1. Year 8 Options Information Evening
Monday 26th February 2018
Key Stage S4 Courses

2. Mr Colepio Progress and Transition

3. Aims
1. To start the process of making choices for Year 8 students regarding Key Stage 4 GCSE options. 2. To explain the Key Stage 4 curriculum changes and choices that students and parents need to make. 3. To describe the different progression pathways open to students. 4. To outline the information, advice and guidance that is available to support the decision making process.

4. Mr Colepio – Progress, Transition and IAG
Support Team
Mr Colepio – Progress, Transition and IAG
Mr Henderson – Curriculum
Mr Coupe – Year Leader
Mrs Marshall - SENDCO
Subject staff
Tutors
Mrs Tunstall – Careers Advisor
Mr Baker – 6th form Leader
Parents

5. Key Dates 2018 Monday 26th Feb Option Booklet issued to students
             Parents’ Options Information Evening
Wednesday 7th March            Parents’ Consultation Evening (PU from 9th February)     
Monday 12th March              Course Preferences Sheets returned to           
                                                     Form Tutors
March  to June              Individual advice as required

6. Outcomes You will know: what you have to do.
when you have to do it by.
Where to go and who to see for information, advice and guidance.

7. Starting your GCSEs Tony Breslin and Mike Moores
“Beginning your GCSE courses represents a key landmark in your secondary education. Many of you will sit in the same classrooms and, sometimes, you’ll be taught by the same teachers, but, make no mistake: studying for GCSEs will place new demands on you
and you’ll need to develop new skills and strategies. In short, you’ll need to begin the move, or ‘transition’, from pupil to student.”

8. Exams and Assessment  
Most exams will be taken at the end of the course rather than on completion of modules.
 There will be fewer ‘bite-sized’ questions and more essay-style questions.
  The content will be more challenging.
  Coursework and controlled assessment will disappear from most subjects, apart from practical ones such as art, dance and drama.
The changes to GCSEs are designed to make subject content and exams more challenging. New style GCSEs have been slowly introduced in England and Wales over the last two years.

9. What will the jobs of the future be. In short, we don’t know
What will the jobs of the future be? In short, we don’t know. Where will new technologies take us? Lifelong learning and adaptable adults will be essential. We will become a society that is always learning new things. We are preparing for jobs that don’t yet exist using technologies that have yet to be invented

10. The future for our children
Happy
Successful
Fulfilled
Flexible/ versatile
Employed/ employable

11. Key questions
Think about their future study or career plans: is there a subject they are sure they want to do at A-level or college that they need to continue with now at GCSE?
- Consider what they enjoy and are good at.
- Seek their teachers’ advice on which subjects will play to their strengths.
- Don’t choose a subject based on friends or teacher.
- Focus on keeping options open for now rather than specialising. A broad and balanced Curriculum.

15. Mr Henderson Curriculum

16. Key Stage 4
English
English Literature (Majority to complete in Year 10)
Maths
Science
Three options from one of the three Pathways.

17. Science Everyone does Science
Students study Biology, Chemistry and Physics
This will lead to 3 GCSE Separate Science Grades at Higher of Foundation Level.
Prepared for A-Level
Towards the end of Year 10 – some students maybe advised to study Trilogy Science and get 2 GCSE Grades.

18. Three Pathways: Red – designed for EBACC certificate measure.
Blue – designed for broad curriculum offer.
Green – a more tailored approach to the KS4 curriculum.
On each Pathway Option 4 is a two year GCSE and will be examined in Year 10.

19. Pathway 
Option 1 
Option 2 
Option 3 
Option 4  2Yr 
Red 
Spanish 
French 
History 
Geography 
Art 
GCSE Drama 
GCSE PE 
GCSE/BTEC Music 
GCSE RE 
GCSE Food & Nutrition 
GCSE Statistics 
BTEC Performing Arts 
IT Certificate 
GCSE Fashion & Textiles 
GCSE Design & Manufacture 
BTEC Dance 
Blue 
Computing 
GCSE Design & Manufacture 
Green 
Non – GCSE MA/EN extra 

20. GCSE Grades
Currently A* - G (U)
9 – 1 (U)

21. Mr Coupe Year 8 Leader

22. How do you choose? Talk to people Your interests What you are good at
Your career ideas
What you enjoy
To develop skills
What you need to get you where you want to be

23. Sources of information:
Teachers (subject teachers; subject leaders; Form Tutor; Year Leader; others)
Youth Support Service (Careers Adviser)
Older students
Options Booklet and similar information
Parents

24. Changing options
Possible until the September half term, but….

25. Every effort is made to meet students’/ parents’ preferences but this is dependent on:
Resources
Staffing
Class sizes

26. Key Dates Friday 9th Feb Progress Update 3 available
Monday 26th Feb Option Booklet issued to students
                                                  Parents’ Options Information Evenin
Wednesday 7th March Parents’ Consultation Evening
Monday 12th March            Course Preferences Sheets returned to Form Tutors
March  to June Individual counselling as required

27. Next steps Parents’ Consultation Evening
Seek further advice if necessary from staff/careers advice
Careers websites
Ask if there are any problems or questions
Make choices
Summer Term

29. Thank you for listening!