Phoenix Academy 2014

The Future AheadIt is an ever challenging world for the present year 9. More competitive and changingAt the Phoenix Academy, we need to ensure all pupils

are prepared for this future as best we canThis means ensuring all pupils have a broad and relevant

curriculum at Key stage 4All pupils future choices will be affected by their

achievement across all subjects at Key stage 4

Government changes to option subjects in Key Stage 4A focus on GCSEs and a narrower range of high quality

vocational qualifications by limiting the number of NVQs qualifications that count in excess of the equivalent of 1 GCSE

Staying on in some form of Education until the pupils are 18 years of age. This could be Full Time Education, Apprenticeships, Work with a planned and structured examination course

Government changes to option subjects in Key Stage 4If pupils want to move onto an A level or NVQ level 3

course post 16, they must achieve a C grade in English and Maths at GCSE level otherwise they will need to resit the Exam at their Post 16 place of Learning

Key StepsConsultation Day Options BookletYear 9 Parents’ Evening Yr 9 Options EveningTalks in assembly by Subject LeadersPupil questionnaire about future pathways and

progression

Information to help with choicesUse www.fasttomato.com websiteThe options information will be on the Academy website

at:http://phoenix-academy.org/ Follow the link from

Parents to Year 9 OptionsThis Presentation will be on the school website

tomorrow

Beware of jargon!GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)NVQ ( National Vocational Qualification)BTEC ( Business and Technology Education Council)Level 1 = D – G GradesLevel 2 = A* - C Grades

The National Qualifications FrameworkLevel 1 Builds on basic level of knowledge,

understanding and skills, and the ability to apply learning to activities that relate to everyday situations

All GCSEs grades D – G, basic key skills, NVQ level 1, basic BTEC introductory

Level 2 Builds knowledge and or skills in relation to subject or sector areas; gaining ability to apply learning to a varied range of tasks

All GCSEs grades A* - C basic and key skills, NVQ level 2

Teacher AssessmentsAll subjects will be assessed at the end of year 9 and a

National Curriculum Grade will be givenAn Assessment report will be published and sent

home at the end of year 9.The Teacher Assessments will be used to inform

option and English, Maths and Science classes in year 10.

KS4 Curriculum Compulsory Core SubjectsGCSE Subjects:English (Language & Literature)MathsScience (Physics, Chemistry & Biology)ICTNon GCSE Subjects:PSHEE ( Including careers, work experience) R.E. Core PE

KS4 Curriculum English BaccalaureateGCSE Subjects:English (Language & Literature)MathsScience (Physics, Chemistry & Biology) History or Geography French or German

Art GCSE P.ECatering Systems and ControlDramaFrenchGeographyGermanHistoryMusicProduct Design (D&T, Electronic Product, Textiles) Spanish

Option Subjects

BTEC Business Communication SkillsBTEC DanceBTEC Sport PerformanceBTEC Digital Media

Option Subjects

English BaccalaureateThe following subjects are included in the English

Baccalaureate:Mathematics, English, Science (Physics, Biology, Chemistry),

Geography, History and Languages.

These are subjects most likely to be required or preferred for entry to degree courses and ones that will keep the most options open

Return Option Preference form by Thursday 10th April 2014

We may need to alter the options as a result of low numbers of pupils opting for particular subjects.If numbers are below 15 in an option group, it will be necessary to look at this issue

GCSE CoursesBeing organisedHomeworkAttendance/holidaysCourseworkUsing ICT/Learning Resource Centre

How to choose: We ask Pupils to consider all the aspects below to make a rounded decisionYour strengthsWhat interests youWhat you are good atRead the Option/Careers bookletsUse information - Careers Jeanette HillTalk to your parents & teachersPSE time & assemblies

Pathway

Pathway

Pathway