1. Year 8 Welcome to Parent Information Evening Learn today, succeed tomorrow

2. Aims of the session
To outline our options process and introduce our two pathways.
To outline how we will use critical data to track your youngsters progress.
To take a look around some of the Zones in our new school. 2

3. Our four commitments
We are committed to the safety of everyone in our community.
We are committed to making school an enjoyable place to be.
We are committed to providing the best learning experience for all.
We are committed to relentlessly driving up standards. 3

4. The Options Process succeed tomorrow Learn today,
Our Aims for Options is to enable all students:-
To gain vital qualifications in core subjects.
To follow a personal route of qualifications appropriate to their talents and skills.

5. Year 9 Courses from September 2012
Learn today,
succeed tomorrow
All Year 9 students will begin GCSE
and BTEC courses.
Subjects that remain non-optional…
English
Mathematics
Some Science
Some MFL
Some I.C.T.
Some P.E

6. Red Pathway succeed tomorrow Learn today, Our range of GCSEs
Including…
Learn today,
succeed tomorrow
Art
Astronomy
Business Studies
Citizenship
Dance
Drama
Food Technology
Graphics
Geography
History
Law
Media Studies
Music
P.E
Resistant Materials
Religious Studies
Science: BTEC, Double & Triple Award
Sociology
Spanish
Textiles

7. succeed tomorrow Learn today, The English Baccalaureate
A combination of GCSE qualifications includes:-
English GCSE
Mathematics GCSE
Dual/ Triple Science GCSE
History or Geography GCSE
Any MFL GCSE
Learn today,
succeed tomorrow

8. Pathways Three GCSE route Four GCSE route
LEVEL 5 in
English and Maths?
Three GCSE route
Optional Vocational Courses (Year 10)
Additional English and/or Maths support
Four GCSE route
Triple Science
2nd or 3rd MFL
Diploma option (Year 10)
BELOW
ABOVE

9. Diplomas..
At the end of Year 9, students who excel in Graphics, Art and Media Studies, can opt to study for the Creative and Media Arts Diploma in Years 10 and 11
At the end of Year 9, students who excel in PE can opt to study for the Sport and Active Leisure Diploma in Years 10 and 11

10. Why opt to to study for a Diploma?
The Diploma qualification suits students who excel in one of the 2 disciplines, Creative Arts and Media or Sports and Leisure
For the Diploma, the majority of the course is internally assessed through projects completed in school.
It is worth 7 GCSEs (Grades A*-C) and you can pursue the Higher Level Diploma at college.
It is flexible though-as you still have your English, English Literature, Maths, ICT, MFL and Science GCSEs you could still pursue A Levels or BTEC courses.

11. Creative Arts & Media Diploma
Students will be able to create a portfolio of work in Graphics, Art and Media
You will develop high level skills in mixed media such as 2d and 3d Art, Photography, and Short Films
You will enjoy researching artists and products from across the Creative Media: Art, Music, Graphics, Film, Television
There are opportunities to meet professionals from each industry.
There are a limited number of places available, but it is a brilliant course.

12. Sport and Active Leisure Diploma
Students will be able to explore a range of Sports disciplines and meet professionals from each industry.
You will be able to develop your PE skills outside of the school curriculum
You will research Sports Promotion and other topics which will be submitted as modules during the 2 year course.
There is a high level of written work as well as the time spent playing sport, so there is a need to enjoy writing as well as Rugby!
There are a limited number of places available, but it is a unique course.

13. Off-site Vocational Courses
Blue Pathway
These are only for people who are mature and sensible enough to be trusted to go to placements away from school, some are as much as 4 or 5 miles away.
These courses will begin in Year 10.
We expect to be able to offer courses in:
Construction
Catering
Hair & Beauty
Motor Vehicles

14. succeed tomorrow Learn today, Options Timeline
October 21st Data Capture 1
January 13th Year 8 Reports Issued
January 19th Year 8 Parent’s Evening
February 10th Options Booklet and Forms Issued
February 14th Careers Day
February 15th OPTIONS INFORMATION EVENING
February 17th Data Capture 2
February 19th–26th HALF TERM HOLIDAY
March 1st OPTION FORM RETURN DEADLINE
March-April Guidance Meetings( where needed)
June 1st Data Capture 3
Learn today,
succeed tomorrow

15. For more information. Ask teachers, tutors and zone leaders
For more information... Ask teachers, tutors and zone leaders. See last year’s option booklet (published January under ‘news’ section of website) Note – This is subject to change.

16. Key Stage 2-4 Equivalence
KS2
Points
KS3
KS4 A* 58 8 51 A 52 7 45 B 46 6 39 C 40 5 33 D 34 4 27 E 28 3 21 F 22 2 15 G 16
Entry Level 3
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1

17. National Expectations
All children, regardless of context or background, are expected to achieve at least 3 levels progress between Key Stages 2-4.
3 levels is equivalent to 18 points.

18. Expected Progress

19. Year 8 Thank you for your time
Year 8 Thank you for your time. Please feel welcome to take a look around our Discovery and Creative Zones on the Ground Floor. Learn today, succeed tomorrow