Options 2016

Wednesday 25th November

Thursday 26th November

Sandhurst Schoolthe opportunity to succeed

Options Process

• Student introduction to process

• Parents introduction to process

• Initial choice process

• Formulation of option blocks

• Year 9 subject evening

• Students make option choices

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Support Available

• Simon Bamford - Assistant Head Teacher

• Heidi Nicholls – Work Related Learning Co-ordinator

• Advisa - Careers Advice Service (previously Connexions) – Claire Thomas

• Tutor & Head of House

• Subject teachers

• Older students in tutor group

• Family and friends

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Qualification Levels

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Level 1eg GCSE 4-1

Technical

Level 1

Level 2

eg GCSE 9-5

Technical

Level 2

New GCSEs

First taught September 2015

• English Language

• English Literature

• Mathematics

For first teaching September 2016• Art and Design• Biology• Chemistry• Citizenship Studies• Computer Science

• Food Preparation and Nutrition• Drama• French• Geography• German• History• Music• Physical Education• Physics• Religious Studies• Science (Double Award)• Spanish

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New GCSE Grading System

What Will the New GCSEs Look Like?

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• A new grading scale of 9 to 1, with 9 being the top grade. This will help distinguish the new GCSEs from previous versions.

• Assessment will be mainly by exam, with controlled assessment used only where they are needed to test essential skills.

• There will be new, more demanding content, which has been developed by government and the exam boards.

• Courses will be designed for two years of study – they will no longer be divided into different modules. Students will take all their exams in one period at the end year 11.

• Very few exams can be split into tiers.

• Resit opportunities will only be available each November in English language and mathematics.

What are Technical Level 2?

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• Technical Qualifications is the new name for the vocational qualifications such as BTec, OCR National and other qualifications offered as an alternative to GCSEs.

• Students will be awarded Pass, Merit, Distinction and Distinction* grades.

• Technical qualifications are equivalent to GCSEs in their size and content.

• A Pass grade is equivalent to a grade 5 at GCSE.

• They can be used for progression to level 3 courses – although not directly on to an A Level in the same subject.

Curriculum

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The Core Curriculum

English LanguageEnglish Literature

Mathematics(Statistics)

Double Science

Statutory Elements

ReligiousEducation

PSHCE IT

Options A B C D

Lessons per fortnight

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Year 10 Year 11

English 9 8

Mathematics 8 9

Core Science 10 10

PE 2 2

PSHCE 1 1

Options 4 x 5 4 x 5

Total 50 50

Option Subjects

Art (GCSE)Photography (GCSE)Business Studies (GCSE)Child Development (GCSE)Citizenship (GCSE) Computing (GCSE)Drama (GCSE) French (GCSE)Food Preparation & Nutrition (GCSE)Food and Cookery (Level 2)

Geography GCSE

German GCSE

Graphics GCSE History GCSE ICT (iGCSE and Level 2)Music GCSEPhysical Education (GCSE & Level 2) Religious Studies GCSEResistant Materials GCSESpanish GCSETriple Science GCSEHair and Beauty (Level 2)Travel and Tourism (Level 2)

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Warning – these subjects are being offered. However they may not all ultimately

run. Subjects will only be taught if they have enough students opting for them to

make them viable.

Initial Options Form

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Option Blocks from 2014

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Block A Block B Block C Block DB Studies Art Computer Studies B Studies

Citizenship Catering Geography Catering

Child Development German History Geography

Drama French IT History

Graphics Geography RE Music

Geography History Resistant Materials Triple Science

PE Spanish

Travel & Tourism

Hair & Beauty Skills Challenge

Warning – subjects, even when they appear in option blocks are still not

guaranteed to run. Subjects will only be taught if they have enough students

opting for them to make them viable.

Final Options Form

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English Baccalaureate

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Students do not receive a specific certificate or award.

Humanities subjects cover history and geography but not RE.

Languages includes French, German and Spanish but also may include a GCSE in a students first or alternative language.

Government are putting pressure on schools to encourage the EBacc and on universities to include it as an admissions criteria.

English Language GCSE Grade 5 or higher

Mathematics GCSE Grade 5 or higher

Two Science GCSEs Grade 5 or higher

A Modern Language GCSE Grade 5 or higher

A Humanity GCSE Grade 5 or better (Geography or History)

Alternative Provision

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For some students we arrange a personalised programme of alternative provision.

Students and their parents will be personally invited to select these courses if we feel they are appropriate for that individual.

These courses can take two option blocks.

We call this our Skills Challenge pathway and it includes a range of provision which may include

Asdan - Working with Others course

Asdan – Certificate of Personal Effectiveness

College or Work Experience courses are arranged for specific students who we feel will benefit from them – these are not part of the options process.

Pathways

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Yellow Pathway Blue Pathway Orange Pathway

Students should only

choose GCSE courses

and should study a

language and history or

geography.

Students should select

mainly GCSE courses but

could consider a

Technical course if they

feel it suits them.

Possibly 1 or 2 GCSE

courses along with

technical courses or

the Skills Challenge

option.

In order to help students to make good choices we use a pathways model.This is intended to guide students and is not compulsory.The pathways assigned to each student is based upon the information we have on their most recent performance in school. We do recognise that each student has individual circumstances and so if you wish to discuss their pathway with us then we encourage you to do so.

Good Reasons for Choosing a Course

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It fits students interests and abilities.

Students are good at it and think they will enjoy it.

It links to students’ career plan.

Students think they might want to continue studying it after

Year Eleven.

It will help students meet the entry requirements for the

post-16 options which interest them.

It will help students have plenty of choice for post-16 study.

Don’t Choose a Course because

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Friends have chosen it.

Someone else thinks it will be a good idea to do it.

Students think it will be easy.

Students think it’s a good course for a boy/girl to do.

Students don’t have time to research options properly or to

get any information and advice.

Students like the teacher they have now.

Case Study - Amy

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Amy is currently achieving high levels (6b to 7a)Wants to do A levels and go onto university Amy has a particular talent and enjoyment of music.

• German

• Triple Science

• Geography

• Music

Case Study - Charlie

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Charlie is currently achieving good levels (5b to 6a).Charlie wants to go to VI form but not sure after that.He enjoys the cooking aspect of his technology course and the discussions during the RE lessons.

CateringFrenchHistoryRE

Case Study - Elizabeth

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Elizabeth is currently achieving levels of 4b to 5a.She has very little idea about what she wants to do when she leaves school.Elizabeth is really good at art, likes children and babysits for her neighbours kids.

• Art

• Spanish

• Child Development

• Geography

Case Study - George

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Gary is currently achieving levels of 3s and 4s.He enjoys sport and PE lessons and might want to work in a gym or sports centre when he leaves school.Gary is not great at exams and he is concerned he might find lots of GCSEs too difficult.

• Travel and Tourism

• PE (GCSE or OCR National)

• Skills

• Skills

Keeping You Informed

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During Key Stage 4 we will

Set target grades and review them every term

Provide progress reports every half term.

Set regular exams and assessment

Meet with you to discuss progress.

Alert you to any concerns.

Celebrate every success.

Last Words

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It is in your child’s best interest to make good choices for sound reasons as changes further down the line cannot always be accommodated.

We will be meeting with any students (and their parents) who want, or we feel need, additional individual guidance during and after the options window.

Ultimately this is the students choice - advise and guide them but ensure they are happy with the final decision.

There are no wrong choices - all choices at this stage can lead to any destination.

Timeline

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Wednesday 25th November: Student Options Assembly

Thursday 26th November 2015 Parents Information Evening

Monday 30th November 2015: Initial Options Forms Issued

Thursday 3rd December 2015: KS4 Subjects Assembly

Friday 11th December 2015: Initial Options choices deadline

Thursday 14th January 2016: Parent Information Evening

From 18th January 2016: Final Options Form Issued

Thursday 21st January 2016: Year 9 Subject Evening

Throughout December, January and February:

Individual appointments with students and their parents as necessary.