Key Stage 4 Subject Information 2018 Year 8 Options
Introduction Making the right choices The Key Stage 4 Curriculum Progress 8 Curriculum Attainment/Progress Measures Completing your options form Options Form 2018 Key Dates Subjects Offered Post-16 Further Questions Contents
This information pack will help you decide which option subjects will be most suitable as you move into Key Stage 4. We have planned a thorough programme to support the decision making process. - To provide a broad and balanced offer between a range of practical and theoretical learning, providing access to a full range of specialist courses and nationally recognised qualifications that build on student s interests and foster their aspirations. - To maximise the time and importance of the core subjects of English, Maths and Science. All subjects are important but the three core are essential to secure a positive progression route into higher education, training or employment. - To secure curriculum continuity and progression from Year 7 through to Sixth Form. The curriculum provides coherent learning programmes that enable students to progress to further learning in their chosen specialist areas at age 16 and beyond. - To provide flexibly through personalised curriculum pathways that will inspire, motivate, challenge and prepare young people for further learning, employment and adult life. All students have the opportunity to combine traditional GCSE courses with work related vocational courses that may be more relevant to their chosen career pathway. - To provide high quality, independent Careers, Employment, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) is essential to ensure that all students make informed choices based on their individual strengths, interests and career aspirations. - To raise awareness of personal, social, emotional and health education through our Life Skills programme and ensure young people are aware of risks, how to stay safe and prosper as successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens. Introduction
The time has arrived for you to start making some decisions about the next three years at Maltby Academy and the courses you would like to study. You are required to take certain subjects in the core curriculum but this is your opportunity to choose other subjects that interest you and will support your preferred progression route and learning style. The following information will allow you to make informed decisions. Remember to follow the instructions carefully and take your time, asking as many questions and seeking as much advice as you need in order to ensure the choices you make are the right ones for you. The Government have made some significant changes to the way in which GCSEs and Applied qualifications are structured and as a result, all courses including the option subjects, will be studied over 3 years and examined at the end of Year 11. The option subjects have been placed in four blocks and students will need to select one subject from each of the blocks. Departments have provided an outline of each subject highlighting the course content, assessment processes and potential progression routes post 16/18. Hopefully, these outlines will answer many of your questions but there will be additional opportunities to find out more about the courses on offer. The choices you make at Key Stage 4 will start to shape your future learning and employment opportunities so it is important that you undertake the necessary research prior to making your informed decisions. Remember: - It is your decision and you should not make any choices based on the subjects your friends take or the subjects taught by your favourite teacher(s). - Ask others for advice prior to reaching a decision. There are lots of people available for you to speak to, including your teachers, parents, older students, form tutors, senior leaders and the careers advisor. - You need to consider what you want to do after Year 11. It is important to consider the Key Stage 4 choices as part of your longer term plans. Ensure that the subjects you choose are appropriate and support your longer term aspirations. Making the right choices
The Key Stage 4 Curriculum The move into Key Stage 4 will indicate the start of a new phase of learning where you will reduce the number of subjects you study and start to specialise in certain areas of learning. At Key Stage 4 you will study a combination of Core Subjects and Optional Subjects: CORE SUBJECTS GCSE English Lang & Lit GCSE Maths GCSE Science Life Skills GCSE Computer Science/ Applied ICT PE You will work towards either: Combined Science (Trilogy) qualification (with 2 x GCSE s) or Triple Science (worth 3 x GCSE s) OPTIONAL SUBJECTS English Baccalaureate Recognised Qualifications Geography History Spanish GCSE Drama French* Media Music* Applied Art and Design Design and Technology Enterprise Health and Social Care Performing Arts Sport *Based on interest these subjects may run as additional subjects beyond curriculum time.
How will I be assessed? Until recently all students were measured on the number of GCSEs they achieved at Grade A*- C including English and Mathematics. From 2016 this changed and each subject is given a Grade with a numerical value between 9-1. All students will be measured on how much progress they make from when they start at secondary school in Year 7 to when they complete their examinations at the end of Year 11. This is known as Progress 8. The aim of the Progress 8 measure is to encourage students to study a broad and balanced curriculum. This measure is based on the progress students make across a range of 8 subjects between the end of KS2 (Year 7) and the end of Year 11. Each subject is placed into one of three curriculum baskets: English and Mathematics EBACC Qualifications Open Group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Basket 1: English* & Mathematics *The higher of the English Literature or Language grade will be used for Basket 1 with the remaining grade available to carry over into an Open Group basket Progress 8 Curriculum Basket 2: EBACC The best three of Sciences History Geography Modern Foreign Languages Computer Science Basket 3: Open Basket *Will be replaced with the English Literature or Language grade not used for Basket 1 if higher The best three from: Art and Design Design and Technology Drama Enterprise Health and Social Care Media Music Performing Arts Sport
The New Attainment/ Progress Measures In recent years, the old A*- G grading system has been replaced by new awards ranging from 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest), with the grades for English and Mathematics both counting double in the progress 8 measure. If you fail to study eight subjects then each empty slot within the progress 8 formula will count as 0 points. It is not possible to make a direct correlation between the old A* to G grades and the current 9 1 awards, however a good pass is recognised as a 5 (previously a grade C). All students are given an Attainment 8 score (average) and a Progress 8 score (average). The point scores achieved will be used to determine your performance in 2 new measures: 1. Attainment 8 Score - Total Points of the best 8 subjects (across the 3 baskets) divided by 10 (as English and Mathematics points are doubled) to give an average. - The score is always based on the best 8 subjects regardless of how many qualifications you study and must come from each of the Baskets as outlined previously. - Remember, if you have an empty basket (do not attend or do not sit the examined course in the basket) then this will automatically count as 0 points and will affect your average. 2. Progress 8 Score - The Progress 8 Score is determined by taking the Attainment 8 Score (as calculated above) and deducting your Estimated Attainment 8 Score. - The Estimated Attainment 8 Score is the average Attainment 8 Score of all students nationally who achieved the same outcomes as you at Key Stage 2. (Outcomes at KS2 is determined by the average of English and Mathematics levels achieved by students at the end of Year 6). - The aim is for all students to achieve a positive (greater than 0) Progress 8 Score as this means that you have made better progress than that of similar performing students on entry nationally. For further information about the new Progress 8 Measure please contact Mr Hallam, Assistant Vice Principal or Mr Hodgson, Director of Intervention.
Completing your Options Form How will you decide? When completing your form there are some do s and don ts.. - DO ask lots of questions to help you make the right decision. - DO think about your strengths and weaknesses and what you like about the subjects you currently study. - DO think about what you want to do after Year 11. - DON T select a subject based on the choices your friends are making. - DON T select a subject because you like your current teacher. It is unlikely you will have the same teacher next year. Similarly, don't discount a subject because you don't like your current teacher. - DON T panic! There are lots of people who can help you if you're unsure about anything. How will we help you to decide? It is important that you are guided to make the right choices based on your current progress and end of Key Stage 4 target band ranges. We will also consider your suitability for courses based on your Engagement in Learning (EiL) and attendance to school. Courses do become over and under subscribed. We will make a decision on the final options that will run based upon the number of students who have opted for each subject following the interviews. It is for this reason why we ask you to make a reserved choice.
Year 8 Options Form 2018 Name: Maltby Academy Tutor Group: Science Preference Trilogy Science (2 x GCSE s) Triple Science (3 x GCSE s) Computer Science Preference Applied ICT GCSE Computer Science Additional Preference GCSE Music GCSE French Instructions Please select one subject only in each block and mark with a tick Please select one reserve subject in each block and mark with an R Option 1 GCSE Geography GCSE History GCSE Spanish Option 2 Applied / GCSE Art Applied Design and Technology Applied Enterprise Applied Health and Social Care Applied Performing Arts Applied Sport GCSE History Option 3 Applied / GCSE Art Applied Design and Technology Applied Health and Social Care Applied Sport GCSE Drama GCSE Geography GCSE Media GCSE Spanish PLEASE NOTE: whilst we will make every effort to allocate subjects based on first preference, we may need to offer the reserve choice dependent on the number of students opting for courses. If there are too few students opting for a course, it may not run. We recognise that this can be disappointing but will endeavour to keep you informed and involved in this process. Interview Notes Signed: (Student) Date: Signed: (SLT) Date: Signed: (Parent/Carer) Date: Options Form 2018
Key Dates and Information Life Skills Lessons - Options process explained W/c 19th March 2018 Subject Information Online from 23rd March 2018 Options Choice Form Issued Week commencing 9th April 2018 Tuesday 10th April 6pm Options Evening Subject staff and Curriculum Leaders available Printed booklet issued Completed Choice Form Returned with student to Options Interview (with SLT) from 16th April 2018 Choices Confirmed SLT to realign choices and reinterview Letters sent out w/c 7th May 2018
Subjects Offered at Post 16 Two Year A Levels English Literature Geography Mathematics Economics Spanish Product Design Physics Art Media History Psychology PE English Literature/Language RE Biology Drama Computer Science Sociology Chemistry Two Year Level 3 Vocational Qualifications Business Studies BTEC Health and Social Care (L3 Single, Double or Triple) BTEC Sport (L3 Single, Double or Triple) BTEC Applied Science (L3 Single or Double) AQA Applied Science (L3 single) BTEC Business (L3 Single or Double) BTEC IT (L3 Single or Double) BTEC Performing Arts (S) One Year L2 Vocational Qualifications BTEC H&SC (L2) BTEC Sport (L2) Whilst considering the options available at Key Stage 4 it is worth reflecting on the curriculum pathways which lead into Post 16. As stated earlier students will reduce the number of subjects they study at Key Stage 4 and start to specialise in certain areas of learning. It is usual for students to continue studying their specialist areas into Key Stage 5 where they will follow three or four qualifications (A level or equivalent).
If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact: - Mr P Hodgson: Director of Intervention - Mr M Hallam: Assistant Vice Principal (Curriculum, Learning and Progress) - Ms B Frater: Vice Principal (Post 16) Further Questions?