Welcome to Year 9 Options Information Evening Tuesday 5 th January 2016 Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or set to silent mode. Thank you

Year 9 Key Stage 4 Options

Reformed GCSEs in September 2016  All GCSE subjects offered at Fulford will be reformed for current Year 9 students, other than Applied Business Studies, Business Studies, DT Graphic Products, DT Resistant Materials and DT Textile Technology  All reformed GCSEs will be graded on a 9-1 scale  5 is the “good pass” grade – broadly equivalent to current middle C/ low B at GCSE  Approximately 50% of the proportion currently achieving A* at GCSE will achieve grade 9

Broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 7 and above as currently achieve a grade A and above. The bottom of grade 1 will be aligned with the bottom of grade G. Grade 5 will be awarded to the top third of students gaining the equivalent of a grade C or bottom third of a grade B. The Department for Education has decided that grade 5 will be a ‘good pass’.

Unreformed GCSEs in September 2016  Applied Business Studies  Business Studies  DT Graphic Products  DT Resistant Materials  DT Textile Technology  All of these unreformed GCSEs will be graded on the existing A*- G scale

GCSE Pathway  Traditional route for most students  Mix of compulsory and optional subjects

Compulsory Subjects  English Language  English Literature  Maths  Science (two/three GCSEs)  Religious Studies (full/half GCSE)  Core PE*  Personal Development* * Non examined

The English Baccalaureate (“EBacc”)  5+ A* - C must include:  English Language/English Literature  Maths  Two Science GCSEs (Computing included)  A Modern Foreign Language  A Humanity (History or Geography)

EBacc Block  Students MUST choose at least two GCSE subjects from the EBacc Block:  Computing  French  Geography  History  Spanish

Curriculum Breadth and Balance We strongly recommend that most students aim for this in their choices. To achieve this students should select:  A humanity (History or Geography)  A foreign language (French or Spanish)

Other GCSE Options  Art  Applied Business Studies  Business Studies  DT Graphics  DT Resistant Materials  DT Textiles  Drama  Food Preparation and Nutrition  Music  PE

Other Options Courses Level 2 (worth 1 higher grade GCSE)  ICT Creative iMedia (CANNOT be studied alongside GCSE Computing) Level 1 (currently worth 1 grade D-G GCSE)  BTEC Workskills

Progression from GCSE to A Level Essential  Art  Computing  DT  Geography  French  Spanish Desirable  Business Studies  Drama  History  Music  PE

Read the details about the subjects in the options booklet! Which are the subjects that your son/daughter ENJOYS studying? Which are the subjects where he/she achieves the highest grades? Does he/she want to study something new? What are his/her future higher education or career aspirations? (does he/she already know what path he/she is likely to want to take?) What STYLE of learning and assessment does he/she like? (exams, coursework, project-based, practical etc.) DON’T base choices upon what his/her friends are going to choose! How to Choose?

What Happens Next?  Read the options booklet with your son/daughter  Attend Parents’ Evening on Wednesday 20 th January (booking system opens at 7am tomorrow)  Encourage your son/daughter to talk to his/her teachers!  Friday 22 nd January – free choice options forms issued  By Friday 29 th January – free choice options forms returned  Monday 8 th February – blocked options forms issued  By Monday 22 nd February – final options forms returned

Year 9 is Crucial  Those studying separate sciences have begun their GCSE course of study  RE GCSE course started in September  Many subjects introduce GCSE work over the course of the year