year 9 choices booklet september...

Year 9 Choices Booklet September 2020

Year 9 Courses

Aiming High, Achieving Excellence

Year 9 Creative and Performance Studies Choices are an opportunity for students to specialise in the subjects they most enjoy and want to develop in more depth. This booklet offers detail on all the choices open to you. Whilst thinking about your choices please:

▪ Read everything carefully ▪ Discuss this handbook with your parents and carers ▪ Continue to enjoy your learning

Above all, we want you to make the right choices for you. To this end, you should think very carefully about what you are good at, what you are prepared to work hard at and, most of all, what you enjoy. Do ask lots of questions; we are all very happy to help you.

Each student will be able to choose 2 subjects to study next year from the list below. We will also ask you to choose a reserve just in case we cannot put you in both the subjects you selected. The subjects you can choose from are:

● Art ● Drama ● Food and Nutrition ● Photography ● Music ● Product Design (Woods/ Plastics or Fabrics)

You will also be able to choose whether to follow one of the following routes in your PE lessons. All students will do 1 hour of core PE per week. For the other hour you can choose either:

● Dance foundation to prepare you with the practical skills and knowledge to choose BTEC Dance in year 10.

● PE foundation to prepare you with the practical skills and knowledge to choose GCSE or BTEC Sport in year 10.

● Core PE. This will be 1 extra hour of core PE for those not interested in studying PE as an exam option.

Aim High · Achieve Excellence

You will be asked to make your final decision online by Friday 19th June. If you have not completed a choice online by this point you will be contacted to discuss your choices before the end of term.

How do I decide what to choose?

▪ Future career intentions ▪ Subjects you currently enjoy ▪ Subjects that you are good at ▪ Subjects you want to continue into the sixth form

You should NOT make your choices based on what your friends are planning to do or the teacher's personalities – you are unlikely to get the same teacher next year.

If you choose not to take a subject at this point you will not have the choice to choose it again at the end of year 9.

The websites below can assist you with your potential career choices and subject choices. Links are available on our website under the Learning and Curriculum tab.


If you have any further questions relating to this choices process, particular subjects or special needs provision please feel free to contact us by email at [email protected] .


mailto:[email protected]

Contents Page

Page Course 1 Art 2 Product Design (Woods/ Plastics or Fabrics) 3 Drama 4 Food and Nutrition 5 Music 6 Photography 7 Core PE 8 Dance


Art Art is an exciting and creative course which builds upon the skills students have developed in Y7 and Y8. During the course, students will investigate many aspects of Art and Design and develop their knowledge of artists. Alongside drawing and painting, a diverse range of materials and techniques will be explored such as mixed media, ink work, print-making, acrylic painting and sculpture and/or low relief. We encourage our art students to experiment and persevere and students develop a lifelong aptitude to independently explore, create and problem solve. Visual and critical awareness improves and communication skills are nurtured. Art at GCSE from year 10 The Art GCSE is split into two components; Unit 1 and Unit 2. Unit 1 consists of the coursework element of the course and makes up for 60% of the final grade. Unit 2 consists of an externally set assignment which forms the exam element of the course and is worth 40% of the final grade.

At the end of the GCSE you will have two portfolios of work and three final outcome canvases which will be used as evidence that students have met the four assessment objectives: AO1: Develop ideas through investigations of sources and artists. AO2: Experiment with different processes and

techniques. AO3: Record ideas though drawing, painting and mixed media AO4: Present a final piece Students will be expected to have an A2 portfolio that they bring to lessons every week and a small selection of art materials. More detailed information on these materials will be given at the start of the course.

We are looking for students who are passionate about art and are committed to the subject. The most successful art students show resilience, a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. Students should pick art if they are excited to refine their artistic skills, learn new techniques and experiment with new materials.


Product Design (Woods/ Plastics or Fabrics)

Product Design is a creative subject which will prepare you to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. You will gain awareness and learn from wider influences of Design and Technology including; historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. You will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise using a wide range of new technologies such as the laser cutter and 3D printers. You will also be encouraged to experiment with creating new Materials. Product Design is part of everyday life and is constantly evolving. You will focus on developing practical skills within a particular material area, allowing students to manufacture high quality outcomes. You’ll learn about commercial processes and careers in related industries, as well as developing core transferable skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration and communication. You will also develop your Science and Maths skills through the practical application of Product design. Product Design at GCSE from year 10 The qualification is concerned with the designing, prototyping, 3D virtual modelling as well as prototype modelling or making of functional and aesthetic consumer products. The knowledge and skills that students have learnt and developed at Key Stage 3 will be built on and develop to enable them to design and realise ideas confidently. The new GCSE is a single qualification where you are assessed on the following three areas; Core technical principles, specialist technical principles and designing and making principles. They are assessed on these areas with;

● 50% written assessment (2hr paper) ● 50% Non-exam assessment (35hrs coursework)

Students choosing Product Design will cover all areas of design but will need to focus particularly on 1 area. In your choices form please choose from one of the following:

● Woods/ Plastics ● Fabrics

What jobs could this lead into? GCSE Design and Technology supports careers in a wide range of Design, Construction and Research industries. It can assist entry into a college based course, and jobs such as Architect, Structural Engineer, Fashion designer, Plumber and Engineering careers.


Drama

The current course builds on the solid groundwork of Year 7 & 8 Drama and throughout the course we develop a greater range of skills and more sophisticated modes of performance. We practise more practical techniques so you will be well prepared if you continue drama into Year 10.

Assessment You will continue to be assessed in the areas you are now… Practical Devised Performance Students will respond to a given stimulus to create an original piece of theatre with a group. They will create a portfolio documenting their devising process and write an evaluation of the final performance, both of which will be assessed alongside the final performance. Practical Scripted Performance When developing scripted performance and presentation skills, we work in groups of 3-9 to produce a performance of extracts from a play. Written Assessment and Drama and Theatre Knowledge Section A will require the student to answer a series of questions, which develop in complexity, on a play text which they have explored practically in class. Section B will require the student to write an essay to evaluate a live theatre performance that they have seen as part of the course. For this reason, a visit to the theatre is an important part of the course. To be a good Drama student you need to be good at a lot of things. Drama requires you to demonstrate good analysis skills, competent performing skills, excellent creativity and reliable team skills. It is hard work, but often students find the practical nature of the course very rewarding. Many employers say that they like applicants who study Drama because of the wide range of skills that it requires and the team ethic it develops. If you like a combination of practical work and written work and if you like discussing characters and the way they behave, and if you love analysing drama on stage or even on film, then this is a subject that you will continue to find stimulating and hugely rewarding.

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Food and Nutrition Food Technology is an exciting and creative course which focuses on practical cooking skills to ensure that you develop a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. At its heart, this qualification focuses on nurturing your practical cookery skills to give you a strong understanding of nutrition. Food preparation skills are integrated into five core topics:

● Food, nutrition and health ● Food science ● Food safety ● Food choice ● Food provenance

Food and Nutrition at GCSE from year 10 The final grade for this course is made up of 2 main components:

● Written paper ● Non-exam assessment

The written paper is a 1 hour 45 minute paper that has a total of 100 marks. 20 marks are made up of multiple choices, while the other 80 marks consists of 5 questions each with a number of sub questions. In this exam you will be tested on theoretical knowledge of food preparation and nutrition from the 5 sections listed above. This is worth 50% of the final grade. The non-exam assessment consists of 2 tasks, a food investigation and a food preparation assessment. Both of these tasks equate to 50% of the final grade for the GCSE. The first task is a food investigation which tests your understanding of the working characteristics, functional and chemical properties of ingredients. This will be a written or electronic report (1,500 to 2,000 words) including photographic evidence of the practical investigation. The second task is a food preparation assessment. This will test your knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to the planning, preparation, cooking, presentation of food and application of nutrition to the chosen task. You will prepare, cook and present a final menu of three dishes within a single period of no more than 3 hours, planning in advance how this will be achieved. You will produce a written portfolio including photographic evidence. Photographic evidence of the final three dishes must be included. Students opting for this course should be aware that they need to purchase and organise ingredients for set practical lessons, as is the case in year 7 and 8. What jobs could this GCSE lead into? GCSE Food and Nutrition supports careers in food and related industries. It can assist entry into a college based course, and jobs such as catering manager, chef, dietician and food scientist.


Music

● The year 9 music course is designed to offer you structured opportunities to further develop your knowledge, understanding and skills in performing, composing and listening, through a variety of musical styles.

● This course will help you develop as an all-round musician and build a secure foundation for future music studies, such as GCSE Music.

It enables you to become:-

● A more able performer through the study of an instrument or voice.

o The course enables you to perform music of your own choosing and in any style, as a soloist and also in a group.

o All students on the course will focus on one instrument/or voice which will be taught through individual instrumental or vocal lessons each week.

● A more skilled composer through the study of composing techniques and musical styles.

o The course enables you to compose in styles of your own choice

o Composing can happen anywhere due to the cloud-based software

● An understanding listener through the study of a range of different types of music.

o You study pieces taken from the film music, popular music, musicals, classical and world music.

o You learn to read music notation better

How is the course structured? Your course will be a 50:50 split between practical and non-practical work each week How is the course assessed?

Performing Composing Listening and Appraising You will be assessed performing: ● one solo piece ● one ensemble piece

You will be assessed on: ● compositions ● composing exercises

You will sit: Listening Assessments each term

Will I enjoy this course? Yes, if you……

▪ Love Playing an instrument or singing ▪ Love Learning about new music ▪ Love Creating your own music ▪ Cannot exist without music!

Please contact your music teacher if you have further questions


Photography

Photography is a lens and light based course that gives students the opportunity to have a creative outlet that can seem a little more instant than some of the other arts. This could include work using digital imaging or light sensitive materials.

We encourage all of our photographers to research and engage with historical contexts of photography work as well as the contemporary contexts. Students will be encouraged to use the history of photography and the camera to inform their current work that they create in class or at home.

Photography at GCSE from year 10

All creative class work and homework will form the 60% coursework component of the GCSE and will be made up of many explorations into genres of photography such as portraiture, natural forms and surrealism.

The 40% Photography examination takes the form of an 8-week preparatory period prior to a 10 hour timed test. The preparation period is well supported by lessons, after school sessions and mentoring from photographers in years above. The timed exam will take place over two school days at the end of the Spring Term in Year 11.

Students who undertake this course will need to demonstrate their ability to work independently and responsibly. It is also recommended that students have access to their own digital cameras (this does not include mobile phones).

How is this course structured? 60% Coursework and 40% Exam At the end of the GCSE you will have two portfolios of work which will be used as evidence that students have met the four assessment objectives: AO1: Develop ideas through investigations of sources, artists and photographers. AO2: Experiment with different photographic processes and techniques. AO3: Record ideas using cameras and some artistic experiments. AO4: Present a final piece


Core PE What is Core Physical Education? Core Physical Education (PE) is compulsory for every student in year 9, 10 and 11. It is a government requirement that every student should have the chance to develop their health and fitness, and experience a range of activities that they may continue in later life. This is a compulsory subject, so all year 9, 10 and 11 students will take part in 2 hours of PE each week. Expectations regarding PE kit are the same as in year 7 and 8. All students need to make sure that they bring the correct school PE kit to every lesson. Students who want to study GCSE Sport or BTEC Sport in year 10 should choose this option. There will be opportunities to prepare for the practical and theory elements of those courses during year 9. What is the course structure? Each student will take part in PE for 2 hours a week. Every half term each PE group will change the activity that they are taking part in. They will include indoor and outdoor activities, such as: Athletics Badminton Basketball Cricket Football Tss Tennis Gymnastics Netball Rounders Softball Handball Trampolining Table Tennis Volleyball Support will be available in year 9 for students wanting to continue to BTEC or GCSE Sport in year 10 For any more information please speak to any of your PE teachers


Dance

Dance is a practical, dynamic and lively course that offers a qualification that is designed to give you performance opportunities to develop your choreography and performance skills. You learn through classroom-based lessons and also practical lessons similar to those in years 7 and 8. You have the opportunity to study a variety of dance styles. You will need to show that you are a dedicated and committed student of Dance by having a good record of being organised and bringing the correct Kit to your Dance Lessons. You will need to be passionate about Dance and committed to the subject and be willing to put in time to practise outside of lessons. Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts Students will develop their understanding of the performing arts by examining practitioners’ work and the processes used to create performance. Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts Students will develop their performing arts skills and techniques through the reproduction of Dance repertoire. Component 3: Performing to a Brief Learners will be given the opportunity to work as part of a group to create a workshop performance in response to a given brief and stimulus. What can I do at the end of the course? The skills gained through studying Dance can be transferable to any career choice. Skills such as leadership, team-building, time-management, reliability, creativity, and discipline will open a variety of career options. Please see any Dance teacher for more information.


Physical Education Foundation

GCSE PE is a traditional GCSE course. It incorporates the understanding and application of both the theoretical and practical aspects of Physical Education. You learn the theory through classroom-based lessons and cover all practical aspects during Core PE lessons. You will develop your understanding through completing coursework, answering exam questions, relating theory to real life sporting situations and also through performing and evaluating practical activities. The BTEC Level 2 Award in Sport offers a qualification that focuses on particular aspects of sport and its impact on a sports performer. You learn through classroom-based lessons and also practical lessons. You will develop your understanding through completing coursework and through performing and evaluating practical activities. The BTEC Level 2 Award is equivalent to 1 GCSE. Students selecting the PE foundation lesson will do practical PE lessons which will help prepare them to complete either GCSE PE or BTEC Sport from year 10. How are these courses structured?

● BTEC Sport - 75% coursework / 25 exam ● GCSE PE - 10% coursework / 30% practical / 60% exam


year 9 choices booklet september...

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