Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form College Key Stage 4 Courses - 2018 Ms Witty – Curriculum Director Mr Wilcox – Director of Learning Year 8 16 February 2019

Compulsory subjects - Core English Mathematics Science PE (Health & Fitness) Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education/citizenship 16 February 2019

Option Subjects - Choices Art, Craft & Design Business Studies Child Development Computer Science Dance Design & Technology: Resistant Materials Design & Technology: Textiles Drama/Performing Arts Food Preparation & Nutrition French Geography Health & Social Care History ICT Media Studies Music PE/Sport Religion, Philosophy & Life Spanish

Organisation for Core Subjects Year group divided into two bands – not Lukin and Wells Band A and Band B – 103 in each band 4 classes in each band for the core subjects Each core subject will place students in a set depending on their ability in that subject 16 February 2019

Three Pathways – H, R & S for option subjects More personalised approach Based on: achievement learning styles assessment preference Aim for ‘personal best’ 16 February 2019

The Pathways Pathway S take the English Baccalaureate – English, maths, science plus a language (French or Spanish) and a humanities subject (history or geography) + 2 other choices Pathway R don’t have to take a language, but can if they want to do have to take a humanities subject (history or geography) + 3 other choices Pathway H have to take at least two vocational subjects + 2 other choices more practical subjects more coursework/fewer exams 16 February 2019

The English Baccalaureate “The EBacc is a combination of subjects that the government thinks is important for young people to study at GCSE.” DfE English Maths Two sciences/combined science A language (French or Spanish) Either geography or history Quite new – will possibly be necessary for entry to the top universities. www.russellgroup.ac.uk

Qualifications in KS4 GCSEs –most will have assessment by exams only BTEC First Awards – 40% exam/tests, 60% coursework Cambridge National Certificates - 50% exam/tests, 50% coursework VCERTs – 3 portfolios & 1 assignment under exam conditions Check the course descriptions in the Options booklet 16 February 2019

KS4 Assessment For GCSEs, previously grades A* - G Now grades 9 - 1 5 or more grade 4s will be necessary to move on to Advanced courses in the sixth form. Some subjects will require grade 5 or 6. Some qualifications will have Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* grades A Pass is equivalent to GCSE grades 4/5 16 February 2019

The New GCSE Grading System The new GCSE content will be ‘more challenging’ The majority of subjects will be assessed solely through exams taken at the end of two/three years of study 16 February 2019

Choices, Choices, Choices Your child’s education/training will continue until they are at least 18 Year 8 Choices – 4 option subjects Year 11 Choices – subjects for Sixth Form, or College, or an Apprenticeship Year 13 Choices – University, or an Apprenticeship, or Employment 16 February 2019

Careers Research Students don’t have to have a career in mind at this stage Use Kudos to match their interests to careers www.cascaid.co.uk/kudos Instructions in PSHEE lessons www.russellgroup.ac.uk/informedchoices/ www.university.which.co.uk See Mrs Kay, Careers Adviser, outside the Hall See Mrs Abbott in the Careers Centre in school 16 February 2019

How to make choices – Do’s Do consider your career aims Do take subjects that you enjoy Do take subjects that you are good at Do ask your teachers for advice Do aim for a broad and balanced curriculum – a variety of subjects 16 February 2019

How to make choices – Don'ts Don’t choose a subject just because your friends are taking it Don’t choose a subject just because you like your current teacher Don’t choose too many similar subjects Don’t choose a subject because you think it is an ‘easy option’ – there aren’t any! 16 February 2019

What happens next? Options Evening – Wednesday 21st March, 6.00pm – 8.00pm. Talks/visit to subject stalls A link will be sent to your child’s email account on Thursday 22nd March Make four choices and a reserve online Deadline for choices – Friday 20th April Students will be organised into viable options groups Discussions with some students about choices 16 February 2019

Log on with your child’s school account Log on with your child’s school account. The Student Choices page will be displayed. Prioritise the choices by clicking the choices and selecting the relevant position in the My Choices in Order of Preference list. 16 February 2019

Filling in the Choices Form 1st Choice   2nd Choice 3rd Choice 4th Choice Reserve Choice 16 February 2019

Subject Locations Corridor between the main office and Art stairs – Art, Craft & Design A013 - Music A04 - Business Studies, Child Development and Health & Social Care A05 – Maths & Science A06 – Computer Science and ICT C01 – History, Geography & RPL E01 – PE & Sport E102 – Languages (French & Spanish) E103 – English, Media, Dance, Drama & Performing Arts E104 – Food, Resistant Materials &Textiles Outside Hall – Independent Careers Adviser – Mrs Kay 16 February 2019

ANY QUESTIONS? 16 February 2019