Options for Year 10
2015-2017
The Options Process
• Why make choices?
The Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Core Curriculum
Science
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Curriculum Structure
Core Curriculum: 30 lessons per fortnight
English
Maths
Core Science
Core PE
Core RE
PSHE
Core Curriculum
The Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Core Curriculum
Science
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Curriculum Structure
Non-Core Science – 6 periods• Double Science GCSE
– Additional Science combines with Core Science to make 2 GCSEs
• Triple Science– 3 separate GCSEs: Biology, Physics and Chemistry
• Cambridge National Science– Equivalent to one GCSE but with higher coursework proportion
– Includes learning support
• Students are placed on one of these courses dependent on their performance in Year 9 Science assessments
The Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Core Curriculum
Science
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Curriculum Structure
Options – 24 periods per fortnight
• A range of GCSE, Cambridge National, and BTEC courses
• Four options
• 6 periods per fortnight in each option
Subjects on offer
• Specialising: History, Geography, RS, Music, Dance, Drama, Technology subjects, languages, ICT, PE/Sport...
• “New” Subjects: Business Studies, Child Development and Care, Media Studies, Construction, Computing…
Qualifications on offer• New GCSE
– Graded from 9-1– Available in English and Maths only
• GCSE– Awarded from A*-G– Combination of exams and controlled assessment
• Cambridge National / BTEC– Awarded Distinction, Merit, or Pass– “Applied” or work-based learning– Available in Sport, Business, Construction, and Social
Care
The English Baccalaureate
• Represents breadth and strength in academic achievement
• Awarded to any student gaining A*-C (or 9-5) in GCSE:– English Language
– Two Sciences
– Mathematics
– History or Geography
– A Language
The importance of a language
• The English Baccalaureate places studying a language at the heart of the curriculum
• The Russell Group (top 20 UK Universities) have designated languages as “enabling subjects”
• Some universities have made a language at GCSE a requirement for studying any degree course
• The global economy will increasingly require linguistic ability
Options Pattern
Option A
• A Humanities subject or a language: – History
– Geography
– French
– Spanish
– German
Options B, C and D
• Free choice
• Can add a second Humanities subject or a second language
• Can complete the English Baccalaureate
• Double options – Child Development and Care / Construction
Options in Insight
Options in Insight
Things to consider - students
Do consider:
• What do I enjoy?
• What am I good at?
• What to I want to do post-16?– Sixth form?
– College?
– Apprenticeship/employment?
• Choose a good range of subjects
• Read your report carefully
Do not consider:
• Choosing subjects just to be with friends
• Choosing subjects because “I like/don’t like the teacher”
• Choosing subjects “because you ought to”
Things to consider - parents
• Read the recommendations of subject teachers in the report carefully
• Discuss progress and suitability with subject staff at parents’ evening
• Discuss with your children what they want to do, and whether this will keep the right options open post-16
• Aim for breadth and variety
Options Viability
• We will make every effort to meet students’ first option choices
• Where this is not possible, we will use the reserve choice
• On rare occasions, some options do not recruit a viable group
• Students cannot take the same subject twice!
Important Dates
• Monday 5th January: Options Assembly
• Wednesday 7th January: Options Evening
• Thursday 15th January: Subject Evening
• Wednesday 21st January: Final Deadline for completing options in Insight
Sources of advice and information
• Other parents / friends
• Students in Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form
• Subject Staff / Tutor / Head of Year
• Careers Team
• Mr Kenny and the Learning Support team
• School Website
• Senior Staff – Mr Hildrew or Mr Gaynor
Any Questions?
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