Welcome to thisParents

Information Session

Year 9 OPTIONS

Helen EverittCurriculum Deputy

Head

AIMS Introduce Oriel’s Year 9 Options Process

and our philosophy regarding students choices at 14.

Explain the different types of Qualifications available to students at Oriel in Y10 and 11

BTECGCSE

Give you advice on how to help students make the right choices for them

Qualifications should: Reflect our changing world Prepare our students to be successful in

society Engage students in learning Prepare students for study at college or

university, or for work.

Education should not be a ‘one size fits all’ system

We should recognise: Different needs of our students Different learning styles Different aspirations and goals

CORE – All students will study:

Maths

English Language and English Literature

The Sciences

RE

PE

PDC / Citizenship

OptionsStudents must then choose courses to

fill the optional part of their timetable

There are fours option spaces to fill.

1 2

43

OPTIONS

BTECs

Sport

Health and Social Care

Music Technology

Dance

GCSEs:

Media, Drama, Music, PE

Fine Art, Textile Art, 3D Design

French, Spanish, German,

Business Studies, ICT, Computing

History, Geography, Sociology, Citizenship, RE

Catering, Graphic Products, Systems and Control, Textiles Technology, Product Design,

Core Choices• All students will study Science, RE and PDC and

take part in PE lessons.

• If students are guided to study Triple Science they will have x3 extra lessons of science and will study Core RE, PDC and have Core PE lessons.

• If students are guided to study Double Science they will study RE, PDC and Core PE but as part of this programme have a choice of whether to study GCSE RE, GCSE Citizenship or BTEC Sport

Core Choices

Triple Science+ Core PE,

Core RE and PDC

Double science + Core PE, RE and PDC

With a choice of

RE GCSECitizenship GCSE

Sport BTEC

Decisions regarding which of these pathways students will follow are

made in the summer term after the options process

Choice and Flexibility At Oriel we offer two different types of

qualification for students to choose to study in Years 10 and 11.

These qualifications can be mixed and they are flexible. BTEC GCSE

BTECsMichelle StephensBTEC Coordinator

About BTECs

• A BTEC is a theoretical, practical and work related course.

• In addition to exams, students complete projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands

The Structure of BTECs

• 75% Coursework• 25% Exam

BTEC’s now include a1hr exam in addition to coursework

Which students are suited to BTECs?

• Students who prefer completing projects/coursework

• Students who feel that they do not like the pressure of a 100% examinable subjects

• Students who enjoy the subject area • Students who want to follow a mix of

qualifications to vary the way they will learn

How BTEC is assessed?

• Work experience• Presentations• Role Plays• Research portfolios• Designing publications• Practical assessments such as organising

events and working with the local community

• Exam for 1 unit

How are the courses graded?

BTEC grades are awarded in the following way:• Level 2 Distinction*• Level 2 Distinction• Level 2 Merit • Level 2 Pass• Level 1

Not A-Es

Where can a BTEC qualification lead?

• Sixth Form- BTEC Nationals (Level 3)

• Into the workplace – Highly accepted by organisations. It allows an easier transition from School to work

• Apprenticeships

But do Universities accept BTECs?

• BTEC are accepted by all Universities

• Research has shown that students who have completed BTEC courses are better prepared for university than those who have undertaken A-Levels. This is due to the skills acquired on the BTEC courses

GCSEsVictoria Pooley

Subject Leader for Science

What is a GCSE?• GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary

Education.

• GCSEs are the main qualification taken by 14 to 16 year olds

• You can take GCSEs in a wide range of academic and work-related subjects.

• It's highly valued by schools, colleges and employers

• The qualification mainly involves studying the theory of a subject, combined with some investigative work.

• Some subjects also involve practical work e.g. Art

• They are graded from A* to G. Grades D to G are Level 1 qualifications and A* to C are Level 2 qualifications

How are GCSEs examined?

• Exams

• Controlled Assessment

ExamsAll GCSEs are examined by terminal

examinations at the end of the course

For all GCSEs taken as part of the Oriel Key Stage 4 curriculum this will be at the end of year 11

Triple and Double science – a guided choice

Key Stage 3 SATS paper – after May half term

Requirement of Level 6

Work throughout the year will be taken into account

– Triple science is appropriate for the most able and very interested students

– It is a commitment in terms of the amount of independent work required

– It is not a requirement for acceptance onto A level courses or any University course

‘Double’ Science GCSE

Students taking ‘double science’ will cover two discrete GCSE courses

They will be awarded two separate grades

Two ‘B’ grades will guarantee acceptance onto science A level courses

Science Additional scienceCore science content and controlled assessment covered during year 10

Additional science content and controlled assessment covered during year 11

All exams are taken at the end of year 11Results in the award of ‘science’ GCSE at the end of year 11

Results in the award of a second GCSE – Additional science, also at the end of year 11

‘Triple’ Science GCSE

Nine 1hr science examinations (3xBio, 3xChem, 3xPhys) at the end of year 11

3x Controlled assessments

Results in the award of three separate grades.

Triple science now covers some of the AS science content

It is a challenge that the most able and very interested will relish

3x ‘C’ grades will not guarantee acceptance onto A level courses

Controlled Assessment

• Work completed in school under controlled conditions

• Different subjects have different levels of control

• More controlled by the exam boards than coursework– Time limits set by the exam board– Teachers can give some feedback but this may

affect the marks that can be awarded– Parents can be involved in the preparation part of

some controlled assessment

How to Choose….

Nina Thair . Director of Learning: Work and Life Skills

Making Good Choices

Your son or daughter should avoid making choices based on:

Their friends’ choices Their current teachers Gender stereotypes One narrow career path

Making Good ChoicesYour son or daughter should:

Think about their strengths and weaknesses

Think about how they prefer to study and learn

Find out how the courses are taught and assessed

Keep their choices broad and balanced

Research any career ideas they may have

Use UCAS to check A Level and BTEC requirements for degree entry

What subjects are included in the English

Baccalaureate?GCSE A* - C in 5 subjects:

• Mathematics• English• Science (2 A*-C)• MFL• Humanities (History or Geography

only)The Russell Group’s ‘Informed Choices’

documenthighlights these subjects as facilitating

subjects

at A Level for top degree entry

A Broad and Balanced Curriculum

The subjects your son or daughter chooses should be a good balance as encouraged by the EBacc but the arts, ICT and technology are very much part of achieving a good balance.

It is important their choices allow progression into further and higher education in a range of subjects which they will enjoy and succeed in.

Making Good ChoicesFurther help:

Speak to teachers, our careers adviser Kerry Mann and of course you!

Use our careers website believeinyoungpeople.com Students have registered already and there is a career matching function as well as the ability to search and research.

Students come along to the Options Evening on 27th March and speak to the teachers about the courses on offer

Next Steps OPTIONS EVENING – Thursday 27TH March

Important evening for parents and most importantly students

Drop in any time between 6pm and 8pm Receive a further pack of guidance information & options

form All Subjects and courses represented Information to collect and take home Speak to teachers See examples of students work

Deadline for Options Forms – Friday April 25th 2014

Students will be asked to pick 6 options and place them in order of preference

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Wherever possible we will try to guarantee students first four choices

First choice

Reserve Choices

Our Philosophy

To ensure that students are not being disadvantaged by not being offered the broad range of subjects

To enable students to make an informed choice

To empower them to achieve; to inspire them to excel