Options for Year 10

2014-2016

The Options Process

• Why make choices?

The Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Core Curriculum

Science

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4Curriculum Structure

Core Curriculum: 30 lessons per fortnight

English

Maths

Core Science

Core PE

Core RE

Core ICT

PSHE

Core Curriculum

The Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Core Curriculum

Science

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4Curriculum Structure

Non-Core Science – 6 periods• Cambridge National Science

– Equivalent to GCSE but with higher coursework proportion– Single route includes learning support– Double route includes Science and Science in the Workplace

• Double Science GCSE– Additional Science combines with Core Science to make 2

GCSEs• Triple Science

– 3 separate GCSEs: Biology, Physics and Chemistry• Students are placed on one of these courses dependent

on their performance in Year 9 Science assessments

The Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Core Curriculum

Science

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4Curriculum Structure

Options – 24 periods per fortnight

• A range of GCSE, Cambridge National, and BTEC courses

• Four options• 6 periods per fortnight in each option• Options organised into two pathways

Subjects on offer

• Specialising: History, Geography, RS, Music, Dance, Drama, Technology subjects, languages, ICT, PE/Sport...

• “New” Subjects: Business Studies, Child Development and Care, Media Studies, Construction, Computing…

Qualifications on offer

• GCSE– Awarded from A*-G– Combination of exams and controlled assessment

• Cambridge National / BTEC– Awarded Distinction, Merit, or Pass– “Applied” or work-based learning– Available in Sport, Business, Construction, and

Social Care

The English Baccalaureate

• Represents breadth and strength in academic achievement

• Awarded to any student gaining A*-C in GCSE:– English Language– Two Sciences – Mathematics– History or Geography– A Language

The importance of a language

• The English Baccalaureate places studying a language at the heart of the curriculum

• The Russell Group (top 20 UK Universities) have designated languages as “enabling subjects”

• Some universities have made a language at GCSE a requirement for studying any degree course

• The global economy will increasingly require linguistic ability

The Applied Pathway• Options 1 and 2: – Construction (BTEC Level 1 – selected students only)– Child Development & Care (GCSE + BTEC)– ICT & Business Studies (GCSE + Cambridge National)

• Options 3 and 4: Free Choice

• This pathway is focused on applied learning• It is most suitable for those looking for routes into

Colleges, apprenticeships or employment and training post-16

The Academic Pathway• Option 1: GCSE History or Geography• Option 2: GCSE French, German or Spanish• Options 3 and 4: Free Choice

• This pathway ensures that you achieve the English Baccalaureate

• It is focused on GCSEs• It is most suitable if you want to go on to do A

Levels or to study at University

Options in Insight

Things to consider - students

Do consider:• What do I enjoy?• What am I good at? • What to I want to do post-

16?– Sixth form? – College?– Apprenticeship/employment?

• Choose a good range of subjects

• Read your report carefully

Do not consider:• Choosing subjects just to be

with friends• Choosing subjects because

“I like/don’t like the teacher”

• Choosing subjects “because you ought to”

Things to consider - parents

• Read the recommendations of subject teachers in the report carefully

• Discuss progress and suitability with subject staff at parents’ evening

• Discuss with your children what they want to do, and whether this will keep the right options open post-16

Options Viability

• We will make every effort to meet students’ first option choices

• Where this is not possible, we will use the reserve choice

• On rare occasions, some options do not recruit a viable group

• Students cannot take the same subject twice – this includes Sport with GCSE PE, or Applied ICT with GCSE Computing.

Important Dates

• Monday 6th January: Options Assembly• Wednesday 8th January: Options Evening• Thursday 16th January: Subject Evening• Wednesday 22nd January: Final Deadline for

completing options in Insight

Sources of advice and information

• Other parents / friends• Students in Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form• Subject Staff / Tutor / Head of Year• Careers Team• Mr Kenny and the Learning Support team• School Website• Senior Staff – Mr Hildrew or Mr Gaynor

Any Questions?