Options 2016-17

Tuesday 22nd November

Wednesday 23rd November

Sandhurst Schoolthe opportunity to succeed

Options Process

• Student introduction to process

• Parents introduction to process

• Initial choice process

• Formulation of option blocks

• Year 9 subject evening

• Students make option choices

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Support Available

• Simon Bamford - Assistant Head Teacher

• Heidi Nicholls – Work Related Learning Co-ordinator

• Advisa - Careers Advice Service (previously Connexions)

• Tutor & Head of House

• Subject teachers

• Older students in tutor group

• Family and friends

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Qualification Levels

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Level 1

eg GCSE 4-1

Technical

Level 1

Level 2

eg GCSE 9-5

Technical

Level 2

New GCSEs & Technical Level 2s

First Offered September 2017

• Business Studies GCSE

• Materials Technology

• Visual Communication

Still to be reformed

• Statistics

First taught September 2015

•English Language

•English Literature

•MathematicsFirst Taught September 2016

•Art and Design•Biology•Chemistry•Citizenship Studies•Computer Science•Food Preparation and Nutrition•Drama•French•Geography•German•History•Music•Physical Education•Physics•Religious Studies•Science (Double Award)•Spanish

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New GCSE Grading System

What Do the New GCSEs Look Like?

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• A grading scale of 9 to 1, with 9 being the top grade. This will help distinguish the new GCSEs from previous versions.

• Assessment will be mainly by exam, with controlled assessment used only where they are needed to test essential skills.

• There will be new, more demanding content.

• Courses will be designed for two years of study – they will no longer be divided into different modules. Students will take all their exams in one period at the end year 11.

• Very few exams can be split into tiers.

• Resit opportunities will only be available each November in English language and mathematics.

What are Technical Level 2?

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• Technical Qualifications is the new name for the vocational qualifications such as BTec, OCR National and other qualifications offered as an alternative to GCSEs.

• Students will be awarded Pass, Merit, Distinction and Distinction* grades.

• Technical qualifications are equivalent to GCSEs in their size and content.

• A Pass grade is equivalent to a grade 5 at GCSE.

• They can be used for progression to level 3 courses – although not directly to an A Level in the same subject.

Curriculum

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The Core Curriculum

English LanguageEnglish Literature

Mathematics(Statistics)

Double Science

Statutory Elements

Religious Education

PSHCE ITPhysical

Education

Options A B C D

Lessons per fortnight

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Year 10 Year 11

English 9 8

Mathematics 8 9

Core Science 10 10

PE 2 2

PSHCE 1 1

Options 4 x 5 4 x 5

Total 50 50

Option Subjects

Art GCSEBusiness Studies GCSE*Child Development Level 2*Citizenship GCSE* Computing GCSEDrama GCSEFrench GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition GCSEFood and Cookery Level 2Geography GCSE German GCSE Hair and Beauty Level 2*

Health and Social Care Level 2*History GCSE IT Level 2Materials Technology Level 2Music GCSEPhotography GCSEPhysical Education GCSE & Level 2Religious Studies GCSESpanish GCSETriple Science GCSETravel and Tourism Level 2*Visual Communication Level 2

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Warning – these subjects are being offered. However they may not all ultimately

run. Subjects will only be taught if they have enough students opting for them to

make them viable.

Initial Options Form

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Option Blocks from 2014

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Block A Block B Block C Block D

B Studies Art Computer Studies B Studies

Citizenship Catering Geography Catering

Child Development German History Geography

Drama French IT History

Graphics Geography RE Music

Geography History Resistant Materials Triple Science

PE Spanish

Travel & Tourism Alternative Provision Alternative Provision

Hair & Beauty

Warning – subjects, even when they appear in option blocks are still not

guaranteed to run. Subjects will only be taught if they have enough students

opting for them to make them viable.

Final Options Form

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The student and a parent should sign this form and return it to their tutor by

Wednesday 1st February.

There is no advantage to submitting this form before this date.

English Baccalaureate

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Students do not receive a specific certificate or award.

Humanities subjects cover history and geography but not RE.

Languages includes French, German and Spanish but also may include a GCSE in a student's first or alternative language.

Government are putting pressure on schools to encourage the EBacc and on universities to include it as an admissions criteria.

English Language GCSE Grade 5 or higher

Mathematics GCSE Grade 5 or higher

Two Science GCSEs Grade 5 or higher

A Modern Language GCSE Grade 5 or higher

A Humanity GCSE Grade 5 or better (Geography or History)

Pathways

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Yellow Pathway Blue Pathway Orange Pathway

Students should only

choose GCSE courses

and should study a

language and history

or geography.

Students should select

mainly GCSE courses

but could consider a

Technical course if they

feel it suits them.

Possibly 1 or 2 GCSE

courses along with

technical courses or

the Skills Challenge

option.

In order to help students to make good choices we use a pathways model. This is intended to guide students and is not compulsory. The pathways assigned to each student is based upon the information we have on their most recent performance in school. We do recognise that each student has individual circumstances and so if you wish to discuss their pathway with us then we encourage you to do so.

Alternative Provision

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For some students we arrange a personalised programme of alternative provision.

Students and their parents may be personally invited to select these courses if we feel they are appropriate for that individual.

If you think that your son/daughter may benefit from a reduced number of qualifications or other forms of personal support please contact me and we will discuss suitable alternative provision.

College or Work Experience courses can be arranged for specific students who we feel will benefit from them – these are not part of the options process.

Keeping You Informed

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During Key Stage 4 we will

Set target grades and review them every term

Provide progress reports every half term.

Set regular exams and assessment

Meet with you to discuss progress.

Alert you to any concerns.

Celebrate every success.

Good Reasons for Choosing a Course

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It fits students interests and abilities.

Students are good at it and think they will enjoy it.

It links to students’ career plan.

Students think they might want to continue studying it after Year Eleven.

It will help students meet the entry requirements for the post-16 options which interest them.

It will help students have plenty of choice for post-16 study.

Don’t Choose a Course because

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Friends have chosen it.

Someone else thinks it will be a good idea to do it.

Students think it will be easy.

Students think it’s a good course for a boy/girl to do.

Students don’t have time to research options properly or to get any information and advice.

Students like the teacher they have now.

Last Words

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It is in your child’s best interest to make good choices for sound reasons as changes further down the line cannot always be accommodated.

We will be meeting with any students (and their parents) who want, or we feel need, additional individual guidance during and after the options window.

Ultimately this is the student's choice - advise and guide them but ensure they are happy with the final decision.

There are no wrong choices - all choices at this stage can lead to any destination.

Timeline

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Tuesday 22nd November: Student Options Assembly

Wednesday 23rd November Parents Information Evening

Monday 28th November: Initial Options Forms Issued

Wednesday 30th November: KS4 Subjects Assembly

Friday 16th December: Initial Options choices deadline

Wednesday 11th January: Student Assembly

Final Options Form Issued

Thursday 19th January: Year 9 Subject Evening

Wednesday 1st February Final Options Deadline

Throughout December, January and February:

Individual appointments with students and their parents as necessary.

Thank you for coming

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Any (General) Questions?