Year 9 Options

Welcome

Qualifications are the Keys to Your Future

Routes to Further Education

School Age 16

6th Form or CollegeAge 18

University Age 21+

Routes to Further Education

5 GCSE’s

3-4 A Levels or 1 Diploma

1 Degree

Options PhilosophyWe believe that students should have some choice in what they study at Key Stage 4. However, students must make informed choices based on their ability level, their potential future educational routes and what is right for them. In order to help students, we have supplied Three Pathways explained in more detail later. We advise students to take the Pathway recommended for them. Speak with your child’s tutor or Head of Key Stage for more details.

KS4 Curriculum 2014Core compulsory subjects

Subject Qualification Teaching sessions per week

English Literature

EnglishLanguage

1 GCSE

1 GCSE

3

3

Maths

Statistics

1 GCSE

1 GCSE

5 in Year 10and6 in Year 11

Science Extended (Triple) GCSE orDouble GCSE or BTEC

7 in Year 10And6 in Year 11

PE 2PSHE 1

KS4 Curriculum 2013Specialist Option Areas

Column A Column B Column CFrench GCSE German GCSE French GCSEHistory GCSE Geography GCSE History GCSE

Computer Science GCSE Spanish GCSE Computer Science GCSEMusic GCSE Philosophy and Ethics

GCSE Dance GCSE

Sociology GCSE Drama GCSE Drama GCSEMedia Studies GCSE Dance GCSE Media Studies GCSE

Food and Nutrition GCSE Textiles GCSE Food and Nutrition GCSEProduct Design GCSE Engineering GCSE Engineering GCSE

Graphics GCSE Product Design GCSE Graphics GCSE

Art GCSE Digital Photography GCSE Art GCSE

Child Development GCSE Child Development GCSEICT BTEC Business Studies BTEC Leisure and Tourism

GCSEPerforming Arts BTEC Music BTEC Sports BTEC

Options ProcessThursday 16th January 2014 Options Evening and Careers Fair

January and February

Pathway Options are discussed with your tutor and Heads of Key Stage. Choices are made.

Friday 14th February 2013 Options form returned

March / April 2014 Options analysed and students allocated

June 2014

Student courses finalised and groupings confirmed by letter

Friday 3rd October 2014 Final date for course changes

Pathway 1EBacc

Subjects Studied English LiteratureEnglish LanguageMathsStatisticsExtended (Triple) SciencePE and PSHEFrench or GermanHistory or Geography1 GCSE (possibly Computing) or BTEC OptionTwilight Drama GCSE (optional)TOTAL OF UP TO 11 GCSEs

This pathway would suit you if you are hoping to go on to 6th Form and University. A Level courses typically require at least 5 GCSEs at A*- C , four of which must come from GCSEs. It will mean that in addition to all your GCSEs you could gain the English Baccalaureate (EBacc). That’s a recognition that you have passed English, Maths, Science or Computer Science or History or Geography and French or German or Spanish at grade C and above.If you are currently in top sets in French and achieving levels 6 or higher in the core subjects then this is a good path for you.

Pathway 2Mixed GCSE

Subjects Studied English LiteratureEnglish LanguageMathsStatisticsTriple or Double SciencePE and PSHEChoice of 3 GCSE subjectsOr Choice of 2 GCSE subjects and 1 BTECTwilight Drama GCSE (optional)TOTAL OF UP TO 11 GCSEs

This pathway would also suit you if you are hoping to go on to 6th Form and University.A Level courses typically require at least 5 GCSEs at A*- C, four of which must come from GCSEs.This pathway is a general and flexible route through KS4.You would not get an EBacc recognition but you could still study History, Geography, Computer Science, French, German or Spanish.If you are currently achieving levels 5, 6 or higher in the core subjects then this is a good path for you.

This pathway would suit you if you are considering going to further education or training.A Level courses typically require at least 5 GCSEs at A*- C, four of which must come from GCSEs. However, Post 16 BTEC Diplomas at Stantonbury require 4 A*-C grades which can also come from BTECs.This pathway is a general and flexible route through KS4.If you are currently achieving levels 3 to 5 in the core subjects then this is a good path for you.

Subjects Studied English LiteratureEnglish LanguageMathsStatisticsDouble or BTEC SciencePE and PSHE

Choice of 3 GCSE subjectsOr Choice of 2 GCSE subjects and 1 BTEC

TOTAL OF UP TO 8 or 9 GCSEs/BTEC equivalents

Pathway 3Wider

Achievement

Personalised Learning

Subjects Studied English LiteratureEnglish LanguageMathsStatisticsDouble or BTEC SciencePE and PSHESix sessions per week studying ‘Personalised learning’PlusOne Choice of a GCSE or BTEC from ‘Column C’TOTAL OF UP TO 8 GCSEs/BTEC equivalents

This pathway is not an optional route. Your teachers will select this for you following negotiation with your parents.It is particularly designed for those students who need to develop skills for life and work.Subjects taught are highly practical and can lead towards vocational qualifications.

Making Informed Choices Make sure you understand what each

subject involves. New subjects may look very attractive at first glance. You may think you know what an ‘old’ subject involves. Read the booklet.

Be clear from the start that there will be some restrictions particularly in group sizes therefore you are asked to make a preference, but first choice cannot always be guaranteed.

Don’t make choices based on the fact that you like your current teacher. We will not be able to tell you who will be teaching you next year.

Don’t assume some courses will be easier than others- all require hard work and homework.

Consider what might be your future career but remember most people change their minds. It is best to aim as high as possible. Don’t close doors for yourself.

Making Informed Choices

Making Informed Choices Do not make decisions on prejudice.

Some people think only boys or girls should study certain subjects. This just isn’t true.

Do not choose subjects because your friends are choosing them.

Be aware of what the subjects you choose lead to after you finish them in Yr 11, in terms of a sixth form course, study at college or work.

You CANNOT study French A Level without a GCSE in French. This is similar for other Languages, Computing and Music.You may want to do the EBacc. So you would need to choose:• History or Geography and• French or German

Making Informed Choices

Making Informed ChoicesYou CAN study Business A Level without doing BTEC Business in Year 10 and 11.

You CAN study Post 16 Engineering or Sociology without doing GCSE Engineering or Sociology.

You CAN become a mechanic without studying Engineering.

Who helps you? Form tutor

Will help you with the booklet and completing the form on time.

Subjects TeachersWill give you information about courses.

Head of Key Stage and Head of HallWill make sure you meet deadlines and will help to resolve problems and oversubscription.

Prospects Services Ltd (Careers Advisers) Parents

Column A(3 sessions)

Column B(3 sessions)

Column C(3 sessions)

First ChoiceReasons for First Choice

Second Choice

Third Choice

Subject Options Choice Form - 2014PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN TO YOUR TUTOR BY FRIDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2014STUDENT: ____________________________________TUTOR GROUP: ______________TUTOR: __________________________________All students will be expected to take the core subjects of English, English Literature, Maths, Statistics, Science, PE and PSHE.

Tick one of the following:

Pathway 1 Pathway 2 Pathway 3OPTIONS SUBJECT CHOICE

Tick the following box if you would also like to study GCSE Drama Twilight (3.30-6.00 p.m. every Wednesday in term time): SIGNED: STUDENT: _______________________________________ PARENT: ________________________________

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