1. Welcome to this Parents Information Session Year 9 OPTIONS

2. Helen Everitt Curriculum Deputy Headteacher2

3. AIMS
Introduce Oriel’s Year 9 Options Process and our philosophy regarding students choices at 14.
Explain the different types of Qualifications available to students at Oriel in Y10 and 11
BTEC
GCSE
Give you advice on how to help students make the right choices for them
The next month is a very important, at times scary and also very exciting time for our Year 9 students as they pick their options subjects.
It is the first time in our Year 9 students education that they have had the chance to choose some of the subjects that they wish to study.
The options they pick will affect how they spend their time at school for the next two years and may also influence what course or job they decide to do after Year 11.
The aim of this session this evening is to introduce and explain Oriel’s Year 9 options process in advance of next Thursday’s Year 9 options Evening.
We will also explain the difference between the different types of qualification on offer for students to choose and will also give you some advice and ideas on how to help students make the right options choices for them.

4. Qualifications should:
Qualifications should:
Reflect our changing world
Prepare our students to be successful in society
Engage students in learning
Prepare students for study at college or university, or for work.
Education should not be a ‘one size fits all’ system
We should recognise:
Different needs of our students
Different learning styles
Different aspirations and goals
To begin with I would like to show you a video which illustrates why making the right options decisions for students is crucial and how education needs to prepare our students for their place in a very fast changing world.
VIDEO CLIP
I think you will agree from some of the statistics in the video that It is increasingly important that the qualifications on offer to our students reflect the changes in society
Education should not be a ‘one size fits all system’
We should recognise the different needs of our students
Recognise different learning styles
Recognise different aspirations
Recognise the different learning pathways which students will take
There should be choice and flexibility

5. CORE – All students will study: English Language and Literature
Maths
English Language and Literature
Science RE PE
PDC / Citizenship
With regards to Oriel’s options system.
There are a number of subjects that are not optional.
This is not a decision made by Oriel but by the current National Curriculum 5

6. Options
Students must then choose subjects to fill the optional parts of the timetable
There are three option spaces to fill. 1
Students must then choose 4 courses to fill the optional parts of their timetable
We operate a completely free options system. i.e. there are no pre-set option blocks limiting choice.
The success of this process is ensured by the very high quality advice and guidance our students are given to make sure that from a wide and free choice students select the best courses for them. 2 3

7. Ensuring Progression
An increasing importance has been placed on the following facilitating subjects:
GEOGRAPHY SPANISH
HISTORY FRENCH
COMPUTER SCIENCE GERMAN
University entrance information highlights
these subjects as facilitating subjects at A Level for top degree entry

8. Ensuring Progression
To ensure that students are not being disadvantaged by not opting for a broad range of subjects including a facilitating subject.
Option 1 of the three options must be one of these subjects
GEOGRAPHY SPANISH
HISTORY FRENCH
COMPUTER SCIENCE GERMAN

9. OPTION 1 You must pick one of the subjects below: GCSEs:
French, Spanish, German,
Computing
History, Geography

10. OPTIONS 2 and 3 BTECs GCSEs: Sport Media, Drama, Music, PE, Dance
Health and Social Care
Music Technology
GCSEs:
Media, Drama, Music, PE, Dance
Fine Art, Textile Art, 3D Design
French, Spanish, German,
Business Studies, ICT, Computing
History, Geography, Sociology, Citizenship, RE
Catering, Graphic Products, Systems and Control, Textiles Technology, Product Design,
We encourage students to select a broad and balanced curriculum both in the subject areas they choose but also in the type of qualification. 10

11. Choice and Flexibility
At Oriel we offer two different types of qualification for students to choose to study in Years 10 and 11.
These qualifications can be mixed and they are flexible.
BTEC
GCSE
At Oriel we offer two different types of qualification for students to choose to study in Years 10 and 11.
These qualifications can be mixed and they are flexible. .

12. All Year 9 students have received yesterday the Oriel ‘It’s your choice’ guide
This give lots of information about the courses on offer which students can pick from.
We would now like to focus on explaining the differences between the types of qualifications on offer.

13. BTECs Michelle Stephens BTEC Coordinator
I would first like to introduce Miss Michelle Stephens our BTEC coordinator who is going to talk about BTECs

14. About BTECs
A BTEC is a theoretical, practical and work related course.
In addition to exams, students complete projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands

15. BTEC’s now include a1hr exam in addition to coursework
The Structure of BTECs
75% Coursework
25% Exam
BTEC’s now include a1hr exam in addition to coursework

16. Which students are suited to BTECs?
Students who prefer completing projects/coursework
Students who feel that they do not like the pressure of a 100% examinable subjects
Students who enjoy the subject area
Students who want to follow a mix of qualifications to vary the way they will learn

17. How BTEC is assessed? Work experience Presentations Role Plays
Research portfolios
Designing publications
Practical assessments such as organising events and working with the local community
Exam for 1 unit

18. How are the courses graded?
BTEC grades are awarded in the following way:
Level 2 Distinction*
Level 2 Distinction
Level 2 Merit
Level 2 Pass
Level 1
Not A-Es

19. Where can a BTEC qualification lead?
Sixth Form- BTEC Nationals (Level 3)
Into the workplace – Highly accepted by organisations. It allows an easier transition from School to work
Apprenticeships

20. But do Universities accept BTECs?
BTEC are accepted by all Universities
Research has shown that students who have completed BTEC courses are better prepared for university than those who have undertaken A-Levels. This is due to the skills acquired on the BTEC courses

21. GCSEs Victoria Pooley Subject Leader for Science
Now Victoria Pooley Subject leader for Science is going to talk about GCSEs 21

22. What is a GCSE?
GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education.
GCSEs are the main qualification taken by 14 to 16 year olds
You can take GCSEs in a wide range of academic and work-related subjects.
It's highly valued by schools, colleges and employers
The qualification mainly involves studying the theory of a subject, combined with some investigative work.
Some subjects also involve practical work e.g. Art
They are graded from A* to G. Grades D to G are Level 1 qualifications and A* to C are Level 2 qualifications

23. How are GCSEs examined?
Exams
Controlled Assessment

24. Exams
All GCSEs are examined by terminal examinations at the end of the course For the majority of courses this will be at the end of year 11 Although rare, there may be a situation where a student takes a GCSE early, in this case the terminal examination may be at the end of year 10

25. An example… ‘triple’ and ‘double’ science
Students taking ‘double science’ will cover two discrete GCSE courses
Science
Additional science
Core science content and controlled assessment covered during year 10
Additional science content and controlled assessment covered during year 11
All exams are taken at the end of year 11
Results in the award of ‘science’ GCSE at the end of year 11
Results in the award of a second GCSE – Additional science, also at the end of year 11

26. An example… ‘triple’ and ‘double’ science
Students taking GCSE separate sciences (triple) will take all nine 1hr science examinations (3xBio, 3xChem, 3xPhys) at the end of year 11 Biology/Chemistry/Physics GCSE are 2 year courses with content and controlled assessment spread evenly across year 10 and 11 The end of all three courses is the end of year 11

27. Controlled Assessment
Work completed in school under controlled conditions
More controlled by the exam boards than coursework
Time limits set by the exam board
Teachers can give some feedback but this may affect the marks that can be awarded
Parents can be involved in the preparation part of some controlled assessment

28. How to Choose…. Nina Thair Director of Learning: Work and Life Skills
Nina Thair is now going to give some advice about how to help students make the right choices for them 28

29. Your son or daughter should avoid making choices based on:
Making Good Choices
Your son or daughter should avoid making choices based on:
Their friends’ choices
Their current teachers
Gender stereotypes
One narrow career path 29

30. Your son or daughter should:
Making Good Choices
Your son or daughter should:
Think about their strengths and weaknesses
Think about how they prefer to study and learn
Find out how the courses are taught and assessed
Keep their choices broad and balanced
Research any career ideas they may have
Use UCAS to check A Level and BTEC requirements for
degree entry
Use the internet, speak to Joan on Thursday 30

31. What subjects are included in the English Baccalaureate?
GCSE A* - C in 5 subjects:
Mathematics
English
Science (2 A*-C)
MFL
Humanities (History or Geography only)
The Russell Group’s ‘Informed Choices’ document
highlights these subjects as facilitating subjects
at A Level for top degree entry
It’s not a qualification. It is a recognition that students have achieved A*-C in 5 particular subjects considered to be more academic and reflects the Russell Group recommendation.

32. A Broad and Balanced Curriculum
The subjects your son or daughter chooses should be a good balance as encouraged by the EBacc but the arts, ICT and technology are very much part of achieving a good balance.
It is important their choices allow progression into further and higher education in a range of subjects which they will enjoy and succeed in.

35. Making Good Choices
Further help:
Speak to teachers, our careers adviser Kerry Mann and of course you!
Use the careers websites under ‘Careers and Moving On’ of the curriculum section of the school website
Students come along to the Options Evening on 26th March and speak to the teachers about the courses on offer 35

36. Next Steps OPTIONS EVENING – Thursday 26TH March
Important evening for parents and most importantly students
Drop in any time between 6pm and 8pm
Receive a further pack of guidance information & options form
All Subjects and courses represented
Information to collect and take home
Speak to teachers
See examples of students work
Deadline for Options Forms – Friday April 17th 2014
We look forward to seeing you all with your sons/daughters at the options evening on 27th March – this Thursday
It is always a very busy and exciting evening and an important part of the process of choosing options and we look forward to seeing as many Year 9 students and parents as possible.
At that evening you will get the opportunity to collect more information to help make decisions – you will also receive the all important options form – the deadline for the return of these forms is the 19th April and forms should be given to students mentor.

37. You will be asked to pick 5 options and place them in order of preference
RESERVE 1
RESERVE 2
Wherever possible we will try to guarantee you your first three choices

38. Our Philosophy
To ensure that students are not being disadvantaged by not being offered the broad range of subjects
To enable students to make an informed choice
To empower them to achieve; to inspire them to excel