Year 8 Welcome to Parent Information Evening Learn today, succeed tomorrow

Aims of the session To outline our options process and introduce our two pathways. To outline how we will use critical data to track your youngsters progress. To take a look around some of the Zones in our new school. 2

Our four commitments We are committed to the safety of everyone in our community. We are committed to making school an enjoyable place to be. We are committed to providing the best learning experience for all. We are committed to relentlessly driving up standards. 3

The Options Process succeed tomorrow Learn today, Our Aims for Options is to enable all students:- To gain vital qualifications in core subjects. To follow a personal route of qualifications appropriate to their talents and skills.

Year 9 Courses from September 2012 Learn today, succeed tomorrow All Year 9 students will begin GCSE and BTEC courses. Subjects that remain non-optional… English Mathematics Some Science Some MFL Some I.C.T. Some P.E

Red Pathway succeed tomorrow Learn today, Our range of GCSEs Including… Learn today, succeed tomorrow Art Astronomy Business Studies Citizenship Dance Drama Food Technology Graphics Geography History Law Media Studies Music P.E Resistant Materials Religious Studies Science: BTEC, Double & Triple Award Sociology Spanish Textiles

succeed tomorrow Learn today, The English Baccalaureate A combination of GCSE qualifications includes:- English GCSE Mathematics GCSE Dual/ Triple Science GCSE History or Geography GCSE Any MFL GCSE Learn today, succeed tomorrow

Pathways Three GCSE route Four GCSE route LEVEL 5 in English and Maths? Three GCSE route Optional Vocational Courses (Year 10) Additional English and/or Maths support Four GCSE route Triple Science 2nd or 3rd MFL Diploma option (Year 10) BELOW ABOVE

Diplomas.. At the end of Year 9, students who excel in Graphics, Art and Media Studies, can opt to study for the Creative and Media Arts Diploma in Years 10 and 11 At the end of Year 9, students who excel in PE can opt to study for the Sport and Active Leisure Diploma in Years 10 and 11

Why opt to to study for a Diploma? The Diploma qualification suits students who excel in one of the 2 disciplines, Creative Arts and Media or Sports and Leisure For the Diploma, the majority of the course is internally assessed through projects completed in school. It is worth 7 GCSEs (Grades A*-C) and you can pursue the Higher Level Diploma at college. It is flexible though-as you still have your English, English Literature, Maths, ICT, MFL and Science GCSEs you could still pursue A Levels or BTEC courses.

Creative Arts & Media Diploma Students will be able to create a portfolio of work in Graphics, Art and Media You will develop high level skills in mixed media such as 2d and 3d Art, Photography, and Short Films You will enjoy researching artists and products from across the Creative Media: Art, Music, Graphics, Film, Television There are opportunities to meet professionals from each industry. There are a limited number of places available, but it is a brilliant course.

Sport and Active Leisure Diploma Students will be able to explore a range of Sports disciplines and meet professionals from each industry. You will be able to develop your PE skills outside of the school curriculum You will research Sports Promotion and other topics which will be submitted as modules during the 2 year course. There is a high level of written work as well as the time spent playing sport, so there is a need to enjoy writing as well as Rugby! There are a limited number of places available, but it is a unique course.

Off-site Vocational Courses Blue Pathway These are only for people who are mature and sensible enough to be trusted to go to placements away from school, some are as much as 4 or 5 miles away. These courses will begin in Year 10. We expect to be able to offer courses in: Construction Catering Hair & Beauty Motor Vehicles

succeed tomorrow Learn today, Options Timeline October 21st Data Capture 1 January 13th Year 8 Reports Issued January 19th Year 8 Parent’s Evening February 10th Options Booklet and Forms Issued February 14th Careers Day February 15th OPTIONS INFORMATION EVENING February 17th Data Capture 2 February 19th–26th HALF TERM HOLIDAY March 1st OPTION FORM RETURN DEADLINE March-April Guidance Meetings( where needed) June 1st Data Capture 3 Learn today, succeed tomorrow

For more information. Ask teachers, tutors and zone leaders For more information... Ask teachers, tutors and zone leaders. See last year’s option booklet (published January under ‘news’ section of website) Note – This is subject to change.

Key Stage 2-4 Equivalence KS2 Points KS3 KS4 A* 58 8 51 A 52 7 45 B 46 6 39 C 40 5 33 D 34 4 27 E 28 3 21 F 22 2 15 G 16 Entry Level 3 Entry Level 2 Entry Level 1

National Expectations All children, regardless of context or background, are expected to achieve at least 3 levels progress between Key Stages 2-4. 3 levels is equivalent to 18 points.

Expected Progress

Year 8 Thank you for your time Year 8 Thank you for your time. Please feel welcome to take a look around our Discovery and Creative Zones on the Ground Floor. Learn today, succeed tomorrow