Options for Year 10
2014-2016
The Options Process
• Why make choices?
The Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Core Curriculum
Science
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4Curriculum Structure
Core Curriculum: 30 lessons per fortnight
English
Maths
Core Science
Core PE
Core RE
Core ICT
PSHE
Core Curriculum
The Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Core Curriculum
Science
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4Curriculum Structure
Non-Core Science – 6 periods• Cambridge National Science
– Equivalent to GCSE but with higher coursework proportion– Single route includes learning support– Double route includes Science and Science in the Workplace
• Double Science GCSE– Additional Science combines with Core Science to make 2
GCSEs• Triple Science
– 3 separate GCSEs: Biology, Physics and Chemistry• Students are placed on one of these courses dependent
on their performance in Year 9 Science assessments
The Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Core Curriculum
Science
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4Curriculum Structure
Options – 24 periods per fortnight
• A range of GCSE, Cambridge National, and BTEC courses
• Four options• 6 periods per fortnight in each option• Options organised into two pathways
Subjects on offer
• Specialising: History, Geography, RS, Music, Dance, Drama, Technology subjects, languages, ICT, PE/Sport...
• “New” Subjects: Business Studies, Child Development and Care, Media Studies, Construction, Computing…
Qualifications on offer
• GCSE– Awarded from A*-G– Combination of exams and controlled assessment
• Cambridge National / BTEC– Awarded Distinction, Merit, or Pass– “Applied” or work-based learning– Available in Sport, Business, Construction, and
Social Care
The English Baccalaureate
• Represents breadth and strength in academic achievement
• Awarded to any student gaining A*-C in GCSE:– English Language– Two Sciences – Mathematics– History or Geography– A Language
The importance of a language
• The English Baccalaureate places studying a language at the heart of the curriculum
• The Russell Group (top 20 UK Universities) have designated languages as “enabling subjects”
• Some universities have made a language at GCSE a requirement for studying any degree course
• The global economy will increasingly require linguistic ability
The Applied Pathway• Options 1 and 2: – Construction (BTEC Level 1 – selected students only)– Child Development & Care (GCSE + BTEC)– ICT & Business Studies (GCSE + Cambridge National)
• Options 3 and 4: Free Choice
• This pathway is focused on applied learning• It is most suitable for those looking for routes into
Colleges, apprenticeships or employment and training post-16
The Academic Pathway• Option 1: GCSE History or Geography• Option 2: GCSE French, German or Spanish• Options 3 and 4: Free Choice
• This pathway ensures that you achieve the English Baccalaureate
• It is focused on GCSEs• It is most suitable if you want to go on to do A
Levels or to study at University
Options in Insight
Things to consider - students
Do consider:• What do I enjoy?• What am I good at? • What to I want to do post-
16?– Sixth form? – College?– Apprenticeship/employment?
• Choose a good range of subjects
• Read your report carefully
Do not consider:• Choosing subjects just to be
with friends• Choosing subjects because
“I like/don’t like the teacher”
• Choosing subjects “because you ought to”
Things to consider - parents
• Read the recommendations of subject teachers in the report carefully
• Discuss progress and suitability with subject staff at parents’ evening
• Discuss with your children what they want to do, and whether this will keep the right options open post-16
Options Viability
• We will make every effort to meet students’ first option choices
• Where this is not possible, we will use the reserve choice
• On rare occasions, some options do not recruit a viable group
• Students cannot take the same subject twice – this includes Sport with GCSE PE, or Applied ICT with GCSE Computing.
Important Dates
• Monday 6th January: Options Assembly• Wednesday 8th January: Options Evening• Thursday 16th January: Subject Evening• Wednesday 22nd January: Final Deadline for
completing options in Insight
Sources of advice and information
• Other parents / friends• Students in Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form• Subject Staff / Tutor / Head of Year• Careers Team• Mr Kenny and the Learning Support team• School Website• Senior Staff – Mr Hildrew or Mr Gaynor
Any Questions?