Y9 Option Pathways 2013 to 2015

Aim of the Evening  To fully explain the process of the Y9 Option Pathways from the point of view of pupils in the school.  To give advice on how you can help in this process.  To very briefly, explain some of the recent national developments in education and their impact at Hanham.

What will you be doing in 10 years time? ?v=QeoKQbT8BKs&list=PL83 EB4F14FF28BA01

What you have to study……..  English Language (Literature – most pupils) (Literature – most pupils)  Maths  Science  PE  Preparation for Working Life  RS

Types of Qualifications  GCSE - General Certificate of Secondary Education  A*-C grades at GCSE are called Level 2 qualifications.  D-G grades at GCSE are called Level 1 qualifications.  These are the benchmarks against which other qualifications are measured.

Types of Qualification  Applied or vocational qualifications are delivered through BTEC and OCR Nationals courses.  These are now called ‘equivalent courses’.  High quality vocational qualifications count as equivalent GCSEs.

The Option Choices  Performing Arts  Art & Design  ICT & Business  Languages  Sport & PE  Humanities  Design Technology  Triple Science  Social Sciences

Making the Right Choice  Which subjects do you enjoy?  Which subjects are you good at?  Subjects can be different in Y10.  Which subjects do you need for your chosen career?  Are you making a broad and balanced selection?

Timeline so Far….  Pupils receive careers guidance in:  Personal Challenge lessons  Tutor time – Skills4Life programme  Pupils attended ‘Ambitions Event’  Subject teachers provide information in lessons and through a series of assemblies  Pathways Booklet sent home to parents. Tuesday 16 th April – Pathways Evening  Pupils identified onto Learning Pathways

What Happens Next …..  Wednesday 24 th April - P arents’ Subject Evening  Week beginning 29 th April – Mr Bevan, Ms Postlethwaite and Mr Taylor interview all pupils and complete the final option form, which then goes home for parental approval and signing.  June - Y10 Courses confirmed.  Contact Ms Postlethwaite or Mr Taylor if you have any specific concerns.

Our View  We have a continued commitment to BTECs.  We will also actively support more pupils who wish to pursue subjects that lead onto the English Bac.  We have structured the pathways so that we will meet individual pupil’s needs.  Our aim is to produce a truly personalised curriculum to allow each pupil to achieve their potential.

Pathways: In order to help you make the right choice….

Option Blocks: An example of what the final form might look….

Next Steps (now)  Collect from your child’s tutor this year’s Option Block form. (Mr Taylor will be SFM and Ms Postlethwaite will be VKA)  See Mr Bevan or Mrs Lovell if you have any questions or feel your child may benefit from a Foundation Learning Pathway.

Next Steps (later)  Discuss with your child the booklet, the pathways and the Options Form.  Speak to teachers at the Parents’ Evening next week.  Wait for your child to be interviewed at school and discuss choices with them.  Sign and return the Final Options Form after pupil interview.

National Curriculum Tests (NCTs)  Since the removal of the NCTs we have re-introduced an assessment week 6 th – 10 th May 2012  Pupils will continue to be assessed rigorously in Year 9 and some courses will have limited places.  Excellent behaviour, a positive attitude to learning and progress in class are vital.

Online Evaluation  Hanham High School website Hanham High School website 

One Last Thing…  JemE JemE JemE