Welcome to Options Evening

1. Welcome to Options Evening Class of 2018

2. Media Studies, Mr Garrad • Dance GCSE, Miss Binney • Travel and Tourism, Mrs Roberton • GCSE Citizenship, Mrs Lees • Your options booklet. Mr Davies Option Hand-out assembly

3. IMPORTANT • The questionnaire section of this booklet must be returned by 24th February to Mrs Bayley’s office. There will be a colourful box provided!

4. Who can help you choose? • Parents/ Carers • Your tutor/PD teacher • Your subject teachers • Older students • Mrs Wood School, Careers Co-ordinator (Wallis building office) • Your own research

5. Beware of peer pressure • Do not choose a subject because your friend is • Listen to your parents’/carers’ views but they will not have to go to the lessons for the next 2 years • Choose subjects you think you will enjoy but be realistic!!!

6. The “Ebacc” and GCSE reform • The government says that at least 90% of all students should be doing this for their GCSE. • This consists of Maths, English, Science and Modern Foreign Language and one of History or Geography “The Facilitator subjects”

7. The “Ebacc” and GCSE reform • GCSEs are becoming “more rigorous” and have greater content • So the class of 2018 is getting more time for their option subjects….. • Over the last few years we have increased the amount of English and Maths on the timetable • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/get-the-facts-gcse-and-a-level-reform/get-the-facts-gcse-reform

8. Maths and English • Any student who does not achieve a C equivalent (colleges yet to confirm whether this is 4 or 5) will be resitting or doing more Maths and English at college (no matter what course they do)

9. The “Ebacc” and GCSE reform

10. Your Year 10 and 11 timetables You have to take… • GCSE Maths ( 7 lessons per fortnight) • GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature (7 lessons of English altogether) • Science –combined ( 10 lessons per fortnight) • RS /Citizenship ( 5 lessons) • Personal Development ( 1 lesson) • Computing Studies (1 lesson – YEAR 10 ONLY)

11. Free options = 5 lessons each per fortnight • If you have studied languages in year 9 and are in Maths set A,B OR C you have to choose a language and 2 free options. (Baccalaureate pathway) • If you have studied LETS this year the Personalised Learning Pathway does not have a language on it and there are 3 free choices.

12. Studying Languages • Since the start of year 9 students had to choose 1 language or LETS for 5 lessons per fortnight • Our policy on studying languages GCSE is that it is compulsory if you are in the top 3 maths sets A,B or C and doing Spanish or French • German is optional this year due to the statistical probabilities of achieving higher grades in this language being more difficult

13. FAQ • Can I do opt to do PE and Dance? • Yes… but make sure that both PE and Dance teachers agree with your preference and that you are prepared for the physical exertion!

14. FAQ • Are there any subject combinations I can’t chose? • You cannot do Art and Creative textiles(THEY ARE BOTH Art GCSE’s) • If you would like to do DT textiles and Creative textiles please discuss with relevant teachers

15. FAQ • If I fill out a different form out does that mean I am in different classes? • No this has no link e.g. if you fill out History on the Bacc… Pathway and History on the Personalised Learning Pathway, you may or may not be in the same class

16. FAQ • Can anyone take Triple Science? • This is only available to students who are at least level 6a in Science • If you are desperate to do Triple and you are not 6a speak to Mr Hallworth and your Science Teacher • Triple Science is heavy on exams and the exams contain more Maths than they have previously so take this into account.

17. So how many qualifications will I get? • Some students get 9= Maths, English x2, Science x2, RS or Citizenship, a language + option 1 and option 2 • Some get 10 GCSEs=Higher Maths sets do a Statistics GCSE • Some do 8 GCSEs= if they chose LETS+ for extra Maths & English or if they do a college course(day release)

18. When do I know if I have my options? • By May half-term ( possibly earlier) your form tutors will be given information about your options. • Before then- between February and May, Mr Davies may speak to you if there is a clash or if some subjects are over subscribed. • It is almost impossible to give everyone their first choices

19. Will I get all of my choices? • Courses can only run if enough people chose them • If fewer than 15 people want to do a certain course then it is unlikely it will run • Also some courses are over subscribed so some of you will get your reserve choice • It is rare that there are clashes where you cannot do any of your 1st and 2nd choices • I will be asking to see many of you individually over the next 6 weeks or so if there are issues

20. !Attendance and Attitude! …………………...are the the biggest factors in whether you do well at school.

21. Wednesday 24th February • Your Option form must be handed in on this date as I need to work out how I can maximise students getting their First choices • If you hand it in late you are less likely to get your first choices

22. First Choices • Please note that everything is done to try and ensure you get your first choices but it is not always possible • If too many people have applied for a subject then we may go to the subject leader and ask them which students they think have done well at their subject in years 7,8,9

23. Remember…….. • Most of the Subjects that will help you progress are compulsory anyway!! • So don’t stress!! • Anyone who gets good grades in Maths, English, Science and RS/Citizenship will be able to do just about anything! • Art and Design Technology at college will ask you to bring your GCSE portfolio to interviews

24. Thank you for listening please do contact us if you don’t have a chance to speak to us this evening if you have a specific issue that needs to be discussed