1. 23rd January 2014

2. · Year 9 Options Assembly - Wednesday 22nd January 2014 - to provide pupils with information about the Key Stage 4 Curriculum, the various options on offer and how to make their choices. At this assembly pupils will also be issued with the ‘Options Booklet’ and the ‘2014 Option Choices Form’. · Y9 Options Evening - Thursday 23rd January 2014 - to provide parents and pupils with an outline of the Key Stage 4 Curriculum and other information to help them to support their child in their Key Stage 4 option choices. · Y9 Full Reports issued- Thursday 13th February 2014 · Y9 Parents’ Evening - Thursday 27th February 2014 - to enable parents and pupils to discuss academic progress and seek the advice of teachers regarding option choices. · Y9 Options Fayre— Friday 7th March 2014 (am) · Options Forms are to be returned to school by Friday 14th March.

3. En 4 RE 3 RE 3 Sc 8 Ma 3 PE 3 Opt A 3 Opt B 3 Opt C 3 1212 or 30 or 1 1 Total 30 lessons Between 7 & 11 GCSEs ExP MB IT ExP MB Catering College PE 3 Most pupils will study for 9 or 10 GCSEs

4.  The Curriculum is made up of two parts: ◦ The Compulsory Core = 70% approx. ◦ The Options = 30% approx. Option choices are, in reality, possibly a little bit more limited than we may have at first expected.

6.  There are decisions and some choices to be made both for the Compulsory Core as well as the Option Choices.  Compulsory Core: ◦ Science  2 GCSE Sciences: GCSE Sci, GCSE Additional Sci  3 GCSE Sciences: GCSE Sci, GCSE Additional Sci, GCSE Further Additional Sci  2 BTEC Sciences: Principles of Applied Sci, Application of Sci ◦ PE  GCSE PE  Non-examination PE

7.  The ‘EBacc’ consists of a Grade C or above in each of the following:  GCSE English Language  GCSE Mathematics  2 GCSE Sciences  GCSE Humanities (History or Geography)  GCSE Modern Foreign Language (French or German) It is NOT an extra certificate or award in itself. It is simply a name given to this ‘group’ of subjects.

8.  Please refer to the Option Form.

9.  English and Maths at Grade C and above, are considered essential to most jobs and post 16 courses.  This option is appropriate for students who would benefit from spending time reinforcing their English and/or Mathematics skills.  They are not qualifications their own right, but will support their core English and Mathematics.  Students are requested to speak to Mr Turpin and/or Mrs Scott before choosing this option to discuss whether it is suitable for them.  In both cases these options will, on the whole, follow the Foundation GCSE Courses

10.  The EBacc consists of:  English Language  Mathematics  2 GCSE Sciences  A Humanity (History or Geography)  A Modern Foreign Language (French or German) Some universities and employers may give preference to pupils who have achieved a Grade C or better in each of the above subjects. However there appears to be no consistency between universities and employers as to the stance they take on this.

11.  The 14 – 16 college option is for pupils for whom an academic route is inappropriate.  Traditionally only a very small number of pupils at St. Bede’s consider this pathway.  Some pupils benefit from a vocational approach to education.  Please be aware that choosing the college option is in place of choosing subjects from blocks A and B.  If you feel that you would like to consider a college course please see Mrs Turpin for a college prospectus.

12. Points to Consider? Examination Performance Record GCSE A* - C % Examination Results SUBJECT 2010 2011 2012 2013 RS82938688 Eng Lan.82938084 Eng. Lit.86778092 Maths73697879 Sci Single70798374 Sci Addit’al68808581 Biology928310096 Chemistry777810092 Physics858310092 French726265 German64--44 Catering---- DT Gr. Prod27414424 DT Res. Mat.64737027 Health & SC448277- Geography82939173 History83909896 I.C.T.(BTEC)86--97 I.C.T. (BACs)1007294100 Art & Design100638854 Textiles755310041 Music62396787 Drama74899192 GCSE P.E.871008696 Media-979896

13. · Year 9 Options Assembly - Wednesday 22nd January 2014 - to provide pupils with information about the Key Stage 4 Curriculum, the various options on offer and how to make their choices. At this assembly pupils will also be issued with the ‘Options Booklet’ and the ‘2014 Option Choices Form’. · Y9 Options Evening - Thursday 23rd January 2014 - to provide parents and pupils with an outline of the Key Stage 4 Curriculum and other information to help them to support their child in their Key Stage 4 option choices. · Y9 Full Reports - Thursday 13th February 2014 · Y9 Parents’ Evening - Thursday 27th February 2014 - to enable parents and pupils to discuss academic progress and seek the advice of teachers regarding option choices. · Y9 Options Fayre— Friday 7th March 2014 (am) · Options Forms are to be returned to school by Friday 14th March.

14. COORDINATOR OF CEIAG

15.  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)

16.  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

17.  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

18. TO HELP THE PUPILS WITH THEIR DECISION MAKING WE WILL BE HOLDING TWO LUNCH DROP-IN SESSIONS. IN THE LRC ON FRIDAY 24 TH & TUESDAY 28 TH JANUARY ALSO FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT NEED TO RUSH OFF THERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOG ON TO LANCASHIRE INTERACTIVE IN THE LRC BEFORE YOU LEAVE!