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