YEAR 9 OPTIONS

Making the right choice

85% of pupils achieved A*-C in Maths86% of pupils achieved A*-C in English

Last year pupils at Downlands made progress equal to the top 20% of schools nationally

78% of pupils achieved 5A*-C including English and Maths.Nationally 55%53% of pupils achieved the Ebacc measureNationally 24%

Looking at schools with a similar intake nationally we are ranked 20/55

Downlands

DeliversHighest attaining school of its type in county

You don’t have to have a career in mind, choose options based on your abilities and interests that give you more choices at post 16 . Whatever options you choose, you will be able to change direction at the end of year 11

Maximise your opportunities – You’re

number 1You will be in education or training until you are 18

The number of jobs for unqualified, unskilled people is shrinking rapidlyDo not do it in

isolation Help is at hand, make to most of todays option activities, speak to teachers, Mrs Cutress & your parents OR use the free National Careers Service’s helpline & website

‘New’ GCSE Qualification

Most will be examined by the ‘new’ GCSE.

A reduced controlled assessment component or none at all.

Grades 1 9Grade 4 will be the threshold for English & Maths. There are a few legacy GCSEs Technology, Classical Civilisations

No foundation or higher tiers of entry, with the exception of Maths, Science &MFL

Grade 9 will be awarded for ‘exceptional performance’ – about half of the students achieving A* last year will

achieve this grade

Grade 1 will equate to current

F/G grades

Grade 7 will be equivalent to

current A grade

Grade 4 will be required in English & Maths to continue with Post 16 Studies without

resits

Sixth Form Colleges may ask for a grade 6 or

better to continue a subject at A level, e.g

Science

Key Performance Indicators 2016

onwards•5 A*-C inc English and Maths no longer the ‘Gold Standard’

•The New Measures are:•Progress 8•Attainment 8•Percentage of pupils achieving C and above in English and Maths

•The EBacc

Attainment 8The Average grade

achieved by all pupils in the Progress 8 subjects

Maths and EnglishPercentage of pupils

achieving C and above in English and Maths

Progress 8Based on a points score of

a pupils best 8 subjects English (counts double if Literature is taken)Maths (counts double)History or

Geography Science or Computer Science MFL Plus 3 other approved

subjects

EBaccAchieved when pupils get 5 or above at GCSE in English Language, Double Science

(or computer science), Maths, a Language and

History/Geography

New measures from 2016

Greater flexibility and choice, whilst ensuring pupils acquire the core of general learning and experiences essential for later learning and employment

Aims of KS4

Curriculum

A broad balanced curriculum that keeps all routes at 16+ open to all pupils

A curriculum that is appropriate to the needs of all individual learners abilities or interests

Types of Qualification

Level 1 = GCSE (1 – 4)

Level 2 = GCSE (4 – 9)

GCSE – traditional academic qualification assessed by controlled assessment and examinations*Most will have no Controlled Assessment

BTec – more vocational qualification assessed by coursework and examinations(Dance Only)

AssessmentExaminations – terminal examinations at

the end of the course for all subjects*

Controlled assessment **– Assessed work carried out under controlled

conditions in school. (Technology, Drama, Computing & PE)

CURRICULUM MODEL

Year 10 and 11

Four Options 2 chosen in Yr8 2 to choose in

Yr9

Science – Combined or Triple****Triple is for very motivated

students capable of achieving the highest grades

English – Language and Literature.

Language will be examined at the end

of year 10

Mathematics – Single Award for

most pupils

Most pupils will achieve 9 GCSE equivalent

qualifications (10 for Triple Scientists – 11 if

also an ‘Express Linguist’)

DecisionsYou continue with the two options chosen last year in Yr 8You now choose another 2 subjects in Yr9

Choose from:Art and Design Drama Computing Information Technology Music

Child DevelopmentGerman Product DesignResistant MaterialsFood Preparation & NutritionTextilesClassical CivilisationsPerf Arts (Dance BTEC) Religious StudiesFrench GeographyPE/Sport (GCSE/Camb Nat)

Making the right choice

A Levels in Art, Textiles & MFL require previous study at GCSE

It is likely that some sixth forms will require passes at 6 or higher

You do not need Triple science to study sciences at A Level

You are committing to completing the course and final examinations in Yr11

Teaching hours per fortnight

8 8

10 5

2 2

What could

possibly go

wrong?

Too few or too many pupils choose an option to make it viable

Timetable clashes mean that the subjects run at the same time, some combinations are not possibleThis is why you need to make a reserve choice

The subjects will appear on the timetable in two option blocks A & B, one of your choices must come from A & the other from B

Some will appear in both blocks others will not

The model is based on the principle of best fit to maximise the number of first choices once the options forms have been completed

You’re Number one

Block A Block B

Art and DesignDrama Information Technology MusicPhysical Education Religious StudiesFood Technology TextilesComputingFrench

Art and Design Child DevelopmentDramaClassicsPhysical Education Graphic ProductsResistant MaterialsFood TechnologyDance

WARNING

FOR ILLUSTRATIVE

PURPOSES ONLY

Making the Right ChoiceConsider the following:• Subjects you like, perform well in and

are appropriate.

• Progression to Post 16 courses

• Familiarise your self with the unfamiliar; there will be new choices and opportunities beyond your current curriculum.

• Future career plans

• Balance between academic and practical

• Workload – Coursework requirements v examinations

• Subjects chosen will be studied for the next two years (Changes are not possible)

• Pupils will be entered for a final examination in option subjects

• What your friends are doing

• Which teachers you like

Making the Right ChoiceDO NOT Consider the following:

Familiarise yourself with the unfamiliarTextiles Mrs Moller

Child Development Ms ReidPE/Sport Mr Bartholomew

Food Preparation & Nutrition Mrs Skelton

Resistant Materials Mr WalkerClassical Civilisations Mr Ashdown

Product Design Mr WalkerComputing GCSE/ ICT GCSE Mr

Kluge/Ms Colwill

Dates for the Diary

Tuesday 23 February: Year 9 Full Reports and the Key Stage 4 Options Form will be issued to pupilsThursday 25 February: The 2016 Key Stage 4 Options Information Evening from 6.00pm

Thursday 3 March: Year 9 Parents Evening 4.30pm to 7.30pm

Friday 11 March: Completed Key Stage 4 Options Form to be returned to student’s tutor.

Make the Right Choice• Make the most of this evening

and the support available and you will make the right choice

• Remember that this is just a staging post it is neither the start or the finish of your learning journey.