Option Choices 2014
“I have come so that they may have life and live it to the full”
In the event of the fire alarm sounding please make your way to:
CAR PARK NEARMAIN ENTRANCE
Use fire exits in three corners of Hall
Year 9 ChoicesWhich Way Now? Over the last two days Year 9 have had an altered curriculum so they could receive a wealth of information which will help them make well informed choices about their future.
Careers Day – opportunity to speak to whole array of different professions from micro-biology to law.
Progress Day – an opportunity to reflect on the information they received about careers, listen to assemblies about colleges and what certain qualifications mean, look at their reports and levels and consider which option choices they might makeWhich brings us to this evening….
Important dates
DateDate InformationInformationWed 15Wed 15th th Jan/Thurs 16Jan/Thurs 16thth Jan Jan Careers Conference/Progress DayCareers Conference/Progress Day
Thursday 16Thursday 16thth January January Option Evening (6.00pm - 7.30pm)Option Evening (6.00pm - 7.30pm)
Week of Monday 20Week of Monday 20thth January January Options dry run – this is not your final Options dry run – this is not your final choices but vital to options processchoices but vital to options process
During FebruaryDuring February Option blocks decidedOption blocks decided
Monday 3Monday 3rdrd March March Option forms issuedOption forms issued
Friday 14Friday 14thth March March Year 9 subject reportsYear 9 subject reports
Thursday 20Thursday 20thth March March Year 9 Parents Evening at 4pmYear 9 Parents Evening at 4pm
Monday 24Monday 24thth March March Option forms Option forms must be returnedmust be returnedShortly after Easter HolidayShortly after Easter Holiday Option classes finalised/pupils informedOption classes finalised/pupils informed
The Process The Careers Conference may give you ideas about your future Progress day will involve a talk about options and time for
discussion with tutors The “Dry Run” is an essential part of the process as it will be this
that decides whether some subjects can or cannot be offered as options – you MUST be as honest as you possibly can. You will be asked to rank order the 5 subjects you are most likely to choose
THESE ARE NOT YOUR ACTUAL CHOICES Analysis of the dry run will then enable the creation of the actual
option blocks The official options form along with the supporting guidance
booklet will be given to you on Monday 3rd March The completed form MUST be returned to me ON OR BEFORE
MONDAY 24th MARCH. If this deadline is missed it is extremely unlikely you will be able to take your chosen options!!!!!
Example Dry Run Form
Example of an official options form
What do I have to study?A core of compulsory subjects;
Religious Education GCSE (3 lessons)
English Language GCSE (4 lessons)
English Literature GCSE is included for A Band + 1 extra lesson
Mathematics GCSE (4 lessons)
Science GCSE
Separate Sciences = 3 GCSEs in 6 lessons +1 extra in Year 11
Double Award = 2 GCSEs in 6 lessons
Single Award = 1 GCSE in 3 lessons
What do I have to study?
Physical Education (3 lessons)
This will be either GCSE PE, BTEC Sport or BTEC Dance
Pupils in the B band will also study Core ICT (1 lesson) working
towards Cambridge National Certificate in ICT which is
equivalent to 1 GCSE
Science
Separate Sciences Studied in 6 lessons per week
Biology, Chemistry & Physics are taught/examined as 3 separate
subjects and 3 separate GCSEs
Only appropriate for the most able scientists due to the significantly
higher degree of academic difficulty and additional content which
requires a large amount of self study
Science Double Award Science
Studied in 6 lessons per week
Biology, Chemistry & Physics are taught/examined separately but
certificate as Core Science GCSE and Additional Science GCSE
Single Award Science Studied in 3 lessons per week
Biology, Chemistry & Physics are taught/examined separately but
combine to certificate as one Science GCSE
Pupils selected for this course will be entitled to an extra option
Physical EducationCompulsory for all pupils
You will study for a qualification in this subject
(either GCSE PE, BTEC Sport or BTEC Dance)
Which qualification you take will be based on the advice
and guidance of your teacher and your practical ability
To follow the GCSE course you will need to be able to
offer a good level of practical ability in four different
sports
Modern Foreign LanguagesStudying a Modern Foreign Language is not compulsory
however it is highly recommended
You can study GCSE French or Spanish
If you are keen on these subjects or considering taking a
language at A Level, you can elect to study both French and
Spanish (Dual Linguist)
Universities value a GCSE in a Modern Language very highly so
think ahead.
Globally there are many Spanish & French speaking countries
Option Subjects (all GCSE)
Art 2D Drawing & Painting* Art 3D Studies* Art (multi-discipline) Drama Environmental & Land Based Science Food and Nutrition or BTEC Hospitality Geography History ICT (additional GCSEs to the B band core) Computer Science (a brand new GCSE) Modern Foreign Language (French and/or Spanish) Music Product Design
You will be required to choose 3 from the following list:*Pupils may choose only one of the Art courses
English Baccalaureate ??
A relatively new measure first reported in 2011, in which Holy Cross has
performed extremely well compared to similar schools
A collection of subjects (English, Maths, Science(2), Foreign Language &
either History or Geography)
A “traditional” route including subjects with an academic focus rather
than practical subjects
This route is not appropriate for every student and should be a
personal choice
You do not get a separate Ebacc certificate
Example routes Ebacc Route
Core (includes Eng Lit but not ICT)
Separate or Double Science
French
Geography
Music
Max GCSEs = 11
Dual Linguist Route
Core (includes Eng Lit but not ICT)
Separate or Double Science
Spanish
French
One other subject (wide selection)
Max GCSEs = 11
Example routesArts Route
Core (includes ICT but not Eng Lit)
Double Science
Art (Drawing & Painting)
Drama
Music
Max GCSEs = 10
Technical Route
Core(includes ICT but not Eng Lit)
Double Science
Art 3D Studies
Product Design
Computer Science
Max GCSEs = 10
Example routesPractical Route
Core(includes ICT but not Eng Lit)
Single Science
Product Design
Land Based Science
BTEC Hospitality
Max GCSEs = 9
Middle Ability Academic
Core(includes ICT but not Eng Lit)
Double Science
French
History
Computer Science
Max GCSEs = 10
EBacc
What Now? Go and speak to the Heads of Department and Subject
Teachers that are situated around the room
Ask about details of courses – exam/coursework, subject
commitments
Parents, ask about your child's potential in that subject
Discuss the future –
aspirations/intentions/college/employment
Talk to the representatives from Newman & Runshaw
To recap…•Options booklets/discussions tonight
•Options dry run – week beg 20th January
•Option blocks determined – during February
•Actual option forms – 3rd March
•Discussions/Reports/Parents evenings – 16th & 20th March
DEADLINE - Monday 24th March (to your Form Tutor)
•Final option subjects agreed by Easter and finalised by the end of May