3. An important step. The first time students have the choice. Think carefully. Difficult to make a serious error about the future. But it does determine what a student does for the next two years. Keeping doors open!

4. Breadth and Balance Range of skills Enjoyment and Interest Post 16 Choices Adaptability English Baccalaureate and Progress 8

5. The EBAC is a performance measure introduced into school league tables in 2011. It is not a qualification in itself. The measure shows where students have achieved a Grade C (or the equivalent number under the new grading system in the future, or better across a core of academic subjects – English, Mathematics, History or Geography, The Sciences and a Modern Foreign Language.

6. The Progress 8 is a performance measure which will be introduced into school league tables in 2016. The measure will show how well students have done in a range of subjects. These subjects include the EBAC subjects. This is not a qualification in itself; but in the future it may become a simple way for future employers and education providers to judge candidates.

8. “Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.” Niels Bohr Danish physicist (1885 - 1962)

9. The choice of A Level subjects should be based around interest & enjoyment of the subject, ability to do well in the subject and what is needed for a specific degree. However, ‘selecting’ universities such as those in the Russell Group and 1994 Group are highly competitive, demand high grades and have preferred subjects. The Russell Group has produced a document, Informed Choices, giving advice about choosing A Level subjects for entry to one of its institutions. A synopsis is below:- The Russell Group prefers what they term as ‘facilitating’ subjects:- English Maths Physics Biology Chemistry Geography History Languages

10. Need to achieve an absolute minimum of 5 Grade A*-Cs including English + Maths. Prospectus details individual subject requirements. Grade B in all chosen subjects. E.g. Maths/French: grade B or above. Ask your teachers for their advice. This will change as the new grading system is embedded

11. THE COMPULSORY CURRICULUM This is a fixed set of subjects which the majority of students study. OPTION CHOICES Up to four further choices selected from a large range of subjects.

12. English Mathematics Science Physical Education BPE ICT Functional Skills

13. French German Geography Art and Design Music History Food Preparation and Nutrition Art Textiles Design Resistant Materials Product Design ICT Law Drama BPE Computing

14. Block ABlock BBlock CBlock D HistoryLawArt & Design Computer Science Food Preparation and Nutrition (Express) FrenchHistory FrenchGeography GermanLawMusic German ICTHistoryICT Separate Science BPEProduct Design Art & DesignHealth and Social Care Resistant Materials (With Engineering) (Express) Art Textiles Design Drama Resistant Materials (With Engineering) (Express) Resistant Materials (Standard: counts as two options) Food Preparation and Nutrition (Standard: counts as two options) Your choices must include one of the following: Computer Science, French, Geography, German, History or Separate Science. Choose One Option from Block AChoose One Option from Block BChoose One Option from Block CChoose One Option from Block D Priority Reserve Choice

15. Block ABlock BBlock CBlock D HistoryLawArt & Design Computer Science Food Preparation and Nutrition (Express) FrenchHistory FrenchGeography GermanLawMusic German ICTHistoryICT Separate Science BPEProduct Design Art & DesignHealth and Social Care Resistant Materials (With Engineering) (Express) Art Textiles Design Drama Resistant Materials (With Engineering) (Express) Resistant Materials (Standard: counts as two options) Food Preparation and Nutrition (Standard: counts as two options) Your choices must include one of the following: Computer Science, French, Geography, German, History or Separate Science. Choose One Option from Block AChoose One Option from Block BChoose One Option from Block CChoose One Option from Block D History Priority Reserve Choice

16. Block ABlock BBlock CBlock D HistoryLawArt & Design Computer Science Food Preparation and Nutrition (Express) FrenchHistory FrenchGeography GermanLawMusic German ICTHistoryICT Separate Science BPEProduct Design Art & DesignHealth and Social Care Resistant Materials (With Engineering) (Express) Art Textiles Design Drama Resistant Materials (With Engineering) (Express) Resistant Materials (Standard: counts as two options) Food Preparation and Nutrition (Standard: counts as two options) Your choices must include one of the following: Computer Science, French, Geography, German, History or Separate Science. Choose One Option from Block AChoose One Option from Block BChoose One Option from Block CChoose One Option from Block D History Priority 1 Reserve Choice

17. Block ABlock BBlock CBlock D HistoryLawArt & Design Computer Science Food Preparation and Nutrition (Express) FrenchHistory FrenchGeography GermanLawMusic German ICTHistoryICT Separate Science BPEProduct Design Art & DesignHealth and Social Care Resistant Materials (With Engineering) (Express) Art Textiles Design Drama Resistant Materials (With Engineering) (Express) Resistant Materials (Standard: counts as two options) Food Preparation and Nutrition (Standard: counts as two options) Your choices must include one of the following: Computer Science, French, Geography, German, History or Separate Science. Choose One Option from Block AChoose One Option from Block BChoose One Option from Block CChoose One Option from Block D History Priority 1 Reserve Choice Geography

18. Block ABlock BBlock CBlock D HistoryLawArt & Design Computer Science Food Preparation and Nutrition (Express) FrenchHistory FrenchGeography GermanLawMusic German ICTHistoryICT Separate Science BPEProduct Design Art & DesignHealth and Social Care Resistant Materials (With Engineering) (Express) Art Textiles Design Drama Resistant Materials (With Engineering) (Express) Resistant Materials (Standard: counts as two options) Food Preparation and Nutrition (Standard: counts as two options) Your choices must include one of the following: Computer Science, French, Geography, German, History or Separate Science. Choose One Option from Block AChoose One Option from Block BChoose One Option from Block CChoose One Option from Block D HistoryGerman BPE Music Priority 1 4 2 3 Reserve Choice Geography Health and Social Care Law Art & Design

19. Block ABlock BBlock CBlock D HistoryLawArt & Design Computer Science Food Preparation and Nutrition (Express) FrenchHistory FrenchGeography GermanLawMusic German ICTHistoryICT Separate Science BPEProduct Design Art & DesignHealth and Social Care Resistant Materials (With Engineering) (Express) Art Textiles Design Drama Resistant Materials (With Engineering) (Express) Resistant Materials (Standard: counts as two options) Food Preparation and Nutrition (Standard: counts as two options) Your choices must include one of the following: Computer Science, French, Geography, German, History or Separate Science. Choose One Option from Block AChoose One Option from Block BChoose One Option from Block CChoose One Option from Block D HistoryGerman BPE Music Priority 1 4 2 3 Reserve Choice Geography Health and Social Care Law Art & Design

20. They need to talk to: Parents Form teacher Subject teachers What am I good at? What do I enjoy? What do I need? The students need to consider these questions: Carry out research: Careers library Internet

21. Options Evening for parents – today! Parent / Teacher subject evening – Thursday 21 st January. Reports, Options Study Guide and Options Application form go home by Wednesday 13 th January Completed option form to your child’s form teacher by Friday 29 th January. Options Assembly Guidance work in tutorial time and Subject Assemblies.