Transcript Key Stage 4 Information Evening

Welcome to the
Key Stage 4 Information
Evening
22 January 2014
KS4 Preferences
A levels; College; Apprenticeship
Secondary school – Key Stage 4
Secondary school – Key Stage 3
Primary school
Information, Advice & Guidance is very important
- Progress Checks
- Tasters in lessons in January
- Parent consultation evening last week (15 January 2014)
- KS4 Information Booklet sent home with students last Friday
- Lessons about making choices in RPE
KS4 information evening
- opportunity to speak to teaching staff and find out more about subjects on offer
Year 9
• Years 7 & 8 at Gosford are Key Stage 3.
• In Year 9 students commence Key Stage 4 courses.
• This means KS4 courses will be studied for 3 years
and will result in a qualification.
Why we start KS4 in Year 9 at Gosford
• Students show higher levels of motivation in subjects
they prefer to study.
• More time to focus on KS4 qualifications.
• Smaller class sizes.
• Students are able to begin to study a subject area in
more detail, acquire new learning and develop wider
skills.
• Our 3 year KS4 has contributed to improved exam
successes for our students.
Some subjects are essential-called the
core and all students will study these:
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English
Maths
Science
Physical Education
Religious and Personal Education
(includes Personal Social & Health Education & Citizenship)
Other subjects are non-core and there
is a range of subjects that you can
indicate a preference for studying.
Year 8 students will be able to indicate
a preference for 7 subjects
(4 will be studied)
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Art
Business Studies
Catering
Computer Science
Drama
French
Geography
German
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Health & Social Care
History
ICT
Music
Resistant Materials
Sport Studies
Textiles
Different qualifications
Vast majority of courses are GCSEs
(GCSEs have most of their assessment at the end of the course)
Two courses are BTECs
(BTECs have ‘on-going’ assessment throughout the course and
now an end of course examination. BTECs are now seen as
equivalent, and of equal standing, to GCSE)
One course is a Cambridge National
(assessed in a similar way to BTECs but there is no end of
course examination)
Year 8 students will be able to indicate
a preference for 7 subjects
(4 will be studied)
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Art
Business Studies
Catering
Computer Science
Drama
French
Geography
German
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History
Health & Social Care
ICT
Music
Resistant Materials
Sport Studies
Textiles
Aiming High
• You are a bright and talented year group
• The expectation is that you should be achieving
beyond your Minimum Expected Grade in all your
subjects, and particularly English & Maths.
• The vast majority of you are likely to go on to
study ‘A’ levels in our Sixth Form.
• Many of you will wish to attend University.
• Some of you will wish to pursue a college course
and / or apprenticeship.
Examination reform (to date)
• Current Year 8s will commence the ‘new wave’ of
GCSEs in Year 10 (September 2015).
• We will use Year 9 to prepare them for these
changes, which include more demanding
specifications.
• The ‘new GCSEs’ will be in English; English
Literature and Maths.
• Current Year 8 students will sit a combination of
‘old’ and ‘new’ GCSEs in Summer 2017.
• ‘old’ GCSEs will be graded A*-G.
• ‘new’ GCSEs will be graded 8-0 (8 being highest).
Government and DfE emphasis
• English and Mathematics
• Science (double award or ‘triple’)
• At least one from :History; Geography; Language; Computer Science
• 3 other subjects
Year 8 students will be able to indicate
a preference for 7 subjects
(4 will be studied)
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Art
Business Studies
Catering
Computer Science*
Drama
French *
Geography*
German*
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Health & Social Care
History*
ICT
Music
Resistant Materials
Sport Studies
Textiles
You must study at least one of the subjects asterixed *
The right course for the right learner
Students should consider how well
they learn best:
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Literacy
Numeracy
Practical
Problem solving
High order thinking
Creative
Team working
Communication
Summary - You will need to:
• Consider the subjects you are achieving well in
• Think about what your teachers said about your progress at
your parents’ consultation evening in January?
• Consider the subjects you enjoy
(Which ‘taster’ sessions did you like?)
• Find out more about courses you are interested in by
visiting faculty classrooms and speaking with teachers
• Discuss your preferences with your parents
• Discuss your preferences with you tutor and teachers
• Some students (and parents) may need a follow-up
interview with their form tutor and / or House Leader
Preference Form (example)
Subject
Preference Priority 1-7
Art & Design
6
Business Studies
5
Catering
Computer Science*
Drama
1
French*
Geography*
German*
2
Health & Social Care
History*
3
ICT
7
Music
Resistant Materials
Sport Studies
Textiles
4
Preference Form Deadline
• Friday 31 January deadline
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Return to form tutor
Cannot guarantee every combination
We will try our best to meet student preference requests
I will write to you in Term 5 to confirm preferences
You now have an opportunity to visit subject areas to find out more
about courses to help make you preference decisions
• Senior Staff, House Leaders will be available in the Hall until 7 p.m.
and then again at 7.45 p.m. before the evening ends at 8 p.m.
• Careers personnel are also available in the Hall after this talk and
then in the learning centre
• Please do not leave with any unanswered questions
• Thank you once again for attending tonight