Key Stage 4 Information Evening 18 th April To provide an update on significant changes to Secondary School Curriculum. -To outline how the Becket School is responding to National changes to support our students. -To outline the options process for Year 9 students. The Becket School

2015 Results: GCSE 5A*-C % 5A*- C including English and maths – 66.3% English Baccalaureate % Many of our students achieve the highest grades 2015 Students with 1 A*-A56% Students with 3 A*-A35.5% Students with 8 A*-A19.3% Exam Success

The one constant is that as a school we will always do what is right for the young people at The Becket A National Picture of Constant Change

The Changes: New GCSEs in English and Maths have been introduced for first teaching in Sept New GCSEs in most other subjects for first teaching September Harder and more content. More rigorous in their assessment. Reduced Controlled Assessment, move towards linear exam structure. Grades have changed to numbers (1-9 9 Being the highest). Harder for students to attain the highest grade, only 20% of students who currently achieve an A* will achieve a 9. The equivalent benchmark grade of a C will be harder for students to attain. The government has stated that all students are expected to study Ebac subjects at GCSE Encouragement for all students to do both English Language and English Literature. The Changes: New GCSEs in English and Maths have been introduced for first teaching in Sept New GCSEs in most other subjects for first teaching September Harder and more content. More rigorous in their assessment. Reduced Controlled Assessment, move towards linear exam structure. Grades have changed to numbers (1-9 9 Being the highest). Harder for students to attain the highest grade, only 20% of students who currently achieve an A* will achieve a 9. The equivalent benchmark grade of a C will be harder for students to attain. The government has stated that all students are expected to study Ebac subjects at GCSE Encouragement for all students to do both English Language and English Literature. The new KS4 Specifications including English and Maths

Supporting your child: Departments have investigated in depth different specifications to choose the right one for our students. English and Maths have already incorporated assessments that are in style of the new types of exam questions in Year 9, they are also in their second year of teaching the new specifications. Information evening early in the next academic year for parents and students to gain greater understanding on the assessment grading of the new GCSE specifications. Reduce the number of GCSEs a student takes over KS4 by one (most students will now take either 9 or 10 GCSEs, bringing us in line with other schools both locally and nationally) Supporting your child: Departments have investigated in depth different specifications to choose the right one for our students. English and Maths have already incorporated assessments that are in style of the new types of exam questions in Year 9, they are also in their second year of teaching the new specifications. Information evening early in the next academic year for parents and students to gain greater understanding on the assessment grading of the new GCSE specifications. Reduce the number of GCSEs a student takes over KS4 by one (most students will now take either 9 or 10 GCSEs, bringing us in line with other schools both locally and nationally) The new KS4 Specifications including English and Maths

Increase lesson allocation in Maths and English. All option subjects given the same allocation and are supported in allocation to cope with the greater complexity of content and skills required in the new specifications. Reduce pressure on GCSE students – well being of the students. Help students achieve quality rather than quantity. Increase lesson allocation in Maths and English. All option subjects given the same allocation and are supported in allocation to cope with the greater complexity of content and skills required in the new specifications. Reduce pressure on GCSE students – well being of the students. Help students achieve quality rather than quantity. Reduced GCSE exams Rationale

Option Booklets posted W/C 21 ST March Year 9 Information Assembly Wednesday 23 rd March Presentations/information by class teacher on the courses offered Over the next two weeks Information evening Monday 18 th April Forms have to be sent back on Friday 29 th April Option Booklets posted W/C 21 ST March Year 9 Information Assembly Wednesday 23 rd March Presentations/information by class teacher on the courses offered Over the next two weeks Information evening Monday 18 th April Forms have to be sent back on Friday 29 th April The Options Process Timeline

Qualifications

Core Subjects These subjects must be followed by all students RE English Language English Literature Mathematics Science PE RE English Language English Literature Mathematics Science PE GCSE 3 GCSE/2 GCSE No Examination GCSE 3 GCSE/2 GCSE No Examination Core offer = up to 7 GCSE

Must choose one of these subjects Geography History Geography History GCSE Students have the opportunity to study both Geography and History Humanities Block

Must choose one of these subjects French German French German GCSE Students have the opportunity to study both French and German Languages Block

General Block Must choose one of these subjects AND choose a reserve Art Child Care Computer Science (Predicted Level 6 in Maths) Design Technology Drama Food Preparation and Nutrition German (2 nd Language choice) Information Technology History (2 nd Humanity choice) Music Music Technology Physical Education Art Child Care Computer Science (Predicted Level 6 in Maths) Design Technology Drama Food Preparation and Nutrition German (2 nd Language choice) Information Technology History (2 nd Humanity choice) Music Music Technology Physical Education GCSE BTEC Level 2 GCSE BTEC Level 2 GCSE BTEC Level 2 GCSE BTEC Level 2 GCSE

Longer time to study for their GCSEs Tracking of progress Regular progress updates Progress review evenings Information evenings Strong pastoral care Revision sessions Mentoring programme KS4 Support

What now? Support and guide your child by: - Asking them what do they enjoy and what are they good at? - Encourage them not to choose subjects just because their friends are doing it or because they really like the teacher. - Encourage them to listen to their teachers and consider carefully the school’s recommendations. Complete the form and hand it in to their Form Tutor by Friday 29 th April at the latest Support and guide your child by: - Asking them what do they enjoy and what are they good at? - Encourage them not to choose subjects just because their friends are doing it or because they really like the teacher. - Encourage them to listen to their teachers and consider carefully the school’s recommendations. Complete the form and hand it in to their Form Tutor by Friday 29 th April at the latest