St Cecilia’s RC High SchoolSt Cecilia’s RC High School

Making the right movesMaking the right movesKey Stage 4 Curriculum and Key Stage 4 Curriculum and

OptionsOptions2016-20182016-2018

Mr G CaulfieldMr G CaulfieldAssistant HeadteacherAssistant Headteacher

OPTIONS 2016OPTIONS 2016

What happens at the end of Key Stage 4?

What does the future hold?What does the future hold?

Academic paths

Vocational paths

Core subjects at GCSECore subjects at GCSE

Mathematics

English ( Lit&Lang)

Science (2 or 3)

Religious Education

Other compulsory subjectOther compulsory subject

Physical educationAll pupils at St Cecilia’s will do GCSE PE. They have already started the course in Year 9.

Changes to GCSEsChanges to GCSEs English Language, English English Language, English

LiteratureLiterature MathsMaths All GCSEs have more contentAll GCSEs have more content Making them harder?Making them harder? Graded 9-1Graded 9-1

New GCSE gradesNew GCSE grades A* A B C D E F GA* A B C D E F G 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

UU Not exactly a direct equivalent Not exactly a direct equivalent

to the old systemto the old system

The “English The “English Baccalaureate”Baccalaureate”

Six GCSEsSix GCSEs: English, Maths, Science x2 : English, Maths, Science x2 , a Language and a humanities , a Language and a humanities subject (History or Geography) or subject (History or Geography) or ComputingComputing

Schools will be measured on how Schools will be measured on how many attain the EBmany attain the EB

University threshold measureUniversity threshold measure

A1 and B2 pupils encouraged to select a A1 and B2 pupils encouraged to select a language and a Humanities courselanguage and a Humanities course

Not compulsory for A1 and B2 pupils but…Not compulsory for A1 and B2 pupils but… Any pupilAny pupil can elect to do the English can elect to do the English

baccalaureatebaccalaureate

English BaccalaureateEnglish Baccalaureate

Progress and Attainment Progress and Attainment 88

The Government is introducing a new measurement from 2016

Impact on what subjects can be chosen

Impact on option choices, some combinations no longer available eg. Food prep, Music, Art

What “counts”What “counts” English x2 Maths x2 Science Any two from Additional Science,

German, French, Geography, History, Computer Science

Any other GCSE/BTEC we offer

In other words…In other words… One option needs to be from:

Spanish, French, History, Geography, Computer Science

The other two from: Btec Engineering, Food prep & Nutrition, Art, Music, Electronics, Spanish, French, Geography, History, Computer Science

Progress/Attainment 8Progress/Attainment 8 Schools are measured on the 8 Colleges will expect at least 8 The days of “dropping” a subject are

gone You are expected to at least 8 GCSEs

Choose the subject that is Choose the subject that is right for youright for you

Do not choose a subject because Do not choose a subject because your friends have.your friends have.

Do not choose a subject because you Do not choose a subject because you “think” you may like it.“think” you may like it.

Please DO NOT choose the subject Please DO NOT choose the subject because you like the teacherbecause you like the teacher

Option Blocks

One option from each blockOne option from each block. Some combinations may not . Some combinations may not possible e.g. Engineering and Artpossible e.g. Engineering and Art

UNLESS there is enough demand to create a class.UNLESS there is enough demand to create a class. The Option Blocks have been built upon student preferencesThe Option Blocks have been built upon student preferences

Block A Block B Block CHistory History Engineering

Food prep & Nutrition Music Art

Electronics Spanish French

Geography Computing Food prep & Nutrition

The “Average Pupil”The “Average Pupil”

Will study:Will study: RE; English Language; English RE; English Language; English

Literature; Maths; Science (Dual);PELiterature; Maths; Science (Dual);PE Three options.Three options. 10 GCSE subjects10 GCSE subjects

The more academic The more academic pupil:pupil:

Will study:Will study:

RE; English; English Literature; RE; English; English Literature; Maths; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Maths; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; PE; Three options (sometimes four!)PE; Three options (sometimes four!)

11 or 12 GCSE subjects!11 or 12 GCSE subjects!

What factors should I consider?

DO

Make yourself informed & consider your decision carefully

Think about the subjects that you enjoy and do well at

Find out what qualifications you need for a chosen career

DON’T

Choose a subject because you like the teacher

Choose a subject because your friends are doing it

Rush your decision

Fail to meet the 5th February 2016 deadline

Who do I ask for information?

Subject teachers

Parents

Form tutors Year 10 & 11 pupils

Colleges Older siblings

Thank YouThank You Any questions?Any questions?