South Dartmoor Community College Year 8 Guided Pathways Evening Tuesday 26 th February

1. South Dartmoor Community College Year 8 Guided Pathways Evening Tuesday 26th February

2. Welcome to the Year 8 Guided Pathways process. You may be aware that the Government is introducing changes to the curriculum in schools.

3. ‘Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor; that the son of a mine worker can become the head of a mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation’.Nelson Mandela

4. The Process So Far • Gove rnment imposed changes • Ebacc will impact on student progression rates - employment, education opportunities • SDCC students need to be as competitive as the rest of the country • Still get at least 4 options but not all at once as previously opted for in year 9. • Non Ebacc subjects unimportant?

5. The South Dartmoor Curriculum: • Meets the changes made by the Government with the EBacc. • Enables students to maintain a range of options as well as EBacc subjects. • Challenge Partners Review judged it as ‘outstanding’ (2013) • Personalises curriculum opportunities based on stage not age i.e. students will take exams when we believe they are ready and in a position to progress to the next stage of their learning rather than the old model of waiting until a given age. • Personalised examination courses means A/S courses can be taken prior to Sixth Form and where appropriate additional lessons can be provided in subjects where performance is lower than expected.

6. We are involving Year 8 Students and Parents/Carers in the Guided Pathways process much earlier than usual. This is so we can respond to the Government Curriculum changes in a timely way that enables us to resource and staff History, Geography, French and Spanish.

7. Next Steps for Year 8 Students Humanities: • Select the Humanity subject (Geography or History) you would prefer to study as part of the EBacc route in Year 9.

8. This might mean students decide to choose one of Geography or History now and begin to study it as a GCSE in Year 9 and then select the other in Year 9 and begin it as a GCSE in Year 10. Alternatively students may choose to study subjects from other areas, in Year 10.

9. Next Steps for Year 8 Students Languages: • Enjoy getting fully involved with your French and Spanish taster lessons • Later this term you will be given a language route • You will then select French and/or Spanish as your preferred language option

10. Am I able to discuss whether my child should take Geography or History? Am I able to discuss whether or not my child might take either or both French and Spanish? Yes. We absolutely encourage you to do this. If you have any questions, please arrange a chat with your child’s Geography, History, French and Spanish teachers at your earliest convenience. The Subject Leaders of Geography, History, French and Spanish are also available to chat with.

11. KEY DATES February 2013 Receive A5 Geography, History, French and Spanish Guided Pathways EBacc booklet. Tuesday 26th February 2013 Guided Pathways evening 5.30-6.30pm. An important opportunity to hear short presentations from Geography, History, French and Spanish staff in order to help students make informed choices as well as learn more about our Curriculum changes. Friday 8th March 2013 Deadline for selecting Geography or History as an option to begin in Year 9. March/April 2013 Language options information following French/Spanish taster sessions. Summer Term We aim to confirm your options for you in a letter.

12. KEY DATESFOR LANGUAGES • Before End of Spring Term 2013 - Personalised letter with language route • Year 8 Parents Evening – Thursday 25th April 2013 • Deadline for making choices within your language route – 29th April 2013

14. GeographyEDEXCEL CERTIFICATE Commencing September 2013 Mustafa Shaikh Subject Leader South Dartmoor Community College

15. Section A – The Natural Environment Complete two of the three topics: 1. River environments 2. Coastal environments 3. Hazardous environments

16. Section B – People and their Environments Complete two of the three topics 4. Economic activity and energy 5. Ecosystems and rural environments 6. Urban environments

17. Section C – Practical Geographical Enquiry The development of practical geographical enquiry skills related to the investigation of each selected topic from Sections A and B.

19. Section D – Global Issues Complete one of the three topics: 7. Fragile environments 8. Globalisation and migration 9. Development and human welfare.

20. Unique features and benefits of the specification: • No tiers of entry – accessible to all students • Assessment opportunity in June examination • Single tier. Single examination. • Provides a solid basis for Edexcel GCE AS and Advanced level Geography and World Development courses we do here. • Equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Nationals in Travel and Tourism and land-based subjects.

21. Specific support for Geography • GCSE class core text used and provided in class • GCSE student book to support Home Learning issued to each pupil from the Library • Resources on Moodle including OX box CD ROM revision and examination style resources. • Geography intervention and support sessions provided as appropriate • Access to the new geography ICT suite and notebooks • Support from Edexcel Board • Experienced Team of Mr Shaikh, Mr Wilson, Mr Hodges, Miss Fannon and other supporting colleagues

22. Useful websites: Edexcel Board http://www.bing.com/search?q=edexcel&src=ie9tr Geographical Association http://www.geography.org.uk/ BBC Bitesize http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ Geography blog http://geographyblog.eu/wp/

23. Why – Geography is your passport to the World!

24. GCSE Modern World History

25. Unit 1 – The Cold War 1945-75

26. Unit 1 Depth Study: America 1919-41

27. Unit 2: Changes to British Society 1890-1918

28. Controlled Assessment The Russian Revolution

29. 75% exam at end of course Unit 1 (Cold War and America) – 45% Unit 2 (Britain) – 30% Controlled Assessment – 25% 8 hours in class time Research and write an analytical essay of approx 2000 words. Focuses on the role of a key individual How is the course assessed?

30. Take what you know and use it to analyse historical questions (making links) Understand and interpret historical sources such as photographs or cartoons Skills/learning habits required and developed Communication skills Literacy/written communication Independence, perseverance. Up for a challenge! Know the facts (but it’s not just about knowing the facts)

31. History is a “facilitating” subject, which leaves your options open to study any subject or follow any career path. Progression Respected and valued by all universities and all professions, e.g. Law Transferable skills, useful in any job or academic pathway Lifelong love of History

32. Language Routes – September 2013 NVQ Business Spanish NVQ Business French

33. Language Routes – September 2013

34. Language Routes – September 2013 …the limits of your language are the limits of your world… If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart. Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.

35. Language Routes – September 2013: Overview

36. GCSE: WHAT will I study?

37. GCSE: HOW will I be assessed?

38. GCSE Language Lessons

39. NVQ: WHAT will I study?

40. NVQ: HOW will I be assessed?

41. Language Routes – September 2013 NVQ Business Spanish NVQ Business French