Transcript Options 2008

Which way now?
Core Subjects-What must I study?
English (both Language and Literature)
 Mathematics
 Science
 Religious Education GCSE (end of Year 11)
 Computing GCSE (end of Year 10)

You will also study

Physical Education

Personal Development Learning,(PDL)
What can I choose?

In addition to the core subjects you can
choose 3 further subjects.

These are arranged in Pools.

You choose 1 subject from each Pool
together with a second choice.
What is different?

Catering – an alternative to Food Technology

Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (ASDAN)

Dance

Digital Photography
Pathways 1, 2 and 3

Pathway 1: students follow the core subjects plus
three Options

Pathway 2 : students follow the core subjects
plus two Options, plus supported Study lessons
to help them.

Pathway 3: students follow the core plus one
option with supported study.

If you think Pathway 2 or 3 is the correct pathway
for your child, you must consult Mrs. E. Gray.
Coursework

This applies to some subjects, both Core and
Options.

It accounts for varying percentages of the final
award depending upon the subject.

It will usually take the form of controlled
assessments carried out in lesson time.
(See option booklet and individual subject
leaders for more details.)
The English Baccalaureate
This award requires pupils to gain A*- C
grade passes in the following subjects
 English
 Mathematics
 Two sciences
 A humanity
 A modern foreign language

Can the EB be gained at Chatsmore
Catholic High School?

The core curriculum offered to pupils
meets the requirements for English,
Mathematics and Science.

In order to gain this award pupils will
need to choose either Geography or
History as one of their options and either
French or Spanish as another option.
Our Feelings about the EB

As a qualification this will not suit all of
our young people.

We intend to continue as always, putting
the individual needs of our pupils first.

This means providing them with the best
opportunities we can, matched to their
abilities and needs.
Progress and Attainment 8

This takes results from
 Maths
 English
 3 Ebacc Subjects
 3 other Subjects (including approved
Vocational Qualifications)
 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uplo
ads/attachment_data/file/406785/Progress_8_school
_performance_measure.pdf
Progress and attainment 8 at
Chatsmore
All pupils take Maths and English
 All Pupils take English Literature
 All pupils take at least two Sciences and
Computer Science
 All pupils take RE

Pupils only need 1 option subject to meet the 8
required. When more option subjects are taken those
with the best results are used.
Closing Doors

Will I close any doors or careers to me if I do
not take a particular subject at GCSE?

The answer is generally no, but some
Universities will ask for a language.

There are many subjects on offer at College
at AS Level which will be new e.g. philosophy
or sociology.
Government Changes to Education

From September 2012 all GCSE courses only
involve terminal exams. (Modules are no
longer available)

We have dealt with this by spreading the
GCSEs taken by your child over two years

Year 10 - Options, Core Science, Computer
Science

Year 11 - English, Maths, Additional Science,
RE
Our Rationale

To spread the exams over two years to reduce
pressure.

To enable us to give extra lesson time to the key
subjects of English, Mathematics and Science
in Year 11

To enable us to personalise the curriculum a
little more in the Year 11 Enhanced Curriculum
Block
Year 11 Enhanced Curriculum Block
Ten lessons per fortnight taught in large
blocks
 Pupils can choose an activity which may
be a further GCSE, work experience,
extra support for core subjects, etc.
 The activities will be tailored to the
needs of the pupils and will be chosen at
the beginning of term in Year 11 after
option results are known.

In the summary…….

The curriculum is structured to maximise
students’ opportunities to learn, achieve
well and make appropriate post-16
choices.

The proportion of students achieving five
or more GCSEs at grades A* to C
including English and mathematics is
above the national average.
In the full report………

By taking GCSE examinations in their
option subjects at the end of Year 10,
students are able to concentrate on
English, mathematics and science in Year
11. This structure is valued by students
who say it ‘helps them to feel less
stressed’. The proportion of students
achieving five or more GCSE grades at A*
to C including English and mathematics
has improved since the introduction of this
model and is now above the national
average.

The curriculum structure means that all
students are entered early for examinations
in their option subjects and in religious
education. Year 11 is dedicated to the study
of English, mathematics and science.
Students are able to either choose from a
range of additional options including triple
science, to re-sit option subjects or to take
advantage of additional curriculum time for
English and mathematics. The first cohort
to experience this curriculum structure
achieved the best ever results for the
school in 2014. School data indicates
further improvements for 2015.
What happens now?
In school this evening:

Talk to tutors about what might be
suitable for your child

Meet and chat with subject teachers
about the courses available.
Later this evening

Talk to your child about the subjects they
want to take further
Then…………
 Provisional Options List issued.

The pupils will be asked by their tutor to
complete a form indicating their three ideal
choices. They will also be asked to give a
reserve.

These responses will be used by me to
produce the provisional option form with
subjects arranged in three pools.
Then............

Pupils will be given the provisional
options form to bring home and
complete with you.

The responses on these will be used to
compile the final options offer.

A final options form will be issued for
pupils to make their final choices
Important Points

Whilst we aim to give all pupils their first
choice it is not always possible for a
variety of reasons.

Pupils must understand that the choices
they ultimately make are final and that
we do not usually allow changes of
options after the first two weeks of term.
Who To Contact
S.E.N. Issues – Mrs E. Gray
 Individual subject issues – Subject
Leaders
 General matters about your child – Your
child’s tutor
 Queries about the options process – Mrs
M. Statter
([email protected])


All documents that will be sent home
with your child, along with a copy of this
presentation will be posted electronically
via a link on our website.
A plea..............
Please keep to the
deadlines for
returning forms.
[email protected]