Year 9 Option Choices 2015

Year 9
Option Choices
2015
OPTIONS PROCESS
Wednesday
2.00 – 3.00 pm
17th December 2014
Launch to students Period 5. Option flyer produced and given
to all Year 9 students. The option choice process and
information will be available. Tutorial sessions delivered on
theme of options.
January 2015
RESPECT curriculum (2 hours/week) will focus on IAG
(Careers Information and Guidance) for the whole half term
until February.
Wednesday
8:40 – 9:00 am
07th January 2015
Assembly Two
Wednesday
8:40 – 9:00 am
14th January 2015
Assembly Three
Thursday
15th January 2015
Parents’ Evening/Options Evening
Time: 4:00 – 7:00 pm
All Option Forms completed and returned to Mr D Hewitt
Friday, 23th January 2015
Week commencing 2nd February 2015
Individual student Option Interviews
Dear Parents/Carers
These are very exciting times for our Year 9 students. The students in Year 9 will now move on to
the final stage of their secondary education. Students are able to make choices about the courses
they wish to study.
The core curriculum of English, Maths and Science must be studied to examination level. In
addition your son/daughter will also study our RESPECT curriculum (further details of this are in
the enclosed booklet).
The Options process is vitally important. In order to ensure that each individual learner is able to
achieve their personal best, it is essential that he/she follows a curriculum plan that will enable
him/her to achieve this.
We are currently preparing students for the move from Key Stage 3 (KS3) to Key Stage 4 (KS4).
During the next few weeks, students will follow a course of tutorials looking at KS4 subjects and
how they relate to Post 16 courses and career options. They will receive assemblies outlining the
individual courses and pathways available to them. In addition teachers will be able to give advice
on the suitability of courses based on attainment data.
The way your son or daughter’s outcomes are measured upon leaving College in 2017 will be
changing significantly to current practices. This is a National change and will affect each
maintained school/college across England.
The new changes will be based on students’ progress measured across eight subjects: English;
mathematics; three other English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects (sciences, computer science,
geography, history and languages); and three further subjects, which can be from the range of
EBacc subjects, or can be any other approved, high-value arts, academic qualifications.
This handbook explains the subject options for Key Stage 4.
traditional GCSE courses.
You will find a large range of
Please make use of the Year 9 Options Evening to find out more about all the subjects which we
offer at Key Stage 4. Staff will also be available to answer any questions which you might have
about any aspect of the whole process of selecting the best courses to study in the final two years.
The options evening will take place on Thursday 15th January 2015 from 4pm to 7pm. Please
note this also includes an opportunity to talk to your son/daughter’s teachers about their progress.
If you have any queries or concerns regarding the new measures please contact Mr D Hewitt,
Deputy Headteacher.
Kind regards
N Condliffe
Headteacher
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Guidance
Core Subjects
All students will study:
GCSE English Language
GCSE Mathematics
GCSE Science
All students will also study GCSE English Literature
Compulsory Subjects
As part of the RESPECT curriculum, students will study a range of topics, (Religious
Education, Social and Personal Education, Careers/IAG and Travel and Tourism). The
majority of students will take the Religious Studies GCSE and some will complete a BTEC
in Travel & Tourism.
Core Option
One of your 3 Options needs to be taken from the ‘Core Option’ box, this is so you will
have completed the EBacc requirement outlined in the attached booklet. If you have any
questions about this please speak with Mr D Hewitt.
How to choose your options
•
Each subject is worth one of your three option choices.
•
You will study 3 options.
You must choose a reserve subject in case you do not get your first choice.
Some Do’s
When making your option choices:
•
Do consider subjects that you enjoy and that you are interested in, you are more
likely to succeed in these subjects.
•
Do ask for advice from your teachers and research the subjects on the school
website. You will be able to find out what the course involves.
•
Do start to consider your career choice.
•
Do discuss your option choices with your parents.
And Some Don’ts
•
Don’t choose a subject because you like a particular teacher; you are likely to have
a different member of staff in Key Stage 4.
•
Don’t choose a subject because you think it is easy, all subjects are more difficult at
Key Stage 4.
•
Don’t choose a subject because your friends have chosen it. You are unlikely to be
in the same group as your friends as the grouping is different in Key Stage 4.
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What now?
You need to do the following:
1. Understand
•
Read up on everything and read information available on the website, so that
you understand what the process is all about.
•
Work out where you have a choice and where you don’t.
•
Work out how long before you have to decide.
•
Who will be able to help you?
2. Find out the facts
•
Are there any subjects that you need to find out more about?
•
What are you good at?
•
What type of assessment is there in the subjects that you like?
3. Think of the future
•
Think about your career choice and any route you will need to take.
4. Make the decisions
•
Have you consulted everyone?
•
Have you made your choices?
•
Are you happy with the choices that you have made?
5. Separate Options Form 2015
•
Fill in your personal details and the options grid on the separate A4 Option
Form 2015 (School Copy). Make a note of your choices on the Options
Form 2015 (Student Copy) in your Year 9 Options booklet.
•
Return this form to Mr Hewitt by Friday 23rd January 2015.
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(Student copy)
Options Form 2015
Name:
Form:
Students choose 3 subjects by:
placing 1 tick () in the Core Option A Column and
2 ticks in the Open Options B & C column.
They should also place 1 tick () in the reserve column.
Core
Option A
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
Open
Options B
&C
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
GCSE
Nationals
Optional Subjects
()
French
Geography
History
Spanish
Computer Science
()
RESERVE
CHOICE
Art & Design
Business Studies
Computer Science
Dance
Drama
Food Technology
Geography
Graphics
History
Media Studies
Music
Physical Education
Resistant Materials
Textiles
Creative iMedia
During the Parents/Options Evening there will be a general information
presentation by Mr Hewitt at the following times in the College Theatre:
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Please can you make one of the half hour slots within your appointments with
individual teachers
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