Y10/11 Options 2014

1. Y10/11 Options 2014 Parents’ Evening – 25th Feb 2014

3. Timetable of Events PRIOR TO HALF-TERM 12th Feb Assembly in Hall / option books handed out 15th Feb Y9 Data available AFTER HALF TERM 25th Feb Parents’ meeting to explain options process (7.30pm) 6th – 12th Mar Individual student/parent appointments with member of curriculum team 14th Mar Deadline for option choices 2nd June New timetable starts

4. How is the curriculum structured? • Most students will take 10 qualifications (GCSE/BTEC/OCR) • Compulsory subjects – 6 GCSEs • Option Subjects – 4 GCSEs/BTECs/OCRs GCSE courses comprise one or two of the following: • exam (taken at the end of the course) • coursework • controlled assessment BTEC/OCR courses: • cover broad vocational areas • are mainly coursework based (continuous assessment) • contain one exam or externally assessed module taken during the course

5. 6 Compulsory Subjects (all GCSE) • English Language • English Literature • Maths • Biology • Chemistry • Physics Some students may take will take a double science course (instead of 3 separate sciences) Compulsory subjects which don’t lead to qualifications • PSHE + PE

6. Early Entry: English Language • GCSE English Language will be studied/assessed in Year 10, with students completing controlled assessments during these two years and taking their GCSE exams at the end of the year (June 2015) • English Literature will be studied in Year 11 with students completing controlled assessments and taking exams at the end of the year (June 2016)

7. OPTIONS – 4 CHOICES (GCSEs or BTEC/OCR courses) • Students should think about: • their strengths & interests • their future plans • how they will be assessed: • exams • coursework • controlled assessment

8. Structure of the Curriculum Core/Compulsory • English 4 hours • Maths 3½ hours • Biology 2 hours • Chemistry 2 hours • Physics 2 hours • PSHE 1 hour • PE 2 hours Options • Option 1 2 hours • Option 2 2 hours • Option 3 2 hours • Option 4 2 hours During block weeks students may spend more time on option subjects & less time on core subjects in year 10

9. Key Issues for 2014-161. The English Baccalaureate • E-Bacc - (English Baccalaureate) • “Awarded” to students achieving A*-C grades in English Language, Maths, two sciences (from Biology, chemistry, physics or computing), a language (modern or ancient), and either Geography OR History • 39% of students got E-Bacc in 2013 • Entry to our 6th form is NOT dependent on students achieving the E-Bacc • Our advice is that students should choose subjects which they will enjoy and which they believe will give them the greatest chance of success

10. Key Issues for 2014-162. Measuring achievement Current system • Lots of indicators used in school performance tables • 5 A*-C (incEng Lang/Maths) generally recognised for progression • Average Points Score at GCSE used by QEHS sixth form (and others) for entry onto some sixth form courses New System (from 2016 i.e. this year group) • Attainment 8 – average grade achieved in “best 8 subjects” • Best 8 subjects must include: • English Language & maths • 3 E-Bacc subjects (sciences, computing, geography, history, languages) • 3 other subjects (English Lit and all the options offered at QEHS) • Sixth form entry requirements (locally/nationally) still unclear

11. 2. Measuring Achievement (continued) How will schools be judged? • Attainment 8 – average grade achieved in “best 8 subjects” by all students in year 11 • Best 8 subjects must include: • English Language & maths • 3 E-Bacc subjects (sciences, computing, geography, history, languages) • 3 other subjects (English Lit and all the options offered at QEHS) • Achievement 8 – performance against target for the 8 best subjects • % of students achieving A*-C in English Language AND maths • % of students achieving the E-Bacc

12. Key Issues for 2014-163. Other issues? • How much harder existing GCSEs will be? • How entry requirements for sixth form (here and elsewhere) may change in the coming years – our view is that the “Attainment 8” measure is likely to be the most important • Other changes to be announced by the DfE • GCSE target grades - what are FFT targets and how do we use them during the guidance interviews?

13. Making appropriate choices

14. Compulsory subjects • English, maths, biology, chemistry and physics • PE and PSHE

15. OPTIONS – 4 CHOICES (GCSEs or BTEC/OCR courses) • You need to think about: • Your strengths & interests • Your future plans • How you will be assessed: • Exams • Coursework • Controlled assessment

16. Making your choices • Core subjects provide evidence of literacy, numeracy, science • Options are an opportunity to demonstrate where you excel • Follow your convictions • Don’t take a subject because you feel you should

17. Making your choices • Five boxes to complete – PE compulsory • Effectively making 4 option choices • Focus on your strengths • Not doing so will impact on your progression

18. Consider Progression English language and Maths basis for getting into 6th form If you can get one of those then you can get into 6th form if you choose the right subjects Not choosing correctly will impact on progression

19. Case Studies Student 3 English Lang A English Lit A Maths C Biology C Chemistry C Physics D History A Spanish B Drama A Religious St A Student 2 English Lang C English Lit C Maths A Biology B Chemistry B Physics B Engineering A IT Dist Geography B PE A Student 1 English Lang C English Lit D Maths E Biology D Chemistry D Physics C Art & Design A Food Tech A History E French D

20. Art – which one? • Art and Design • Graphic Communication • Textile 60% Portfolio 40% Externally set task Will only count once in Attainment 8 measure

21. Business and Media Business Studies Exam 75% Controlled Assessment 25% Media Studies Controlled assessment 60% Exam 40%

22. Expressive Arts • BTEC Performing Arts • GCSE Dance • GCSE Drama • GCSE Music May take more than one but Dance and Drama count once in Attainment 8 measure

23. Expressive Arts (continued) • Dance GCSE – solo and group performances and choreography 20% written exam • Drama GCSE Internal and externally assessed performances. Evaluation of a play + 40% exam (performance) • Music GCSE Composition, performance and 40% exam • BTEC performing arts (musical theatre – music, dance and drama)

24. PE or Sport? Think method of assessment Controlled Assessment • PE 60% Coursework • Sport 75% Re-sit of exam component possible But also consider both

25. IT or Computing? Think method of assessment Controlled Assessment • Computing 60% Coursework • IT 75% Re-sit of exam component possible Computing is a technical course and an aptitude in maths is very important. Many of the lessons in Computing will be theory-based. IT is more practical

26. Health Studies Coursework • BTEC Health and Social Care 75% Re-sit of exam component possible Controlled assessment • GCSE Child development 60%

27. Technology (Design) – which one? Controlled assessment • (40-45 hours) • Electronic Products 60% • Engineering 60% • Graphic Products 60% • Resistant Materials 60% But, again, you could consider two

28. Technology – Food and Catering • Controlled assessment • Catering 60% • Food Technology 60% Explore the difference in the courses . Consider the methods of assessment Could consider both

29. Conclusion Think • Strengths • Interests • Assessment • Progression Choose what you enjoy and are likely to do best in! Talk to your teachers!

30. What now? • Read the brochure carefully • Students to discuss with parents • Look at Y9 data/report on e-portal • Read the assessment section on the options pages carefully • Think about whether you want: • Breadth – 4 different subjects • Some specialisation – 2 or 3 similar subjects • Mainly exams or more controlled assessments/coursework • Students should look at the option form prior to their interview and make some provisional choices

32. Thank You