Options Information Evening

Monday 4 February 2013 Welcome

Gail Howe, Acting Headteacher Andy Williams, Executive Headteacher

The Challenge!

 How do you prepare students for jobs that do not yet exist, using technologies that have not yet been invented, solving problems we do not yet know are problems?!

 How do we keep our learning up to date in a world where technology and globalisation are moving at such a startling rate?

Our changing world…

 By

2020

there will be

5 million fewer

jobs in Britain than there are today low skilled 

40%

of all jobs in

qualification 2020

will require a

graduate

  The

top 10

jobs that will be in demand in

2015

did not exist in

2004

Today’s learners will have

by the age of 40 had around 10 jobs

Aims of the Evening

 To provide an overview of the options process  To help you, as parents and carers, gain an understanding of courses and options available to enable you to help support your child in making the right choices / learning routes for him / her

Key Stage 4

 From Year 10 onwards, learning becomes more personalised – students do not all follow the same timetables.

 Students have the chance to choose subjects they enjoy, new subjects, courses they know they can do well in and suit their learning style, and which will help them in their future career plans.

KS4 – compulsory subjects

 English  Maths  Science  IT      Careers education Citizenship Sex education Economic education Work-related learning   PE Religious education

KS4 – ‘Foundation’ Subjects

    Arts – art & design, music, dance, drama, media studies Design & Technology – electronics, resistant materials, food technology, graphics, textiles Humanities – geography, history, geology, RE, Business Studies Modern Foreign Languages – French, German, Spanish

GCSEs

 ‘Tried and tested’  Appropriate for most students  Available in most subjects  Compulsory in core subjects  2-year courses  Exams at the end of year 11

Changes to GCSEs

Changes: 

Include updated content and a wider range of question styles

   

Encourage innovative teaching, learning and assessment Incorporate functional skills Emphasis on PLTs – personal, learning and thinking skills Ensure progression from Key Stage 3

Assessment

GCSEs involve:  end of course exams  controlled assessments – set by the teacher and completed in class There has been a return to most exams being scheduled at the end of year 11.

Applied / Vocational courses

Definition:

 

More ‘hands-on learning’ ‘Learning by doing’

 

Suit different learning needs / styles A different way of learning – not necessarily easier or aimed at

lower ability students

  

Direct relevance to a particular job area or career Opportunity to experience different learning environments Pupils can study vocational qualifications alongside GCSEs

Applied Courses at HHS

Include, for example:  ICT Cambridge Nationals – an IT Applied Course  Music BTEC  Applied Science GCSE  Hair and Beauty NVQ /Applied Course  Photography GCSE  Animal Care

English Baccalaureate

The English Baccalaureate subjects are: English, maths, sciences, a modern or ancient foreign language, and a humanity such as history or geography. Last week the Government announced that computer science GCSE will be added and count towards fulfilling the science requirement of the EBacc. (e.g. a student who gains at least a C in two of the following – physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, will ‘get’ the EBacc.) A student who gains this combination of GCSEs at grades A*- C is recorded as having achieved the English Baccalaureate.

Colleges and universities may value this as an entry requirement for traditional ‘A’ level / degree courses.

The Options Process

Pupils receive information, advice and guidance via:



Assemblies



Information briefings



Lesson time from key staff



Form tutor 1:1 sessions



Options booklet – information for pupils and parents on individual subjects, what is compulsory and what is optional.

Core Curriculum

     

English Language and Literature

– 2 separate GCSEs

ICT

– Nationals / Computing GCSE

Mathematics –

1 GCSE + Statistics for some

Science

– 2 GCSEs – 1 core science in Year 10; 1 additional/applied in Year 11; option of separate sciences

PE

– can lead, for many, to a short course GCSE

RPSE

– careers, citizenship, RE, personal finance education – leads to GCSE full course in Religious Studies for most students

Modern Foreign Languages

Not currently ‘core’ but… Pupils of average and above average ability are

strongly advised

to take a GCSE language course:  in order to strengthen their college application

and

 to ensure no doors are closed for university applications

Option Subjects

                Art & Design Business Studies Dance Drama French Spanish German D & T – Electronics D & T – Graphics D & T – Product design D & T – Resistant Materials Textiles Sociology Physical Education Health & Social Care Catering                 Food & Nutrition Child Development Geography Geology History ICT Leisure & Tourism Media Studies Separate Sciences Music – Traditional Music BTEC Hair / Make-up / Manicure Hairdressing Services Photography Animal Care Motor Vehicle

Alternative Curriculum

 This is a programme of shorter, accredited courses specifically designed for students who may find a full programme of study too challenging at KS4.

 Small groups of students take one or two options only, alongside core subjects, key skills, and a vocational course.

Case Studies: Pupil A

     Pupil A finds traditional schoolwork quite dull and is practical by nature. He/she: Takes the core subjects, enjoying the vocational nature of the ICT course and Applied Science in Year 11 Undertakes a vocational studies course at Kirklees College Undertakes Animal Care as a Kirklees College course Takes PE GCSE because of a keen interest in sport Takes the Music BTEC

- Achieves 5 A*-C grades and opts for level 3 vocational courses at Kirklees College.

Pupil B

-

      Pupil B is an academically able student, with varied interests, who enjoys study and is likely to want to go on to university: Core subjects Studies a MFL - French Geography – keen interest in this Separate sciences Electronics Dance – because they like it!

Achieves 13 GCSEs and opts for ‘A’ levels at Greenhead or New College and plans to go on to university to take a degree in Engineering. Gains an Ebacc qualification.

Pupil C

-

      Pupil C finds academic work very difficult and requires considerable additional support: Alternative curriculum – by invitation of the school Core subjects – English, maths, science and ICT Youth award – boosts life/work skills Art – a subject he/she really enjoys Level 1 catering course at college Additional support with core skills, preparation for work, life skills etc .

Achieves 6 GCSEs and opts to go to Kirklees College to study an VRQ Level 2 catering course

Pupil D

-

    

Pupil D is an able student, who is unsure of career plans, wants to keep his/her options open and so wants a broad course of study at Key Stage 4:

Core subjects Spanish Art and Design Geography Food and Nutrition

Achieves 10 GCSEs and opts to take ‘A’ levels at Greenhead or New College, followed by a ‘gap year’. Entitled to Ebacc certificate.

Pupil E



Pupil E is a likely C/D borderline candidate. He / she tries really hard and really wants to go into the hair and beauty industry:

Core subjects – English, maths, science and ICT    Hair and Make-Up / Manicure Textiles Media Studies

- Achieves 8 GCSE grades and opts to go to Kirklees College to take a Level 2 course in Hairdressing.

Dos and Don’ts – for students

Do:  Think carefully about the next step      Think about your likes, dislikes and interests Ask for advice and information Think about the ‘school day’ and how it will look Choose for yourself Ask if the course / subject helps you learn in the best way for you Don’t      Rush into your choices Choose subjects so you can be your friends Choose a subject just because you like or dislike the teacher Be afraid to ask for help Reject certain courses / subjects because you do not know anything about them

The Form!

 Students complete loose copy for Mr Barson   Most students will tick 4 subjects and put in order of priority A lso choose a ‘reserve’ subject, putting an ‘R’, instead of a tick- on top of 4 choices  Also space for additional comment / requests

Help – students and parents!

…Ask, ask, ask! Do not worry or panic!

 Mrs Howe, Mrs Futcher, Ms Geisel, Form Tutors  Subject teachers    Careers Connexions Officers Named subject contacts – see booklet College websites – look at course requirements  University websites