1. Year 9
Options Evening

2. Year 9 A Very Important Year!
Today’s work is directly relevant to every pupil’s future.
Pupils must gain the necessary grades/skills to allow them to make the choices they want at 14, 16, 18 and 21 years of age.
Pupils must know what those choices are.

3. Events During Year 9
Careers Interviews for every pupil – started early (Year 8)
Careers Fair at the Etihad Stadium – November 2014
Enterprise Challenge Day – December 2014
United We Stand Project – December 2014
Christmas Fair – planned and hosted by Year 9
Mentoring by tutors after each Key Assessment
Assemblies

4. Events During Year 9 MFL Event at Etihad Stadium
World Away Event – Connell Sixth Form Centre
Manchester University Visit
Teens and Toddlers project – started February 2015
Aspirations Event – GMEX
What’s the point? project - collaboration with pupils from The Derby High School

5. Overall Year 9 attendance has increased steadily and has frequently been the best in the school on a daily basis.
During this half term Year 9 have had the fewest incidents of poor behaviour in the school.

6. Post 16 Options and support available
Career Choices
Post 16 Options
and support available

7. Some big decisions….
Over the next few years your children have some big decisions to make about their future.
They are not alone, there is lots of support available:
At home
At school
From College open events, tasters etc.

8. Careers Advice I am the school Careers Advisor – Kathy Ashworth.
I was recruited to work full time within the school in March 2013 to support your children to make fully informed decisions about their future.
We also have an independent Careers Advisor in school twice a week – Louise Goodman.

9. Careers Information, Advice and Guidance
1-2-1 Appointments
Lunchtime ‘drop in’ sessions
Group work sessions
Parents Evenings
Visits to employers, colleges and training providers
Employers, colleges invited into school
Careers Software
Careers Library in the LRC

10. Post 16 Options The main 3 options are: College – A Levels
College – Vocational
Apprenticeship

11. College – A Levels Academic courses.
Assessed using mainly exams, with some coursework.
A requirement for some University courses such as Medicine but not for most.
Year 9 Option Choices need to be based on career ideas but also subjects they enjoy and are good at.

12. College – A Levels What is needed:
In general pupils need a minimum of 6 GCSE’s at A* - C including a few at B or above.
To take Biology, Chemistry or Physics at A Level pupils need at least a B in that subject if taking triple Science and if taking Core and Additional need B/C in Year 10 and B in Year 11.
To continue with Maths at A Level pupils also need at least a B grade at GCSE.
Colleges will also look for good attendance in school.

13. College – Vocational Aimed at different levels.
Assessed using mainly coursework, however more exams are being introduced.
Develop practical skills.
Develop employability skills, usually include work experience.
Can go to University to study most courses with a level 3 Vocational Qualification.
Often will study just 1 subject but in more depth.
Can sometimes combine with one A Level.

14. College - Vocational What is needed varies but in general:
Level 3 – 5 A-C Including Maths and English (and Science if applying for Vocational Science or Engineering).
Level 2 – Mixture of C and D grades.
Level 1 – Mixture of D, E and F grades.
Can start at any level and work up to Level 3.
Also look at attendance in school.

15. Apprenticeships A job with training. Not an easy option!
Full time employment with a company.
Working on a qualification.
For some careers is the best way in.
Earn a salary.
Need to have a good idea of what they want to do as a career.
Higher level apprenticeships now mean in some areas you can work up to as high as a degree.

16. Apprenticeships Common Apprenticeship Areas: Business Administration
Accountancy
Motor Vehicle
Hairdressing
Childcare
Construction
ICT
But there are many more…..

17. Apprenticeships Very competitive.
Take hard work and dedication to get onto.
Many ask for A-C grades particularly for Electrical, Motor Vehicle, Accountancy, Business Administration, ICT, Plumbing.
Also look for work experience, volunteering, hobbies, school attendance.

18. Support with GCSE Options
Can book appointments with Louise Goodman – which many pupils have.
Can drop in and see Kathy at lunchtime.
Can make an appointment with Kathy.
Use the Careers Library in the LRC.
Use college websites and their supporting prospectus.

19. Choosing GCSE Options
Most important: Choose subjects you enjoy and are good at.
Keeping career interests in mind is useful e.g. if you want to be an Architect it is useful to have an Art subject, for Law it is useful to have History, to be a Chef it is useful to do Catering.
However you should never choose a subject you do not like!

20. Year 9 Options Curriculum

21. YEAR 9 OPTIONS TEAM March 2015
Ms CHALLIS
Director of Pedagogy and Practice - Maths
Mrs HRYNYK
Head of
EMA Department
Mr STOKES
Assistant
Headteacher
Mr GARTSIDE
Head of Year 10
Miss ASHWORTH
Careers Advisor
YEAR 9 OPTIONS TEAM
March 2015
Miss URCH
Assistant
Headteacher
Miss ROBINSON
Assistant
Headteacher
Mrs FINCH
Head of Year 9
Miss TOPPING
Assistant Head of
PE Department
Mr WEST
Head of Learning Support / SENCO

22. Pupils will choose 3 subjects from any below and 2 reserve subjects
Year 9 Option Choices 2015
Pupils will choose 3 subjects from any below and 2 reserve subjects
GCSE
BTEC
Art & Design
Art & Design – Textiles
Geography
History
Applied History
ICT
Computing
Catering
Drama
Citizenship
ESL
Film Studies
Media Studies
French
German
Resistant Materials
Urdu
Wider Key Skills
Technology – Textiles
Physical Education
Sport
Music
Dance

23. Important Information
Compulsory Subjects
English
Mathematics
Science
Religious Studies
Physical Education
PSHE and Citizenship
Triple Science is not part of the options process. Your child's Science teacher will be able to advise you and your child of the appropriate Science course for them.

24. Next Steps…
Tonight is an opportunity for you and your child to speak to their teachers about their progress in all their subjects
Pupils will be issued with an Options Booklet tonight
Subject areas will also share further information with pupils about the courses they offer through lessons and assemblies
All pupils will then have an appointment with a member of the Options Team between Monday 16 March and Friday 27 March 2015