1. Welcome to Year 8 Options Information Evening Wednesday 13 th January 2016 Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or set to silent mode. Thank you

2. Year 8 Key Stage 4 Options 2016-2019

3. Broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 7 and above as currently achieve a grade A and above. The bottom of grade 1 will be aligned with the bottom of grade G. Grade 5 will be awarded to the top third of students gaining the equivalent of a grade C or bottom third of a grade B. The Department for Education has decided that grade 5 will be a ‘good pass’.

4. Year 8 students will be making their four GCSE option choices THIS year, rather than in Year 9 as has been the case in the past.

5. Why Make Key Stage 4 Options in Year 8?  Year 8 students are the first year group to sit new GCSEs in all of their subjects.  The content of new GCSEs will be harder.  Coursework and controlled assessments are reduced or removed in most subjects.  Year 9 will be a ‘foundation’ year - an extra year to prepare will reduce the pressure.  More time for English, Maths and Science.  More time for option subjects that students take at Key Stage 4.  Less time in subjects that students drop.  Better preparation for reformed A Levels.

6. GCSE Pathway  Traditional route for most students  Mix of compulsory and optional subjects

7. Compulsory Subjects  English Language  English Literature  Maths  Science (two/three GCSEs)  Religious Studies (full/half GCSE)  Core PE*  Personal Development* * Non examined

8. The English Baccalaureate (“EBacc”)  5+ A* - C must include:  English Language/English Literature  Maths  Two Science GCSEs (Computing included)  A Modern Foreign Language  A Humanity (History or Geography)

9. EBacc Block  Students MUST choose at least two GCSE subjects from the EBacc Block:  Computing  French  Geography  History  Spanish

10. Curriculum Breadth and Balance We strongly recommend that most students aim for this in their choices. To achieve this students should select:  A humanity (History or Geography)  A foreign language (French or Spanish)

11. Other GCSE Options  Art  Business Studies  DT Graphics  DT Resistant Materials  DT Textiles  Drama  Food Preparation and Nutrition  Music  PE

12. Other Options Courses Level 2 (worth 1 higher grade GCSE)  ICT Creative iMedia (CANNOT be studied alongside GCSE Computing)  Applied Business (CANNOT be studied alongside GCSE Business Studies) Level 1 (currently worth 1 grade D-G GCSE)  BTEC Workskills

13. Progression from GCSE to A Level Essential  Art  Computing  DT  Geography  French  Spanish Desirable  Business Studies  Drama  History  Music  PE

14. Read the details about the subjects in the options booklet! Which are the subjects that your son/daughter ENJOYS studying? Which are the subjects that your son/daughter is good at? Does he/she want to study something new? What are his/her future higher education or career aspirations? (does he/she already know what path he/she is likely to want to take?) What STYLE of learning and assessment does he/she like? (exams, coursework, project-based, practical etc.) DON’T base choices upon what his/her friends are going to choose! How to Choose?

15. What Happens Next?  Read the options booklet with your son/daughter  Attend Parents’ Evening (booking system open at 7:00am tomorrow):  Tuesday 26 th January (E half)  Wednesday 3 rd February (H half)  Encourage your son/daughter to talk to his/her teachers!  Tuesday 4 th February – free choice options forms issued  By Thursday 11 th February – free choice options forms returned  Wednesday 24 th February – blocked options forms issued  By Tuesday 1 st March – final options forms returned