What’s on offer in

Year 10 & 11

Year 9 Options Information

9AH Mr Michaelides Mon 14th March (am) & Tues 15th March (am)

9AW Mr Vekaria Thur 17th March

9DA Mr Sudbery Wed 16th March

9DF Mr Swift Thur 17th March

9NE Ms Besse Fri 11th March

9NI Mr Sutherland Wed 16th March

9SG Mrs Clarke Mon 14th March

9SV Mr Taylor Tues 15th March

9SA Mrs Clarke Wed 16th March

SEN students Mrs Wheeler Thurs 10th March

2nd interviews

/ absentees Mrs Clarke Fri 18th March

Yr9 Options Interviews 2016

CORE SUBJECTS

Up to 6 GCSEs without options:

English

English Literature

Maths

Science (2 GCSEs unless Triple Science is opted for)

PE (for most students)

Non examined – PSE (including core IT & Citizenship)

GCSE Grades from 2017

From Summer 2017 the new GCSEs in

English & Maths will use this numerical

system ranging from 9 to 1

Maths Tiers: Foundation 1-5 & Higher 4-9

Comparison to ‘old’ grades

Broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade

4 and above as currently achieve a grade C and above

Broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade

7 and above as currently achieve an A and above

The top 20 per cent of those who get grade 7 or above will

get a grade 9 – the very highest performers

The bottom of grade 1 will be aligned with the bottom of

grade G

Grade 5 will be positioned in the top third of the marks for a

current Grade C and bottom third of the marks for a current

Grade B

GCSE Science

Two pathways:

Combined Science OR

Triple Science - you must be at least level 6A

by end of Y9

Both pathways involve 2 separate Biology,

Chemistry & Physics exams taken at the end of

Y11 – triple papers are ½ hr longer each

GCSE PE

Changes in

specification

OLD

50% practical choosing 4

sports

10% observation and

analysis

40% written examination

(1hr 45 examination

paper)

NEW

30% practical choosing 3 sports

10% observation and analysis

60% written examination papers

1. Anatomy & Physiology (36% of

qualification) (1hr 45Mins)

2. Health and performance (24%

of qualification) (1hr 15mins)

Activities to choose from

(1 team, 2 individual or 2 team, 1

individual)

Team activities - Association Football, Badminton,

Basketball, Hurling and Camogie, Cricket, Dance,

Gaelic Football, Handball, Hockey, Lacrosse,

Netball, Rowing, Rugby League, Rugby Union,

Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Blind

Cricket, Goal ball, Powerchair football, Table

Cricket, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby.

Individual activities - Amateur Boxing, Athletics –

Field events, Athletics – Track events, Canoeing,

Track Cycling, Road Cycling, Diving, Golf,

Gymnastics, Equestrian, Kayaking, Rock climbing,

Sculling, Skiing, Snowboarding, Swimming,

Trampolining, Boccia, Polybat.

WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE?

4 GCSE subjects from a choice of 17 OR

3 GCSE subjects + Triple Science

Different pathways in PE: GCSE PE or core

PE (department decides) or GCSE Dance

Some students with Special Educational Needs or on

a vocational college course may do fewer subjects

but only by special arrangement

A BROAD, BALANCED CURRICULUM (recommended)

Modern Foreign Language (French,

German or Spanish)

Humanities (History, Geography, PRE [RS] or

Sociology)

Plus 2 from:

Art, Business Studies, Child Care & Development,

Computer Science, Drama, Food Preparation and

Nutrition, Graphic Products, IT, Music, Resistant

Materials, Textiles, Triple Science

English Baccalaureate (EBacc)

A performance measure for the school, not a

qualification

Not compulsory, but Ofsted take it into

account when inspecting schools

English, Maths, 2 Sciences (inc Computer Science),

History or Geography & a Language

We don’t chase points at Queens’

LANGUAGES

• Many universities like applicants to have an MFL

• Increased job opportunities

• With the growth of the European Union, there is a

much greater need for people who have a foreign

language

• 60% of all UK trade is with non English-speaking

countries

• Learning a language can boost an average worker’s

earnings by up to 20%

• Multi-national companies like employees to have an

MFL

Requirements for MFL

• All dual linguists must do an MFL

• Must achieve at least Level 5 by the end

of Y9 if choosing MFL1

• Must achieve at least Level 6 by the end

of Y9 if choosing MFL2

• Everyday we benefit from something that has been created by an artist or designer. From fashion to architecture, product design to the entertainment and digital media industries.

• The UK’s creative economy employs approximately 2.5 million people and is growing much faster than the UK workforce as a whole.

• The Art Department offers a high level of support throughout the GCSE course to ensure all students succeed.

WHY STUDY ART & DESIGN

Business Studies

An insight into the 'Real World' of Business

Y10 - How do small businesses operate ?

Y11 - Business and Economics in the wider world

25% Controlled Assessment and 75% Exam

Leads to 'A' levels in Business Studies or

Economics

CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT

A written paper (40%)

2 controlled assessments (60%)

27 hours of supervised work

Must study and visit a child under the age

of five at least 6 times over 6 months

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

Graphic Products

Resistant Materials

Textiles

EXAMINATION

40% tests the theoretical aspects of the

subject

Helped by a preparation sheet issued in

March

None of the courses are solely

practical and students must be

prepared to do written work

CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT

Extended project under teacher supervision

45 hours

60% is practical

40% is a design folder

Need to shows the development of a product from

brief through to evaluation

Approximately 20 sides of A3 containing

photographic evidence of the finished product as

well as a record of its development during making.

Food Preparation and Nutrition

No longer part of Design and Technology

Practically based course

Focuses on nutrition, food safety and the

science of food

Suitable for anyone wanting any type of

career in the food industry

Assessment

Assessment in 3 parts

1 x 1hour 45 minute exam paper (50% of

GCSE)

1 practical investigation into a given food

commodity written up with photographic

evidence (1500 – 2000 words.

1 x 3 hour practical session which is planned

and prepared in advance with a portfolio of

evidence (20 sides A4 or 10 sides A3)

IMPLICATIONS

Provide fabric/materials/ingredients

Organisation - bringing in design folder

and practical materials when required

Deadlines must be met

Requires commitment from the student

IT or COMPUTER SCIENCE?(Very different subjects)

Technical Types! User Friendly!

Computational Thinking Using Applications

Programming Producing ‘Products’

How the computer works

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Certificate in Digital

Applications

IT

Sociology

The study of culture, identity, inequality and social

change

Two exam papers of 1 ½ hours each

No Controlled Assessments

Sociological Theories:

Marxism

Functionalism

Feminism

Interactionism

Sociology (Unit 1)

What is culture?

How do we learn our culture?

What are social rules?

What is social control?

What is social identity?

How do we learn gender and ethnic

identities?

What is the nature/nurture debate?

Research methods

Sociology (Unit 2)

What is inequality?

What are the causes of inequality?

What is poverty? What is wealth?

How does poverty and wealth affect different groups of people’s

life chances?

Prejudice and discrimination, Ageism, Sexism, and Racism

What are the reasons for prejudice and discrimination?

Who are the underclass?

Inequality and life chances in work, education, families, and

health

Is inequality a good thing?

NOT RECOMMENDED TOGETHER

2 subjects with min 50% Controlled

Assessment (Child Care & Development,

Food Preparation and Nutrition, Graphics,

Resistant Materials, Textiles)

3 Humanities (History, Geography, RS [PRE],

Sociology)

3 Arts (Art, Music, Drama)

Computer Science & IT

THE OPTION COLUMNS(plus Hairdressing option after school)

(A) (B) (C) (D)

Art

Food

French

Geography

German

History

Resistant Materials

Spanish

Textiles

Art

Computer Science

French

Geography

German

History

PRE (Philosophy,

Religion & Ethics)

Spanish

Business Studies

Child Care

Drama

Food

Geography

Graphic Products

Information

Technology

Resistant Materials

Triple Science

Art

Business Studies

(with Economics)

Computer Science

Drama

Geography

History

Music

PRE (Philosophy,

Religion & Ethics)

Sociology

OPTIONS FORM

Booklet 2016-17\Page 30 Option Form

2016.docx

CHOOSE CAREFULLY!

Think about:

Strengths

Enjoyment

Future ambitions

Further advice ….. You are not alone!

TIMESCALE

Mon 7th Mar – Assembly, Parents

Information Eve & distribution of booklets

Mon 14th Mar – Individual interviews begin

Wed 23rd Mar – All option forms handed in

to Form Tutors

April – Checking of choices

June – Confirmation of allocated subjects

WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN APRIL & JUNE?

Selections are recorded

You will be asked to check they are correct

Group sizes are looked at

Staffing is decided

Choices may need to be changed

Some students will be re-interviewed

Notification of your final subjects in writing

Last minute changes

WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND?

Before getting confirmation form – bring a letter from

parent/carer to Mrs Clarke

After confirmation of options but before end of Year

9 - bring the options change form or a letter from

parent/carer to Mrs Clarke

Within the first 2 weeks of Year 10 - bring a letter

from parent/carer and signed by your teacher to Mr

Vekaria

In October or later – TOUGH! You’re too late.