1. Assistant PrincipalMr.R.Kelsall Options

2. What is Key Stage 4?  Begin studying material for Y11 exams  Each subject has a qualification  Less subjects to study – specialise  New start  Independent Learning – BUT NO Controlled Assessment in most subjects

3. Current Y8 Timeline February PHSE Options lessons Thursday 26 February Options Evening (5:00-8:00pm) Y8 5pm Presentation in Hall Option Booklet & Form Available Subject Displays Careers Service February Option Assemblies

4. Y9-11 GCSE Core Subjects  English*2 GCSE’s English/English Literature  Mathematics*1 GCSE  Science *1 - 3 GCSEs for some students  IT1 GCSE  PE Games (No qualification) * EBACC CORE SUBJECTS

5. Why EBACC Subjects?? Strong academic subjects in their on right Recognised by top universities Give you a broad academic range of qualifications Government would like students to study at least 5 EBACC subjects (including English & Maths) – ALL STUDENTS Gaining 6 EBACC subjects is also known as gaining EBACC:- English, Maths, Double Science, Geog/History, Language – SELECTED – YELLOW FORMS Additional EBACC Subjects

6. BTEC or GCSE???  BTEC’s are qualifications where students learn about a subject through an industry  BTEC’s have 75% Project work and 25% Exam  GCSE’s are a study of a particular subject  GCSE’s normally have 100% exam, apart from practical subjects such as Art, Performing Arts or DT subjects  THEY ARE BOTH THE SAME STANDARD BTEC or GCSE’s

7. GCSE English Lang GCSE English Lit GCSE Maths ICT PE (No Qualification) Route 1 (EBACC) Route 2 GCSE Dual Science GCSE Hist or Geog GCSE Language GCSE Biology Select 2 from GCSE History GCSE Geography GCSE Language EBACCCORE PATHWAY 2015 PATHWAYS Plus 2 options OTHER 2015 Pathways

8. Y9-11 Option Subjects GCSE Geography - EBACC GCSE Expressive Arts GCSE History - EBACC GCSE Triple Science GCSE German- EBACC GCSE Film Studies GCSE French - EBACC * = 1 from each subject colour/block BTEC Health & Social Care ASDAN Certificate of Personal effectiveness BTEC Travel & Tourism GCSE Textiles* GCSE Psychology GCSE Food GCSE Religion GCSE Art & Design* STUDIO College GCSE Graphic Products GCSE Physical Education *BTEC/GCSE Business Studies BTEC Sport * Only 1 similar subject from each Faculty Y9-11 GCSE Option Subjects

9. What is Progress 8? From 2016 a Progress 8 (value-added measure based on a measured score for each child when they enter secondary school) will replace the present measure of five A*-C including English and Maths as the main measure. The measure will be based on students’ performance in eight subjects, divided into four groups: English, Mathematics, EBacc qualifications and an an open group. Progress 8 – Not 5A*-C

11. Why should we feel positive about Progress 8? There are different opinions but there are four good reasons to believe that these changes are reasonable and even helpful to students as well as schools and ultimately employers. The measure is based on progress, not raw attainment. The measure is based upon performance in a range of subjects, not just English and Mathematics. The measure is based on the performance and progress of all pupils of all abilities, rather than focussing on just those on the C/D borderline. Vocational (BTEC) subjects can be included in the measure, making it possible to recognise the achievements of students in a wide range of different contexts 2015 Pathways

12. Gillian - an Able hard working pupil who started The Discovery Academy with an average KS2 Level of 5 QualificationPointsIncludedDoubled?Total Points 1GCSE English Language8YesYes because she also entered for English Literature16 2GCSE Maths9YesMaths is always doubled18 3GCSE Double Science7YesNo7 4GCSE Double Science7YesNo7 5GCSE History8YesNo8 6GCSE English Literature7YesNo7 7GCSE Art6YesNo6 8GCSE German6YesNo6 9GCSE Geography5No 0 Total Points75 Attainment 8 Score (divided by 10)7.5 Progress 8 (Student with this KS2 start gets to an 8 on average)-0.5

13. Becky - a middle ability pupil who started The Discovery Academy with an average KS2 Level of 4 QualificationPointsIncludedDoubled? Total Points 1GCSE English Language5Yes Yes because she also entered for English Literature10 2GCSE Maths4YesMaths is always doubled8 3GCSE Biology5YesNo5 4GCSE German3YesNo3 5GCSE History5YesNo5 6GCSE English Literature5YesNo5 7GCSE Art6YesNo6 8GCSE Graphics4YesNo4 9GCSE Geography2No 2 Total Points46 Attainment 8 Score (divided by 10)4.6 Progress 8 (Student with this KS2 start, gets to an 5 on average)-0.4

14. Kerry - a low ability pupil who started The Discovery Academy with an average KS2 Level of 3 QualificationPointsIncludedDoubled? Total Points 1GCSE English Language4Yes Yes because she also entered for English Literature8 2GCSE Maths3YesMaths is always doubled6 3GCSE Biology1YesNo1 4GCSE Geography2YesNo2 5GCSE History3YesNo3 6GCSE English Literature4YesNo4 7GCSE Art5YesNo5 8GCSE Graphics6YesNo6 9 GCSE GCSE Performing Arts4No 4 Total Points35 Attainment 8 Score (divided by 10)3.5 Progress 8 (Student with this KS2, start gets to an 3 on average)0.5

15. Y9 Weekly Periods OPTIONS + IT & PE Maths & English Y9 Weekly Periods Maths & English R1 EBACC R2 Dual Science, Geog/Hist + Lang Biology & 2 from:- Geog/Hist/Lang OPTIONS + IT & PE

16. Making the right choice  Students must avoid the usual pitfalls of picking subjects for the wrong reasons  Group size must be viable  Students should pick the subjects they like and they can succeed in.  Help them achieve their career ambitions.  Remember it’s a long course  BTEC’s have progression routes and are equivalent to a GCSE Making the right choice

17. What now??? Take a look around the academy rooms to explore option and core subjects further Discuss with Y8 teachers how successful your child may be at KS4 in each subject Use Kudos on the internet to support your child’s decision Complete options form & hand in at end of the evening What now?