Moorside High School A Specialist Science School Pathways Evening 2016

Purpose: To help your child make informed choices about the subjects they will study at GCSE. To understand the government changes to GCSE expectations and the new grading system.

Curriculum changes 'to catch up with world's best' “[ this is a] revolution in education…. is vital for the country's economic prosperity” (Prime Minister David Cameron) "No national curriculum can be modernised without paying close attention to what's been happening in education internationally," (Michael Gove) The new-look curriculum puts a stronger emphasis on skills such as "essay writing, problem-solving, mathematical modelling and computer programming".

Curriculum Requirements Summary of changes for all new GCSEs A new grading system has been introduced. Students will be awarded a grade from 1 to 9, with 9 being the highest and the equivalent to an A** Students will get a U where performance is below the minimum required to pass the GCSE.

New GCSE Grading Structure from 2016

All pupils will be expected to do both English Language and Literature and will get 2 grades for this. Maths and English are worth double If a pupil does not get ‘C’ (grade 5) in Maths or English they will have to resit at college. Grade 5

Controlled Assessment has gone! There will be NO controlled assessment for English or Maths and the majority of subjects Tiering has gone in most cases from 2016. All current GCSEs are fully linear with assessment at the end of the course and content is not divided into modules. Exams will be the method of assessment, except when they cannot provide valid assessment of the skills required ie, PE Exams will only be available in the summer of year 11

Implications for pupils…. This could mean pupils facing upward of 40 exams in Year 11 over the summer exam period

How are we supporting these changes? We are delivering these qualifications over 3 years This will give us more lesson time to deepen understanding and deliver increased content More time to embed exam technique More revision time prior to exams

Core Subjects English Language and English Literature (graded 1-9) Maths (graded 1-9) Science (graded 1-9) ICT (Level 2 pass, merit, distinction) RE (graded 1-9) PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education including WRL and Enterprise) PE (Core)

English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) “The Government believes that schools should offer pupils a broad range of academic subjects to age 16, and the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) promotes that aspiration.”

English Baccalaureate To achieve the Ebacc pupils will need to achieve A*-C (9-5) grades in all of the following subjects: English Language and English Literature Mathematics Two Sciences A Modern Foreign Language (German) A Humanities based subject (History or Geography)

English Baccalaureate What does this mean for the option blocks? Pupils in sets 1-4 will do the Ebacc (German and History or Geography) Pupils in set 5 will be expected to choose either History or Geography as part of their options. Pupils in set 6 will be expected to choose two options and will have additional English

Modern Foreign Languages Balanced Curriculum When choosing your courses ensure you choose a balanced curriculum Arts/Technology Humanities Modern Foreign Languages .

What’s on offer? In the blocks you can choose from: Traditional GCSEs A limited number of Vocational Courses such as BTECs or Cambridge Nationals (Government restrictions apply)

BTEC and Cambridge National These are engaging vocational courses The majority of these courses are assessed through coursework as they progress through the course Examination Component (25%) Government limitations apply

Things to remember… You can only choose any subject once!

Careers Advice Impartial careers guidance is given to students via our Careers Adviser, Mr Gordon

Raising the Participation Age “We [the government] have increased the age to which all young people in England are required to continue in education or training. Pupils who left year 11 in summer 2014 or later have to continue until at least their 18th birthday

Raising the Participation Age This does not mean young people must stay in school. They will able to choose from: full-time education (e.g. at a school or college) an apprenticeship, the armed forces or traineeship part-time education or training combined with one of the following: employment or self-employment for 20 hours or more a week volunteering for 20 hours or more a week

Things to consider Are you meeting the government requirements? Do you enjoy the subject? Do you do well in the subject at the moment? Could you do well in this subject at GCSE? Can you cope with what is required from the subject i.e, coursework requirements Will it provide you with a balanced set of subjects that won’t limit your choices in the future?

Things NOT to base your decisions on… Because your friends are opting for a subject Because you like the teacher Because you think it will be easy Because a brother or sister has done it- they are all new courses!

Support for your child… All students received presentations on the last Challenge Day to help them to make informed decisions with their pathway choices All pupils have had the opportunity to talk to their subject teachers about the courses on offer We have carried out market research to inform the blocks Tonight is the opportunity for both pupils and parents to talk to specialist staff to ensure decisions are well informed

If we think the subjects chosen do not provide your child with a balanced curriculum, we will discuss making changes with you.

Timescale Pathway forms need to be returned to form tutors by Tuesday 12th April 2016. We will do our best to give pupils their first choice subject. However, if there is over or under subscription on courses then a draw might be necessary and pupils will be allocated their reserve choice in that option block.

And finally…… Subject staff are in the dining hall to talk to you about each subject and explain the new courses Core subjects are doing parents’ evening appointments