1. YEAR 9 PATHWAYS PRESENTATION 2015

2. Ms Pennington – Assistant Head
Welcome
Ms Lally – Principal
Ms Pennington – Assistant Head

3. Aims of this evening
To outline the main changes to qualifications and the curriculum and outline the current government position.
To provide you and your child with information to help you to make the best decisions for KS4 and beyond.
To understand our PATHWAY PROCESS.

4. National Update
Since the last inspection there has been many changes to the curriculum. It is the most significant Exam reform since 1986 when GCSEs were first introduced:
Scale and pace of the changes pose real challenges for schools
Has implications regarding the way in which we structure the Y10 and 11 curriculum
Gives us opportunities to change what we do to ensure we best prepare our students for their futures in a changing society.
Your involvement in these changes is crucial to us so that we can all support our students

5. What changes have already taken place
Introduction of the suite of Ebacc qualifications
A raise in the participation age
English and Maths need to be retaken until passed (at present grade C or above) up to the age of 18
Changes to assessment - exams
New Science course

6. English Baccalaureate (Ebacc)
‘to ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to study a broad core of subjects, ensuring that doors are not closed to them in terms of future progression. For example, pupils hoping to go to university’ Dfes 2014 To be able to say that you have achieved the necessary level for the Ebacc you must achieve a minimum of a grade C (or equivalent) in the following - English, Maths, Science, MFL, History or Geography

7. Raising the participation age
In England, a student must stay in some form of education or training until the end of the academic year they turn 17.
This does not mean staying on at school. It can be:
Full time education, e.g. 6th form or F.E. college
An apprenticeship
Full time employment (over 20 hours) combined with part time education or training.

8. N.E.E.T
2014
7.3% LA
St.Cuthbert’s 7%

9. Assessment - Exams
All exams to be taken at the end of the course – NO MODULAR EXAMS and no chance of resists.
Exams to become more difficult and rigorous
Marks for SPAG – Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar
Changes to Controlled Assessment – reduction in the amount of
non-exam assessment
Increased control placed on how controlled assessment takes place
Removal of some vocational qualifications
Changes to the grading system.

10. Assessment - Science New Science course introduced last year:
More challenging content, all exams at the end of the course
Core & Additional – 2 GCSEs – 6 exams in total (3 x Core,
3 x Additional)
Currently trialling sitting 3 exams end of year 10 (Core) with the remaining 3 at the end of year 11 (Additional)
Biology, Chemistry & Physics – 3 GCSEs – 9 exams at the end of the course and again currently trialling sitting 3 exams end of year 10 with the remaining 6 at the end of year 11

11. Changes for Sept 2015 English Language English Literature Mathematics
Your child will be the first year group who will study the new GCSE courses in :
English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Students will take these exams in summer 2017

12. What is Different? Graded from 9 to 1 9 being the highest
Grade 9, 8 & 7 equivalent to A*/A
Grade at the moment looking at being required for A Level
Grade higher grade pass (high C or low B)

13. All other GCSE subjects will be graded A*- G
For our current Year 9, English Language, English Literature and Mathematics will be graded using the new system (results in August 2017)
All other GCSE subjects will be graded A*- G
( mixed grades on result sheet )

14. More difficult and much larger volume of content
GCSE Maths
Ensures:
Students possess the numerical skills required to progress to employment
That the most able students are stretched and prepared thoroughly for the study of A level mathematics
A greater emphasis on problem solving
More difficult and much larger volume of content

15. GCSE English
Students studying the new GCSE in English Language will be expected to read ‘a wide range of texts’
There will be greater emphasis on accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
No Controlled Assessment
100% Examination
All students take both GCSE English Language and
GCSE English Literature

16. Government measure called: Progress & Attainment 8
The Government, Further Education Providers & Employers are now looking for more than the minimum 5 A*-C with English and Maths
It is important to get the best grades possible in at least 8 subjects
Government measure called: Progress & Attainment 8

17. Broad Balanced Curriculum
Taking all of this into consideration we want our students NOT to be disadvantaged. They need to study a BROAD AND BALANCED CURRICULUM. Therefore, we aim to provide a curriculum which provides students with the opportunities to meet the challenges of life in our fast changing world. Using data and teachers’ knowledge of your child they have been placed in a PATHWAY, which we feel is appropriate for their ability and they will then be guided towards a combination of subjects.

18. Thinking Ahead 70% of jobs existing in 2024 have not yet been invented
Your child could still be working in careers in 2067
People working today could have chosen options in February 1962
The world has changed a lot since 1962…. and change is happening faster than ever before.
We want our students to have the best opportunities, to be aspirational and be ready to take their place in society on an equal footing with their peers.

19. Mr Atherton KS4 Leader of Pupil Progress (Pathways Lead)

20. PATHWAYS
Pathway 3
Pathway 1
Pathway 2

21. Core Subjects Religious Education Maths
English Language and Literature
Science (Biology, Chemistry & Physics or Core Science and Additional Science)
Physical Education
Citizenship/Computing/IAG

22. Pathway 1 Choices GCSE French Pool 1 Pool 2 Pool 3 Choose 1 subject 
GCSE History
GCSE Art
GCSE Catering
GCSE Health & Social Care
GCSE D & T : Product Design
GCSE ICT
GCSE Law
GCSE Music
GCSE P. E / BTEC Sport
GCSE Geography
GCSE Business Studies
GCSE Drama
GCSE Graphic Communications
GCSE D & T : Textiles
GCSE D & T : Resistant Materials
Pathway 1
Choices

23. HUMANITIES/MFL CHOICE
POOL 1
POOL 2
POOL 3
HUMANITIES/MFL CHOICE
Choice of 1 subject
Choose 1 subject from
the list below
GCSE Geography
GCSE Art
GCSE Business Studies
GCSE Catering
GCSE Drama
GCSE Health & Social Care
GCSE History
GCSE D&T : Resistant Materials
GCSE ICT
BTEC Creative Media
GCSE D&T : Textiles
GCSE Law
GCSE Graphic Communications
GCSE Music
GCSE French
GCSE PE / BTEC Sport
GCSE D&T : Product Design
Pathway 2
Choices
Pathway 2
Choices

24. Alternative Qualification
POOL 1
POOL 2
POOL 3
Alternative Qualification
Choice of 1 subject
Choose 1 subject from
the list below
BTEC Business Administration
GCSE Art
GCSE Drama
GCSE Catering
Constructing the Built Environment
GCSE D&T : Resistant Materials
GCSE Health & Social Care
GCSE D&T : Textiles
BTEC Creative Media
Service & Maintenance Engineering
GCSE Graphic Communications
GCSE Music
GCSE PE / BTEC Sport
Hair & Beauty
GCSE D&T : Product Design
Pathway 3
Choices
Pathway 3
Choices
Pathway 2
Choices

25. What NOW? Make use of SUBJECT MARKET PLACE Look at RECENT REPORT
Attend PARENTS’ EVENING
Ask Questions

26. Dialogue
CHILD
PARENT
TEACHER

27. Timeline for Pathways Process
5th February Y9 Pathways Evening
23rd February 2015 – Completed Forms due in to school
23rd Feb-5th March – Student interviews with SLT
5th March 2015 – Y9 Parents’ Evening

28. YEAR 9 PATHWAYS PRESENTATION 2015