Welcome to this Parents Information Session Year 9 OPTIONS

Helen Everitt Curriculum Deputy Headteacher 2

AIMS Introduce Oriel’s Year 9 Options Process and our philosophy regarding students choices at 14. Explain the different types of Qualifications available to students at Oriel in Y10 and 11 Technical Awards / BTEC GCSE Give you advice on how to help students make the right choices for them

Qualifications should:  Qualifications should: Reflect our changing world Prepare our students to be successful in society Engage students in learning Prepare students for study at college or university, or for work. Education should not be a ‘one size fits all’ system We should recognise: Different needs of our students Different learning styles Different aspirations and goals

CORE – All students will study: English Language and Literature Maths English Language and Literature Science RE PE PDC / Citizenship 5

RE All students will study RE for x2 lessons a fortnight, but within this time can follow one of three routes Full Course GCSE Short Course GCSE Extended Project Full details of these options can be found in the Year 10 Curriculum Guide

Options Students must then choose subjects to fill the optional parts of the timetable There are three option spaces to fill. 1 2 3

Ensuring Progression An increasing importance has been placed on the following facilitating subjects: GEOGRAPHY SPANISH HISTORY FRENCH COMPUTER SCIENCE GERMAN University entrance information highlights these subjects as facilitating subjects at A Level for top degree entry

Ensuring Progression To ensure that students are not being disadvantaged by not opting for a broad range of subjects including a facilitating subject. Option 1 of the three options must be one of these subjects GEOGRAPHY SPANISH HISTORY FRENCH COMPUTER SCIENCE GERMAN

OPTION 1 You must pick one of the subjects below: GCSEs: French, Spanish, German, Computing History, Geography

OPTIONS 2 and 3 Technical Awards / BTECs GCSEs: Health and Social Care Music Technology Materials Technology GCSEs: Film Studies, Drama, Music, PE Art: Specialising in Fine Art, Textile Art or 3D Design French, Spanish, German, Business Studies, Computing History, Geography, Sociology Food Preparation & Nutrition, Design Technology 11

Choice and Flexibility At Oriel we offer two different types of qualification for students to choose to study in Years 10 and 11. These qualifications can be mixed and they are flexible. Technical Awards / BTEC GCSE

T Technical Awards / BTECs Michelle Stephens BTEC Coordinator

Technical Awards There are three main Examination Boards AQA, OCR and Pearson Edexcel All Examination Boards offer both GCSEs and more vocational qualifications called Technical Awards The Pearson Edexcel Technical Awards are more commonly known as BTECs

About BTECs (& Technical Awards) A BTEC is a theoretical, practical and work related course. In addition to exams, students complete projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands

BTEC’s now include a1hr exam in addition to coursework The Structure of BTECs 75% Coursework 25% Exam BTEC’s now include a1hr exam in addition to coursework

Which students are suited to BTECs? Students who prefer completing projects/coursework Students who feel that they do not like the pressure of a 100% examinable subjects Students who enjoy the subject area Students who want to follow a mix of qualifications to vary the way they will learn

How BTEC is assessed? Work experience Presentations Role Plays Research portfolios Designing publications Practical assessments such as organising events and working with the local community Exam for 1 unit

How are the courses graded? BTEC grades are awarded in the following way: Level 2 Distinction* Level 2 Distinction Level 2 Merit Level 2 Pass Level 1 Not A*-Gs or 9-1

Where can a BTEC qualification lead? Sixth Form - BTEC Nationals (Level 3) Into the workplace – Highly accepted by organisations. It allows an easier transition from School to work Apprenticeships

But do Universities accept BTECs? BTEC are accepted by all Universities Research has shown that students who have completed BTEC courses are better prepared for university than those who have undertaken A-Levels. This is due to the skills acquired on the BTEC courses

GCSEs Victoria Pooley Subject Leader for Science 23

What is a GCSE? GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. GCSEs are the main qualification taken by 14 to 16 year olds You can take GCSEs in a wide range of academic and work-related subjects. GCSEs are highly valued by schools, colleges and employers The qualification mainly involves studying the theory of a subject, possibly combined with some investigative work. Some subjects also involve practical work e.g. Art

GCSE Reform Current Y11 students are already following revised & reformed GCSE Specifications in English and Maths Current Y10 students are already following revised & reformed GCSE Specifications in the majority of their subjects These are awarded numerical grades from 9 to 1 9 is the highest, 1 is the lowest A grade 5 will be the new standard that a student is expected to achieve in order for them to have passed the qualification This is roughly equivalent to the top portion of a current C grade and the bottom portion of a current B grade.

% of students achieving 7 and above roughly equal to those currently achieving A and A* 5 = the new benchmark for a ‘good’ pass % of students achieving 4 and above roughly equal to those currently achieving C and above

GCSE Reform The vast majority of subjects have been reformed for our current Year 9 students These will also now be awarded numerical grades from 9 to 1 Current Year 9 students will obtain solely numerical GCSE results.

How are GCSEs examined? Exams Controlled Assessment All GCSEs are examined by terminal examinations at the end of the course Controlled Assessment In the revised GCSE specifications there is far smaller emphasis on controlled assessment Practical subjects will still have an internally assessed component Speak to subject staff on the 23rd march for specifics

How have science GCSEs changed? For current year 9 students Core and Additional Science no longer exist Separate sciences (Triple) Combined science (Double) Content split equally over year 10 and 11. Taught discretely as Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons. All exams are taken at the end of year 11. No controlled assessment Results in the award of three science GCSEs (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) at the end of year 11 Results in the award of a double award GCSE ‘Combined science’ 3 separate numerical grades are achieved (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) 2 numerical grades are achieved for the whole qualification e.g. 5,5. Where the grade achieved falls in the middle of 2 grades a mixed grade may be awarded e.g. 5,6

Controlled Assessment Many reformed GCSEs no longer have a controlled assessment component Where there is controlled assessment that counts towards the final grade: Work completed in school under controlled conditions More controlled by the exam boards than coursework Time limits set by the exam board Teachers can give some feedback but this may affect the marks that can be awarded Parents can be involved in the preparation part of some controlled assessment

How to Choose…. Grant Taylor Director of Learning: Enrichment & Work Related Learning 31

Your son or daughter should avoid making choices based on: Making Good Choices Your son or daughter should avoid making choices based on: Their friends’ choices Their current teachers Gender stereotypes One narrow career path 35

Your son or daughter should: Making Good Choices Your son or daughter should: Think about their strengths and weaknesses Think about how they prefer to study and learn Find out how the courses are taught and assessed Keep their choices broad and balanced Research any career ideas they may have Use UCAS to check A Level and BTEC requirements for degree entry 36

All Year 9 Students have set up a UNIFROG account in PDC lessons. This allows them to research possible career pathways via university, apprenticeship and school leaver schemes. Your son/ daughter can build up shortlists; research entrance requirements and record their competences in this app that will stay with them throughout their GCSEs and Sixth Form studies. Mentors have access to your son or daughters account and can use what they record there to further advise and guide them

Making Good Choices Further help: Speak to teachers, our careers adviser Kerry Mann and of course you! Use the careers websites under ‘Careers and Moving On’ of the curriculum section of the school website Students come along to the Options Evening on 23rd March and speak to the teachers about the courses on offer 38

Next Steps OPTIONS EVENING – Thursday 23rd March Important evening for parents and most importantly students Drop in any time between 6pm and 8pm Receive a further pack of guidance information & options form All Subjects and courses represented Information to collect and take home Speak to teachers See examples of students work Deadline for Options Forms – Friday April 7th

You will be asked to pick 5 options and place them in order of preference RESERVE 1 RESERVE 2 Wherever possible we will try to guarantee you your first three choices

What subjects are included in the English Baccalaureate? GCSE A* - C in 5 subjects: Mathematics English Science (2 A*-C) MFL Humanities (History or Geography only) The Russell Group’s ‘Informed Choices’ document highlights these subjects as facilitating subjects at A Level for top degree entry

A Broad and Balanced Curriculum The subjects your son or daughter chooses should be a good balance as encouraged by the EBacc but the arts, ICT and technology are very much part of achieving a good balance. It is important their choices allow progression into further and higher education in a range of subjects which they will enjoy and succeed in.

Our Philosophy To ensure that students are not being disadvantaged by not being offered the broad range of subjects To enable students to make an informed choice To empower them to achieve; to inspire them to excel