What to consider when choosing your GCSE Options
Par arents/Carers P lea ease en encourage you our so sons and and da daughters to: o:- • Research thoroughly to make informed choices • Discuss and research their future career ideas • Think about post 16 options – Sixth Form, College, Apprenticeships and University. • Continue to develop ‘employability skills’ through education, hobbies, interests and work experience.
GCSEs are good general preparation for further education and employment Students - Think about:- • The subjects you enjoy. • The subjects you are good at. • The style of learning you prefer. Talk to subject teachers about the course content and workload. See if the subject will play to your strengths.
Strong Foundations Maths English Science EBAC? BUT …….don’t drop these subjects if you might want to learn more of these skills in 6 th Form/College: Art based courses, Technology, Geography, Languages or Music.
Check subjects/grades required for Sixth Form, College or an Apprenticeship. Sixth Form - A levels : 7 GCSEs - 5 at G4 plus 2 at G5 and above. College - Level 3 Vocational Courses : 4-5 GCSEs at G 4/5 and above - Level 2 Vocational Courses : 4 GCSEs G 3 Apprenticeships: Many employers look for 4-5 GCSEs G 4/5
Stu tudents:- • Research career interests: What specific entry requirements do different careers have? • https://sacu-student.com • https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk • www.prospects.ac.uk • https://targetcareers.co.uk/ • Talk to somebody who works in the sector that interests you. • Thinking about going to university? Research degree courses, look at entry requirements and work back from there. www.ucas.com
T o summarise…. • If you don’t have a particular career or degree course in mind – keep your choices broad and balanced . • Think about your future study or career plans. • Consider what you enjoy and are good at. • Make the most of this evening to speak to subject teachers about the subject content. • Seek your teachers’ advice on which subjects will play to your strengths.
Options Pathways 2020
Key Dates Wednesday Deadline for the completion of 4 th March 8 a.m. Options Online March – June Interviews (if appropriate) with senior staff about the choices made July Notification of allocated Options subjects to students and parents
Impact of Absence Research suggests that 17 days lost = 1 GCSE grade 17 days lost across Y10 /11 is 95·6% attendance 90% attendance is 39 days lost across Y10/11 80% attendance is 78 days lost across Y10/11: 4·5 grades or a good GCSE!
Reformed GCSE Grades 9 - 1 Reformed GCSE Equivalent to Old GCSE Top 20% of those at G 7 or 9 above 8 A* A 7 B 6 5 2/3 of a grade higher than a C Good Pass 4 C Standard Pass D 3 2 E F/G 1
Reformed GCSEs • graded 9 -1 • result based on a final exam plus NEAs (Non Examination Assessments) for some subjects GCSE equivalents • graded Distinction* to Pass (Level 1 or 2) using a combination of exams and NEAs.
GCSE equivalents (Levels 1 & 2) Child Development (Cambridge National) Creative iMedia (OCR Certificate) Enterprise & Marketing (Cambridge National) Performing Arts (BTEC) Sports Science (Cambridge National)
Qualification Levels Entry Level – just below GCSE level Level One – equivalent to GCSE grades 3 - 1 Level Two – equivalent to GCSE grades 9 - 4 Maths, Languages and Science have tiered entry: Foundation G 5-1, Higher G 9-4
The Core Curriculum • English and English Literature (8) • Mathematics (7) • Science (2 or 3 GCSEs) (11) • Society and Ethics – includes Religious Studies, PSHE, Citizenship & Careers (1) • Physical Education (3)
GCSE Science • All Year 9 students have been studying GCSE Science topics since September. • Unit tests in each of these by Easter: Biology Chemistry Physics Cell Biology Atoms and Energy Periodic Table Enzymes Analysis Particles • Year 9 Exam Week (May 4 th ). • Exam and Test results will be used to decide which GCSE Science pathway students will follow in Year 10
AQA Combined Science AQA Separate Sciences • AQA Trilogy • 3 GCSEs • 2 GCSEs • Only offered to our most able 60 students because: • Most students • Content is considerably • Foundation and Higher greater than the level entry Combined Sciences • Delivery time is the same as for Combined Sciences so the pace of lessons will be high Students may continue on to any Science at A Level regardless of route providing they meet the entry requirements. In July, students will be told their Science pathway.
The Optional Pathways • Level 1 College Pathway 1 morning at college and 2 GCSE (or equivalent) courses and support for English and Maths • 4 Option Pathway 4 GCSE, or equivalent, optional subjects Must choose at least one from French, German, History and Geography – Ebacc Pathway Choose either French or German and either Geography or History plus 2 other subjects
Level 1 College Pathway Comprises: Animal Welfare Level 1 College course – typically : o Horticulture Motor Vehicle o Thursday am at Warwickshire College Group (Evesham or Pershore) or in School o Two other optional GCSE, or equivalent, subjects at Level 1 / 2 o Extra help with English and Maths GCSEs Most appropriate for students with targets G 1 – 3. o o Limited availability o Progression o Must see Mr Howell to discuss first
Level 1 College Pathway
4 Option Pathway • Students should follow a broad and balanced curriculum • Choose subjects you enjoy but keep your options open and develop a range of skills including linguistic, practical and artistic The English Baccalaureate (Ebacc): • Students aiming for all G 5 or higher should consider a combination which leads to the recognition of the Ebacc French and/or German and Geography and/or History and two other optional subjects (The EBacc needs G 5 or higher in French or German, Geography or History, Science, English and Maths)
4 Option Pathway
Order of Preference
Please note! • Not every combination is possible. • Some subjects may be oversubscribed. • Some may not be popular enough to run. • Reserve subject choices are essential. • Interview with a senior member of staff if we cannot fulfil all of the student’s subject choices.
Options Online Registration - Students • You will receive an email to your school account from SIMS Online. • Click on ‘Accept this Invitation’ at the start of the email and follow the instructions. • Pick ‘ Sign in with Microsoft ’ and use your school email (e.g. 001234@pershore.worcs.sch.uk) as the username and your normal school password as the password. • The next screen confirms your details and has an Invitation Code pre- populated. Click Register . • Then enter your Date of Birth and click Verify . • For subsequent logins use this link www.sims-options.co.uk and sign in with Microsoft as before.
Options Online Registration – Parents • You will receive an email from SIMS Online. • Click on ‘Accept this Invitation’ at the start of the email and follow the instructions. • Pick any of the sign in methods (Twitter, Google, Microsoft, Facebook or Office 365) except for SIMS ID . • The next screen confirms your details and has an Invitation Code pre- populated. Click Register . • Then enter your son/daughter’s Date of Birth and click Verify . • For subsequent logins use this link www.sims-options.co.uk . • You can see (but not edit!) your son/daughter’s choices (once made) and give your approval by ticking the box at the bottom.
Submitting your choices • Decide on your Pathway – Discuss Level 1 College Pathway with Mr Howell • Register with Options Online • Make your choices • Get parental approval
• Think carefully • Make decisions for the right reasons • Best pathway for you • Ask for advice from others Deadline is Wednesday 4 th March (no advantage in early submission) • Changes up until end of Sept.
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