Sandhurst School the opportunity to succeed Options 2016 Wednesday 25 th November Thursday 26 th November
Options Process Student introduction to process Parents introduction to process Initial choice process Formulation of option blocks Year 9 subject evening Students make option choices
Support Available Simon Bamford - Assistant Head Teacher Heidi Nicholls Work Related Learning Co-ordinator Advisa - Careers Advice Service (previously Connexions) Claire Thomas Tutor & Head of House Subject teachers Older students in tutor group Family and friends
Qualification Levels Level 2 eg GCSE 9-5 Level 1 eg GCSE 4-1 Technical Level 2 Technical Level 1 JSo
New GCSEs First taught September 2015 English Language English Literature Mathematics For first teaching September 2016 Art and Design Biology Chemistry Citizenship Studies Computer Science Food Preparation and Nutrition Drama French Geography German History Music Physical Education Physics Religious Studies Science (Double Award) Spanish
New GCSE Grading System
What Will the New GCSEs Look Like? A new grading scale of 9 to 1, with 9 being the top grade. This will help distinguish the new GCSEs from previous versions. Assessment will be mainly by exam, with controlled assessment used only where they are needed to test essential skills. There will be new, more demanding content, which has been developed by government and the exam boards. Courses will be designed for two years of study they will no longer be divided into different modules. Students will take all their exams in one period at the end year 11. Very few exams can be split into tiers. Resit opportunities will only be available each November in English language and mathematics.
What are Technical Level 2? Technical Qualifications is the new name for the vocational qualifications such as BTec, OCR National and other qualifications offered as an alternative to GCSEs. Students will be awarded Pass, Merit, Distinction and Distinction* grades. Technical qualifications are equivalent to GCSEs in their size and content. A Pass grade is equivalent to a grade 5 at GCSE. They can be used for progression to level 3 courses although not directly on to an A Level in the same subject.
Curriculum The Core Curriculum English Language English Literature Mathematics (Statistics) Double Science Statutory Elements Religious Education PSHCE IT Options A B C D
Lessons per fortnight Year 10 Year 11 English 9 8 Mathematics 8 9 Core Science 10 10 PE 2 2 PSHCE 1 1 Options 4 x 5 4 x 5 Total 50 50
Option Subjects Art (GCSE) Photography (GCSE) Business Studies (GCSE) Child Development (GCSE) Citizenship (GCSE) Computing (GCSE) Drama (GCSE) French (GCSE) Food Preparation & Nutrition (GCSE) Food and Cookery (Level 2) Geography GCSE German GCSE Graphics GCSE History GCSE ICT (igcse and Level 2) Music GCSE Physical Education (GCSE & Level 2) Religious Studies GCSE Resistant Materials GCSE Spanish GCSE Triple Science GCSE Hair and Beauty (Level 2) Travel and Tourism (Level 2) Warning these subjects are being offered. However they may not all ultimately run. Subjects will only be taught if they have enough students opting for them to make them viable.
Initial Options Form
Option Blocks from 2014 Block A Block B Block C Block D B Studies Art Computer Studies B Studies Citizenship Catering Geography Catering Child Development German History Geography Drama French IT History Graphics Geography RE Music Geography History Resistant Materials Triple Science PE Spanish Travel & Tourism Hair & Beauty Skills Challenge Warning subjects, even when they appear in option blocks are still not guaranteed to run. Subjects will only be taught if they have enough students opting for them to make them viable.
Final Options Form
English Baccalaureate English Language GCSE Grade 5 or higher Mathematics GCSE Grade 5 or higher Two Science GCSEs Grade 5 or higher A Modern Language GCSE Grade 5 or higher A Humanity GCSE Grade 5 or better (Geography or History) Students do not receive a specific certificate or award. Humanities subjects cover history and geography but not RE. Languages includes French, German and Spanish but also may include a GCSE in a students first or alternative language. Government are putting pressure on schools to encourage the EBacc and on universities to include it as an admissions criteria.
Alternative Provision For some students we arrange a personalised programme of alternative provision. Students and their parents will be personally invited to select these courses if we feel they are appropriate for that individual. These courses can take two option blocks. We call this our Skills Challenge pathway and it includes a range of provision which may include Asdan - Working with Others course Asdan Certificate of Personal Effectiveness College or Work Experience courses are arranged for specific students who we feel will benefit from them these are not part of the options process.
Pathways In order to help students to make good choices we use a pathways model. This is intended to guide students and is not compulsory. The pathways assigned to each student is based upon the information we have on their most recent performance in school. We do recognise that each student has individual circumstances and so if you wish to discuss their pathway with us then we encourage you to do so. Yellow Pathway Blue Pathway Orange Pathway Studentsshould only choose GCSE courses and should study a language and history or geography. Studentsshould select mainly GCSE courses but could consider a Technical course if they feel it suits them. Possibly 1 or 2 GCSE courses along with technical courses or the Skills Challenge option.
Good Reasons for Choosing a Course It fits students interests and abilities. Students are good at it and think they will enjoy it. It links to students career plan. Students think they might want to continue studying it after Year Eleven. It will help students meet the entry requirements for the post-16 options which interest them. It will help students have plenty of choice for post-16 study.
Don t Choose a Course because Friends have chosen it. Someone else thinks it will be a good idea to do it. Students think it will be easy. Students think it s a good course for a boy/girl to do. Students don t have time to research options properly or to get any information and advice. Students like the teacher they have now.
Case Study - Amy Amy is currently achieving high levels (6b to 7a) Wants to do A levels and go onto university Amy has a particular talent and enjoyment of music. German Triple Science Geography Music
Case Study - Charlie Charlie is currently achieving good levels (5b to 6a). Charlie wants to go to VI form but not sure after that. He enjoys the cooking aspect of his technology course and the discussions during the RE lessons. Catering French History RE
Case Study - Elizabeth Elizabeth is currently achieving levels of 4b to 5a. She has very little idea about what she wants to do when she leaves school. Elizabeth is really good at art, likes children and babysits for her neighbours kids. Art Spanish Child Development Geography
Case Study - George Gary is currently achieving levels of 3s and 4s. He enjoys sport and PE lessons and might want to work in a gym or sports centre when he leaves school. Gary is not great at exams and he is concerned he might find lots of GCSEs too difficult. Travel and Tourism PE (GCSE or OCR National) Skills Skills
Keeping You Informed During Key Stage 4 we will Set target grades and review them every term Provide progress reports every half term. Set regular exams and assessment Meet with you to discuss progress. Alert you to any concerns. Celebrate every success.
Last Words It is in your child s best interest to make good choices for sound reasons as changes further down the line cannot always be accommodated. We will be meeting with any students (and their parents) who want, or we feel need, additional individual guidance during and after the options window. Ultimately this is the students choice - advise and guide them but ensure they are happy with the final decision. There are no wrong choices - all choices at this stage can lead to any destination.
Timeline Wednesday 25 th November: Thursday 26 th November 2015 Monday 30 th November 2015: Thursday 3 rd December 2015: Friday 11 th December 2015: Student Options Assembly Parents Information Evening Initial Options Forms Issued KS4 Subjects Assembly Initial Options choices deadline Thursday 14 th January 2016: From 18 th January 2016: Thursday 21 st January 2016: Parent Information Evening Final Options Form Issued Year 9 Subject Evening Throughout December, January and February: Individual appointments with students and their parents as necessary.