1. Curriculum and Options 2019
HOWDEN SCHOOL
Curriculum and Options 2019

2. The Option process at Howden School have been designed to:
1. Allow students to access the broadest curriculum possible enabling all students’ learning needs to be met.
2. To engage learners and enable all learners to reach their full potential.

3. The Curriculum - OfSTED
The curriculum makes a positive contribution to students’ outcomes and their personal development, behaviour and welfare.
Students are prepared well for their future education and training as there is a good range of subjects taught and an emphasis on the development of literacy and numeracy skills.

4. Options
In Year 8 students will be able to select options for completion in the summer of 2022.
These students will be able to select a maximum of 4 subjects in Key Stage 4 (other subjects being compulsory).
Students will study their option subjects for…
2 hours per week over 3 years.

5. English Maths Science Subjects where there is no option Core subjects:
Some subjects are considered absolutely vital for your future success and as such everybody has to study them.
Core subjects:
English
Maths
Science

6. The Curriculum ICT is an option based subject.
Statutory ICT (Computing) is taught as part of a combined course within Year 11 with elements of Information and Guidance (IAG).
GCSE Religious Studies is taught in Year 9 and Year 10 and students will be entered for the exam at the end of Year 10.
All students will also cover some subjects designed to develop the individual, improve life prospects and employability such as…
Sports leaders (Yr9)
Functional Skills ICT (Yr9 and 10)
PSHE (Yr9)
Careers and Guidance (Yr11)

7. Routes
A change this year is to introduce routes or pathways for our students
After reviewing our curriculum, one clear outcome is that not enough of our learners are accessing the Ebacc
If we want all of our students to reach their full potential more students should study the EBacc

8. Academic Route + EBacc
The EBacc is a set of subjects at GCSE that keeps young people’s options open for further study and future careers.
The EBacc is:
- English language and literature
- Maths
- Sciences
- Geography or History
- A Modern Foreign language (French or Spanish)
ENGLISH
SCIENCE
LANGUAGES
GEOGRAPHY
HISTORY
MATHS
A study by the Sutton Trust reveals that studying the EBacc can help improve a young person’s performance in English and maths.
Research shows that taking the EBacc enhances prospects for entering further education or employment.
These are the subjects Top University’s want student to take.
The Government target for 2022 is 75% of students taking EBacc

10. High school students who study languages do better academically
Bilingual students perform better in English, Maths and Science
Creativity is increased with the study of foreign languages.
Students who take a language subject, on average earn £128, 000 more
88% of business leader say learning a language is critical to success in business
Graduates often cite foreign language courses as some of the most valuable courses in college because of the communication skills developed in the process.
Dealing with another culture enables people to gain a more profound understanding of their own culture.

11. For these reasons…
We would like our academic students to select the EBacc in their option choices
We will refer to this route as the Academic pathway
This is the pathway for students who consistently achieve grades 3 or higher across year 8
Students who intend to study A’levels and possibly go to University

12. Academic Route EBACC History GCSE Computer Science Geography
GCSE Design and Technology
French
GCSE Drama
Spanish
GCSE Food
GCSE Art and design
GCSE Music
GCSE Business studies
GCSE PE
EBACC

14. Academic / Vocational Route
This route would allow students to keep the academic pathways open to them in the future whilst allowing students to experience vocational learning.
Vocational subjects are…
OCR NATIONAL SPORTS STUDIES
OCR NATIONAL ICT
BTEC MEDIA
BTEC PERFORMING ARTS
BTEC HEALTH AND SOCIAL

15. Academic / Vocational Route
This route if for students who do not intend to go to university
You may be planning vocational courses college
You may be considering an apprenticeship
You are achieving grades below grade 3 in year 8
This pathway is also ideal for students who wish to keep their future options open
This group of students have the largest number of courses to choose from

16. Academic / Vocational Route
History
Health and Social studies BTEC technical awards
Geography
OCR ICT- Cambridge National Certificate
French
Creative Digital Media : BTEC Technical Award
Spanish
GCSE Music
GCSE Art and design
GCSE PE
GCSE Business studies
Performing arts BTEC technical awards
GCSE 3 Dimensional Design
OCR Sports Studies - Cambridge National Certificate
GCSE Drama
GCSE Textiles and design
GCSE Food
EBACC
Student on this pathway will be asked to pick at least 1 Ebacc subject

18. Options Things to do Things to avoid
Pick subjects you want to learn more about
Choose subjects you can see yourself studying for 3 more years
Choose subjects linked to career pathways you are considering
Things to avoid
Avoid picking subjects because your friends are picking it
Avoid picking subjects you do not like
Avoid picking subjects you have little interest in
Avoid picking subjects which are very similar
Eg GCSE PE and BTEC PE or OCR ICT and Computer Science

19. Do’s…
Think carefully about your preferences and the reasons for your choices.
Discuss your subject preferences with your parents, specialist subject teachers (parent evening) and tutor.
Consider your strengths and interests.

20. Do’s…
Think about where your choice of courses will lead post 16 and beyond.
Think about where you want to end up in five or even 10 year’s time. What do you picture yourself doing?

21. A few facts…
1 in 4 people today are with a company they have only been with for less than a year.
The top 10 in demand jobs now did not exist 5 years ago e.g. App. Designer.
It is estimated that today’s school leavers will experience between jobs before they are 40

22. Options Time Line Week Date Key events 1 29th Jan 31st Jan
Year 8 Assembly re Options
January Presentation to parents
Yr 8 Parent Carer evening 2
1st Feb
4th Feb
Taster session forms to students in PM Reg
Deadline for taster session forms 3
Feb
We will process the return slips 4
Mid Feb
Half Term 6
27th Feb
Taster Evening for Students 7
4th of March
Hand in Option Choices Sheet