The EBacc and Careers Guidance

Welcome to Willingdon Community School’s

Parent Forum

‘Keeping Parents Informed’

Willingdon Community School’s Parent Forum

KS4 Options and the English Baccalaureate

Careers Education,

Information, Advice and Guidance


What is the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc)?

What does it consist of?

How has it come about?

How does it fit in with our Options system?

How important is it – is it right for my child?


The Ebacc consists of the following GCSEs at A*-‐C grades:-‐

•  English or English language •  Mathema>cs •  Double Award Science (or two of the ‘Triple Sciences’)

•  History or Geography •  A modern (or ancient) Foreign Language


Government Education Policy Mid-1980s: new qualification GCSEs for all (included a compulsory

language, a humanities subject and D&T subject). Mid-1990s: GCSEs plus Vocational courses (growth of applied

GCSEs or BTECs, or NVQs etc at local colleges of FE) 2006-8: an attempt to bridge the perceived ‘divide’ between

existing GCSEs and vocational subjects by introducing, in addition, a new qualification called The Diploma, a mix of academic and vocational approaches to a ‘package’ of subjects in a specific subject area, equivalent to approx. 8 GCSEs

2010/11: introduction of the Ebacc; the withering away of college

courses, the disappearance of The Diploma, and a radical overhaul of BTEC courses.


Key Stage 4 Curriculum at Willingdon

GCSEs in:- •  English or English Language & Literature •  Mathematics (possibility of Additional Maths in year

11) •  Single, double or triple Science •  ICT •  PE (a BTEC course) Plus:- •  4 additional subjects at GCSE or equivalent level.


KS4 Curriculum 2011 (Years 10/11)

GCSEs BTecs Geography Media History Art Humanities P.E. Sociology Travel & Tourism Ethics Science French Countryside & the Environment (year11) Spanish Dance (year11) Art Health & Social Care (year11) Art Graphics Music Drama ICT ICT Digital Imaging Product Design Resistant Materials Food & Nutrition Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (GCSE equiv.)


Changes to BTECs for 2012

•  New or revised content (not yet advised); •  An element of externally assessed Controlled

Assessment rather than 100% coursework; •  The equivalent of one GCSE, not two; •  No more than two BTECs (ie non-GCSEs) to count

towards a student’s 5 or above A*-C grades (important for college);

•  DfE to advise on which non-GCSE qualifications

are approved at the end of January.


Draft KS4 ‘Options’ Curriculum 2012

GCSEs BTECs & GCSEs BTECs Geography Media Travel & Tourism History Art Humanities P.E. Sociology Ethics French Spanish Art Art Graphics Music Drama ICT ICT Digital Imaging Product Design Resistant Materials Food & Nutrition Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (GCSE equiv.)


The English Baccalaureate

How important is it?

Is it right for my child?


•  School’s Minister Nick Gibb: it is a scandal that four fifths of our 16 year olds did not take the core academic GCSEs that universities and employers demand, when far more are capable of doing so.

•  Russell Hobby, National Association of Headteachers: if what we are aiming at is a future workforce of well-rounded individuals who play to their strengths and contribute most in those fields best suited to them, then we must not lose sight of the fact that traditional academic subjects might not serve every child’s future purpose.


The National Picture 2011

22.7% of students took GCSE subjects that made them eligible to achieve the Ebacc;

16.5% of students ‘achieved’ the Ebacc.

Willingdon 2011 25% of students took GCSE subjects that made

them eligible to achieve the Ebacc; 18% of students ‘achieved’ the Ebacc. (compare 66% achieving 5 or more A*-C incl. Eng.

& maths)


In Summary:- What will students have to take to qualify for

the Ebacc? GCSEs in:- •  English or English Language & Literature •  Mathematics •  Double or triple Science •  History or Geography •  French or Spanish


•  And what will all students be taking as their curriculum at Key Stage 4?

GCSEs in:- •  English or English Language & Literature •  Mathematics (possibility of Additional Maths in year

11) •  Single, double or triple Science •  ICT •  PE (a BTEC course) Plus:- •  4 additional subjects at GCSE or equivalent level.

CEIAG at Willingdon.

•  Aim: to highlight CEIAG provision at Willingdon.

•  C-‐Careers •  E-‐Educa>on •  I-‐ Informa>on •  A-‐ Advice •  G-‐Guidance

CEIAG •  Investors in Careers: •  At end of summer term 2011 we successfully achieved the 3rd stage of

Investors in careers.

•  Curriculum: •  Every child receives Careers lessons from their tutors during Lesson 1. •  30 minute sessions •  KS3 – once a week •  KS4 -‐ twice a week

Example of Topics Covered •  Year 7: •  Quali>es they have •  Importance of having Goals and Plans •  Understanding that Targets are small steps towards Goals

•  Importance of Ac>on Plans •  Reflec>on of transi>ons already experienced •  Understanding how they can apply what they have already learnt to future periods of transi>on.

Example of Topics Covered •  Year 9:

•  Consider Jobs/ Occupa>ons and the differences between these •  Understand that similar roles can be performed in different sebngs •  Consider the changing world of work •  Inves>gate occupa>onal groupings •  Link these to Local Labour Market Informa>on •  Iden>fy own occupa>onal interests •  Understand where to research Career Informa>on •  Consider the KS4 curriculum •  Address stereotypical views of subjects •  Recognise strengths and weaknesses and their preferred subjects

and learning styles •  Consider decision making and the benefit of keeping op>ons open

Examples of Topics Covered •  Year 11: •  Consider different courses available post 16 •  Importance of the Applica>on process •  Importance of CV’s and personal statements •  Colla>on of own personal evidence •  Interpre>ng vacancy informa>on •  Make links between course/ job requirements and their own experiences

•  Interviews: How best to prepare and perform in an interview

•  Rights and Responsibili>es of an employer / employee

In addi>on to lessons:

•  What’s my Line – yr 9 •  Take your son/ Daughter to work Day – Yr 8 •  Careers Fair – All years •  Informa>on evenings – start of yr 10 / 11 •  Op>ons assemblies / Informa>on evening-‐ yr 9.

•  Yr 10 Taster Days

Na>onal Changes to CEIAG. How Willingdon is responding to

the challenge.

Review of Changes that took place at end of Summer 2011.

CONNEXIONS PA’s •  Back in the summer 2011 Babcock and Connexions PA’s (Mary Hudson)

ceased– meaning there was no longer a PA in schools to offer impar>al advice.

•  Instead schools were expected to signpost students to the All Age – Careers Service. This unfortunately has yet to made available to schools by the government.

Work Experience •  Only offering work placements to individual students as part of a special

>metable. These placements needed to be H&S checked. This remains the duty of the LA, although as a school we have had to buy this in as a traded service. Since start of term LN and GP are now Veryan Trained.

New to this year: Aim to fill the ‘gap’ created by loss of Connexions. •  Highlight poten>al NEET’s – put through ‘Employability Skills’’ workshop. •  Introduce Interview Technique into TSM day. •  Introduce ‘Career’ week to year 11’s – to enable students to see how their

chosen op>ons can aid their future career paths. •  Look to develop KS4/.5 project and strategies to support students on

entering KS5. •  Develop an ‘IAG package’ that could be used with yr 9, 10 & 11 Persistent

Absentees during anendance mentoring. Aim: to help raise aspira>ons and their interest in school and choices available to them.

•  Con>nue to use ‘Careers etc ‘ and Connexions 360 sooware to ensure students have access to impar>al advice.

Useful Websites

•  www.connexions360.org.uk •  www.careersetc.co.uk •  www.nextstepsoutheast.org.uk •  www.appren>ceships.org.uk •  www.nextstep.direct.gov.uk •  www.allaboutcareers.com •  www.talkingjobs.net

Documents

The EBacc and Careers Guidance