Year 9 Options 2017 Attend, Aspire, Achieve Making the right Choices for you! Attend, Aspire, Achieve

Making the right Choices for you! Year 9 is an important time at La Mare. It is the year when decisions have to be made about the courses your child will follow in year 10 and 11. The decisions taken now are important because the subjects they choose to study and the qualifications they gain can affect the range of jobs, training and further/ higher education courses that are open to them at 16 and beyond. This evening is an opportunity for you to gather information which will support your child through this process.

Jan - Feb– One to one Interviews March – Options Evening The Journey so far.. January – Options Booklet Jan - Feb– One to one Interviews Feb – Straw Poll March – Options Evening

What will this look like? Making the right Choices for you! Attend, Aspire, Achieve

Core Subjects P.E – not examined English Maths Science These are subjects that you have to take: English Maths Science Preparation for Working Life R.E P.E – not examined

These course will be in Block 4 Options Your child will then have a choice of subjects. Your child will pick 4 subjects 1 from each of the 4 option block. Plus a reserve from each block. Some of these subjects will be taught here at La Mare; Some across the Federation (LBHS or SSHS) Some courses will be taught at the College of FE. These course will be in Block 4

Options Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4 LMDC Federated Courses (LBHS/ SSHS) College of FE Blocks 1-3 have yet to be finalised Block 4 is an extended day for students Transport

Pathways There are a number of different pathways for students: Academic (Ebacc) Mixed Alternative Pathway

English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) Represents breadth and strength in academic achievement. English Qualification – awarded to any student gaining A*-C (9-4) in GCSE: English Language Two Sciences Mathematics History or Geography A Language

The importance of a language The English Baccalaureate places studying a language at the heart of the curriculum. The Russell Group (top 20 Universities) have designated languages as “enabling subjects”. Some universities have made a language at GCSE a requirement for studying any degree The global economy will increasingly require linguistic ability and we want our students to be competitive.

My Advice… If the Ebacc didn’t exist, would you have picked those subjects anyway? Is 6th Form a possibility?(A-Levels or IB) Could University be a possibility for you in the future?

Mixed Pathway Academic Subjects plus Vocational Qualifications. Exams, plus a coursework element For students who enjoy different aspects of the curriculum; academic and vocational Students who may want to study in the 6th form/ CoFE or Training

My Advice… If you want to study a range of subjects; you enjoy practical as well as academics You are not sure what you want to do, post-16 but want to keep your options open.

Alternative Pathways Specific cohort of identified students: Tailored to the needs of some students Reduction in timetable – further support from the ID Mixture of traditional subjects; work experience and life skills: Inclusion Manager (Mrs Adkins)

GCSE Reforms Key features of the new GCSEs in England will include: Greater demand and more rigorous questioning Students will be expected to learn more An increased focus on spelling, punctuation and grammar There will be an end to coursework Courses will be assessed through examinations at the end of the programme of study (Year 11). All exams will be sat in the Summer Term( terminal) Exams will be graded on a 1 –9 scale with 9 being the top level

Useful Website https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/get-the-facts-gcse-and-a-level-reform/get-the-facts-gcse-reform http://university.which.co.uk/advice/gcse-choices-university/gcse-shake-up-what-the-changes-mean-for-you

Assessment at KS4 CHANGES AT KS4: What do the numbers mean? From 2017, Exam boards in England are using a number grading system,  instead of a letter grading system.  This means that your son/daughter may receive a number grade in some subjects.  The equivalence to a letter grade is shown in the table below:

Assessment KS4 What do the grades mean? Vocational qualifications, such as ICT, Music and other BTECs, have been aligned to GCSE grades to ensure a standardised approach when reporting data.   The final grade will be a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*.

Options Viability We will make every effort to meet students’ first options choice. Where this is not possible, we will use the reserve choice. On rare occasions, some options do not recruit a viable group

Top Tips - students Don’t choose subjects because your friends are taking them. Don’t opt out of a subject because you dislike the teacher. Don’t choose a subject because your brother/ sister did it. Don’t choose a subject just because it is new. Don’t choose a subject just because your parents want you to do it.

Top Tips - students Do choose subjects that you are good at. Do choose subjects that you enjoy. Do choose a subject because you have done some research and it’s the type of subject you would enjoy. Do choose a subject on the advice of your teachers. Do choose subjects that may lead you to a future career.

Support and Guidance Don’t panic Parents Don’t Panic Options Booklet Mrs Tomlin Mr Davies Subject staff HOH(Mr Dodd, Mrs Vaudin, Mrs Kincaid) Year 10/ 11 students in your Form Parents Don’t panic

Key Dates- all in your booklet College Taster sessions (21st March) Year 9 Parents Evening (23rd March) Options Form Deadline – (30th March)

Website: careers.gg Sean.parry@gov.gg Careers Show (23rd March) Careers Service Website: careers.gg Sean.parry@gov.gg Careers Show (23rd March)

Year 9 Options 2017 Questions? Attend, Aspire, Achieve