1. Key Stage 4 Options
February 2014

2. Aims of this session:
What is compulsory (the core) and what is optional.
Which subjects and qualifications are offered at Key Stage Four.
How the option process works.

3. The Options Process Skills for Life lessons
Option information assembly
Options booklet
‘Taster lessons’ at lunch-time
Subject presentations in assemblies and lessons
Year 9 report on Thursday 27 February
Year 9 Parents’ Evening 6 March
Yr10 pupils presenting to tutor groups
Options Evening 20 March
Option forms to be handed in on the 24 March

4. Core Subjects- taken by everyone
Everyone in Year 10 will take the subjects listed below and
because everyone takes them they are referred to as CORE
subjects:
English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Science [Core and Additional, or you may choose to do Triple Science
Physical Education
Skills for Life
RS*
*Religious Studies
You will have one lesson per week in Year 10 and Yr11, following the GCSE Short Course However, there is an opportunity for you to take the Full GCSE in your RS lessons.

5. Religious Studies
All of you will have 1 lesson a week of RE in Year 10 and Year 11 and will follow the GCSE SC curriculum and take the exam at the end of Year 11. You have the opportunity to opt to take Full Course RE.
Places on this course are limited. You will need to work to a very demanding schedule but it has been found to be very enjoyable by pupils involved in previous years. As a guideline we normally feel that if you achieve a high level 6 or above in RE and English and are in Set 2 or above for English, you should be able to cope with the rigours of the course.
In order to ensure that you do not have too heavy a workload, the school will make a judgement on whether you will be capable of following the full course.
Please indicate on the options form whether this is something you would like to be considered for.

6. GCSE Courses
All GCSEs are graded A*-G and are Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications .
Most GCSE examinations include a coursework requirement [20-60%] which is now known as controlled assessment.
Some subjects have:
practical examination at the end of the course.
All subjects have a final (terminal) written examination making up the remaining marks. Art and Drama do not have final written exams, however, as all of the marks come from practical assessments and coursework.
We also offer 2 Vocational GCSEs Engineering[ double award ] and Health and Social Care.

7. BTEC Courses We offer the following BTEC course: Construction:
BTEC Level 1/2 First Award [equivalent to 1 GCSE]
This course is linked to the world of work more than most
GCSE courses, with a greater emphasis on developing
practical, work related skills. They are mostly assessed
throughout the course through written and practical
assignments.
There is an external examination which is worth 20%

8. English Baccalaureate
The EBacc is not a new qualification, but new government initiative that recognizes achievements across a range of selected academic qualifications:
Core: Options:
English Geography or History
Maths French or Spanish
Science Computer Science

9. English Baccalaureate
You would have to achieve A*-C grade in:
English
Maths
Two out of 3 Sciences
[ Computer Science is classified as a Science for the EBacc]
Geography or History
A language
all of those subjects to ‘achieve’ the Ebacc.
Academic Pathway- A2/AS Levels and university.

10. After Key Stage 4
Currently, you will have to stay in education until you are 18. This could include full time education or training or workplace training.
On page 2 of your booklet , there is a brief overview of some of our local providers. You will get a lot more information on this in Year10 and Year 11, but you may wish to consider; what sort of courses and 6th form college/school that you may wish to go to, and to start looking at their entry requirements.

11. Option Booklet 2014 ART AND DESIGN Qualification: GCSE
The booklet covers the same information for
each subject :
ART AND DESIGN
Qualification: GCSE
Levels available
Level 2 (A*- C) Level 1 (D –G)

12. Each subject page answers the following questions:
What will this course enable me to do?
What will the course cover?
How will I be assessed?
What will this qualification help me to progress to ?
Who to speak to for more information

13. Choices should be based on:
YOUR interests
YOUR understanding of how YOU learn best (visual, auditory or kinaesthetic)
YOUR future plans – if you know what they are!
YOUR enjoyment of the subject

14. and not on… YOUR best friend’s favourite subject
who else might or might not choose the subject
who YOUR favourite teacher is
what YOU think will be the easiest choice

15. Option subjects.
The Government and the Department of Education have made a lot of changes this year to the curriculum.
We have had to make some changes due to this, but have still managed to offer a broad and balanced curriculum that will give you a good range of subjects and prepare you for post-16 courses.

16. Computer Science French Geography History Spanish Triple Science
Curriculum Support

17. Physical Education GCSE B
Art & Design
Business Studies
Computer Science
Construction BTEC
Dance
Drama
Engineering
Food Technology
French
Geography
Health and Social Care
History
ICT GCSE
Media Studies
Music GCSE
Physical Education GCSE
Product Design[Textiles and Graphics Materials]
Resistant Materials
Spanish
Triple Science

18. x OPTION SELECTION FORM. Name: ______________________Tutor group:____
Please select 1 subject from Column A
below:
Please select 3 subjects from Column B below in rank order by placing 1, 2 and 3 in the box against them and also select a reserve subject [res]: A
Please √
Computer Science
French
Geography  x
History
Spanish
Triple Science
Curriculum Support B
Art & Design  3
Business Studies
Computer Science
Construction BTEC Award
Dance
Drama
Engineering
Food Technology
French  2
Geography
Health and Social Care
History
ICT GCSE
Media Studies
 RES
Music GCSE
Physical Education GCSE
Product Design[Textiles and Graphics Materials]  1
Resistant Materials
Spanish
Triple Science
Please indicate below whether you would like to take Short Course or Full Course GCSE RE:
Short Course
___________________________________________

19. Lunch-time arrangements.
You will all have an individual class calendar
that sets out when the taster sessions are
for Media, Business Studies and Health and
Social Care. There is also an Art display at
designated times. Therefore you will go into
dinner 1st for this week and next Monday.
Lunchtime taster sessions start at 1.20pm.

20. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 24-Feb 25-Feb 26-Feb 27-Feb
03-Mar
Assembly
Media
Dance
Health and Social
Business Studies pm
9A1, 9A2, 9C1
Art Display
9C2, 9D1, 9D2
9T1, 9T2, 9T3

21. Year 9 Parents Evening
I will be available all evening if you have any queries
Mrs Hindes[ Independent Careers advisor] will also be available all evening.
Both our desks will be situated at the back of the hall by Mr Quinn’s office.

22. Between March and May All choices are analysed.
Most of you will be able to take the subjects you choose.
If a single subject has not attracted enough pupils it will be closed. You will be informed and asked to make another choice.
If a subject is heavily oversubscribed, this will be discussed with you and preference may be given to pupils who have shown an aptitude for that subject.