Year 9 Options Evening

1
Year 9 Options Evening
Welcome!

• The aim of this evening is to clarify the options
  process, the types of qualifications offered and
  some of the terminology involved.

2
Year 9 Options
Compulsory Subjects
Compulsory subjects account for 3/5 of the
curriculum (16 lessons)
3
E-Bacc or not?

• The E-Bacc (English Baccalaureate) is a
  recognition of C grade or higher in GCSE
• English (Compulsory)
• Maths (Compulsory)
• Science (2 or 3) (Compulsory)
• A Language (Early entry or Optional)
• History or Geography (Optional)
• What does it mean?

4
We know that

• Its not an extra qualification, just a
  recognition of C grade or better in those
  subjects
• No local FE colleges or 6th forms require it for
  entry to their courses
• No HE universities state it in their entry
  requirements (see Russell Group informed choices
  document)
• MFL at GCSE is generally only a requirement for
  an English degree but check this out if you know
  now what you want to do.
• Our advice therefore is still to pick the
  subjects which give you the best chance of the
  best grades

5
What can I choose?

• Boys PE
• Girls PE
• Food Technology
• Engineering
• ICT
• Spanish
• Product Design Fashion
• Product Design Hard
• Materials

Geography History Film Studies Art Photography Mus
ic Drama Computer Science
Computer Science Biology Geography History Spani
sh
6
Science

• Triple Science
• Double Award Science

Both courses include the study of Biology,
Chemistry and Physics
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
7
New GCSEs
New GCSEs are being introduced in English and
Maths in September 2015
8
Advice for Students

1. Choose the subjects you are likely to do best in.
   Use your current levels and the feedback you have
   had from your teachers to guide you
2. Dont make a choice just because you like the
   teacher. That teacher may well not be taking the
   group you end up in
3. Be realistic about your strengths and weaknesses
   and accept realistic advice about the type of
   course you choose.
4. Above all dont choose a subject because your
   friend is doing it! There is no guarantee youll
   end up in the same class!

9
Let us guide you!

• We can guide you to courses which we know will
  offer your children the very best chances of
  achieving the best grades.
• Vocational options offer the best progression
  routes for some students. New qualification
  guidelines, however, make vocational subjects
  less suitable for some students.

10
Options Interviews
You and your children are offered an options
interview with a senior member of staff to
explore the best choices for the best
grades. These interviews will take place with
either Mr Rimmer, Mr Fiddler, Mr Klinck or Mrs
Knowles. They will take pace between February
27th and March 13th.
11
Making their Choices
The options form looks like this. You need to
make 3 choices from the subject list Some
additional vocational choices will be offered as
an alternative for some students during options
interviews. These forms are given out during the
interview
12
Options Interviews
Interviews with Mr Rimmer
Form 9H 9A
Form lists are displayed on the wall in the
creative studio
13
Options Interviews
Interviews with Mr Fiddler
Form 9W 9K
Form lists are displayed on the wall in the
creative studio
14
Options Interviews
Interviews with Mr Klinck
Form 9L 9E
Form lists are displayed on the wall in the
creative studio
15
Options Interviews
Interviews with Mrs Knowles
Form 9Y
Form lists are displayed on the wall in the
creative studio
16
Support

• Subject input
• Options interviews
• School Website
• - Option booklet
• - Russell group guide
• - Careers explorer
• - This presentation

17
What Next?

• Groups are generated and a timetable produced
• The vast majority of students will study their
  initial choices
• Its likely that a small number (9 in 2013, and 4
  in 2014) will have to be interviewed again and
  choose a different combination