Year 8 Future Choice Evening
Outline for the evening Pathways and Options explained (15mins) Session 1 6:35pm to 6:50pm Session 2 6:55pm to 7:10pm
Pathways At Harris we currently have two pathways that students can follow: Gold Pathway Red Pathway To ensure students are on the correct pathway members of the Senior Leadership Team and the academy s SENCO will interview all year 8 students during January and February to discuss with them their future career plans and subject choice.
Core Subjects All students will take a selection of subjects referred to as the Core subjects. These include: English Language English Literature Mathematics Combined Science (during KS4 a decision is made on separate science entry) Religious Studies Citizenship (delivered through PSHE a decision on exam entry will be made in KS4) OCR Cambridge National Qualification in Sports Science (delivered through core PE) All students will receive at least 7 core qualifications in additional to their option choices.
Gold Pathway Core subjects English Language English Literature Mathematics Combined Science Religious Studies OCR Cambridge National Qualification in Sports Studies Citizenship 2 option subjects Art and Design(GCSE) Business Studies (GCSE) OCR National Qualification in Child Development Drama (GCSE) French (GCSE) Geography (GCSE) History (GCSE) Music (GCSE) Physical Education (GCSE) Principles of Food preparation and Nutrition (GCSE) Product Design (GCSE) Students on the Gold pathway will only select 2 options. Additional time will be given to the 2 option choices in years 9 and 10 In year 11 students will be given additional support in core subjects replacing the additional time given to their option choices.
Red Pathway Core subjects English Language English Literature Mathematics Combined Science/Triple award Science Religious Studies OCR Cambridge National Qualification in Sports Science Citizenship 3 option subjects Art and Design (GCSE) Business Studies (GCSE) Computer Science (GCSE) Design, Engineer, Construct Drama (GCSE) French (GCSE) Geography (GCSE) History (GCSE) Music (GCSE) Physical Education (GCSE) Principles of Food preparation and Nutrition (GCSE) Product Design (GCSE) OCR National Qualification in Child Development Students on the Red pathway will select 3 options.
New GCSEs Since 2015 all students in England and Wales began studying the new GCSEs in English and Mathematics, with the examinations to take place in 2017. Additional subjects are due to follow in following years. No longer award Grades (A*-G) but levels (9-1)
New GCSE s and the Grading System Key structural features of the new GCSEs confirmed by Ofqual include: A new grading scale that uses the numbers 1 9 to identify levels of performance (with 9 being the top level). Where performance is below the minimum required to pass a GCSE, students will get a U. Tiering used only for subjects where untiered papers will not allow students at the lower end of the ability range to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, or will not stretch the most able. English Literature and English Language will be untiered. Maths will be tiered with an improved overlapping tiers model, with a foundation tier covering grades 1 5 and a higher tier covering grades 4 9. Linear GCSEs, with assessment to be taken at the end of the course in June. Re-sit opportunities in November for English Language and Maths only. Assessment by external exam only, except where non-exam assessment is the only way to provide valid assessment of the skills required. Maths, English Literature and English Language to be externally assessed. English Language to have a Speaking assessment that will be reported separately. The first assessment of new two-year GCSE courses that started in September 2015 will be in June 2017. Additional New GCSEs with first teaching in September 2016 will have their first assessment in 2018.
Curriculum Updates Yr Group Start Date New GCSEs Harris start date 11 September 2015 10 September 2016 English Language, English Literature and Mathematics Art and Design, Biology, Chemistry, Citizenship studies, Computer Science, Dance, Double Science, Drama, Food preparation and nutrition, Geography, History, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, Physical Education, Physics and Religious Studies September 2014 September 2015 (transitional year or actual start date of 3 year GCSE course) 9 September 2017 8 September 2017 Business, Design and Technology, Media Studies, Sociology September 2016 All GCSE s will be on the New system September 2017
Compulsory EBACC The Government announced 2 years ago that all students must follow the EBACC route at GCSE s. English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science, Geography or History, A Modern Foreign Language. However they have not yet confirmed this officially. If this is confirmed then we may have to change & reevaluate students choices at the end of year 9.
Next steps Year 8 subject parents evening. This is an opportunity to meet subject teachers of options that you are interested in taking for GCSEs to gain additional information. The Option Booklet and Option Form will be issued on 2 nd February at the parents evening.
Important Dates and Deadlines Options booklet available on website 14 th December Future Choice Evening 24 th January Year 8 subject parents evening 2 nd February Option Booklet and Option Form issued to parents 2 nd February Option Form returned to Student Services 3 rd March During April: Students will be informed after the Easter break if a reserve choice needs to be used. A further discussion will take place to confirm a final selection of courses. During May: I will send out letters to parents/carers and students confirming option choices for 2016/17.
Sessions Tonight we have the following institutes available to gain insight into possible careers and qualifications. Rugby High School Sixth Form L01 Warwick University DS1 Rugby College (Warwickshire College) DS2 Aston Martin E01 Monarch Education E02 Heart of England L02