Year 8 Elective Choices 2020

Dear Parent/Carer,

It is a pleasure to launch the Creative Subjects Elective Options with our Year 8 students, even in these unusual circumstances in which we all find ourselves.

I believe that this process allows our students to begin the process of shaping their future, in line with our goal of “Excellence for All”

This process gives our Year 8 students an opportunity to not only select the creative options that they would enjoy most, but also guides them on their future pathway which will continue through the Year 9 Guided Choices process next academic year.

It is very important to remember that our students are not choosing options for one year. This is part of the process that will take them through until Year 11 and ultimately support them in their onward journey after Year 11.

Some of the options listed are subjects that our students already study, whilst others are new subjects that they will not previously have studied. I recommended the following when thinking about the choices that your son/daughter wishes to make for Year 9:

• don’t choose subjects as a “novelty” but choose them instead because they are of genuineinterest to you

• choose subjects because you want to study them, not your friends• the subject will stay the same, the teacher may change• think beyond one year, as you may choose to continue this subject to examination level in Year 11• every subject will have elements of practical and theoretical work. No subject is hands-on only and

you should be interested in learning around the subject, not just “doing it”

Please spend time with your son/daughter talking about the two options (and reserve choices) that you feel will most meet their interests and aspirations. We want parents to work with the Academy to ensure that the future pathway for their child is ambitious and exciting.

Dr. Karen Riding Vice Principal

Process Dates

Monday 1 June Virtual Assembly to launch electives process

on Academy website Booklet sent to parents/carers and students

for discussion

Tuesday 2 June-Thursday 4 June Students and Parents/Carers enter initial

choices via the Academy website

Thursday 4 June All responses reviewed from the Academy

website

July Students and Parents/Carers informed of

agreed Elective subjects

September 2019 Students begin elective choices.

Elective Subjects

Fine Art Do you enjoy drawing, painting, sculpting and being creative with different materials?

or

Do you enjoy using photography as a means of expression and capturing the world around you?

Are you thinking of taking FINE ART or at GCSE level or pursuing a career that needs an artistic qualification?

Skills covered;

Sculpture Portraiture Painting Drawing Textiles

Photography

3D Design

Do you like designing and creating?

Would you like to make high quality products?

Do you enjoy using your skills in a practical setting?

3D Design offers you the opportunity to solve design problems by:

Researching, drawing, prototyping, making and evaluating.

Photography Do you enjoy taking pictures? Want to learn how to use a professional camera? Do you enjoy art but maybe struggle? GCSE Photography could be for you!

Learn how to use a professional camera. Learn techniques to take the best photographs. Explore different themes in photography. Gain experience on Photoshop. Combine your creative art skills into your photography outcomes. Want to build a website for your portfolio – well now you can!

IMPORTANT:

This course does contain a large amount of writing (research and analysis) and you will be expected to take images out of school time.

Sports Leadership During Year 9 the course will be both practical and have classroom based work. The practical element will involve students learning how to lead a warm up, lead training sessions and lead sports activities. • Students will experience officiating in sports • Students will plan and lead sports tournaments and events • Students will work with local primary schools developing sport

Music Music is a highly social form of artistic expression and interpretation. Music gives you the ability to enrich the lives of those around you, as well as your own. Music helps you to develop high levels of desirable employability skills: teamwork, self- management, communication and leadership skills. Music develops important personal qualities such as generosity, empathy and a full range of emotions. Musicians enable people to party! Choose Music if you want to make music in any way, for any reason and are prepared to work hard and take responsibility for your results.

Food and Nutrition Food and Nutrition in Year 9 is an introduction course to the principles of:

• food hygiene and safety • nutrition • practical skills development

Students should select this course if they are passionate about cooking and want to develop their skills, but importantly they must be interested in learning about nutrition and food safety as well. Students will be completing practical cookery lessons, but this will not be every lesson as the course blends together theory and practical. This course will be a good foundation for the GCSE food and Nutrition course in Year 10 and 11.

Dance Dance is a unique form of physical artistic expression.

• Dance is an important skill in the performing arts industry even if you are an actoror singer.

• Dance helps you develop creativity.• Dance helps you grow as a leader as a team member and as an individual.• Dance improves your fitness.

Choose Dance if you enjoy it and are prepared to work energetically!

Did you know that Dance increases employability and is a subject that many college and university providers look for, as it

promotes fitness, communication skills, teamwork skills, independence, creativity and literacy.

Performing Arts (Acting)

Performing Arts is a playful, yet emotionally deep form of artistic expression and it gives you the skills to present yourself with confidence in any job. The Performing Arts train you to think quickly on your feet and be open-minded.

You will also develop teamwork, problem solving, self-discipline, creativity and critical thinking skills. If you enjoy performing to an audience and creating new work, then Performing Arts is the course for you.

You will learn how to...

Appreciate and write about the creative intentions of various Professional Works Develop skills and techniques in rehearsal and in preparation for performance Create your own work in response to a brief.

Which subjects will I study in Year 9?

Core Subjects English Mathematics Science

EBacc Subjects Science Geography History Spanish

Enrichment Subjects PE RE Citizenship

Elective Subject Major (2 hours per week)

Elective Subject Minor (1 hour per week)

You will be able to choose two Elective Options:

One major choice and One reserve choice from Block 1 (2 hours per week) Sports Leaders Music Art DTDanceFood

One minor choice and One reserve choice from Block 2 (1 hour per week) Sports LeadersPerforming Arts Music PhotographyDTArt

The Blocks will be available on the Year 8 Elective Choices online form, which students need to complete to indicate their preferences by Thursday, 4 June

www.oasisacademylordshill.org Tel: 023 8039 3660

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