Year 9 Options Evening

Welcome!

The aim of this evening is to clarify the options process, the types of qualifications offered and some of the terminology involved.

Year 9 Options

Compulsory Subjects

Compulsory subjects account for 3/5 of the curriculum (16 lessons)

Subject Qualification English Language and Literature GCSE (2 certificates) Science Double or Triple Award GCSE (2 or 3 certificates)

Mathematics GCSE (1 certificate) Religious Education GCSE (1 certificate) Physical Education None

E-Bacc or not?

The E-Bacc (English Baccalaureate) is a recognition of “C” grade or higher in GCSE:

• English (Compulsory)• Maths (Compulsory)• Science (2 or 3) (Compulsory)• A Language (Early entry or Optional)

• History or Geography (Optional)

What does it mean?

• It’s not an “extra” qualification, just a recognition of “C” grade or better in those subjects

• No local FE colleges or 6th forms require it for entry to their courses

• No HE universities state it in their entry requirements (see Russell Group informed choices document)

• MFL at GCSE is generally only a requirement for an English degree but check this out if you know now what you want to do.

Our advice therefore is still to pick the subjects which give you the best chance of the best grades

We know that:

What can I choose?

Boys PEGirls PEFood TechnologyEngineering ICT SpanishProduct Design – FashionProduct Design – Hard Materials

GeographyHistoryFilm StudiesArtPhotographyMusicDramaComputer Science

Computer ScienceBiology GeographyHistorySpanish

Science

• Triple Science • Double Award Science

Both courses include the study of Biology, Chemistry and Physics

Biology Chemistry Physics

New GCSEs

New GCSEs are being introduced in English and Maths in September 2015

Advice for Students

1. Choose the subjects you are likely to do best in. Use your current levels and the feedback you have had from your teachers to guide you

2. Don’t make a choice just because you like the teacher. That teacher may well not be taking the group you end up in

3. Be realistic about your strengths and weaknesses and accept realistic advice about the type of course you choose.

4. Above all don’t choose a subject because your friend is doing it! There is no guarantee you’ll end up in the same class!

Let us guide you!

• We can guide you to courses which we know will offer your children the very best chances of achieving the best grades.

• Vocational options offer the best progression routes for some students. New qualification guidelines, however, make vocational subjects less suitable for some students.

Options Interviews

You and your children are offered an options interview with a senior member of staff to explore the best choices for the best grades.

These interviews will take place with either Mr Rimmer, Mr Fiddler, Mr Klinck or Mrs Knowles. They will take pace between February 27th and March 13th.

Making their Choices

The options form looks like this.

You need to make 3 choices from the subject list

Some additional vocational choices will be offered as an alternative for some students during options interviews.

These forms are given out during the interview

Interviews with Mr Rimmer

Options Interviews

Form:

9H9A

Form lists are displayed on the wall in the creative studio

Interviews with Mr Fiddler

Options Interviews

Form:

9W9K

Form lists are displayed on the wall in the creative studio

Interviews with Mr Klinck

Options Interviews

Form:

9L9E

Form lists are displayed on the wall in the creative studio

Interviews with Mrs Knowles

Options Interviews

Form:

9Y

Form lists are displayed on the wall in the creative studio

• Subject input

• Options interviews

• School Website:- Option booklet- Russell group guide- Careers explorer- This presentation

Support

• Groups are generated and a timetable produced

• The vast majority of students will study their initial choices

• It’s likely that a small number (9 in 2013, and 4 in 2014) will have to be interviewed again and choose a different combination

What Next?