Options Choices2016 - 2018

Welcome – Mr Jackson

Options process – Miss Saunders

Heads of Core – Mrs Chadwick, Mr

Townsend, Mr Richards

Welsh Baccalaureate – Mrs Lewis

Careers Service - Sara Llewellyn-

Fitzgerald

Old Performance Measures New Performance Measures

L2 inclusive – the percentage of pupils who gained 5 GCSEs equivalence at grade C or higher including English and mathematics.

Capped 8 Score – The average of all pupils best 8 GCSE scores.

Welsh Baccalaureate Award – the percentage of pupils who gained 5 GCSEs at grade C or higher including English, mathematics and one other GCSE. Pupils must also achieve a level 2 pass or higher in the Skills Challenge Certificate

Capped 9 Score – The average of all pupils capped 9 scores. This must includes English, 2 mathematics qualifications, 2 science qualifications and their best 4 other GCSEs.

Curriculum changes

Options – What will pupils study?

 The subjects that pupils study in Key Stage 4 are made up of 2 partsCORE SUBJECTS - All pupils study these subjectsOPTION SUBJECTS - Pupils choose to study these subjects

Core Subjects

English (8 hrs) – either 1 or 2 GCSEsMathematics (8 hrs) – worth 2 GCSEsScience (8 hrs) – either 1 or 2 GCSEs Welsh (2 hrs) – worth 0.5 or 1 GCSESocial Studies (2hrs) –worth 0.5 or 1 GCSEPhysical Education (2hrs)Welsh Baccalaureate (5hrs) – worth 1 GCSE

Options ChoicesArt & Design

Business Studies

Child 

Development

Computer

Science

Construction

Design &

Technology

Engineering 

French

Geography

Health and Social

Care

History

Hospitality (Food)

ICT 

 

Media

Music

PE

Performing Arts/

Drama

Science

Spanish 

 

Pupils get 3 choices from the above. Further information about each subject is on the Careers Wales website – your child will be given details on how to access this website in Pshe.If there is not enough demand for subjects they may not run and pupils will be asked to choose again. We work very carefully with parents in this case.There may be opportunity for pupils to study at college –details of these courses will be available from January.

Timeline for choicesNovemberPupils complete scheme of work in Pshe lessonsDecemberFirst trawl completed (pupils choose 4 subjects they think they would be interested in)JanuaryPupils receive options talks from subject staffFebruaryPupils submit their choices

Introduction to Careers WalesHow we can help you with your option choices after year 9

Careers Wales website: www.careerswales.com

Helpline:0800 028 4844 or 029 20906800 (if calling from a mobile).

Email or webchat links can be found at the bottom of each page at www.careerswales.com

Ask your tutor, head of year or Mrs Frost Careers Co – Ordinator to get in touch.

How can you get in touch with Careers Wales?

What do I need to think about when choosing my options?

Is it useful?

What skills will I learn or develop?

Does it interest me?

Will I enjoy it?

Have I thought of any Career Ideas yet?

What are good ways to decide what to do after year 9

Find out what you can about what is on offer by speaking to teachers.

If you have a career idea – check to see whether it would be a useful subject to

take.

Speak to your parents or family about your ideas.

Think about what you are good at and enjoy.

Check what the subjects will be like in Year 10 & 11

What can I use the website for?Career SearchFind out more about your career ideas using the leaflets.

Ideas QuizNo idea what you would like to do? This may give you a few ideas.

Games and ActivitiesHoliday Game (for decision making)Subjects and Jobs.

5 top tips for making decisions after year 9

1. Don’t leave it until the last minute – start looking into your ideas now.

2. Find out as much as you can about the subjects on offer.

3. Speak to your family/teachers/ Adviser about what you would like to do after year 9.

4. Carefully consider all your options – make sure you get as much information as you can before making a decision.

5. Don’t panic – if in doubt speak to Sara or to someone in school.