Eng Lit but not ICT)
Separate or Double Science
Separate or Double Science
French
Spanish
Geography
French
Music
One other subject
(wide selection)
Max GCSEs = 11
Max GCSEs = 11
Example routes
Arts Route
Technical Route
Core
(includes ICT but not Eng Lit)
Core
(includes ICT but not Eng Lit)
Double Science
Double Science
Art (Drawing & Painting)
Art 3D Studies
Drama
Product Design
Music
Computer Science
Max GCSEs = 10
Max GCSEs = 10
Example routes
Practical Route
Middle Ability Academic
Core
Core
(includes ICT but not Eng Lit)
(includes ICT but not Eng Lit)
Single Science
Double Science
Product Design
French
EBacc
Land Based Science
History
BTEC Hospitality
Computer Science
Max GCSEs = 10
Max GCSEs = 9
What Now?
 Go and speak to the Heads of Department and Subject
Teachers that are situated around the room
 Ask about details of courses – exam/coursework, subject
commitments
 Parents, ask about your child's potential in that subject
 Discuss the future –
aspirations/intentions/college/employment
Talk to the representatives from Newman & Runshaw
To recap…
• Options booklets/discussions tonight
• Options dry run – week beg 20th January
• Option blocks determined – during February
• Actual option forms – 3rd March
• Discussions/Reports/Parents evenings – 16th & 20th March
DEADLINE - Monday 24th March (to your Form Tutor)
• Final option subjects agreed by Easter and finalised by the end of
May