Year 9 Options EveningThursday 6th November 2014

Please sign-in at the entrance hall

Can we please request that all students sit with parents/carers –

this is an important part of the Options process.

Year 10 and 11 Curriculum

Subject Hours Qualification

English 4 English and English Literature GCSE

Maths 4 Maths Methods and Maths Applications GCSEs

Science 5 or 6 Either Double Science GCSEOr Biology, Chemistry and Physics

PE 2

PSHE 1 Taught in two tutor times

Option subjects

4 x 2 or 3

GCSEs or BTECs

GCSE English - Y10 and Y11

Students take a GCSE in English Language and

a GCSE in

English Literature.

Examinations in English Language which will test reading and writing skills.

There will be separate speaking and listening assessments

Examinations in English Literature will test understanding of poetry, prose and drama texts.

MathematicsThe new Mathematics GCSE courses are starting in September 2015.

We will be looking at the ratified courses over the next two months to make a decision on which exam board to use.

Assessment is likely to be 3 papers at the end of Year 11, one of which will be non calculator. There will remain a Foundation and Higher tier.

Double Science (Core Science in Y10 and Additional Science in Y11)

OR

Triple Science (3 GCSEs over Y10 and Y11 - Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each subject has 2 lessons per week)

You can take A Level Sciences from both routes.

Entry onto A Level subjects depend upon grades and student effort in the subjects.

Science

Double Science3 x 1 hour (tiered) exams in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, all worth 25% taken in the summer of Year 10.

The remaining 25% comes from the Controlled Assessment marks and these will be completed at the end of this current school year.

This results in a GCSE in Core Science at the of year 10. The Additional Science qualification then follows the same structure in year 11.

Triple Science students:Commit to attending an after school lesson every Tuesday.

Need to be aware that they will be taking 9 x 1 hour exams (3 Biology, 3 Chemistry and 3 Physics) at the end of Year 11.

All students are welcome onto the Triple Science course if they are willing to work hard, as shown through their year 9 lessons.

All students will sit Controlled Assessments in Biology, Chemistry and Physics during the course.

Triple Science

This results in three separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Two thirds of the content for Triple Science is the same as the Core and Additional Science qualifications.

Triple Scientists will study an additional ‘Extension’ topic in each of the three sciences.

Summary:

Any questions?

Your science teacher will be able to discuss with you the most suitable route to choose.

In addition the following staff can also help:

Mr A Sampson, Head of Science

Mrs H Russell, KS3/Year 9 Science leader

Qualification types

• GCSE

• BTEC Certificate

• Cambridge National award in ICT

• Level 1 Vocational Qualifications

A mixture of traditional and vocational qualifications

GCSEWill be mostly written examinations with coursework in a few subjects

Pass grades range from A* to G

BTEC (Extended Certificate)

Examination and Coursework – 3 units of work which are equivalent to 1 GCSE (Grade A* to C)

Students who pass are awarded either Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*

The Options form 2015 – 2017 (Page 25 of the options

booklet)

In box A you will choose a language option. There is the provision to not take a language if it is considered appropriate.

In box B you will choose a humanities option

In box C you make 4 choices in priority order

GCSE Art and design Cambridge award ICT

BTEC Business studies GCSE Music

GCSE Drama BTEC Sport

GCSE French (dual linguists) GCSE Hospitality*

GCSE Geography GCSE Product Design*

GCSE History GCSE Graphics*

Your order of preference is very important.

* Students can only study one technology option.

Option Blocks

• All student choices are considered at the same time

• Option blocks are formed based on the majority of students getting their choices

• These blocks form the timetable

Option Blocks

• There will be four option blocks

• The subjects in one block are all taught at the same time on the timetable

• E.g.

Block 3CGFRHIICTRM

Timetable

This year the timetable for Year 10 looked like thisMonday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 ENGLISH OPTION 2 ENGLISH OPTION 4 OPTION 32 SCIENCE ENGLISH MATHS OPTION 4 OPTION 3

3 MATHS MATHS PE SCIENCE MATHS4 OPTION 2 SCIENCE SCIENCE PE ENGLISH

5 OPTION 1 OPTION 4 OPTION 1 OPTION 1 SCIENCESC TRIPLE

Break

Lunch

Box DStudents wishing to be considered for Triple Science must tick the box to confirm this.

Students can choose to study BTEC Dance instead of core PE.

Students wishing to be considered for a college placement must tick the box to confirm this. We will not know until later in the year what provision is available. Students on alternative placements will forfeit one, potentially two option choices.

Part B Compulsory Subjects

Deadline for completed forms: 28th November

Calendar of eventsMonday 17th- Friday 28th November: Option interviews

Friday 28th November: Final deadline for submitting option forms.

Y9 Progress Check 12 December to parents/carersY9 Parents Evening 22nd JanY9 Mentoring Tues 27 Jan-Fri 30 JanY9 Progress Check 20 March to parents/carers Y9 Mentoring (Exam Focus) Tues 28 April – Fri 1st MayY9 Exam weeks w/c 11 May and w/c 18 MayY9 Year Progress meet 30 June Y9 Report 3 July to parents/carers

Options InterviewsAll parents are invited to attend an interview alongside their son or daughter with a Senior member of staff.

If you wish to take up this opportunity the contact details are in the Option booklet. 17-28th Nov – Melanie.Fish@jmonline.org.uk

Holywell - Mr WilliamsBeacon - Mr HammondJubilee - Mr CollardMidsummer - Mr Evans & Mr SampsonSelected Students - Mr Mudge and Mrs LeeCatherine Webster – Careers Advisor

The overwhelming majority of students get their options

choices. However some may not because:

There is a change in the staffing structure of the school.

There are insufficient numbers to run a course.

There are too many students choosing one particular course.

There is strong evidence to suggest this is not an appropriate choice.

Classic Option Mistakes

Good advice about Options

Ultimate Options Choice?

Skills/Abilities

Passion Experience

Calendar of eventsMonday 17th- Friday 28th November: Option interviews (Melanie.Fish@jmonline.org.uk)

Friday 28th November: Final deadline for submitting option forms.

Y9 Progress Check 12 December to parents/carersY9 Parents Evening 22nd JanY9 Mentoring Tues 27 Jan-Fri 30 JanY9 Progress Check 20 March to parents/carers Y9 Mentoring (Exam Focus) Tues 28 April – Fri 1st MayY9 Exam weeks w/c 11 May and w/c 18 MayY9 Year Progress meet 30 June Y9 Report 3 July to parents/carers