1. Welcome to Year 8 Pathways Evening
YOUR FUTURE- PATHWAYS 2017

2. Aims for tonight An overview of subjects available
An overview of the process
Opportunity to speak to teachers and students

3. Why are we opting in Year 8?
To develop skills and knowledge
To achieve your full potential
To dedicate more time to your preferred subject

4. What do we offer? Mainly traditional GCSE Subjects
Selected vocational courses

5. Core Provision English Language English Literature Maths
Combined Science
ICT (Ingots) PE
Life

6. What has changed?
You will be the first cohort to receive all 9-1 grades under the new exams system.
EVERY student is required to fill all 8 buckets and as a school we are judged up the progress in those subjects

7. Pathways
Mandatory Subjects: Students are required to study at least one of History, Geography or French
Open Subjects: Students are required to study three additional subjects within a broad and balanced curriculum
If too few people select a subject then it may have to be withdrawn

8. What is the Ebacc? English Baccalaureate
It is a performance measure not a qualification
The measure shows where pupils have secured a good GCSE pass across a core of “academic” subjects at KS4: English, Maths, Combined Science, History or Geography and French

9. Should I do an Ebacc?
Universities will be most likely to look at specific GCSE grades in English, Maths and possibly Science. These subjects are compulsory for you to take anyway. It’s up to you to decide whether to take one or more of these pathway subjects. On the plus side, taking a mix of these subjects will ensure you can be more flexible in your university course choices later down the line. Especially if you are not sure what you want to do yet. But, if you feel you are weaker in these subjects, don’t feel that you must take them in order to go to university.

10. Making the right selections
Good reasons to choose a subject:
You like it or it is interesting
You can develop new skills by doing it
You need it or it's useful for your future career
It will combine well with other options and help your general education
It will give you satisfaction

11. Bad reasons to choose a subject:
Your friends have chosen it
Your parents think it's a good idea- but you don't
It's thought of as a cool option by your peers
You can't think of anything else to choose
You think it will be easy

12. Remember, that most people are likely to have several changes of job during their working lives and that most employers will wish to see a balance of subjects studied, including English and Mathematics.

13. Information about all of the subjects is given in the booklet provided
Information about all of the subjects is given in the booklet provided. Core subjects are outlined first, then information regarding Pathway Subjects. In every case, you are given a brief outline of the course. Most of the titles will be familiar to you. If you are still uncertain about some aspects of a course, ask a teacher.

14. How to make your selections
Pathways selections are to be completed via the academy website. Wednesday 22nd March Pathways choices can be selected online from this day Friday 31st March Deadline for Pathway forms and online options choices to be submitted to the Academy Tuesday 18th April Interviews to take place with students after this date to discuss Pathways selections

18. What happens next?
We look at the Pathways you have selected and try to fit them with the choices of all of the students. We always try our very best to give you your first choice of Pathways however, in some cases we may need to use your reserve choices too. We will then notify you of which Pathway subjects you have been allocated.

19. Improving Life Chances Through Education
And finally….
At Wayland Academy we are committed to making sure that you have the very best preparation for adult life.
We have a tradition of students who have made successful choices and have gone on to achieve excellent outcomes at the end of Year 11.
Improving Life Chances Through Education