Welcome to Year 9 Parents and Options Evening

Purpose of the options process... Choose the subjects that you believe will give your child the best opportunity of progress / success / achievement; Utilise the Options booklet as reference for subject information IAG given to students / parents by staff / students tonight and at the careers information evening in January Use your knowledge of your child's strengths Discuss with them their opinions / preferences Which courses best suit your child: Academic * Vocational* *Both Academic and Vocational now have external exams

How will they be graded? GCSE subjects: 9 - 1 BTECs and Cambridge National subjects: Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction*

How do the new GCSE points relate to old GCSE grades? By 2020 A*-G grades will all have been replaced by the points grading system of 1 to 9. 9 will be the highest grade and 1 the lowest.

Grade 5 or better classes as a ‘good’ pass!

English Baccalaureate (EBacc) To achieve the EBacc students must study: GCSE English GCSE Mathematics GCSE Science (Double or Triple Science) GCSE History or Geography GCSE Modern Foreign Language (French or Spanish)

Russel Group Universities The Russell Group represents 24 leading UK universities which are committed to: maintaining the very best research an outstanding teaching and learning experience unrivalled links with business and the public sector Most highly selective universities

High Aspirations and Expectations.. We have high aspirations and expectations at Parkside It is immoral to set students up for failure Pathways 2 different pathways A and B

What will students study? Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics English Language Science (2 GCSEs) English Literature RS or Travel & Tourism PE (non exam) Options: Students will have the opportunity to choose 3 additional options

Raising Participation Age (RPA) Until they are 18, young people have to stay in: full-time education in school or FE college OR work-based learning, for example an apprenticeship or a job with full training OR part-time education/training alongside employment, self-employed or volunteering of more than 20 hours a week.

Parkside Sixth Form Not too early to consider the future Pathways from KS4 (GCSE and vocational) subjects into KS5 Student enrichment

Career Aspiration / Idea

In summary….. Students should choose subjects they not only enjoy BUT what they are good at and can progress and achieve in (related to potential career pathway) We will not set students up to fail – our advice may not reflect your preferences Students need to be fully committed to the subjects they choose FOR 2 YEARS Students should see this as the start of a 4 year pathway through Key Stage 4 and key Stage 5

Options Form A personalised form has been sent in the post to be filled in. All student need to make 3 choices Please return this form by 1st March