1. Key Stage 4 Curriculum and Option Choices St. Bede’s Catholic High School 2012 – 2014

2. Key Stage 4 Curriculum (30 periods)  Core Subjects (16 periods)  Religious Studies (3 periods)  English Language (2 periods)  English Literature (2 periods)  Mathematics (3 periods)  Science: Core & Additional (two GCSE’s 6 periods)  Non-Examination Subjects (2 periods)  PE & Games (2 periods) Options (12periods )  Made up of either 4 subjects ( 3 periods each ) of the pupil’s own choice or...a college course and 2 subjects

3. English Baccalaureate  Two years ago the Government announced the introduction of the English Baccalaureate (EBAC).  This is a not a ‘certificate’ as such, but recognition of achievers who gain grade C or better in each of the following FIVE key subjects.  The key FIVE subjects (actually 6 GCSE’s) are: 1. English Language - compulsory 2. Mathematics - compulsory 3. Science (2 GCSEs), - compulsory 4. a Foreign Language (French or German) 5. a Humanity (History or Geography). Languages and Humanities are NOT compulsory subjects BUT ….. universities often require them!

4.  All our pupils will take GCSEs in the core subjects of RE, English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Core Science and Additional Science.  Most pupils at St Bede’s will take the key subjects that will enable them to achieve the English Baccalaureate (around 80% of students).  But for students for whom a Language or a Humanities subject is not appropriate, alternative pathways are available.

5. Key Stage 4 Curriculum (30 periods)  Core Subjects (16 periods)  Religious Studies (3 periods)  English Language (3 periods)  English Literature (3 periods)  Mathematics (3 periods)  Science: Core & Additional (two GCSE’s 6 periods)  Non-Examination Subjects (2 periods)  PE & Games (2 periods) Options (12periods )  Made up of either 4 subjects ( 3 periods each ) of the pupil’s own choice or...a college course and 2 subjects What are the list of option subjects your child can choose from?

6. Option AOption BOption COption D Pathway 1 (EBAC)*  History  Geography  French  German  Art  Art Textiles  Drama  DT Food  DT Graphic Products  DT Resistant Materials  French  Geography  German  Health & Social Care  History  ICT BTEC  Individual Sciences  Music  Media  PE GCSE  Art  Art Textiles  Drama  DT Food  DT Graphic Products  DT Resistant Materials  French  Geography  German  Health & Social Care  History  ICT BTEC  Individual Sciences  Music  Media  PE GCSE Pathway 2 (Non –EBAC)  IT BTEC  PE BTEC  English Booster  Maths Booster  PE BTEC  IT BTEC  English Booster  Maths Booster Pathway 3 (Non-EBAC)  College Course Initial Options Preference Form – St Bede’s Catholic High School (Jan 2012) Name:Tutor Group: Please fill in this form by circling ONE subject choice from each of the four Option Blocks A, B, C and D. (Students who choose a college course do this instead of Option A and Option B). Forms must be returned to the Admin office by Monday 20 th February 2012.

7. Option AOption BOption COption D Pathway 1 (EBAC)*  History  Geography  French  German  Art  Art Textiles  Drama  DT Food  DT Graphic Products  DT Resistant Materials  French  Geography  German  Health & Social Care  History  ICT BTEC  Individual Sciences  Music  Media  PE GCSE  Art  Art Textiles  Drama  DT Food  DT Graphic Products  DT Resistant Materials  French  Geography  German  Health & Social Care  History  ICT BTEC  Individual Sciences  Music  Media  PE GCSE Pathway 2 (Non –EBAC)  IT BTEC  PE BTEC  English Booster  Maths Booster  PE BTEC  IT BTEC  English Booster  Maths Booster Pathway 3 (Non-EBAC)  College Course

8. The ‘pathways available to your child at KS4 Pathway 1 Core + language + humanity + two other subjects Pathway 2 Core + four subjects other than a language and a humanity Pathway 3 Core + college course + two other subjects EBACNone EBAC Thinking of University? This is for you.

9. There will be some disappointments…  Courses will only run if there is sufficient take up in numbers….

10. Current Options for Year 10 OptAOptBOptCOptD HistoryGeography Three Sciences IT BTEC HistoryGeographyArtArt Textiles GeographyGermanArt Textiles DT Graphics French DramaGeography French Resistant Materials Music English Booster IT BTECMediaPe GCSE Further Academic Support IT BTECPe GCSE College Current Year 10 had the same options form but the actual option subjects are much reduced.

11.  Initial Options Preference Form to be returned at the latest by Monday 20 th February 2012 by your child to the school office.  This form is only used to organise the subjects into option blocks on the Final Options Form (issued in March)  The final options form will be formulated and completed in the run up to Easter.

12. Mr W Hughes

13. The English Baccalaureate The subjects we have included are designed to ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to study a broad core of subjects, ensuring that doors are not closed off to them in terms of future progression. For example, for pupils hoping to go to university, The Russell Group guide on making informed choices for post- 16 education identifies ‘facilitating subjects’ at A level. These are subjects most likely to be required or preferred for entry to degree courses and ones that will keep the most options open. DFE website http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/qualifications/englishbac/a0075975/theenglish baccalaureate

14. The move to linear examinations  There is shift away from Modular Exams taken by students throughout the course to Linear Exams taken at the end of the course.  For students in Year 9 this will mean all their GCSEs will be linear.  All examinations at the ‘end of the course’  No re-sit examinations except Maths & English  The exact details of how this will be achieved in every subject have not as yet been fully decided.

15. The curriculum at KS4  What do the subjects involve?

16. Religious Studies: Edexcel  Paper 1 Unit 3 taken in the May of Year 11  Paper 2 Unit 8 taken in the June of Year 11

17. English: WJEC  English Language GCSE Exam 40% Controlled Assessment 60% AND  English Literature GCSE Exam 75% Controlled Assessment 25%

18. Maths: AQA  Three Examinations in the November of Year 11

19. Science: Edexcel Two GCSEs taken by the majority  Core Science  Additional Science Some pupils will extend these two GCSEs into  The Three Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics with additional examinations in Year 11 Some pupils will take a BTEC either:  First Certificate (equivalent to one GCSE)  Extended Certificate (equivalent to two GCSEs)

20. Art: AQA  Two options within Art Art: General Art: Textiles  Pupils may choose only one of these  Pupils must have some talent or ability in Art to be able to cope with this subject.

21. DT: AQA  Three options within DT DT - Food DT - Graphics DT - Resistant Materials  Pupils may choose only one of these

22. Drama: WJEC  Exam 40%  Controlled Assessment 60% including practical performances

23. Health and Social Care: WJEC  Exam 40%  Controlled Assessment 60% Health and Social Care can be taken with any one of the DT subjects.

24. Humanities  Geography : AQA  History: Edexcel  Both very popular and successful subjects.  Part of the English Baccalaureate  Pupils may study both subjects if they wish.

25. ICT: Edexcel ICT BTEC First Certificate ICT Practioners  NO EXAM—This qualification is 100% coursework marked at either: ‘pass’ (equivalent 2 GCSE grade C’s, ‘merit’ (equivalent 2 GCSE grade 2 Bs), ‘distinction’ (equivalent 2 GCSE grade 2 As) or ‘distinction*’ (equivalent 2 GCSE grade 2 A*s)

26. Media: AQA  Exam 40%  Controlled Assessment 60%

27. Modern Foreign Language: AQA  Modern Foreign Language French German  Pupils can choose BOTH French & German  English Baccalaureate subject. - Should be considered seriously by any pupil wanting to go to university.

28. Music: Edexcel  Need both talent and ability  You will need to play an instrument or sing reasonably well (the standard of G.C.S.E. performance is about Grade 4/5 ABRSM).  Pupils should be at about Grade 2 ABRSM standard to gain access to the course but some talented pupils may enter by having an audition.

29. PE: Edexcel  Not just Practical also Theory Although a large percentage of marks are gained through practical sections of the course, it must be stressed that a high level of knowledge and understanding in terms of technique and tactics is required in each of the chosen practical areas, in order to be successful. The course marks are heavily weighted on a final written theory exam; therefore there is a great need for an in-depth understanding of the topics covered.  Pupils must have a good record throughout Key Stage 3 in terms of: Participation Interest

30. Study Support  English Booster  Maths Booster  Most pupils who opt for English Booster or Maths Booster will probably not be candidates for the English Baccalaureate

31. College Based Learning: Entry level Course titleProvider Choices – Vocational sampling (BTEC award in Work Skills) West Lancashire College Introduction to employment in the Construction Industries West Lancashire Training and Learning Centre Introduction to Basic Electronics Brighter Future Workshop Introduction to Basic Engineering Brighter Future Workshop Basic Motor Vehicle Engineering Brighter Future Workshop Hairdressing and Beauty BDS Training

32. College Based Learning: Level 1 QualificationProvider Choices – Vocational sampling (BTEC award in Work Skills) West Lancashire College Construction West Lancashire Training and Learning Centre Construction (Building Craft Occupations) West Lancashire College Hair and Beauty (C & G) BDS Training Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector (C&G Diploma) West Lancashire College Public Services (BTEC) West Lancashire College Travel and Tourism (BTEC) West Lancashire College Light Vehicle Maintenance Diploma West Lancashire College

33. College Based Learning: Level 2 QualificationProvider Dance – Edexcel Diploma in Performing Arts West Lancashire College Engineering (BTEC) Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Engineering College Hairdressing (Young Apprenticeship) West Lancashire College Health and Social Care (Young Apprenticeship) West Lancashire College Hospitality Services (C&G NVQ Diploma) West Lancashire College Travel and Tourism (BTEC) West Lancashire College Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles West Lancashire College Public Services (BTEC) West Lancashire College

34. GCSE Examination Results SUBJECT200920102011 RS858293 Eng Lang868293 Eng. Lit.848677 Maths687369 Sci Core737079 Sci Addit’al616880 Biology-9283 Chemistry-7778 Physics-8583 French737262 German4264- DT Food502373 DT Gr. Prod702741 SUBJECT200920102011 DT Res. Mat.556473 Health & SC-4482 Geography798293 History738390 ICT - 8672 Art & Design9410063 Textiles - 7553 Music676239 Drama877489 GCSE P.E.7587100 Media -- 97 5+ A* - C767785 5+ A* - C inc ENG & MAT 66 69

35. LISA TURPIN DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE

36. LANCASHIRE INTERACTIVE  PARENTS HAVE MOST INFLUENCE (HONESTLY)!!!  MANY CHANGES IN POST 16 EDUCATION  SERVICE OFFERED TO STAFF, PARENTS AND PUPILS  HELPS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD ON TRACK THROUGHOUT THEIR TIME AT ST. BEDE’S (Y7-11)

37. WHAT IS INCLUDED?  QUESTIONNAIRES AND MULTIMEDIA PACKAGES THAT WILL GIVE IDEAS AND HELP ON CAREERS FITTING YOUR CHILDS INTERESTS  OPTION TO FIND OUT ABOUT UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS  DISCOVER THE MANY WAYS INTO EMPLOYMENT, NOT JUST UNIVERSITY(VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS)  HELP WITH CV BUILDING AND INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE

38. KUDOS  GENERATES A PERSONAL LIST OF CAREER IDEAS  INFORMATION ON EACH SUGGESTED CAREER  SEARCHABLE A-Z LIST OF CAREERS THAT DON’T APPEAR ON PERSONAL LIST AND WHY THEY DON’T!  ACTION PLANNING TOOL ENCOURAGING GOAL SETTING

39. SO LOG ON AND DISCOVER WHAT LANCASHIRE INTERACTIVE HAS TO OFFER!

40. YEAR 9 INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE TO HELP THE PUPILS WITH THEIR DECISION MAKING WE WILL BE HOLDING THREE LUNCH DROP-IN SESSIONS. IN THE LRC ON: MON 23 RD JANUARY THURS 26 TH JANUARY MON 30 TH JANUARY

41.  The Options Process What happens next?  Options Assembly/Booklet & Options Evening – 18 th January MON 23 RD JANUARY THURS 26 TH JANUARY MON 30 TH JANUARY  Parent/Teacher Meeting – 9 th February  Initial Options Preference Form returned– 20th February  Final Option Forms issued – 1 st March  Final Option Forms returned – 12 th March