Monk’s Walk School Year 9 Options Evening January 2014

Options Timeline November – January Options Assemblies for students Friday 22 nd November Progress Reports issued Thursday 28 th November Academic Review Day Thursday 5 th December Subject Teacher Consultation Tuesday 7 th January Options Brochure and Student Subject Guidance Form issued Thursday 9 th January Options Explanation Evening Monday20 th January Guidance Interviews begin Friday 14 th February Options Application Forms deadline

Your Child’s Education Pathway Age 14 - Summer 2014 Complete Key Stage 3 Age 16 - Summer 2016 Complete Key Stage 4 qualifications - GCSEs and BTECs Age 18 - Summer 2018 Complete Post-16 qualifications - ‘A’ Levels, BTECs, NVQs, GCSEs. Taken at school or college, or through apprenticeships or employment with training. EmploymentUniversityFurther Education

GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature Or GCSE English GCSE Maths GCSE Science (worth a minimum of 2 GCSEs) GCSE RE – Philosophy and Ethics PSHCE Physical Education Core Subjects Provides a minimum of 5 qualifications

Year 10 Subject Hours Every Two Weeks English8 Hours-1 or 2 GCSEs Maths7 Hours-1 GCSE Science 9 Hours-2 or 3 GSCEs RE4 Hours- 1 GCSE PE4 Hours Options18 Hours-4 GCSEs or BTECS

1. Types of Courses 2. Levels of Courses 3. Key Stage 4 Learning Pathways Options Choices: Issues to Consider

Types of Option Courses All Option Courses are academic courses that allow progression into the 6 th Form. There are two types of qualification that can be studied at school: BTEC Single award equivalent to 1 GCSE. Grades A*-C. 80% coursework. 20% external exams. Develops an understanding of the skills and jobs in that subject area. GCSE Single award. Grades A*-G. May have coursework. Will have exams or controlled assessments.

Animal Care Hair and Beauty Catering Health and Social Care with Childcare Construction Skills Motor Vehicle Care & Maintenance Practical Learning Opportunity PLO Courses - taught at Oaklands College

COURSE LEVELS All courses lead to either: Level 2 Qualification = GCSE Grade A* to C Level 1 Qualification = GCSE Grade D to G

COURSE LEVELS Examples: BTEC Art & Design = Level 2 GCSE History = Level 1 or 2 Animal Care = Level 1

COURSE LEVELS - PROGRESSION Level 2 Qualifications can lead to Level 3 Qualifications ‘A’ Levels; Level 3 BTECS; Level 3 NVQs. To study 4 ‘A’ Levels a student needs to average ‘B’ Grades in all their GCSE subjects and have at least a ‘C’ grade in English and Maths. To study 3 ‘A’ Levels a student needs to average ‘C’ Grades in all their GCSE subjects and have at least a ‘C’ grade in English or Maths. Level 2 qualifications, as well as Level 1 qualifications, can also lead to Level 2 courses at college.

Key Stage 4 Pathways All students will follow one of two Learning Pathways: Double Science Pathway Triple Science Pathway

Option Groups Students have one choice of subject from each Group GROUP ONE SUBJECTS GCSE Computing GCSE French GCSE Geography GCSE German GCSE History GCSE Spanish GROUP TWO SUBJECTS GCSE Art GCSE Drama GCSE DT: Food GCSE DT: Graphics GCSE DT: Resistant Materials GCSE DT: Textiles GCSE Geography GCSE History BTEC Award in ICT GCSE Music GROUP THREE SUBJECTS GCSE Art GCSE DT: Food GCSE DT: Graphics GCSE DT: Resistant Materials GCSE French GCSE Geography GCSE History BTEC Award in ICT GCSE Music GCSE PE GCSE RE World Religions GCSE Spanish BTEC Award in Sport GROUP FOUR SUBJECTS GCSE Art BTEC Award in Art & Design GCSE Drama GCSE French GCSE Geography GCSE German GCSE History BTEC Award in ICT BTEC Award in Music GCSE Spanish BTEC Award in Sport BTEC Award in Travel and Tourism

Animal Care Hair and Beauty Catering Health and Social Care with Childcare Construction Skills Motor Vehicle Care & Maintenance Practical Learning Opportunity PLO Courses - taught at Oaklands College

Practical Learning Opportunity (PLO) Course Separate Application Form (from Mr Ardin– Head of Year) Students who wish to be considered for a PLO course: must STILL choose a GROUP 2 Subject

UNSUITABLE COMBINATIONS BTEC in Art & Design with GCSE Art & Design BTEC Music with GCSE Music BTEC in Travel & Tourism with GCSE Geography BTEC in Sport with GCSE Physical Education BTEC in ICT with GCSE Computing

What is the English Baccalaureate? The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is a certificate for students who pass the following qualifications at grades A* -C: 1. GCSE English 2. GCSE Maths 3. A minimum of 2 GCSE Sciences 4. A GCSE Modern Language (French, Spanish or German) 5. A GCSE Humanities (Geography or History). No extra work is needed for the EBacc.

Student Options Reference

Option Choices Confirmed Option Choices will be confirmed in writing in early June. Students will be notified of any changes that need to be made at the earliest possible opportunity. Once option choices are confirmed they are fixed in place for the start of the 2014 academic year.

Options Timeline November – January Options Assemblies for students Friday 22 nd November Progress Reports issued Thursday 28 th November Academic Review Day Thursday 5 th December Subject Teacher Consultation Tuesday 7 th January Options Brochure and Student Subject Guidance Form issued Thursday 9 th January Options Explanation Evening Monday20 th January Guidance Interviews begin Friday 14 th February Options Application Forms deadline