Blwyddyn 8  9 Pathways - Llwybrau Parent Guide 2014-2015

1. Blwyddyn 89 Pathways - Llwybrau Parent Guide 2014-2015 Learning – Believing – Achieving Dysgu – Credu - Cyflawni

2. Key Stage 4 Transition What will I study in Year 9? All learners in Year 9 will follow • 7 compulsory subjects • 5 compulsory GCSEs • 1 optional GCSE/BTEC Compulsory Subjects • Physical Education • French • History • Geography • Art • Music • PSE which includes the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification These are not GCSE courses but are National Curriculum subjects that are taught to all learners in Year 9. Compulsory GCSE’s • English • Mathematics • Science • Religious Studies • Welsh These subjects are compulsory GCSE courses that all learners will follow through to Year 11.

3. Key Stage 4 Transition What will the courses look like? GCSE/BTEC Options • GCSE Product Design 3D • GCSE Product Design Textiles • BTEC Information Technology • ASDAN CoPE All learners in Year 9 have now chosen one of the above subjects. They will complete this subject during Year 9 and take more options in Year 10 & 11. • GCSE courses will either be examination only, or will require completion of a portfolio or controlled assessment. • Assessment calendar (provided in booklet) highlights key dates for assessments and external examination deadlines. These dates will be updated by class teachers as the course progresses. However additional information can be found at the examination board websites below. • Exam board email addresses- • www.wjec.co.uk English/ RS • www.aqa.org.uk Science/ Design Technology • www.edexcel.com Mathematics/Welsh • www.ocr.org.uk ICT • www.asdan.org.uk ASDAN (CoPE) • Note- External examinations 2014/15 provisional dates- Week beginning 4 May- 22 June 2015

4. Key Stage 4 Transition English Our new Year 9 Programme of Study will provide students with opportunities to develop and hone their technical and creative writing skills. They will study and analyse a range of fiction and non-fiction texts, and become more confident as speakers and listeners. We aim to make the Year 9 curriculum accessible to all learners, challenging and fun with opportunities to complete extended writing for real contexts. Most importantly, the Year 9 programme will directly prepare learners for the rigours of GCSE. The English course is constructed to enable learners to benefit in three ways: Firstly, they will develop the skills needed to succeed in GCSE English: speaking & listening, reading, writing and organisation. Secondly, they will hone the skills needed for life through English lessons. For example, the ability to plan effectively, to handle several pieces of information at the same time, to understand instructions, to work under pressure, to make effective presentations, to listen and respond to others and to write in a range of forms. Finally, we aim to nurture learners’ appreciation of a variety of literary and non-literary texts such as: novels, short stories, plays, films, media, poetry and web pages. This will also include learning to make informed choices and developing an awareness of issues that affect the world and acquiring the language needed to articulate their feelings.

5. Key Stage 4 Transition Mathematics • NO coursework and NO controlled assessments. • One calculator and one non-calculator exam at the end of the course. • Four tier scheme of learning to ensure that every student fulfils their potential. • Internal testing at the end of every half term. • Progressive scheme of learning. • GCSE External Exam at the end of Year 10. • Sets 1&2 A*-D Higher paper. • Sets 3&4 C-G Foundation paper.

6. Key Stage 4 Transition Science There are 4 different pathways that learners could follow. These pathways either follow a GCSE or BTEC route • The 4 Pathways- • Triple Award Science - (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) • Core & Additional • Core only • BTEC Vocational GCSEs Each form of GCSE pathway consists of: - 3 examinations in the summer (each paper = 25% of final grade). - 1 controlled assessment (practical exam) = 25% of final grade.

7. Key Stage 4 Transition Religious Studies In Year 9 we start the WJEC Short Course GCSE and study the following topics through the religion of Christianity. Believing and Living: Our World Relationships Looking for meaning Is it fair? Cymraeg – Welsh Students will receive one hour per week of compulsory Welsh in year 9 to complete a Level 2 National Vocational Qualification. There is no external examination for this course. Students will pass by completing a portfolio of coursework. 20 pieces of coursework will complete the portfolio. (More able students will be given an opportunity in year 10 to complete a further qualification in Welsh).

8. Key Stage 4 Transition WBQ – Intermediate • The Welsh Baccalaureate was introduced to provide learners with a more rounded educational experience. It enriches and incorporates existing general and vocational qualifications. It is designed to prepare learners for higher education and employment. • These challenges will develop and apply the seven skills at the core of the WBQ: • Literacy • Numeracy • Digital Literacy • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving • Planning and Organisation • Creativity and Innovation • Personal Effectiveness • During Year 9 learners will study numerous topics from the PSE framework to prepare them for the WBQ challenges in years 10 and 11. • Learners will study: • The Environment • Health and Wellbeing • Positive relationships and sexual education • Active Citizenship • Year 9 learners will complete the first challenge; The Individual Project Challenge. • The qualification has a progression route in KS5 that is often required by universities. The WBQ is well respected by employers and it is a desirable qualification to hold.

9. Key Stage 4 Transition BTEC in Information and Creative Technology The course is studied over 1 year and has 1 external examination and 3 coursework based units The course is made up of 4 units throughout the year: • Technology Systems • Creating a Digital Animation • Spreadsheet Development • A Digital Portfolio How is it assessed? Technology Systems is externally assessed via an on screen 1 hour examination. The remaining 3 units, which are internally assessed, must be fully completed to achieve a grade of either a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction* (which is equivalent to GCSE Grade C, B, A or A*) A selection of folders are then externally moderated by the examination board

10. Key Stage 4 Transition Product Design & Product Design Textiles GCSE Product Design ( & Textiles) will be taught over one year (10 hours per fortnight) and will allow learners to design and make products with creativity and originality, using a range of materials and techniques. Learners will learn to apply the design process in their coursework and all work will be submitted for assessment in the form of an e-Portfolio. In addition to learning about designing and making products GCSE Product Design learners will study the following areas: Materials and Components • Classification and working properties of a range of materials Design and Market Influences • Product Evolution, Design in Practice, Communication and Representation of ideas, Design Methodology, Packaging, Product Marketing, Human Factors, Safety, Quality, Consumer Issues and Ethical, Environmental and Sustainability concerns. Processes and Manufacture • Product Manufacture, Methods of Production, Manufacturing Systems, Use of ICT in Manufacture How is it assessed? • Learners will be assessed in two ways: • Examination ( one 2 hour written paper which is worth 40% of the total marks) • Coursework (one design and make project worth 60% of the overall marks)

11. Key Stage 4 Transition ASDAN- Certificate of Personal Effectiveness Students select a number of challenges from the CoPE Levels 1 and 2 student book. The challenges are split into 12 modules: • Communication • Citizenship and Community • Sport and Leisure • Independent Living • The Environment • Vocational and Diploma Preparation • Health and Fitness • Work Related Learning and Enterprise • Science and Technology • International Links • Expressive Arts • Beliefs and Values CoPE assessment units By building up a Portfolio of Evidence as they complete the various challenges, students develop their skills in the six CoPE assessment units: • Working with Others • Improving own Learning and Performance • Problem Solving • Planning and Carrying out Research • Communication through Discussion • Planning and Giving an Oral Presentation

12. Key Stage 4 Transition Preparing for GCSEs- How can I help my child? You don’t have to be an expert in any of the subjects your child chooses to make a real difference- you just need to know how best to spend time with your child at each stage of the process. Expectations • Completing more work at home, independently. • Organising their time to complete long term projects- ie DT portfolio. • Understanding exam structure and importance of each piece of work to their final overall grade. • Preparing for controlled assessments and examinations. • Being self motivated- taking responsibility for their own learning. • Ask for help when they don’t understand. • Develop strategies for persisting when they find learning challenging. • Organise themselves, notes, hand outs, separated into topics. Preparation • How is each course assessed? • When are the exams? • What percentage of the final mark does each count for? • Write all controlled assessments or coursework deadlines and modular exams on a wall planner. • Create a well equipped work area that is comfortable and away from distractions. • Agree rules for homework- it saves endless • nagging ! • Contact TfL/ subject teacher/HoH if there are • any concerns or questions for clarification.

13. Key Stage 4 Transition Equipment • Black Pens • Pencils • Ruler • Rubber • Sharpener • 360⁰ Protractor • Compass • Scientific Calculator • Colouring pencils (Design Technology) • Short and Sharp • In an hours session, how many breaks do you think you should have? • How long should the break last? • What should a break entail? • Reward yourself.....when revision session is complete. Revision • Controllable Factors • Lighting • Diet • Sleep • Music • Distractions • Music • TV • Phone • Friends • Hobbies

14. Key Stage 4 Transition Revision Sites Further information If you or your child have any concerns please contact HoH/TfL/HoKS by phone or by email. • gn@newporthigh.co.uk- Head of KS4 • nh@newporthigh.co.uk- Head of Pryderi • pb@newporthigh.co.uk- Head of Olwen • lw@newporthigh.co.uk- Head of Branwen • rpa@newporthigh.co.uk- Head of Taliesin

15. Key Stage 4 Transition Provisional assessment deadlines Additional teacher set assessment dates (to be updated throughout year 9 by student)-