Transcript YEAR 10 PARENTS INFORMATION EVENING

YEAR 10 PARENTS
INFORMATION EVENING
GCSE SUBJECT CHOICES
Programme
• 2 short talks.
• GCSE subject choices: the school’s
perspective.
• The significance of GCSE subject choices
for Higher Education : Anthony McGrath,
QUB.
Careers Provision
• Since Nov: Weekly careers programme.
• Tbc : Careers Convention
• Jan & Feb: 2 Subject choice talks : DEL
Careers advisors; careers teachers.
• 19th & 20th Feb : Individual careers
guidance interviews.
• 24th Feb: Parent/teacher consultation.
Compulsory Subjects
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English
Maths
Religious Studies (half course)
A Modern Foreign Language*
Two Sciences/Technology*
Physical Education – practical; non-exam.
Summary of Science Options
• 2 Science/Technology options
• 3 or 4 Science/ Technology options for
strong and committed scientists.
• Many scientific careers now require
linkage of knowledge across the Sciences.
• 1 Science for those who are academically
strong in Arts/Humanities and want to have
additional creative/expressive options.
Consultation
• Speak to me if:
• Considering taking only one science.
• Considering taking both Home Economics
and Child Development.
• Any other concerns.
Optional Subjects
• Further Maths for A level Maths.
• English Literature for A level English Literature.
• Add. Maths & English Lit. : 10.5 GCSEs
• English Lit. and R.S. : 10 GCSEs.
• A level subjects must be taken at GCSE level.
Optional Subjects
• Journalism or Drama – breadth.
• Only one Technology option – breadth.
• P.E. or R.E. (can do both with English Lit.)
• ICT or Computer Science : breadth
Rationale
• Flexibility in terms of number of GCSEs
taken.
• Retain breadth and balance.
• Keeping career options open.
• Exploit strengths.
• Timetabling and staffing constraints.
Why a compulsory language?
• Strong competition for graduate jobs.
• Competing in a European or global market.
• Many universities thus seek to develop an
international dimension to courses.
• Undergraduates encouraged to build up
language skills, even if not a linguist.
• GCSE language a basic entry requirement.
Why a compulsory language? (2)
• Employers (banks, law firms) require graduates
who can apply their linguistic skills, eg.
• Engineering, Maths, International Business or
Law with a language.
• Language competency is a vital ‘extra’ component
of a graduate’s CV.
• 25% loss of business in NI through inability to
communicate in a foreign language.
Why 2 Sciences/Technology?
• To keep career options open.
• Sciences are required for a number of
careers.
• Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science,
Optometry and Pharmacy (among
others) : GCSE Chemistry, Physics,
Biology.
• 2 Sciences for a range of careers.
Why 2 Sciences/Technology? (2)
• Chemical or Forensic Sciences : often 2
Sciences (Chemistry and Physics or
Biology)and Maths required.
• Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture,
Countryside Management: sometimes 2
Sciences; sometimes 2 STEM subjects;
Geography often acceptable too.
Why 2 Sciences/Technology? (3)
• Biological Sciences, Biotechnology: often
require 2 sciences at GCSE level and at A
level too; sometimes A level requirement is
for 2 STEM subjects.
• Chemical Engineering: often requires
Chemistry, Maths and Physics.
• Health, Clinical Sciences & Therapies: 2
sciences at GCSE and often 2 at A level.
Why 2 Sciences/Technology? (4)
• Pharmacy & Pharmacology: often 2
Sciences, most importantly Chemistry.
• 2 STEM subjects: Environmental Science;
Marine Sciences; Physical Sciences; some
Sports Science courses; Biological
Sciences; Geography & Geology
(Geography acceptable too).
STEM Agenda
• Science, Technology (incl. ICT),
Engineering & Maths.
• Government has set schools targets
regarding the numbers in schools taking
STEM subjects and on raising awareness of
STEM career opportunities.
• Needs of NI and UK economies.
• www.go4stemni.org.uk/
Maths &/or Physics
• Engineering: A level Maths and Physics or
Technology (Physics preferred).
• Architecture : Maths and/or Physics, with Art &
Design.
• Research careers in government, industry and
universities.
• Finance-related careers: Maths and/or Physics are
valued.
• Computer Science: Maths and/or Physics valued.
• GCSE Physics for Engineering apprenticeships.
Degrees With No Subject
Requirements
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Law, Criminology & Politics.
Accountancy (Maths sometimes preferred).
Business-related degrees.
Film Studies.
Hotel & Hospitality Management.
Psychology (Sciences &/or Geography
preferred).
Degrees With No Subject
Requirements (2)
• Social Work, Sociology & Social Policy.
• Surveying, including Quantity Surveying.
• Theology.
How to choose subjects
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Subjects you are good at.
Needed for Higher Education/Career.
Interested in it, if all other factors apply.
Combines well with other subject choices.
Keeps A level options open.
How to choose subjects (2)
• Subjects offered at A level.
• Subjects you would like to study beyond
GCSE level.
• Suitable forms of assessment : coursework
vs exams and workload.
• Teaching methods which suit your learning
style, eg. practical vs theory.
GCSE subjects not offered at A
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Journalism.
Child Development ( Health & Social Care)
Manufacturing ( Design & Technology)
Drama ( Theatre Studies)
Learning for Life and Work
How to choose subjects (3)
• Check which A level subjects are accepted
by universities.
• Russell Group: 25 research led universities
• Facilitating subjects: 2 out of 3 A levels.
• QUB accepts all A level subjects ( except
for medicine & dentistry)
• ROI universities: general subjects not
applied A levels.
The Graduate Labour Market
• NI : traditional sectors, eg. medicine,
engineering, dentistry, accountancy, law,
construction.
• Innovation within traditional sectors.
• Emerging Sectors in NI :
• IT : NI centre of excellence for eg.
software development
• Financial Services.
The Graduate Labour Market (2)
• Growth areas in NI (continued):
• Advanced materials, eg. polymers.
• ‘Green’economy; clean technology,
sustainable energy.
• Creative industries : new theatres, Cathedral
Arts Quarter, growing NI film industry.
• Agri-Food/Food & Drink Manufacturing.
The Graduate Labour Market (3)
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Emerging sectors in NI (cont’d):
STEM : high % graduate employment in NI.
Life Sciences and health care.
Media and digital media.
Hospitality and Tourism.
Law : high demand outside NI.
Graduate Demand (UU)
• Built Environment: surveying, project
management; engineering.
• Agri-food : supply chain management; food
science, quality assurance; research.
Graduate Demand ( UU)
• IT & Technology : software engineering;
web development; business analytics;
consulting.
• Creative Arts : designers; media
professionals; community arts; digital art
and design.
The Graduate Labour Market (4)
• For approx. 50% of graduate careers, any
degree is acceptable.
• Employing the person, not the degree:
employability skills should be developed,
eg. self reliance, people skills, general
employment skills and specialist skills.
• Skills gained through work placements,
extra-curricular activities and subjects.
Further Information
• www.ucas.com (incl. parents’ zone)
• www.prospects.ac.uk : options with subjects
& graduate labour market information.
• www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers : NI LMI info.
• www.qub.ac.uk ; www.ulster.ac.uk
• School intranet – careers folder
• School careers staff
Higher Ideas & Heap Online
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www.careersoft.co.uk/
Higher Ideas
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www.heaponline.co.uk
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Conclusion
• Deadline : 3rd March
• Good GCSE results are vital for Higher
Education and careers.
• Never too early to think about what these
qualifications will be used for.
• Careers research is vital.