UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

Year 9 options process - timeline Wednesday 28th February Options evening Monday 5th March – Friday 16th March Learning conversations Thursday 8th March Parents’ evening Monday 19th March – Friday 23rd March Make option choices UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

Which is the right door for you? Your Options Which is the right door for you? UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

Why the fuss about qualifications? ‘In a competitive job market, academic and vocational qualifications are increasingly important.  Those without qualifications are at a higher risk of being unemployed and having low incomes.’ Exclusion, employment and opportunity, Case Paper No 4, Atkinson. A and Hills J, (eds), UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

Changing times…. UNLIMITED POTENTIAL Changes you are hearing about: ‘Broad and balanced curriculum’ Return to more traditional GCSE subjects Restriction on the number of non GCSE qualifications High quality vocational qualifications UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

And the changes keep coming… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aluqAHYr7Ug UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

And the changes keep coming… GCSE Attainment GCSE Grades GCSE Points A* 9 8 A 7 B+ 6 C+/B- 5 C- 4 D 3 E 2 F 1 G New GCSE grading: a “good pass” is seen as a grade 5 or above – top end of a current C grade/bottom of a current B grade Old GCSE grading: a “good pass” was seen as a grade C or above UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

As things stand for results 2020… GCSEs BTECs Grade Distinction * Distinction Merit Pass AMBITION UNLIMITED

What’s different about Key Stage 4? 19 month course (a little over 5 terms) Higher level and greater amount More independent learning Mock and final examinations Be prepared to give time to your studies UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

Compulsory Subjects – ‘Core’ ROUTE A: Maths English (Language and Literature) Combined Science/Triple History (*or geography) Spanish PE ROUTE B: Maths English (Language and Literature) Combined Science/Triple History (*or geography) PE UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

GCSE/Non- GCSE options – all study 2 Choose in order of 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice + reserve Art & Design Geography Drama PE Computing Food prep and nutrition DT Product Design Religious Studies Business Studies Music* BTEC BTEC Business Studies BTEC Performing Arts: Dance BTEC Sport BTEC Music* Check with Mr Malik *one of these will run UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

Students who follow route B Choose a third choice from: Subject Qualification Art and Design GCSE Construction and the Built Environment BTEC Animal Care UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

Compulsory Subjects – ‘Core’ History (*or geography) Study history as core + geography as one of the two option choices OR Study geography as core (instead of history) and choose 2 other option subjects UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

English Baccalaureate Represents breadth and strength in academic achievement English GCSE Maths GCSE Combined Science GCSE (or Triple) Spanish History (*or geography) All at or above grade 5 UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

Restrictions UNLIMITED POTENTIAL GCSE PE and BTEC Sport GCSE Drama and BTEC Dance GCSE Business Studies and BTEC Business Studies UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

How do I make my choice? UNLIMITED POTENTIAL Think carefully about your subject choices; find out about subject content and assessment; research the necessary subject requirements for any career in which you may be interested. Your choice should reflect YOUR interests and abilities. Do NOT make choices because of pressure from others. You are unlikely to have the same teachers next year as you have this year and you may well be in a different class to your friends. It is very important that you make the right choices NOW. The timetable for next year will be designed according to the choices you make and any requests for changes at a later date may not be possible. UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

Can the school guarantee that I will be given my first choice of subjects? Every attempt will be made to give you the subjects of your choice but we ask you to select a reserve preference so we can best meet the needs of every student UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

So what next? UNLIMITED POTENTIAL DO think about: What do I enjoy? What am I good at? What do I want to do post 16? Do I need a range of subjects? DON’T think about: Choosing a subject to be with your friends Choosing subjects because you like/don’t like the teacher Choosing a subject because it ‘might be easy’ UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

Use the options booklet AMBITION UNLIMITED

So what next? Join us for refreshments and informal discussions Another opportunity to meet subject leaders of the option subjects – they will be able to answer any questions that you have UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

UNLIMITED POTENTIAL