Year 9 Options Evening 05 February 2019 Welcome! The aim of this evening is to clarify the options process, the types of qualifications offered and some of the terminology involved.
Year 9 Options Compulsory Subjects Subject Qualification English Language and Literature GCSE (2 certificates) Science Double or Triple Award GCSE (2 or 3 certificates) Mathematics GCSE (1 certificate) Religious Education (Starts in Y9) GCSE (1 certificate) Physical Education None • Compulsory subjects account for 3/5 of the curriculum (16 lessons) • The remaining 9 lessons are for Option Subjects (3 choices for 3 hours a week)
E-Bacc or not? The E-Bacc (English Baccalaureate) is a recognition of a good pass at GCSE, which means gaining a grade 5 or higher in the following subjects: • English (Compulsory) • Maths (Compulsory) • Science (Double or Triple) (Compulsory) • A Language (Optional) • History or Geography (Optional) What does it mean?
We know that: • It’s not an “extra” qualification, just a recognition of grade “5” or better in all those subjects No local FE colleges or 6 th forms require it for entry to their courses • • No HE universities state it in their entry requirements (see Russell Group “Informed Choices” document) • MFL at GCSE is generally only a requirement for an English degree but check this out if you know now what you want to do • University College London does require a GCSE Language as an entrance requirement for all its courses, but if you don’t have it they will still accept an application and make you sit a short course certificate in a language Our advice therefore is to pick the subjects which give you the best chance of the best grades
The Russell Group • This is the following group of Universities : University of University of University of Cardiff Durham Birmingham Bristol Cambridge University University Imperial University of University of University of King's College College Edinburgh Exeter Glasgow London London London School University of University of University of Newcastle of Economics & Leeds Liverpool Manchester University Political Science Queen Mary, Queen's University of University of University of University of University Nottingham Oxford Sheffield London Belfast University of University University of University of Southampton College London Warwick York
What can they choose? We aim to give students a free choice of subjects and then build the timetable around their choices: Box A - Choose any 2 Box B - Choose 1 GCSE Choices: Vocational Choices: GCSE Choices: Art Food and Nutrition Creative iMedia Computer Science Construction and the Built Boys PE Geography Geography Environment Child Development and Business Studies Girls PE History Care Catering 5 Computer Science History Triple Science Dance Music Sport Studies Spanish Design Technology Photography Drama Spanish Engineering Triple Science Due to group sizes vocational options may be restricted. If we feel your child could follow the GCSE route rather than the equivalent route and there is no space in the group, we may need to speak to you again.
New GCSEs As a guide the numbers are broadly equal to the old grades shown below: ‘Standard’ GCSE Pass ‘Strong’ GCSE Pass New Numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Old Grades G/F- F/E E+/D C C+/B- B/B+ A A* A** This system affects all GCSE subjects. There are, however, a number of vocational subjects that are graded differently: ‘Standard’ GCSE Pass ‘Strong’ GCSE Pass Level 1 Level 2 Grade Pass Merit Distinction Pass Merit Distinction Distinction* GCSE 1 2 3 4 5/6 7 8 Equivalent
Science • Separate Sciences (Triple) Both courses include the study of • Trilogy Award Science (Double) Biology, Chemistry and Physics Physics Biology Chemistry
Advice for Students 1. Choose the subjects you are likely to do best in . Use the information in your reports and the feedback you have had from your teachers to guide you 2. Don’t make a choice just because you like the teacher . That teacher may well not be taking the group you end up in 3. Be realistic about your strengths and weaknesses and accept realistic advice about the type of course you choose. 4. Do your research by reading the options booklet thoroughly and talking to your teachers 5. Above all don’t choose a subject because your friend is doing it! There is no guarantee you’ll end up in the same class!
Let us guide you! • We can guide you to courses which we know will offer your children the very best chances of achieving the best grades. • Vocational options offer the best progression routes for some students. New qualification guidelines, however, make vocational subjects less suitable for some students. If we feel that a vocational pathway is right for your child we will offer this in the options interview.
Making informed choices based on KS3 performance • Removal of KS3 levels • Opportunity to develop our own curriculum • Working with primary schools to develop curriculum • Eliminate the dips in learning
Making informed choices based on KS3 The new GCSE grades performance are 1-9, 9 being the highest a student can achieve. This will be Grade 7 & Stage 11 above awarded to Grade 5, 6 Stage 10 Stage 10 & 7 approximately the top Grade 4 & Stage 9 Stage 9 Stage 9 5 2% of the country Stage 8 Stage 8 Stage 8 Stage 8 Grade 3 Stage 6 >110 Stage 7 Stage 7 Stage 7 Stage 7 Stage 7 Grade 2 Stage 5 Stage 5 101-110 Stage 6 Stage 6 Stage 6 Stage 6 Stage 6 A grade 5 is a strong Stage 4 Stage 4 Stage 4 91-100 Stage 5 Stage 5 Stage 5 Stage 5 Stage 5 GCSE pass (equivalent to Grade 1 current top grade C & B. Stage 2 >110 Stage 3 Stage 3 Stage 3 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 4 Stage 4 Stage 4 Stage 4 Grade 4 is a standard Stage 1 Stage 1 91-110 Stage 2 Stage 2 Stage 2 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 3 Stage 3 Stage 3 Stage 3 <91 pass and equivalent to a Within & Stage 0 Stage 0 Stage 0 Stage 1 Stage 1 Stage 1 Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 2 Stage 2 Stage 2 Stage 2 Grade U Beyond mid to low grade C). <91 Towards & SR SR SR Stage 0 Stage 0 Stage 0 Stage 0 Stage 1 Stage 1 Stage 1 Stage 1 Stage 1 Below KS1 Scaled KS2 Scaled GCSE RBT R Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 Y7 Y8 Y9 Y10 Y11 scores scores grades Students are set an Our KS3 curriculum is not capped. Students are taught the skills aspirational target based on Once a student masters a skill they needed for GCSE throughout their KS2 entry point. We consolidate it and move on to KS3. These have been mapped expect a student that another. If a student works hard from GCSE specifications to comes in at expected they can progress through stages give students the best chance National progress to access quicker and improve their chances of achieving their best grade. GCSEs at 5 and above. of a better GCSE grade.
Key Stage 3 Reports
KS 4 careers programme • 8 English lessons preparing a well structured personal statement/ researching courses • College taster day • University visit • Post 16 providers invited into school to deliver assemblies to Y10 and Y11 students • Careers fair in October • Work experience evening • 5 Day work experience placement / mock exam
KS 4 careers programme • A careers interview where an action plan is produced (Careers Adviser on site Monday and Thursday) • All local colleges invited into school to complete applications with Y11 students during dinner time • Time to complete application forms during form time • Interviews for Wigan and Leigh take place in school • Apprenticeship workshop/ CV writing • All students to complete 3 applications as a minimum before results day
Options Interviews You and your children are offered an options interview with a senior member of staff to explore the best choices for the best grades. These interviews will take place with either Mr Rimmer, Mr Holt, Mr Smith or Mr Fiddler. They will take place between 11 th February and 15 th March. Appointments can be made tonight in the main sports hall.
Making their Choices The options form looks like this. You need to make 3 choices from the subject list There are five vocational subjects that are available. There is a limit on the number of groups we can have so please choose a GCSE back- up if any vocational choice is made These forms are given out during the interview The deadline for return of the forms is Monday 18 th March Forms must be returned to Mr Holt
Support • Subject input • Options interviews • Visit to local colleges • School Website: - Option booklet - Russell Group “Informed Choices” - Useful links to Careers websites - This presentation
Support
Support
Support • School website: For Parents-> Year 9 Options
What Next? • Options interviews take place • Groups are generated and a timetable produced • The vast majority of students will study their initial choices • It’s likely that a small number (4 in 2014, 0 in 2015, 6 in 2016, 5 in 2017 and 6 in 2018) will have to be interviewed again and choose a different combination
Any questions ?
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