Year 9 Pathways

Context Personalising learning curriculum Continuity and progression GCSE reforms: all courses now linear (exams at the end) The English Baccalaureate

Context Changing national approach towards qualifications – during the next two years most subjects will introduce new syllabuses with greater rigour and higher standards. All examinations will be taken at the end of two years – there will be no opportunities to resit. In school examinations in Year 10 and mock examinations in Year 11 both are really important and need to be taken very seriously.

GCSE reforms: Changes to Gradings Starting from September 2016 all exams with the exception of Business studies will now be graded 1 – 9, rather than G - A*

GCSE reforms:Changes to Gradings Broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 4 and above as currently achieve a grade C and above Broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 7 and above as currently achieve an A and above For each examination, the top 20 per cent of those who get grade 7 or above will get a grade 9 – the very highest performers The bottom of grade 1 will be aligned with the bottom of grade G Grade 5 will be positioned in the top third of the marks for a current Grade C and bottom third of the marks for a current Grade B. This will mean it will be of greater demand than the present grade C, and broadly in line with the average PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) performance in countries such as Finland, Canada, the Netherlands and Switzerland The new Maths GCSE will be tiered, with grades 4 and 5 available through both tiers

New grading for ALL GCSEs

Core Subjects REEnglishMathsSciencePSHEPE

Maths – Changes to Assessment Process Maths – Changes to Assessment Process A student must sit all three exams at the same tier. A decision on which paper students take will be based on which tier is most appropriate for them and will be taken on an individual basis.

Science – Changes to the assessment process Starting in September 2016, all students will follow the Triple Science curriculum pathway. At the end of Year 10, a decision will be made based on internal tests and IPM data, as to whether a student will continue with the Triple Science curriculum or the Combined Science Curriculum. Students who want to study Science at an advanced level (A’ Levels) DO NOT have to study triple science at a GCSE Level.

Non-core subjects

Non Core Subjects The ‘Non – Core’ subjects that your daughter has the opportunity to study are: Geography History Art Business Studies Music Design and Technology PE Spanish French Drama Computing

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) The Government believes that schools should offer pupils a broad range of academic subjects to age 16. In 2015, 60% of SHHS girls achieved the Ebacc (national average 22%) The E Bacc is not a new qualification – currently it measures A* to C passes in English Maths Sciences (x2) (includes Computer Science) A modern foreign language A humanities subject (History or Geography)

English Baccalaureate At present, no university uses the English Baccalaureate as part of its entry requirement Entry to sixth form does not require pupils to have achieved the English Baccalaureate. Not a qualification rather an accountability measure The Ebacc is the best foundation for entry to the most competitive universities. It is therefore the appropriate pathway for the vast majority of Sacred Heart pupils. Geography, History and Modern Languages are regarded as facilitating subjects by the Russell Group of Universities, along with English, Maths and Science.

Option Blocks Option AOption BOption C Geography History French Spanish Computing Art DT Geography History French Spanish Drama Business Studies DT Geography History French Art Music Business Studies PE

Sixth Form Continuity & progression GCSE A- levelsUniversity vocational qualifications future careers

Enrichment Programme Weekly basis for all pupils – wide range of enrichment clubs (number 50) Duke of Edinburgh Sports Leadership Awards

The Pathways Booklet Section A: information and advice Section B: the core subjects everyone has to study Section C: the non-core (options) subjects on offer Section D: the option blocks and pathways

The Preferences Form

Guidance and Choices All year nine pupils will have a careers interview before the end of term PSHE programme will support the decision- making process Staff will talk to pupils about the variety of pathways in their subjects IPM assessment data inform you of progress and targets Parents’ evening on Thursday 21 st April

Some things to remember… Size of groups – health and safety implications Limits on number of groups Pupils make preference choices and indicate alternative choices WE WILL CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE CHOICES WE WILL CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE CHOICES We will do our best to accommodate preferences, but obviously there are some constraints School is committed to helping all pupils of all abilities to make the best choices for their future. We reserve the right to direct pupils in their best interests.

Some things to remember.. Directors of Learning and senior staff will take a holistic overview of each pupil’s choices The Options process is there to enable pupils to choose the best subjects for them. Subject departments do not select the pupils they would most like to teach. A professional judgment will be made in each case Consider carefully reserve choices

Parents' information evening and visits to subject areas today - Thursday 17 th March IPM 4 – week beginning 14th March Support through PSHE Year 9 Parent Teacher Meeting Thursday 21 st April– chance to speak to subject teachers to confirm decisions about choices Complete pathways form online by Tuesday 3 rd MayCourse confirmation - final half term Timeline…

Next steps for pupils… Talk to your parents/carers, school staff, Mr Young and other adults about your choices. Read the options booklet thoroughly, find out about different careers and talk to tutors Ask if you are not sure! Think carefully about why you are choosing a subject. Start to think about what you want to do at Sixth Form and how your choices will support that.

Good luck on your pathway to SUCCESS!