Transcript KS4 Choices

The Curriculum
You choose part of your curriculum when
you join us at JCC.
You have no choice over the core
curriculum.
This is the part of the curriculum that all
students follow.
The core curriculum is made up of:
• English Language and English Literature
• Mathematics
• Double Science
• PSE – Personal Social Education
• Core P.E. (this is not examined)
• RE, ICT and Work Related Learning is
also covered
Double Science – studied as part of the core
curriculum (10 lessons a fortnight – achieve
TWO GCSE grades at the end of Year 11).
Can study A Level Biology, Chemistry and
Physics if grades B or above are
achieved.
Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
- students study science during Double
Science lesson time, but have additional
lessons through an option choice (15
lessons a fortnight and achieve THREE
GCSE grades, at the end of Year 11).
Option Choices
You will study an additional four GCSE’s
to add to the six that you do as part of
the core curriculum.
GCSE: Assessed by examination and will
include controlled assessments.
BTEC / OCR Nationals (Level 2):
Available in some subjects and are
assessed via coursework / assignments
and external assessments (need good
literacy skills).
Level 1: GCSE grades between D – G
Level 2: GCSE grades between A* - C
Foundation Tier Paper: You can achieve a
grade between C - G on the paper
Higher Tier Paper: You can achieve a
grade between A* - D on the paper
Most students will study 4 GCSE Options
or equivalent, but there will be some
exceptions:
students who choose a Double Award
course (Health and Child Care) will
study fewer subjects because Double
Awards are equivalent to two GCSE
option time
some students will be placed a more
individualised programme where they
study fewer GCSE’s in total
Study Plus:
• Suited to students who are predicted a grade
D/C in English and/or Maths but can achieve a
grade C or better with additional support
• Level 5C-5B in English or / and
• Level 5A – 6C in Maths at the end of KS3
• Lessons are taught with an emphasis on
improving literacy and numeracy
• You will study BTEC Level 2 Work skills in
Year 11(equivalent to GCSE grade B)
• Further guidance will be given by your
teachers / tutors
Foundation Learning:
• Personalised learning programmes for
students working at Entry Level and Level 1
• In addition to the Core curriculum you will
study:
• Work skills Level 1
• General Vocational Studies – Level 1
• Jamie Oliver Home Cooking Skills –
Level 1
• Enrichment lessons
• TWO option subjects
• We are speaking to your teachers if you are
suited to Foundation Learning
Work Skills:
• Suited to students who may struggle to study
4 GCSE Options or equivalent
• You will choose 3 GCSE’s and do Work Skills
as your 4th option
• The course is based around the completion of
Work Experience and the development of
practical skills linked to work
• Warning – you may not get all three first
choices if you choose to study Work Skills
because of the way the timetable works
• Talk to your teachers if you think Work Skills is
for you
Although we support and encourage you
to choose your subjects, it is important
that you follow the advice of your
parents and carers, the teaching staff,
and other adults who may be involved in
this process.
In most cases, we advise you to choose a
broad and balanced curriculum that may
include:
a creative or practical subject
a modern foreign language
a subject where you develop your research,
recording and presentation skills
This still allows for a more specialised
fourth choice.
If your teachers are concerned that your choices are very
narrow, there may be a need for further discussion.
When it comes to making your actual
choices for GCSE Options, we are
asking you to choose six subjects that
you would like to study.
There are a number of good reasons for
this…
• Some subjects may not run if there is
not enough student demand for them
• There are timetabling restrictions
• If the first four subjects that you choose
do not cover a range, there are others
you could study
When you have chosen your 6 subjects for
your Options, you need to write them
into the table on the application form.
Please remember to place them in rank
order, so that the subject at the top (in
the ‘number 1’ position) is your most
preferred subject.
We try very hard to give you your ‘top four’
choices on the basis that we assume
that these are your most preferred
subjects.
My Choices (in rank order)
You must make four choices and two reserve choices
Choices
Reserve choices
1
Spanish GCSE
1
Study Plus BTEC
2
Health and Child Care
OCR National
2
Business Studies GCSE
3
Health and Child Care
OCR National
4
Media GCSE
Parent Signature:
High School Tutor
Signature:
Remember there are certain combinations
that students CANNOT do:
• Health & Child Care AND Health &
Social Care
• GCSE PE AND BTEC Sport
• GCSE Business Studies AND BTEC
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
• Rock School AND Music – not advised
It is worth keeping a record of the choices that you make
for GCSE Options.
Sometimes students are surprised by the subjects they
are given because they don’t remember the choices
they have made.
If you have a record of your choices, then you can
keeping checking to make sure you have made the
right decision. If you realise at a later date that you
have made the wrong kind of choice, then we may be
able to do something about this (but we cannot
guarantee this).
English Baccalaureate (EBAC)
This is a qualification awarded to students
if they achieve between grades A* - C in
ALL of the following GCSE subjects:
•
•
•
•
•
English Language
Maths
Two Sciences
Modern Foreign Language
Geography or History
English Baccalaureate (EBAC) at
JCC
• You do not have to study the EBAC
option subjects (MFL, Geography /
History) if you do not wish to
• You CAN still opt to study a Modern
Foreign Language or Geography or
History even if you are not likely to
achieve grade C or above
What Next?
 Think about your long term plans e.g.
careers, further education
 Get advice from parents/carers,
teachers, other adults
 Do some research on subjects,
especially new ones
 Speak to current or ex-John Cleveland
students about their choices
The KS4 Choices is a long process, not
only for you – but for us too.
You should know what subjects you are
studying in the last half term of Y9.
You will also come to JCC in July for your
5 day Induction Programme. As part of
this, you will experience some lessons in
the courses you have chosen for Y10.
To summarise…
you have a lot of choices to make at
KS4, so take your time and think
carefully about it
get us much advice, information and
support as you can to help you to make
the right choices
do not be afraid to say if you think, at any
point, you may have made the wrong
choice or choices