1. Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form College
Key Stage 4 Courses – 2019
Ms Witty – Curriculum Director
Ms Gordon – Director of Learning Year 8
01 June 2019

2. Compulsory subjects - Core
English
Mathematics
Science
Citizenship PE
01 June 2019

3. Option Subjects - Choices
Art, Craft & Design
Business/Enterprise & Marketing
Child Development
Computer Science
Dance
D&T: Textiles-based/ D&T: Timber-based
Drama/Performing Arts
Food Preparation & Nutrition
French
Geography
Health & Social Care
History
Media/Creative Media Production /Creative iMedia (IT)
Music
PE/Sport Science
Religion, Philosophy & Life
Spanish
01 June 2019

4. Organisation for Core Subjects
Year group divided into two bands – not Lukin and Wells
Band A and Band B – even bands
4 classes in each band for the core subjects
Each core subject will place students in a set depending on their ability in that subject
01 June 2019

5. Three Pathways – H, R & S for option subjects
More personalised approach
Based on:
achievement
learning styles
assessment preference
Aim for ‘personal best’
01 June 2019

6. The Pathways
Pathway S
take the English Baccalaureate – English, maths, science, a language (French or Spanish) and a humanities subject (history or geography) + 2 other choices
Pathway R
don’t have to take a language, but can if they want to
take a humanities subject (history or geography) + 3 other choices
Pathway H
take at least two vocational subjects + 2 other choices
more practical subjects
more coursework/fewer exams
01 June 2019

7. The Pathways
Pathway S
take the English Baccalaureate – English, maths, science, a language (French or Spanish) and a humanities subject (history or geography) + 2 other choices
Pathway R
don’t have to take a language, but can if they want to
take a humanities subject (history or geography) + 3 other choices
Pathway H
take at least two vocational subjects + 2 other choices
more practical subjects
more coursework/fewer exams
01 June 2019

8. The English Baccalaureate
“The EBacc is a combination of subjects that
the government thinks is important for young people to study at GCSE.” DfE
English
Maths
Two separate sciences or combined science
A language (French or Spanish)
Either geography or history
01 June 2019

9. Qualifications in KS4 GCSEs – most will have assessment by exams only
BTEC Tech Awards –40% externally assessed exam or task, 60% assignments (coursework)
Cambridge National Certificates - 40% externally assessed exam or task, 60% assignments (coursework)
Check the course descriptions in the Options booklet for details of assessment
01 June 2019

10. KS4 Assessment For GCSEs, previously grades A* - G Now grades 9 – 1
5 or more grade 4s will be necessary to move on to Advanced courses in the sixth form. Some subjects require grade 5 or 6.
Some qualifications will have Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* grades
Pass is equivalent to a GCSE grade 4/5
01 June 2019

11. The New GCSE Grading System
The new GCSE content will be “more challenging”
The majority of subjects will be assessed solely through exams taken at the end of two or three years of study
01 June 2019

12. Choices, Choices, Choices
Your child’s education or training will continue until they are at least 18
Year 8 Choices – 4 option subjects
Year 11 Choices – subjects for Sixth Form, or College, or an Apprenticeship
Year 13 Choices – University, or an Apprenticeship, or Employment
01 June 2019

13. Careers Research Students don’t have to have a career in mind
Use Kudos to match their interests to careers
Instructions in PSHCE lessons
FAQs
GCSE choices and unis
See Mrs Kay, Careers Adviser, outside the Hall
See Mrs Abbott in the Careers Centre in school
01 June 2019

14. How to make choices – Do’s
Do consider your career aims
Do take subjects that you enjoy
Do take subjects that you are good at
Do ask your teachers for advice
Do aim for a broad and balanced curriculum – a variety of subjects
01 June 2019

15. How to make choices – Don'ts
Don’t choose a subject just because your friends are taking it
Don’t choose a subject just because you like your current teacher
Don’t choose too many similar subjects
Don’t choose a subject because you think it is an ‘easy option’ – there aren’t any!
01 June 2019

16. What happens next?
Options Evening – Tuesday 26 March, 6.00pm – 8.00pm. Talks/visit to subject stalls
A link will be sent to your child’s account on Wednesday 27 March
Make four choices and a reserve online
Deadline for choices – Friday 26 April
Students will be organised into viable options groups
Discussions with some students about choices
01 June 2019

17. Your child can log on with their school account
Your child can log on with their school account. The Student Choices page will be displayed. Prioritise the choices by clicking the choices and selecting the relevant position in the My Choices in Order of Preference list.
01 June 2019

18. Filling in the Choices Form
1st Choice
2nd Choice
3rd Choice
4th Choice
Reserve Choice
01 June 2019

19. Subject Locations
C01 – History, Geography & Religion, Philosophy & Life
E01 – PE & Sport Science
Dance Studio - Dance
E102 – French & Spanish
E103 – Media, Media Production, Drama & Performing Arts
E104 – Food, D&T: Timber &Textiles
Outside Hall – Independent Careers Adviser – Mrs Kay
Corridor between the main office and Art stairs – Art, Craft & Design
A013 - Music
A05 – Maths & Science
A06 – Computer Science and iMedia
Learning Zone - Business Studies, Enterprise & Marketing, Child Development and Health & Social Care
01 June 2019

20. ANY QUESTIONS?
01 June 2019