Thomas Tallis School

Parent Forum : Careers

KS3 Philosophy and Principles

• Broad and Balanced curriculum

• Impact of current Curriculum Change

• An established Core

• Pathways for different abilities (not enforced)

• IAG driven process

Curriculum Change

• Progress 8 – what will this mean for students?• Linear courses and terminal assessment• New syllabi for GCSE & A level• Decoupling of A levels• Life without levels• 3 year KS4

• Overall a good response & positive regarding new 3 year KS4

• EBI - parents Evening provided better advice about what subjects involve, and student potential in each subject

• EBI – The options booklet was improved

• EBI - give students the opportunity to ‘taste’ a particular subject – especially the ones they have not done before.

• The options evening in the Main Hall was too busy and congested

Options - Sept 2014 evaluation

4 Curriculum Leader meetings to discuss:

1. The curriculum principles

2. What the options process should look like

3. How the process will be presented to students

4. The wider role of IAG

Options : introduced in 2015

• New choices booklet (also on website)

• New advice on pathways

• Process started earlier

• SLT group meetings BEFORE choices made

• New transition evening with subject tasters

• Subject workshops & tutorial focus

The vast majority were given their choices. The main issues resulting were:

• Students choosing an unbalanced curriculum

• More able students not meeting P8

• Students choosing many coursework heavy subjects

• Too many students choosing photography / graphics

Where is lower school IAG currently given?

• PSHE• Assemblies• Tutor time• Mentoring• Parent involvement• Options evening • SLT group meetings• Taster sessions• Speakers• Visits and events• Prospects• Website• Some early ‘focused’ AIG for most or least able

Post 16 : Highest performing in Greenwich

• Borough careers event• Taster week• Work experience i.e. careers academy• Enrolment• Tutor time / assemblies• Website• Outside Speakers• Prospects• University visits• Progression week• Individual UCAS interviews• Medicine and Oxbridge specific IAG• Russell group conference