1. OPTIONS EVENING SEPTEMBER 2019
MOVING TO KS4
Mr Gilmore - Vice Principal
No fire drill planned, so if alarm sounds please follow staff down to Astroturf near S&F

2. AIMS OF TONIGHT Understand our 3 year Key Stage 4 curriculum
Understand some of the key government changes that will affect current Year 8 students
Understand the Pathways and Options process

3. The Key Stage 4 Curriculum

4. Progression – Personalised for all
KS2
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 4
Post 16
Y4 - 6 Y7 Y8 Y9
Y10
Y11
Y12
Y13
Y6 SATs
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
Entry Level to Level 2
(e.g. GCSE, BTEC)
Level 3
(e.g. AS/A2/BTEC)
Progression – Personalised for all

5. WHY DO WE HAVE A 3 YEAR KEY STAGE 4?
To support you in:
Reaching YOUR potential
Getting better results
Having more flexibility in subjects
More time for breadth, depth and skills development
Preparing well for your future at Post 16 and beyond
Successful learners, Confident individuals, Responsible citizens

6. Recent Government Changes

7. MAIN TYPES OF QUALIFICATIONS
GCSE
theory of a subject
investigative work
practical work
exam assessment
Vocational
work-related qualifications
skills and knowledge that employers are looking for
theory and practice
part exam assessment

8. QUALIFICATIONS Most GCSE’s will be 100% exam
All GCSE grades are now numbers
9 (highest) to 1 (lowest ‘pass’) or a U = fail
All qualifications – including vocational subjects must now include exam elements (not 100% coursework) - equivalent to 1 GCSE
All exams must be taken at the end of the course

9. LEVELS – WHAT DO THEY MEAN?
Progression
Level 3
A Levels grades A* - E
BTEC Diplomas
OCR Technical
Level 2
GCSEs grades 9-4
BTEC Firsts
Level 1
GCSEs grades 3-1
BTEC Introductory
Entry Level
Entry level certificates
Skills for Life

10. HEADLINE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES:
Progress 8
Attainment 8
Basics – Good pass in English & Maths
EBACC – 6 qualifications (English, Maths, 2 Science, MFL and Humanities)
NB - EBACC measure - Top universities are reinforcing this for their entry requirements & some of them insist on MFL and Humanities for entry

11. The Subjects

12. WHAT IS YOUR TIMETABLE OF LEARNING MADE UP OF?
Compulsory Subjects
English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Combined Science
Physical Education
Learning 4 Life
Optional
Subjects
History
Music
Geography
Physical Education
French
Sport
Creative I-Media
Religious Education
Computer Science
Design Technology
Acting
Hospitality & Catering
Art
Health & Social Care
Separate Science Al

13. WHAT MIGHT YOUR TIMETABLE LOOK LIKE?
Compulsory Subjects
Optional Subjects

14. The Options Process

15. HOW DO WE ORGANISE KEY STAGE 4?
We place you onto appropriate ‘Pathway’
According to:
Your individual needs – we know you
Your progress records
Your teachers’ recommendations

16. WHAT ARE THE PATHWAYS? EBACC Choice Targeted Combination of GCSE &
Vocational Courses
Targeted
Combination of GCSE
&
Vocational Courses

17. STUDENTS THEN MAKE CHOICES:
These are called ‘Options’
Options are not guaranteed
Option subjects are all timetabled together
Some P&A groups may change

18. WHAT PROGRESSION ROUTES ARE THERE?
Students on any Pathway can progress onto a range of Post 16 courses at Level 2 or 3
P16
College
Apprenticeships
Students on any Pathway will be eligible to apply to HE / university after Post 16

19. OPTIONS PROCESS What students need to do! Thinking time:
Think carefully about your strengths (what subjects are you good at?)
Consider which subjects you enjoy
Consider your future aspirations (do you have an idea of what you would like to do in the future? E.g. work with people, join Police, work abroad)
Talk to your parents/carers
Look at the different choices available
Choose your subjects in rank order
Hand the Options Form back to your P&A Mentor by 22nd March 2019

20. OPTIONS PROCESS What NOT to do:
Do NOT choose subjects based on what your friends are doing
Do NOT choose subjects based on your current teacher & groups (this will probably change!)

22. √ 5 2 1 √ 3 4

23. HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD WITH THE PROCESS?
Talk to them about their interests
Discuss possible future jobs / careers
Get them to seek careers advice – MAP (Mr Dowey)
Ask them what they enjoy and are good at
Make sure they return the form by the deadline
Friday March 22nd

24. WHAT IF MY SON/DAUGHTER DOESN’T KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IN THE FUTURE?
Don’t worry – this is usual - many students don’t know!
Encourage them to make choices in subjects they enjoy and are good at
Encourage them to keep their options general and across a range of areas – don’t specialise in more than 1 from each curriculum area
e.g Humanities, Technology, MFL, Creative

25. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

26. CURRICULUM INFORMATION EVENT IN T&CC
Opportunity to speak to subject staff tonight
All ‘Option’ subjects in attendance
Maths & English do not have a representative
Please focus on subjects of interest
No fire drill planned, so if alarm sounds please follow staff to the Bus Park at the front of the College