St Benedict’s Catholic High School Curriculum Guidance for KS4 & Options Evening 15 February 2017 The range of subjects and courses available to the students is planned carefully to meet their individual needs and interests. Ofsted 2012

Why Choose? KS3 –> KS4 –> KS5 KS3 – Approx 15 subjects Post 18 – 1-2 subjects

Grade 4 or above students should seriously consider taking the Ebacc The English Baccalaureate consists of: English GCSE Grade C or above Maths GCSE Grade C or above Science (x2) GCSE Grade C or above Humanities GCSE Grade C or above Foreign Languages Grade C or above This is becoming an increasingly important measure Grade 4 or above students should seriously consider taking the Ebacc

GCSEs GCSES are changing! This will apply to ALL your child’s subjects except Now graded 1-9 (9 at the top) 5 is the new ‘good’ pass No Coursework (except practical subjects) Generally no tiered papers (not H/F) Terminal exams at end of year 11 Harder content

Core Lessons Core Subjects GCSE’s 4 hours English language & literature 2 Maths 6 hours Science 2 or 3 2 hours Religious Education 1 1 hour Physical Education

Health & Social Care BTEC Option Blocks A B C D Additional Core * Geography History Spanish   ART Business DT IT & Enterprise PE Computing Drama Health & Social Care BTEC L1/2 Food and Cookery * Music Coursework Support * FT Psychology Textiles * = By invitation only – Please see Mrs Ball to discuss Choose: 1st and 2nd choice in each block Choose: Top Choice Subject – The one in any block you really want to do!

Suggested Process 1 - Know your core curriculum 2 - Know you Use fast Tomato and other sites (see Useful links) Talk to your parents Look at your previous reports/profiles Talk to your teachers 3 – Know your future Ambitions – College, University, Employment 4 - Know the Option Blocks Look at the page entitled ‘Option Subjects’ so you know what you can choose 5 - Know the Option subjects Look at the details about the options subjects on the Options site Speak to students who are taking the courses (but be careful some are changing this year) 6 - Make your choices Follow the link from the ‘Making My Choices’ page by 3 March

What to Choose? A balanced curriculum Academic/Practical A curriculum that enables you to succeed Uses your strengths Isn’t too onerous or intensive Ebacc? Options for the future (education/career) Don’t close doors!

Options Information

How To Make your Options

Key Dates Options Evening Talk: Tuesday 23 February 2017 Student subject talks: W/C Monday 13 February 2017 Options Deadline: Friday 3 March 2017

All staff available by ‘phone on 01789 762888 Key Contacts Staff Contact Details: Mrs Michelle Parton – Assistant Headteacher parton.m@st-benedicts.org Mrs Jackie Holmes – Careers Adviser holmes.j5@st-benedicts.org Heads of Department – for subject specific queries Form Tutors – general pastoral advice All staff available by ‘phone on 01789 762888