1. Welcome to Year 9 Options Information Evening January 2015 Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or set to silent mode. Thank you

2. Programme for the Evening 1. Introduction Ms L Savage (Headteacher) 2. Curriculum options Mr T Johnson (Deputy Headteacher) 3. General questions 4. Individual queries/advice

3. GCSE Pathway  Traditional route for most students  Mix of compulsory and optional subjects

4. Reformed GCSEs in September 2015  English  Maths  Both will be graded on a 1-9 scale  5 is the “threshold” grade – broadly equivalent to current middle C/ low B at GCSE  Approximately 50% of the proportion currently achieving A* at GCSE will achieve grade 9

5. Compulsory Subjects  English  Maths  Science  Religious Studies (full/half GCSE)  Core PE*  Personal Development* * Non examined

6. The English Baccalaureate (“EBacc”)  5+ A* - C must include:  English Language/English Literature  Maths  Two Science GCSEs (Computing included)  A MFL  A Humanity (History or Geography)

7. Curriculum Breadth and Balance We strongly recommend that most students aim for this in their choices. To achieve this achieve this students should select:  A humanity (History or Geography)  A foreign language (French or German)

8. EBacc Block  Students MUST choose at least two GCSE subjects from the EBacc Block:  Computing  French  Geography  German  History  Spanish

9. Other GCSE Options  Art  Applied Business (double)  Business Studies  DT Food Technology  DT Graphics  DT Resistant Materials  DT Textiles  Drama  Music  PE

10. Other Options Courses Level 2 Worth 1 higher grade GCSE ICT Creative iMedia (this CANNOT be studied alongside Computing) Entry level/Level 1 Worth 1 grade D-G GCSE BTEC Workskills

11. Progression from GCSE to A Level Essential  Art  French  German  Spanish Desirable  Business Studies  Computing  Drama  DT  Geography  History  Music  PE

12. What next?  Read the options booklet with your child  Attend Parents Evening on Thursday 15 th January  Friday 16 th January – free choice options forms issued  By Friday 23 rd January – free choice options forms returned  Monday 2 nd February – blocked options forms issued  By Monday 9 th February – final options forms returned

13. Year 9 is Crucial  Those studying separate sciences have begun their GCSE course of study  RE GCSE course started in September  Many subjects introduce GCSE work over the course of the year