Year 8 Options Information Evening Monday 26th February 2018 Key Stage S4 Courses

Mr Colepio Progress and Transition

Aims 1. To start the process of making choices for Year 8 students regarding Key Stage 4 GCSE options. 2. To explain the Key Stage 4 curriculum changes and choices that students and parents need to make. 3. To describe the different progression pathways open to students. 4. To outline the information, advice and guidance that is available to support the decision making process.

Mr Colepio – Progress, Transition and IAG Support Team Mr Colepio – Progress, Transition and IAG Mr Henderson – Curriculum Mr Coupe – Year Leader Mrs Marshall - SENDCO Subject staff Tutors Mrs Tunstall – Careers Advisor Mr Baker – 6th form Leader Parents

Key Dates 2018 Monday 26th Feb Option Booklet issued to students              Parents’ Options Information Evening Wednesday 7th March            Parents’ Consultation Evening (PU2 from 9th February)      Monday 12th March              Course Preferences Sheets returned to                                                                 Form Tutors March  to June              Individual advice as required

Outcomes You will know: what you have to do. when you have to do it by. Where to go and who to see for information, advice and guidance.

Starting your GCSEs Tony Breslin and Mike Moores “Beginning your GCSE courses represents a key landmark in your secondary education. Many of you will sit in the same classrooms and, sometimes, you’ll be taught by the same teachers, but, make no mistake: studying for GCSEs will place new demands on you and you’ll need to develop new skills and strategies. In short, you’ll need to begin the move, or ‘transition’, from pupil to student.”

Exams and Assessment   Most exams will be taken at the end of the course rather than on completion of modules.  There will be fewer ‘bite-sized’ questions and more essay-style questions.   The content will be more challenging.   Coursework and controlled assessment will disappear from most subjects, apart from practical ones such as art, dance and drama. The changes to GCSEs are designed to make subject content and exams more challenging. New style GCSEs have been slowly introduced in England and Wales over the last two years.

What will the jobs of the future be. In short, we don’t know What will the jobs of the future be? In short, we don’t know. Where will new technologies take us? Lifelong learning and adaptable adults will be essential. We will become a society that is always learning new things. We are preparing for jobs that don’t yet exist using technologies that have yet to be invented

The future for our children Happy Successful Fulfilled Flexible/ versatile Employed/ employable

Key questions Think about their future study or career plans: is there a subject they are sure they want to do at A-level or college that they need to continue with now at GCSE? - Consider what they enjoy and are good at. - Seek their teachers’ advice on which subjects will play to their strengths. - Don’t choose a subject based on friends or teacher. - Focus on keeping options open for now rather than specialising. A broad and balanced Curriculum.

Mr Henderson Curriculum

Key Stage 4 English English Literature (Majority to complete in Year 10) Maths Science Three options from one of the three Pathways.

Science Everyone does Science Students study Biology, Chemistry and Physics This will lead to 3 GCSE Separate Science Grades at Higher of Foundation Level. Prepared for A-Level Towards the end of Year 10 – some students maybe advised to study Trilogy Science and get 2 GCSE Grades.

Three Pathways: Red – designed for EBACC certificate measure. Blue – designed for broad curriculum offer. Green – a more tailored approach to the KS4 curriculum. On each Pathway Option 4 is a two year GCSE and will be examined in Year 10.

Pathway  Option 1  Option 2  Option 3  Option 4  2Yr  Red  Spanish  French  History  Geography  Art  GCSE Drama  GCSE PE  GCSE/BTEC Music  GCSE RE  GCSE Food & Nutrition  GCSE Statistics  BTEC Performing Arts  IT Certificate  GCSE Fashion & Textiles  GCSE Design & Manufacture  BTEC Dance  Blue  Computing  GCSE Design & Manufacture  Green  Non – GCSE MA/EN extra 

GCSE Grades Currently A* - G (U) 9 – 1 (U)

Mr Coupe Year 8 Leader

How do you choose? Talk to people Your interests What you are good at Your career ideas What you enjoy To develop skills What you need to get you where you want to be

Sources of information: Teachers (subject teachers; subject leaders; Form Tutor; Year Leader; others) Youth Support Service (Careers Adviser) Older students Options Booklet and similar information Parents

Changing options Possible until the September half term, but….

Every effort is made to meet students’/ parents’ preferences but this is dependent on: Resources Staffing Class sizes

Key Dates Friday 9th Feb Progress Update 3 available Monday 26th Feb Option Booklet issued to students                                                   Parents’ Options Information Evenin Wednesday 7th March Parents’ Consultation Evening Monday 12th March            Course Preferences Sheets returned to Form Tutors March  to June Individual counselling as required

Next steps Parents’ Consultation Evening Seek further advice if necessary from staff/careers advice Careers websites Ask if there are any problems or questions Make choices Summer Term

Thank you for listening!