Option Choices 2014 “I have come so that they may have life and live it to the full”

In the event of the fire alarm sounding please make your way to: CAR PARK NEAR MAIN ENTRANCE Use fire exits in three corners of Hall

Year 9 Choices Which Way Now? Over the last two days Year 9 have had an altered curriculum so they could receive a wealth of information which will help them make well informed choices about their future. Careers Day – opportunity to speak to whole array of different professions from micro-biology to law. Progress Day – an opportunity to reflect on the information they received about careers, listen to assemblies about colleges and what certain qualifications mean, look at their reports and levels and consider which option choices they might make Which brings us to this evening….

Important dates DateInformation Wed 15 th Jan/Thurs 16 th Jan Careers Conference/Progress Day Thursday 16 th January Option Evening (6.00pm pm) Week of Monday 20 th January Options dry run – this is not your final choices but vital to options process During February Option blocks decided Monday 3 rd March Option forms issued Friday 14 th March Year 9 subject reports Thursday 20 th March Year 9 Parents Evening at 4pm Monday 24 th March Option forms must be returned Shortly after Easter Holiday Option classes finalised/pupils informed

The Process  The Careers Conference may give you ideas about your future  Progress day will involve a talk about options and time for discussion with tutors  The “Dry Run” is an essential part of the process as it will be this that decides whether some subjects can or cannot be offered as options – you MUST be as honest as you possibly can. You will be asked to rank order the 5 subjects you are most likely to choose  THESE ARE NOT YOUR ACTUAL CHOICES  Analysis of the dry run will then enable the creation of the actual option blocks  The official options form along with the supporting guidance booklet will be given to you on Monday 3 rd March  The completed form MUST be returned to me ON OR BEFORE MONDAY 24 th MARCH. If this deadline is missed it is extremely unlikely you will be able to take your chosen options!!!!!

Example Dry Run Form

Example of an official options form

What do I have to study? A core of compulsory subjects;  Religious Education GCSE (3 lessons)  English Language GCSE (4 lessons)  English Literature GCSE is included for A Band + 1 extra lesson  Mathematics GCSE (4 lessons)  Science GCSE Separate Sciences = 3 GCSEs in 6 lessons +1 extra in Year 11 Double Award = 2 GCSEs in 6 lessons Single Award = 1 GCSE in 3 lessons

What do I have to study?  Physical Education (3 lessons) This will be either GCSE PE, BTEC Sport or BTEC Dance  Pupils in the B band will also study Core ICT (1 lesson) working towards Cambridge National Certificate in ICT which is equivalent to 1 GCSE

Science Separate Sciences  Studied in 6 lessons per week  Biology, Chemistry & Physics are taught/examined as 3 separate subjects and 3 separate GCSEs  Only appropriate for the most able scientists due to the significantly higher degree of academic difficulty and additional content which requires a large amount of self study

Science Double Award Science  Studied in 6 lessons per week  Biology, Chemistry & Physics are taught/examined separately but certificate as Core Science GCSE and Additional Science GCSE Single Award Science  Studied in 3 lessons per week  Biology, Chemistry & Physics are taught/examined separately but combine to certificate as one Science GCSE  Pupils selected for this course will be entitled to an extra option

Physical Education  Compulsory for all pupils  You will study for a qualification in this subject ( either GCSE PE, BTEC Sport or BTEC Dance )  Which qualification you take will be based on the advice and guidance of your teacher and your practical ability  To follow the GCSE course you will need to be able to offer a good level of practical ability in four different sports

Modern Foreign Languages  Studying a Modern Foreign Language is not compulsory however it is highly recommended  You can study GCSE French or Spanish  If you are keen on these subjects or considering taking a language at A Level, you can elect to study both French and Spanish (Dual Linguist)  Universities value a GCSE in a Modern Language very highly so think ahead.  Globally there are many Spanish & French speaking countries

Option Subjects (all GCSE)  Art 2D Drawing & Painting*  Art 3D Studies*  Art (multi-discipline)  Drama  Environmental & Land Based Science  Food and Nutrition or BTEC Hospitality  Geography  History  ICT (additional GCSEs to the B band core)  Computer Science (a brand new GCSE)  Modern Foreign Language (French and/or Spanish)  Music  Product Design You will be required to choose 3 from the following list: *Pupils may choose only one of the Art courses

English Baccalaureate ??  A relatively new measure first reported in 2011, in which Holy Cross has performed extremely well compared to similar schools  A collection of subjects (English, Maths, Science(2), Foreign Language & either History or Geography)  A “traditional” route including subjects with an academic focus rather than practical subjects  This route is not appropriate for every student and should be a personal choice  You do not get a separate Ebacc certificate

Example routes Ebacc Route Core (includes Eng Lit but not ICT) Separate or Double Science French Geography Music Max GCSEs = 11 Dual Linguist Route Core (includes Eng Lit but not ICT) Separate or Double Science Spanish French One other subject (wide selection) Max GCSEs = 11

Example routes Arts Route Core (includes ICT but not Eng Lit) Double Science Art (Drawing & Painting) Drama Music Max GCSEs = 10 Technical Route Core (includes ICT but not Eng Lit) Double Science Art 3D Studies Product Design Computer Science Max GCSEs = 10

Example routes Practical Route Core (includes ICT but not Eng Lit) Single Science Product Design Land Based Science BTEC Hospitality Max GCSEs = 9 Middle Ability Academic Core (includes ICT but not Eng Lit) Double Science French History Computer Science Max GCSEs = 10 EBacc

What Now?  Go and speak to the Heads of Department and Subject Teachers that are situated around the room  Ask about details of courses – exam/coursework, subject commitments  Parents, ask about your child's potential in that subject  Discuss the future – aspirations/intentions/college/employment Talk to the representatives from Newman & Runshaw

To recap… Options booklets/discussions tonight Options dry run – week beg 20 th January Option blocks determined – during February Actual option forms – 3 rd March Discussions/Reports/Parents evenings – 16 th & 20 th March DEADLINE - Monday 24 th March (to your Form Tutor) Final option subjects agreed by Easter and finalised by the end of May