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YEAR 10 PARENTS INFORMATION EVENING. GCSE SUBJECT CHOICES. Big Decisions!. Careers: Education, Information Advice and Guidance Is being provided. Careers Provision. Since Nov : Weekly careers programme. Jan & Feb : 2 Subject choice talks : DfE Careers advisors; careers teachers.
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YEAR 10 PARENTS INFORMATION EVENING GCSE SUBJECT CHOICES
Big Decisions! • Careers: • Education, • Information • Advice and • Guidance • Is being provided.
Careers Provision • Since Nov: Weekly careers programme. • Jan & Feb: 2 Subject choice talks : DfE Careers advisors; careers teachers. • 14th & 15th February : Individual careers guidance interviews.
Provision for Parents & Pupils • 23rd Jan : Careers Convention • 12th Feb : GCSE subject choice advice evening • 26th Feb : Consultation with subject teachers.
Deadline For Decisions • 5th March : deadline for returning GCSE subject choice form.
Compulsory Subjects • English • Maths • Religious Studies (half course) • Two Sciences/Technology* • Physical Education – practical; non-exam.
Summary of Science Options • 2 Science/Technology options recommended for all. • Why? • To keep more career options open.
Strong & Committed Scientists • 3 or 4 science/technology options. • Many scientific careers now required linkage of knowledge across all of the sciences. • Should take all 3 sciences if considering a scientific career.
For non-scientists • 1 Science for those who are academically strong in Arts/Humanities and want to have additional creative/expressive options. • Many degrees at UU require a GCSE science & elsewhere egBEd in Stranmillis.
Consultation • Speak to me if: • Considering taking only one science. • Any other concerns.
A level Entry Requirements • Further Maths for A level Maths. • English Literature for A level English Literature. • Add. Maths & English Lit. : 10.5 GCSEs • English Lit. and R.S. : 10 GCSEs. • A level subjects must be taken at GCSE level.
Optional Subjects • Only one Technology option – breadth. • Digital Technology or Computer Science : breadth. • P.E. or R.S. (can do both with English Lit.)
Rationale • Flexibility in terms of number of GCSEs taken. • Retain breadth and balance. • Keeping career options open. • Exploit strengths. • Timetabling and staffing constraints.
Why 2 Sciences/Technology? • To keep career options open. • Sciences are required for a number of careers. • Medicine, Dentistry, VeterinaryScience, Optometry and Pharmacy (among others) : GCSE Chemistry, Physics, Biology. • 2 Sciences for a range of careers.
Why 2 Sciences/Technology? (2) • Chemical or Forensic Sciences : often 2 Sciences (Chemistry and Physics or Biology)and Maths required. • Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Countryside Management: sometimes 2 Sciences; sometimes 2 STEM subjects; Geography often acceptable too.
Why 2 Sciences/Technology? (3) • Biological Sciences, Biotechnology: often require 2 sciences at GCSE level and at A level too; sometimes A level requirement is for 2 STEM subjects. • Chemical Engineering: often requires Chemistry, Maths and Physics. • Health, Clinical Sciences & Therapies: 2 sciences at GCSE and often 2 at A level.
Why 2 Sciences/Technology? (4) • Pharmacy & Pharmacology: often 2 Sciences, most importantly Chemistry. • 2 STEM subjects: Environmental Science; Marine Sciences; Physical Sciences; some Sports Science courses; Biological Sciences; Geography & Geology (Geography acceptable too).
STEM Agenda • Science, Technology (incl. ICT), Engineering & Maths. • Government asks schools to increase numbers taking STEM subjects & to raise awareness of STEM career opportunities. • Needs of NI and UK economies. • www.go4stemni.org.uk/
Maths &/or Physics • Engineering: A level Maths and Physics or Technology (Physics preferred). • Architecture : Maths and/or Physics, with Art. • Research careers in government, industry and universities. • Finance-related careers: Maths and/or Physics are valued. • Computer Science: Maths and/or Physics valued. • GCSE Physics for Engineering apprenticeships.
A word of warning… • A level sciences are very difficult and required an A at GCSE level and a good GCSE profile for entry. • Other A levels generally require a B at GCSE for entry.
STEAM • Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences are important too. • They also have career pathways. • Choose these if this is where your strengths lie. • QUB info evening : 21st Feb.
Degrees With No Subject Requirements • Law, Criminology & Politics. • Accountancy (Maths sometimes preferred). • Business-related degrees. • Film Studies. • Hotel & Hospitality Management. • Psychology (Sciences &/or Geography preferred).
Degrees With No Subject Requirements (2) • Social Work, Sociology & Social Policy. • Surveying, including Quantity Surveying. • Theology.
How to choose subjects • Subjects you are good at. • Needed for Higher Education/Career. • Subjects you are interested in. • Combines well with other subject choices. • Keeps A level options open.
How to choose subjects (2) • Subjects offered at A level. • Subjects you would like to study beyond GCSE level. • Suitable forms of assessment : coursework vs exams and workload. • Teaching methods which suit your learning style, eg. practical vs theory.
New Specifications • GCSE subject specifications have been changing in recent years. • May have different subject content from current or past GCSEs.
How to choose subjects (3) • Check which A level subjects are accepted by universities. • Russell Group: 24 research led universities • Facilitating subjects: 2 out of 3 A levels. • QUB accepts all A level subjects ( except for medicine & dentistry) • ROI universities: academic subjects preferred but accept SSD, MIA & Dig. Tech.
NI Skills Barometer • Launched in November 2015. • Predicts areas of over- and under-supply in labour market 2015-2025. • www.delni.gov.uk/publications/ni-skills-barometer
Subjects in Demand in NI • STEM-related subjects will be most in demand. Why? • Anticipated growth in ICT, professional services and advanced sectors. • Also a wide range of other sectors will need STEM qualifications.
More people will be needed with degrees in… • 1.Computer science. • 2. civil engineering. • 3. Nursing. • 4. Electronic & electrical engineering. • 5. Physics. • 6. Mechanical Engineering. • 7. Chemistry. • 8. History by period. • 9. Mathematics. • 10. Marketing
More people will be needed with foundation degrees/higher level apprenticeships in.. • 1. Nursing. • 2. Science. • 3. Engineering. • 4. ICT. • 5. Creative Arts. • 6. Law & Legal. • 7. Medicine & Dentistry. • 8. Hospitality & catering. • 9. History. • 10. Performing Arts.
Top 10 Growth Sectors 2016-2026 • 1. Professional, scientific and technical. • 2. Information and Communication. • 3.Administration and support services. • 4. Health & Social work. • 5. Manufacturing. • 6. Construction. • 7. Restaurants. • 8. Arts & entertainment. • 9. Finance & insurance. • 10. Transport & storage.
Graduate Demand (UU) • Engineering: manufacturing, environmental, mechanical electrical, process engineering. • Business & professional services: business development, finance, investment, trading, HR & marketing.
Graduate Demand (UU) • IT & Technology : software engineering; web development; data analytics; solutions consulting; cyber security. • Creative Arts : designers; media professionals; community arts; digital art and design.
The Graduate Labour Market (4) • For approx. 50% of graduate careers, any degree is acceptable. • Employing the person, not the degree: employability skills should be developed, eg. self reliance, people skills, general employment skills and specialist skills. • Skills gained through work placements, extra-curricular activities and subjects.
Further Information • www.ucas.com (incl. parents’ zone) • www.prospects.ac.uk : options with subjects & graduate labour market information. • www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers : NI LMI info. • www.qub.ac.uk ; www.ulster.ac.uk • www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers
Help in School • School intranet – careers folder. • School careers staff & careers lessons. • Career guidance interview • Careers Convention.
Higher Ideas & Heap Online • www.careersoft.co.uk/ • Higher Ideas • BHS licence : v6c5zzm7 • Pathways from school subjects.
Can you help? • Careers department relies on parents & former pupils for careers talks, mock interviews and information stands at careers convention. • Please complete the form & give it to me if you could help in any way.
Conclusion • Deadline : 5th March. • Good GCSE results are vital for Higher Education and careers. • Never too early to think about what these qualifications will be used for. • Careers research is vital.