Option Choices 2017

What’s in the Booklet? Useful information about how to choose subjects Information about each subject Options Form

What’s happened already … Used progress files to find out about what your child might like to do Subject talks given about option subjects Looked at career choices

What’s New…. New GCSE specifications New GCSE gradings Technical Awards New way in which performance is measured

Progress 8! The Progress 8 measure is a new secondary school accountability system. It aims to encourage schools to teach a broad curriculum and reward schools that teach all pupils well. It will measure pupils’ progress across 8 subjects from age 11 to 16. Progress 8 aims to capture the progress a pupil makes from the end of primary school to the end of secondary school. It is a type of value added measure, which means that pupils’ results are compared to the actual achievements of other pupils with the same prior attainment.

The new performance measures are designed to encourage schools to offer a broad and balanced curriculum with a focus on an academic core at Key Stage 4.

1 2 3 The Attainment 8 Cells Cell 1 Cell 2 Cell 3 English Science x 2/3 Option B Mathematics Option B Option A Option B Cell 1 One slot for English and one for maths; double-weighted Cell 2 Three EBacc qualifications (Sciences, Computer Science, Geography, History or Languages) Cell 3 Three “other” slots Any remaining Ebacc qualifications Other approved academic, arts or vocational qualifications

What’s New… GCSE In September 2015 new GCSEs in English Language, English Literature and Maths were taught in all schools in England This September 2017 new GCSEs in most subjects will be taught in all schools in England Introduction of Technical Awards Controlled Assessment reduced or abolished Grades changed from letters to numbers Grades will approximately equate as follows: Grades 9-1 Grade 7/9 will equate to Grade A/A* A ‘good’ pass will be Grade 5 Maths and MFL GCSEs will be tiered, with Grades 4 and 5 available through both tiers

Points for your child to consider Be careful not to base decisions on which member of staff has been teaching the subject so far. Timetables change every year and there is no certainty or guarantee which subject specialist will be teaching in Years 10 and 11.   It can be a mistake to choose a subject just because friends are. They may well end up in a different group and, as you’re no doubt aware by now, friendships can change as you grow older. Don’t rush into a decision about future careers. Most people change their job several times throughout their lifetime. You can keep your options open by maintaining a broad range of subjects using a broader range of skills.

There are no such things as “girls subjects” or “boys subjects”.   Talk things through with subject teachers as they know pupils strengths. No one can predict how well they do in Years 10 and 11. Some subjects still have some controlled assessment element. It is vital that you are aware of the controlled assessment commitment of all your subjects put together (details can be found in this booklet).

Curriculum The 2017 /18 Key Stage 4 (years 10 & 11) curriculum will consist of: Subject Number of hours per 2 weeks English Language/ Literature (2) 8 Mathematics (1) 7 Science (2) 9 PSHE. & Religion, Philosophy & Ethics 2 Core P.E. 4 Option A 5 Option B Option C Option D Total 50

GCSE Most pupils will take around 9, depending on the subject All pupils will take some GCSEs A GCSE Pass is grade 9 to 1

Food Preparation + Nutrition Choose 3 Subjects Choose 1 subject Child care Geography Triple Science French GCSE PE Religious Educaton Computer Science PE Technical History German German French Drama Art Computer Science History Textiles Resistant Materials Triple Science Music Geography ICT Food Preparation + Nutrition

Tear off strip to return ————————————————————————————————————————————–————-------------------- PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW AND HAND IN BY 17th February, 2017 NAME: FORM: 1. ………………………………………………… 2. ………………………………………… 3..………………………………………………… 4. ...……………………………………… RESERVE ………………………………………

What Next? Read the option booklet Talk to staff Look at the displays Choose a balance of subjects Students talk to peers in Year 10 & 11 Fill in the form and return by Friday 17th February