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2. Year 9 options process - timeline
Wednesday 28th February Options evening Monday 5th March – Friday 16th March Learning conversations Thursday 8th March Parents’ evening Monday 19th March – Friday 23rd March Make option choices
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3. Which is the right door for you?
Your Options
Which is the right door for you?
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4. Why the fuss about qualifications?
‘In a competitive job market, academic and vocational qualifications are increasingly important.  Those without qualifications are at a higher risk of being unemployed and having low incomes.’
Exclusion, employment and opportunity, Case Paper No 4, Atkinson. A and Hills J, (eds),
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5. Changing times…. UNLIMITED POTENTIAL Changes you are hearing about:
‘Broad and balanced curriculum’
Return to more traditional GCSE subjects
Restriction on the number of non GCSE qualifications
High quality vocational qualifications
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6. And the changes keep coming…
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7. And the changes keep coming…
GCSE Attainment
GCSE Grades
GCSE Points A* 9 8 A 7 B+ 6
C+/B- 5 C- 4 D 3 E 2 F 1 G
New GCSE grading: a “good pass” is seen as a grade 5 or above – top end of a current C grade/bottom of a current B grade
Old GCSE grading: a “good pass” was seen as a grade C or above
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8. As things stand for results 2020…
GCSEs
BTECs
Grade
Distinction *
Distinction
Merit
Pass
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9. What’s different about Key Stage 4?
19 month course (a little over 5 terms)
Higher level and greater amount
More independent learning
Mock and final examinations
Be prepared to give time to your studies
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11. Compulsory Subjects – ‘Core’
ROUTE A: Maths
English (Language and Literature)
Combined Science/Triple
History (*or geography)
Spanish PE
ROUTE B:
Maths
English (Language and Literature)
Combined Science/Triple
History (*or geography) PE
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12. GCSE/Non- GCSE options – all study 2 Choose in order of 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice + reserve
Art & Design
Geography
Drama PE
Computing
Food prep and nutrition
DT Product Design
Religious Studies
Business Studies
Music*
BTEC
BTEC Business Studies
BTEC Performing Arts: Dance
BTEC Sport
BTEC Music*
Check with Mr Malik
*one of these will run
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13. Students who follow route B Choose a third choice from:
Subject
Qualification
Art and Design
GCSE
Construction and the Built Environment
BTEC
Animal Care
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14. Compulsory Subjects – ‘Core’
History (*or geography)
Study history as core + geography as one of the two option choices OR
Study geography as core (instead of history) and choose 2 other option subjects
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15. English Baccalaureate Represents breadth and strength in academic achievement
English GCSE
Maths GCSE
Combined Science GCSE (or Triple)
Spanish
History (*or geography)
All at or above grade 5
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16. Restrictions UNLIMITED POTENTIAL
GCSE PE and BTEC Sport GCSE Drama and BTEC Dance GCSE Business Studies and BTEC Business Studies
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17. How do I make my choice? UNLIMITED POTENTIAL
Think carefully about your subject choices; find out about subject content and assessment; research the necessary subject requirements for any career in which you may be interested.
Your choice should reflect YOUR interests and abilities. Do NOT make choices because of pressure from others. You are unlikely to have the same teachers next year as you have this year and you may well be in a different class to your friends. It is very important that you make the right choices NOW.
The timetable for next year will be designed according to the choices you make and any requests for changes at a later date may not be possible.
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18. Can the school guarantee that I will be given my first choice of subjects?
Every attempt will be made to give you the subjects of your choice but we ask you to select a reserve preference so we can best meet the needs of every student
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19. So what next? UNLIMITED POTENTIAL DO think about: What do I enjoy?
What am I good at?
What do I want to do post 16?
Do I need a range of subjects?
DON’T think about:
Choosing a subject to be with your friends
Choosing subjects because you like/don’t like the teacher
Choosing a subject because it ‘might be easy’
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20. Use the options booklet
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21. So what next? Join us for refreshments and informal discussions
Another opportunity to meet subject leaders of the option subjects – they will be able to answer any questions that you have
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