Year 9 GCSE Options

Timeline: Wednesday 8th February – Parent/Pupil Talk

During February - Assemblies: All pupils spoken to by Heads of Option Subjects

Thursday 1st March – Parents Evening; a time for final consultation with subject staff. Issue of Option Forms. Friday 16th March – deadline for return of Option Forms

Tonight: you should have picked up a cream booklet giving details of the subjects available. Thursday 1st March Year 9 Parents Evening you will receive Your Option Form By Friday 16th March Completed forms handed in Informed of subjects in the Summer Term

Curriculum at KS4 6 Compulsory subjects

+

4 Option subjects

= 10 GCSE’s (or equivalent) + Enrichment programme

Compulsory English Literature and Language

2

Mathematics

1

Science (Chemistry Physics Biology)

3 6

Options For most, this will involve studying FOUR additional subjects from:

Art or Photography (Photography involves some costs/equipment) Business Studies Drama French or German Geography History ICT - OCR National Award ICT GCSE Music (must be able to play an instrument) RE PE Resistant Materials or Food Technology or Graphics

Enrichment Selection of activities available on Wednesday afternoons on a half term rotation e.g. Duke of Edinburgh Sports Debating Arts/crafts Try to get as involved in as many different activities as you can both in and out of school

14-19 pathways English Baccalaureate – recommended for students who are intending to go the academic university route The subjects you would take are: History/Geography (or both) + French/German + other traditional ‘grammar school’ type subjects …art, music etc.

Pathways are determined by grades: • 10 grade C’s at GCSE (or an average of grade C) to stay at our Sixth Form to do AS/A level courses (University) • 5 A*-C – to get on A/AS level courses at some of the local colleges (University) • 4 A*-C – to get on a BTEC level 3 course at local colleges (University) • 4 D-G grades to get on a BTEC level 2 course at local colleges (BTEC level 3)

Sets Sets

Subject

Setting

English

Yes (6)

A set is an ability group.

Maths

Yes (6)

ICT

Some

French/German

Yes (2)

Geography

Yes (2)

History

Yes (2)

Science

Yes

Art/Photography

No

Any D & T

No

Drama

No

Business Studies

Some

Music

No

PE

No

RE

No

Some subjects are set, some are not Setting is determined by departments based upon knowledge of the pupils previous attainment and from predictive data Set may determine level of entry in Year 11

Level of Entry Level of Entry Some subjects have 2 levels of entry Higher

A* to D

Foundation

C to G

Subject

Tiers

Maths

Yes (2)

Business Studies

Yes (2)

English

Yes (2)

French/German

Yes (2)

Geography

Yes (2)

ICT GCSE

Yes (2)

Triple Science

Yes (2)

ICT OCR National

No

History

No

Art/Photography

No

Drama

No

Music

No

PE

No

RE

No

All D & T

No

Grades matter so sets matter

Subject

Controlled Assessments Coursework has been replaced by controlled assessments. These are similar to coursework but are carried out entirely in school under controlled conditions

WATCH THE PARENT BULLETIN FOR DATES

Controlled assessment

All D & T

60%

Art/Photography

60%

Drama

60%

GCSE ICT

60%

PE

60%

ICT National

100%

English

60%

English Lit

25%

Business Studies

25%

Music

60%

French/German

60%

Geography

25%

History

25%

RE

none

Sciences

25%

Maths

none

Completing the Option Form

Completing the Option Form 



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Some initial advice

DO Consider studying a broad range of subjects Consider subjects that you have enjoyed in KS3 Consider which subjects you are successful at If you already have clear ideas about your career/future take this into account – ask for advice

DON’T XPick subjects to be with your friends XPick or not pick subjects because of the teacher XPick subjects because you think they are easy options – they aren’t

Websites that might help.. These websites are often used by students in Y11,Y12 and Y13 to help decide on AS , A level and degree courses but they may help you understand what the universities are after and what is needed for different careers. www.russellgroup.org (the Russell group represents the top 20 leading universities) www.careerpath.com www.alec.co.uk www.ucas.com Barnet and Southgate College – www.barnetsouthgate.ac.uk london.floodlight.co.uk www.apprenticeships.org.uk http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/career-info/ -the Times 100 Careers Guide which give information on companies and what kinds of jobs are available