options booklet 2012

The Bromfords School Key Stage 4 Course Choices 2012

Name ……………………………………..

Tutor Group ………………………………

January 2012

Deadline for return to Mrs Dolan:

Friday, 23rd March 2012

Course Choices 2012

The Bromfords School


Year 9 marks the start of an important time for students as you

choose some of the subjects you will study in year 10 and 11

and begin to think how these choices will prepare you for the

choices you will have at the end of year 11. It is not just an

important time for learning and exams; it is also a time to think

about yourself, what you are good at, what you enjoy and your

future direction in life.

No one expects you to know exactly what you want to do with

your life at this stage and the future will continue to bring

changes to the worlds of learning and employment. This may

seem a time of big and scary decisions but there is no need to

panic. Talk to your parents/carers, form tutor, and subject

teachers for advice and guidance.

Our aim at Bromfords is to develop a broad and balanced

education that gives a range of courses and pathways for

students with differing interests and abilities and to prepare

you for the future.

We have a record of success with record numbers of students

achieving and going on to sixth form, college, apprenticeships

and employment with training over the last two years.

The Government has announced some changes to examination

courses starting in 2012 and you may have seen in the news

that there has been a review of subjects which will be

compulsory in Years 10 and 11. Those changes are still under

consideration and will not come into effect before 2014.

The introduction of the English Baccalaureate (or EBacc) has

also been widely discussed. The EBacc is a performance

measure for the school that counts students who have gained a

GCSE A* to C grade pass in English, Mathematics, Science, a

Modern Foreign Language and either History or Geography.

The aim of the EBacc is to encourage students to study these

important subjects. It is however a performance measure not a

qualification with certification for students. The Governors of

Bromfords decided that we will offer all students the

opportunity to study the EBacc subjects, as we always have

done, but would not make it compulsory in order to allow

greater student choice of a wide range of optional subjects and

pathways.

Before you start to choose subjects, think about yourself:

What are you good at?

What do you enjoy doing at school and in your spare

time?

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

What are you interested in?

Do you need any particular subjects for future careers or

courses you are considering?

Introduction


This booklet has been produced to help you make informed choices on the subjects you would like to follow in Key Stage 4, Years

10 & 11.

The booklet is split into 3 sections, introduction, compulsory courses and optional courses. The back page is the application form,

which must be returned to school by 3 pm on Friday, 23rd March. There is a great deal of information in this booklet, so please

read it carefully so that you can use the information to make informed choices. The Government changes to the National

Curriculum and the introduction of the Baccalaureate make this year different from previous years.

Although the curriculum only allows each student to follow three optional subjects we ask you to pick four and we will endeavour

to accommodate every student’s first three choices. Unfortunately, courses need a minimum number of students and available staff

in order to be viable, so the school reserves the right to make the final decision on any courses to be taken by students.

It is essential now, more than ever, that students leave school with a balanced and relevant education. To this end we offer a range

of subjects and pathways, providing a well-rounded educational experience within the National Curriculum. We offer this year

different pathways through Key Stage 4:

Traditional GCSEs and BTECs

Applied Learning programmes combining school with work and college placement or with a

Young Apprenticeship

Foundation learning pathway, school based and aiming at foundation level qualifications

Introduction: different pathways Introduction and Pathways


The options process involves tight deadlines, it is essential that students meet these deadlines. Failure to return the form by Friday,

23rd

March, could reduce your chance of being offered your chosen subjects.

Please note, it is not a “first come first served” process, so take your time to make considered decisions.

Important dates in the process are listed below.

Key Stage Four Course Choice booklets released: Monday, 23rd January

Option course choice evenings Tuesday 24th January for 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 & 9.4

Wednesday 25th January for 9.5, 9.6, 9.7& 9.8

Foundation, Applied Learning pathways information evening Thursday 23rd

February

Year 9 Parents’ Consultation Evening: Thursday, 15th

March

Course Choices forms returned by: Friday 23rd

March

Important Dates and Deadlines


Who can help in School?

The careers library is full of information regarding jobs, college courses and the required subjects

and grades needed to access them.

Mrs Hormann is the school Careers Co-ordinator, and she will be able to guide you to

information relevant to you or give you access to a Connexion’s Career Advisor.

Speak to Mrs Dolan, your Learning Manager or your Form Tutor

Mr Jarratt, Deputy Head Teacher, can offer specific advice regarding what subjects are possible,

or not.

Speak to your subject teachers, in lessons, or with your parents at the Parent Consultation

Evening, on Thursday, 15th March, they will know how well you might cope with their subjects.

Who else can help?

Family and friends are full of experience and knowledge that could help you, talk to as many

people as possible!

Use the Internet, You can sign up at http://www.b-live.com, this is an excellent website full of up-

to-date information. If you have trouble using it, please speak to Mrs Hawkes in the Library or

Mr Jarratt

Who Can Help Me? Where Can I get Information?

http://www.b-live.com/


Before putting pen to paper please consider these important points and to return the form to Mrs Dolan on Friday 23rd

March

Do not

make stereotypical choices. All courses are

equally open to both sexes.

pick a course because your friend has done so.

pick a course because you like the teacher –

you may not get that teacher.

pick a course and expect that you can change it

when you are half way in to it.

Do

pick a course because you enjoy the subject and

are good at it.

consult your teachers to see if the level of a

course is suitable for you.

try to select courses that give you a broad and

balanced range of subjects.

ask for further help if you require it.

pick courses that prepare you for careers or

courses of study you may wish to follow.

Advice to Students


Compulsory courses:

All students follow the National Curriculum as it currently applies.

Therefore they take English, Mathematics, Science and Information Communications Technology (ICT). In addition, all

students will follow a Religious Education GCSE short course and Physical Education course

In English, all students take GCSE English and the most able 50% take GCSE English Literature.

All students must study GCSE Mathematics.

In Science, we offer, as a minimum, GCSE Double Award Science, but students with a secure National Curriculum Level 6

are offered three separate sciences, Triple Science (GCSE Biology, Chemistry & Physics)

All students follow a BTEC National level 2 course in Information Communication Technology. Successful completion of

2 units in this course leads to an equivalent at GCSE of grade C or above. Completion of additional units leads to a second or

third GCSE equivalent

All students follow a work-related learning programme, currently with two weeks work experience in Year 10 and citizenship

programme.

Compulsory Courses


Optional areas of study (These are shown in the following section of this document).

It is possible to follow three of the following courses:

Or 2 Further Pathways: Foundation and Applied Learning Courses

The National Curriculum applies to all students. However the Department for Education revised its regulations and requirements.

The current 14 – 19 curriculum allows some students to follow a more vocational course. We offer Applied Learning Courses

which run with local colleges and employers in areas such as building, hair & beauty and engineering. Students attend Bromfords

for part of the week and college or work placement for the remaining time.

Foundation Learning Pathway Students may follow courses are at Level 1. It may be unrealistic to expect students to take all GCSE

(Level 2) examination subjects in addition to the core subjects. In discussion with parents and staff we may make provision for

students on an individual basis with a reduced number of examinations subjects.

Our Foundation and Applied learning evening on Thurday 23rd

February provides more detailed information for the smaller

number of students who wish to follow these pathways.

Art & Design

Booster Support class

Business Studies BTEC

Dance

Drama

Food & Nutrition

French

Graphics

Geography

History

Media Studies

Music

Photography

Physical Education (Full Course)

Resistant Materials Technology

Spanish

Textiles

Optional Courses


The Department for Education is reviewing the National Curriculum. The majority of changes will not now happen until

2014. However from September this year most GCSE courses will now be examined at the end of Year 11 without module

examinations part way through the course. Controlled assessments which are taken in school will still be taken before the

final written examination paper or papers; these enable a wider range of skills to be thoroughly assessed. Marks from the

controlled assessments go towards the final GCSE grade.

The Baccalaureate has been introduced. At present it consists of a kind of overarching award counting students who achieve

GCSE A*-C grades in: English, Mathematics, Science, a Modern Foreign Language and one of either History or Geography.

From 2013 it was planned that students would receive a certificate if they achieve these. This will now not happen; however

the Baccalaureate featured in league tables this year and is likely to be part of the future changes to the National Curriculum.

Bromfords School reviewed its curriculum and consulted students, governors and staff. We have designed courses to allow

the maximum personalisation and we do not require students to follow the Baccalaureate subjects. Parents and students

however should seriously consider whether they should choose courses to allow them to achieve this new measure. If students

choose to follow the optional Baccalaureate subjects of a Modern Foreign Language and either History or Geography they

will have one remaining option choice.

Specialist School Status

Bromfords School is proud to be a specialist Technology College, one of the first in the country. As such we offer a far wider range

of GCSE qualifications in Technology than most schools. However the rules for specialist schools have changed and we are no

longer required to ensure that most students follow a GCSE full course in Technology. The Governors of the school very much wish

to retain our specialism and strength in Technology but wish to take advantage of the freedom of choice which is now available to

students. We continue to encourage students to take a GCSE Technology Subject but we have decided to make Technology subjects

are an optional choice.

Changes to the National Curriculum from 2012, Examinations & the Baccalaureate


Applied and Foundation Learning Pathways:

Programme Leader: Mrs Ruck, Mrs Coulson

Further detailed information on these pathways will be available on Thursday 23rd

February

Aims Not all students can succeed doing ten or more GCSEs. Some pupils are more suited to a more practical,

vocational programme.

The government has recognized that a full traditional curriculum is not appropriate for all pupils. They have also

proposed a more limited core national curriculum which allows some pupils to follow a more vocational route.

A small group of students at Bromfords have had the opportunity to experience this different pathway for KS4 in

line with government proposals. There will be more information for these students on Thursday 23rd

February

and through individual discussions with Mrs Ruck and Mrs Coulson.

Applied Learning Programme

School based for three days a week in Year 10, and for two days a week in Year 11. These pupils will be

working on courses which have target qualifications of five GCSEs: Maths, English, Science, ICT, as well as

additional recognised qualifications. Pupils work in a discrete group for some lessons and are fully integrated

with the rest of their year group for other lessons. Pupils also have the opportunity to work off site for twelve

days with the Essex Youth Service undertaking Complementary Education. They are able to gain additional

qualifications through this programme.

Students undertake work skills placements. Some students may also undertake vocational training. South Essex

College (SEC) and Prospects College, working with the New Futures Consortium of Secondary Schools, have

designed courses for the pre-16 group with a view to these linking to post-16 education. Other vocational

providers are also used in the scheme.

Foundation Learning Programme

School based for all of the week. These pupils will be working on courses which have target qualifications of

Foundation level and Level 1 as well as the possibility of some GCSEs. Pupils work in a discrete group for some

lessons and are fully integrated with the rest of their year group for other lessons. Pupils also have the

opportunity to work off site for twelve days with the Essex Youth Service undertaking Complementary

Education. They are able to gain additional qualifications through this programme. There will be more

information for these students on Thursday 3rd

March and through individual discussions with Mrs Ruck and

Mrs Coulson.


Don’t forget your name and group. Return to Mrs Dolan by 3 pm on Friday, 23rd March

All pupils have 25 lessons a week, (some may have a 26th

lesson – see Triple Science).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

English 4 lessons per week

Maths 4 lessons per week

Science 5 lessons per week

PE RE ICT 5 lessons per fortnight

3 Option Choices 15 hours per fortnight

Please list your first 4 choices from the list of OPTIONAL COURSES placing them in order of preference:

Art & Design

Booster Support class


Dance

Drama

Food & Nutrition

French

Graphics

NAME: Tutor Group: ……………………………….. ………

1:

2:

3:

4.

Geography

History

Media Studies

Music

Photography

Physical Education (Full Course)

Resistant Materials Technology

Spanish

Textiles


The Bromfords Sixth Form

Post 16 Learning Manager:

Mr A J Warren

It is important that students consider their future career or further education pathway after year 11 when choosing their GCSE options. Each

compulsory and option subject at GCSE provides the basis for further study at 16+.

The school sixth form offers a wide range of AS and A2 qualifications, an ever increasing range of vocational courses and Level 3 courses which

include BTEC. These courses offer considerable advantages to our students and give a progression route into Higher Education and

employment.

We provide the opportunity for our students to continue studying subjects they are interested in and have performed well in. It is therefore

essential that students make sensible decisions now in order to allow themselves the freedom of choice in two years time.

The Bromfords Sixth Form offers a caring and supportive environment where students are encouraged to become independent learners. Students

receive guidance from staff and their tutors to help them succeed in their chosen subjects.

Please contact Mr Warren if you require any further information.

Courses currently offered at Bromfords Sixth Form are:

Art

Biology


Chemistry

Dance

English Language and Literature

English Literature

French

Performance Studies

Physical Education/Sports

BTEC

Physics

Product Design : 3D Design

Psychology

Sociology

Textiles

Geography

History

ICT BTEC

Law

Mathematics

Further Mathematics

Media Studies

options booklet 2012

Documents

course choices

ebacc subjects

bromfords school key

important subjects

informed choices

particular subjects

review of subjects

compulsory courses