Options 2016

“I have come so that they may have life and live it to the full”

In the event of the fire alarm sounding please make your way to:

CAR PARK NEARMAIN ENTRANCE

Use fire exits in three corners of Hall

Please switch off your mobile phones

Year 9 ChoicesWhich Way Now? Over the last two days Year 9 have had an altered curriculum so they could receive a wealth of information which will help them make well informed choices about their future.

Careers Day – opportunity to speak to whole array of different professions

Progress Day – an opportunity to reflect on the information they received about careers, listen to assemblies about colleges and what certain qualifications mean, think about how they are performing academically and consider which option choices they might make

Important datesDateDate InformationInformationWed 13Wed 13th th Jan/Thurs 14Jan/Thurs 14thth Jan Jan Careers Conference/Progress DayCareers Conference/Progress Day

Thursday 14Thursday 14thth January January Options Evening (6.00pm - 7.30pm)Options Evening (6.00pm - 7.30pm)Talk at 6pm then visit subject staffTalk at 6pm then visit subject staff

Monday 18Monday 18thth January January Options forms issuedOptions forms issued

Friday 29Friday 29thth January January Draft forms returned to tutorsDraft forms returned to tutors

Thursday 10Thursday 10thth March March Year 9 subject reports go homeYear 9 subject reports go home

Thursday 17Thursday 17thth March March Year 9 Parents Evening at 4pmYear 9 Parents Evening at 4pm

Monday 21Monday 21stst March March Last chance to change options choicesLast chance to change options choices

During 1During 1stst half of summer term half of summer term Option classes finalised/pupils informedOption classes finalised/pupils informed

The Process You make your initial option choices on the options form This will dictate whether some subjects can or cannot be offered

as options – you MUST think carefully about your choices, these should end up being the subjects you study

You MUST complete the options form. If your preferred combination of subjects is not possible there will be space on the form to write down what you would have liked if it were possible.

Analysis of option forms will then take place – there may be amendments to option blocks or some subjects may be withdrawn

You will be given the opportunity to receive a report on your progress and attend parents evening before you have to make a final decision (hopefully confirming your original choices)

The final date for pupils to change option choices will be MONDAY 21st MARCH. You will have to come and see me in person to make any changes.

Example of the options form

NEW TIMETABLE

From September 2016 we are moving from 30 x 50 minute lessons each week to 25 x 60 minute lessons each week. This means that we will actually have a 50 period, two week timetable.

Subject Old School Day New School DayEnglish 4 x 50 4 x 60

Maths 4 x 50 4 x 60

Science (Double) 6 x 50 5 x 60

RE 3 x 50 2.5 x 60

PE (Core) 3 x 50 2 x 60

Option 1 3 x 50 2.5 x 60

Option 2 3 x 50 2.5 x 60

Option 3 3 x 50 2.5 x 60

What do I have to study?A core of compulsory subjects;

Religious Education GCSE (2.5 lessons) – 1 GCSE

English Language GCSE

English Literature GCSE

Mathematics GCSE (4 lessons) – 1 GCSE

Combined Science (5 lessons) – 2 GCSEs

Physical Education Core (2 lessons) – No qualification attached

This is a total of 6 qualifications

(4 lessons) – 2 GCSEs

Option Subjects

Art & Design Computing (also referred to as Computer Science) Dance (BTec) Drama Food & Nutrition Geography History ICT GCSE Modern Foreign Language (French and/or Spanish) Music Product Design Physical Education Separate Sciences

Some subjects may not run (depending on option numbers)

You will be required to choose 3 from the following list:

Science Separate Sciences

Biology, Chemistry & Physics are taught/examined as 3 separate

subjects and 3 separate GCSEs

This is only available as an option and is not an appropriate choice for

any pupil predicted to achieve less than grade 7 (old A) and also a

strong mathematician

It can be beneficial if your aiming to study science at ‘A’ level

You will get the 5 lessons of science that all pupils have + an additional

2.5 lessons per week to cover the extra content

Physical EducationCore PE is compulsory for all pupils

Regular physical activity is known to have significant health and

social benefits

You will not take a qualification in core PE and so it will be

physical activity twice each week (a range)

If you wish to study PE GCSE, you use one of your options but

Core PE remains a compulsory part of your timetable

Modern Foreign Languages Studying a Modern Foreign Language is not compulsory however

it is highly valued by colleges, universities and employers

You can study GCSE French or Spanish

If you are keen on these subjects or considering taking a

language at A Level, you can elect to study both French and

Spanish (Dual Linguist)

French is the most popular language to study

Spanish is the 4th most spoken language in the world (after

Mandarin, English & Hindustani)

HumanitiesAt Holy Cross we offer History and Geography as separate

Humanity subjects

History is our most popular option

These subjects are also highly valued by universities

You can study either or both of these subjects

PerformanceAt Holy Cross we offer Dance, Drama and Music as our

Performing Arts related subjects in the option blocks

Dance is delivered through the BTec course

Level 2 Pass is equivalent to grade 4 in 2018 with Merit = 6,

Distinction = 7, Distinction* = 8

Drama and Music are GCSE courses and both of these subjects

require some practical ability

Design & TechnologyAt Holy Cross we offer Art & Design, Computing, Food &

Nutrition, ICT GCSE and Product Design, as our Technology

related subjects in the option blocks

All subjects are GCSE courses

It is most likely a specific talent or a particular personal

interest that leads pupils to choose one or more of these

subjects

English Baccalaureate

A Government measure first reported in 2011, in which Holy Cross has performed extremely well compared to similar schools

A collection of subjects (English, Maths, Science(2), Foreign Language & either History or Geography). Computing also counts as 1 Science.

A “traditional” route with an academic focus, which the current Government have been eager to encourage over the past few years

This route is not appropriate for every student and should be a personal choice

You do not get a separate Ebacc certificate

Summary

Physical Education (Core)(All Students)

Options = 3 Chosen fromArt & Design HistoryComputing ICTDance MusicDrama Physical EducationFood Product DesignFrench Separate SciencesGeography Spanish

Core = 6 (All Students)

English LanguageEnglish Literature

MathematicsReligious EducationCombined Science

Example routes Ebacc Route

CoreSeparate Sciences

GeographyFrench

Ebacc Route

CoreSeparate Sciences

HistorySpanish

Dual Linguist Route

CoreSeparate Sciences

FrenchSpanish

Ebacc Route

CoreHistory

GeographyFrench

Example routes

Performing Arts Route

Core HistoryDramaMusic

Practical Route

CoreFood & NutritionProduct Design

ICT GCSE

Technical Route

CoreArt & Design

Product DesignComputing

Performing Arts Route

Core DanceDrama

Geography

Example routesBalanced Route

CoreGeography

Art & DesignPhysical Education

Balanced Route

CoreSeparate Sciences

FrenchPhysical Education

Balanced Route

CoreDance

Product DesignSpanish

Humanities Route

CoreSeparate Sciences

HistoryGeography

Tips for making the right choicesHere are some good reasons for choosing a subject:

you have ability in a subject and have achieved good results you are interested in a particular subject you enjoy a subject the subject could help you in your chosen career

Here are some bad reasons for choosing a subject: your friends have chosen the subject (it may not be appropriate for you) you like the teacher (you may not stay with the same teacher)

Every year some pupils ignore the dos and don’ts and make the mistake of choosing subjects because they like a particular teacher or their friends are studying those subjects. This almost always results in serious mistakes being made with option choices and a lot of distress.

PLEASE make YOUR selections based only on what YOU want to study and believe YOU are good at.

To recap…•Options booklets/discussions with subject teachers tonight

•Options choices – week beg 18th January

•Deadline for option forms – Friday 29th January (to tutors)

•Option choices analysed– during February

•Discussions/Reports/Parents evenings – 10th & 17th March

•You can change your subject choices up to Monday 21st March

•The subjects you have selected will now be your final choices

What Now? Go and speak to the Heads of Department and Subject

Teachers that are situated around the Sportshall. Mrs

Hardman (SEN) is also here

Ask about details of courses – exam/coursework, subject

specific commitments, queries etc

Parents; ask about your child's potential in that subject

Discuss future aspirations/intentions/college/employment

Talk to the representatives from the colleges

Options 2016

“I have come so that they may have life and live it to the full”