1. Welcome to Option Evening for Year 8
NOTHING BUT THE BEST
Welcome to Option Evening for Year 8
Key Date
March 23: Deadline for your choices form

2. Where are we? Where do we want to be?
NOTHING BUT THE BEST
Our Journey so far.
Where are we? Where do we want to be?
School League Table North Somerset

3. GCSE Changes – The National Picture No Controlled Assessment
NOTHING BUT THE BEST
GCSE Changes – The National Picture
Progress 8
This is the main school measure from Schools will be judged on the students’ performance on 8 GCSEs.
Reformed GCSEs
(9-1)
Being phased in from
Vocational Reforms
Linear approach
No Controlled Assessment

4. NOTHING BUT THE BEST Grade 4 = Standard Pass Grade 5 = Strong Pass
“Grade 4 will be a passport to future study and employment” – DfE 2017

5. NOTHING BUT THE BEST What are we doing to support our students?
A three – year Upper School to create more time.
Pre-Public Exams (PPEs) give students opportunities to learn exam skills.
Modular curriculum based on knowledge and skills.
A variety of GCSEs and vocational courses.

6. WCSA Curriculum Design
Three Year Upper School Curriculum
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Core Curriculum
English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Combined Science, Religious Studies Core PE, Citizenship and Personal Social Health Education
Personalised Curriculum
GCSE: Digital Art, Fine Art, Business, Citizenship, Drama, Dance, Music, Graphics, Resistant Materials, Textiles, Triple Science, Food Technology
Vocational: BTEC Business Studies, Cambridge Nationals Child Development, ICT-Digital Applications, Music Practitioners, and OCR Sports Studies
EBacc Curriculum
GCSE: French, Spanish, Geography, History, Computer Science (At least one choice)

7. NOTHING BUT THE BEST Core Curriculum GCSEs Non GCSE
GCSE English Language and Literature
GCSE Mathematics
GCSE Sciences (combined or triple)
GCSE Religious Studies
Non GCSE
Core Physical Education
Citizenship
Personal, Social, Health Education

8. English Baccalaureate Curriculum
NOTHING BUT THE BEST
English Baccalaureate Curriculum
Geography
History
French
Spanish
Students need to opt for at least one of these subjects with the addition of Computer Science

9. The English Baccalaureate At WCSA EBacc is not compulsory
NOTHING BUT THE BEST
The English Baccalaureate
Since 2011 students who achieve A* - C (now 9-5 for a ‘strong pass’) in each of the following areas are recognised as having achieved an EBacc:
GCSE science – combined science or triple
GCSE English language / literature
GCSE mathematics
GCSE maths GCSE history or geography
GCSE French or Spanish
At WCSA EBacc is not compulsory
9-5
9-5
9-5
9-5
9-5

10. Year 8 Core and Options Subjects for Upper School—26 Subjects
All Students do a Core Curriculum which consists of:
Maths (GCSE)
4 hours per week
English Language and English Literature (2 GCSEs)
Combined Science (2 GCSEs)
5 hours per week
Religious Studies (GCSE over 3 years)
2 hours per week
Core PE (non-exam based)
This equals 6 GCSE qualifications equalling 17 hours per week
1 or 2 OPTIONS FROM BOX A
(COURSES COVERED OVER 3 YEARS, 3 HOURS PER WEEK)
GCSE History - EBacc
GCSE Geography - EBacc
GCSE French - EBacc
GCSE Spanish - EBacc
GCSE Computer Science

11. (COURSE COVERED OVER 3 YEARS, 3 HOURS PER WEEK)
1 or 2 OPTIONS FROM BOX B
(COURSE COVERED OVER 3 YEARS, 3 HOURS PER WEEK)
Social Sciences
· BTEC Business Studies
· GCSE Citizenship
Design and Technology
· Level 2: Food
· GCSE DT: Graphics
· GCSE DT: Resistant Materials
· GCSE DT: Textiles
Arts
· GCSE Fine Art
· GCSE Digital Art
· GCSE Drama
· GCSE Music
· Music Practitioners (GCSE Equivalent dependent on units studied)
· GCSE Dance
Triple Science
· Biology/Physics/Chemistry
Additional Courses
· Cambridge National Child Development
· OCR National PE
Information Technology
· Certificate in Digital Applications (CiDA)

12. Important Information Ensure your form is returned by Friday 23 March.
NOTHING BUT THE BEST
Important Information
• All students follow the core curriculum.
• Students choose one EBacc options (for some students we highly recommend a language and humanities course). You must choose one from this pool.
• You will study one or two additional options – depending on you EBacc options.
Ensure your form is returned by Friday 23 March.

13. NOTHING BUT THE BEST
Choose wisely. We can not guarantee that students can change courses after their initial choices.

14. NOTHING BUT THE BEST
Curriculum team leaders, subject teachers, Year 8 tutors and the leadership team are all available to answer all of your questions.
Enjoy your tour of the options area and many thanks for your support tonight