Ysgol Treffynnon - Year 8 Options Booklet

Excellence in Everything

Headteacher’s

INTRODUCTION

Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians

This year, students in Year 8 will have the opportunity to make their GCSE option choices. They will have three years to study their GCSE courses, allowing them time to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in their subjects whilst also enabling them to fully prepare for the demands of GCSE assessments.

The decision to move from two year GCSE courses to three year GCSE courses will provide the additional time required for students to catch up on the learning they lost because of the National Lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

All students must now select three optional subjects to study throughout Years 9, 10 and 11 according to their interests and future ambitions. I hope that by using the information in this booklet, together with the advice from teachers, you are able to help your child make the right choices for them.

If you have any further questions regarding choices, please contact a member of our support team.

John Weir - Headteacher

Core Subjects

At Key Stage 4, there are 8 subjects that are compulsory across Wales. These are known as the “Core” subjects.

• English; Language and Literature

• Mathematics

• Numeracy

• Science

• Welsh

• Religious Education (Short Course)

• Welsh Baccalaureate

• Physical Education (Core – non examined)

• Wellbeing

How to choose your Optional Subjects

“What am I good at?”

Look back at your assessment point results – which subjects did you do particularly well in? This is a good starting point for your choices. You should also look at how each course is assessed; is it mainly exam based or does it contain a large amount of coursework?

“What do I want to learn?”

Each subject guide contains an overview of the subject content and the skills that you will develop. Choose subjects that you want to study and are interested in. If you’re still not sure what the course involves, ask the teacher for more information.

“I know exactly what job I want to do!”

If you’re lucky enough to already have an idea of what career path you would like to follow, it’s still important to remember that you might change your mind. Pick subjects that will give you a range of career options in the future.

Common Mistakes

Picking subjects solely because your friend has chosen them, or because you like a particular teacher is not wise. Also, there are no such things as “subjects for boys” or “subjects for girls”.

The most important thing is to pick subjects that you enjoy and are good at.

English Language & Literature

I am good at / enjoy...

Discussing my ideas using a range of research to support my viewpoint, writing both creatively and for non-fiction purposes, reading and understanding texts.

I want to learn…

How to discuss my ideas, at length, in a professional and thoughtful way. How to build my skills in inference, understand the writer’s craft and apply my understanding of this to my writing.

Careers

Mathematics & Numeracy

• Logical thinking and problem solving

• Reading information and selecting important details

• Trialling methods of how to solve problems and selecting the best approach

I want to learn…

• How to carry out calculations in an effective and efficient manner

• How to apply mathematical skills to everyday scenarios

• To be confident with maths and develop the skills I will need in any future career

Careers & options in the future

• Scientist

• Mathematician

• Forensic analyst

• Statistician

• Air traffic controller

• Games designer

• Accountant

I am good at / enjoy...

Science Double Award

I am good at / enjoy...

• Questioning the world around me and wanting to work hard to discover the answers to my questions

• Applying my knowledge and understanding to theoretical scenarios and practical applications

• Analysing my own skills and highlighting areas requiring improvement

• Receiving feedback and developing my skills and knowledge

• Solving mathematical problems

• Being resilient and persevering to achieve

I want to learn…

• About the world around us. I want to ask questions using imagination and creativity, apply scientific knowledge to further my understanding of how the world works

• To evaluate scientific and non scientific claims and to be able to make ethically informed decisions that affect our world and my well being

• The key scientific principles which underlie the advances in science and technology

• To be able to develop the skills to be adaptable to face challenges and solve problems which I may encounter in our ever changing and evolving world

Careers & options in the future

• Further study of Science at A-Levels

• Apprenticeships in engineering

Assessment

• Health care (doctor, nurse, physio, paramedic)

• Engineer

• Sports scientist

• Teacher

• Construction

• Robotics

• Biomechanics

Welsh (Language)

I am good at / enjoy...

• Learning new words

• Spotting grammatical patterns

• Giving my opinion on a range of topics

I want to learn…

• How to communicate in another language

• How to recognise important information

• About the culture of the country I live in

• Discussing my opinions with others

• Understanding information and putting it into my own words

• About the history and traditions of the country I live in

Careers & options in the future

• Author

• Teacher

• TV presenter

• Police Officer

• Paramedic

• Customer Services

• Translator

• Social Worker

• Carer

• Nursery nurse

• Newsreader

• Actor

• Politician

• Proofreader

• Tourism

• Business

• Armed Forces

Work Related Education

I am good at / enjoy...

• Working with others

• Working on a computer

• Talking to others to help solve problems

• Recording what I have found out in a portfolio rather than writing in an exam

• Practical activities

I want to learn…

• About a wide range of careers

• How to solve problems

• How to conduct research

• How to prepare for employment

• How to work well with others

• How to develop presentation skills

Careers & options in the future

Many college courses such as;

• IT User Skills

• Catering and Hospitality Services

• Services to People

• Skills for Construction

• Diploma in Animal Care

• Introduction to Animal and Horse Care

Assessment

100%

• Horticulture Or directly into employment.

100% Portfolio of EvidenceThis Agored Cymru qualification is equivalent to 2 GCSE ‘B’ grades

Art & Design

I am good at / enjoy...

Drawing and painting, making artefacts, looking at famous artworks, investigating other cultures, working independently, managing my time well, experimenting with materials and techniques and thinking creatively.

I want to learn…

How to develop a creative way of working, how to develop and improve my skills, why art is relevant to society and how it improves our lives and how to make artwork using new materials and techniques.

Careers & options in the future

• Sculptor

• Painter

• Printmaker

• Interior Designer

• Architect

• Fashion Designer

• Graphic Designer

Assessment

• Window Dresser

• Hairdresser

• Illustrator

• Theatre Set Designer

• Make Up Artist

• Film Maker

• Animator

• Marketing

• Curator

• Conservationist

• Ceramicist

• Furniture Designer

• Art Teacher

•

Business

• Problem solving

• Analysing and interpreting data

• I can build arguments and make justified decisions

I want to learn…

• How businesses start, survive, run and grow successfully

• How businesses compete in a dynamic environment

• About the factors that can influence businesses and the impact they could have on business decisions

• About the different areas and departments of businesses and why enterprise and entrepreneurs are important to the UK and beyond

Careers & options in the future

•

•

•

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•

I am good at / enjoy...

Digital Technology

I am good at / enjoy...

• Using computers and software to create products

• Using general ICT skills and common software packages

• Using spreadsheets and formulas

• Planning and developing products and want to develop these skills further

I want to learn…

• Knowledge of different digital technology systems

• About the impact different digital technologies can have on individuals and wider society

• To become a creator of digital products

• Transferable skills in software and hardware

• Skills in organising and analysing data

Careers & options in the future

• A Level Digital Technology

• Website designer

• Games designer / tester

• University courses

• Influencer

• Cyber Security

Health, Social Care & Childcare

I am good at / enjoy...

• Understanding physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across a life cycle

• Finding out about the job roles of professionals in the health service and childcare

• Planning and producing a health promotion campaign

• Promoting healthy growth, development and well-being across a life cycle

• Investigating the service provision locally and nationally

I want to learn…

• Human development across the life cycle

• Physical, social, emotional and intellectual health

• The importance of active participation on development and well-being

• Health and social care, and childcare provision in Wales to promote and support health and well-being

• Public health and health promotion across the life cycle

• Factors affecting health and well-being across the life cycle

Careers & options in the future

• Carer assistant

• Child-minder

• Nursery nurse

• Youth worker

• Councillor

• Health visitor

• Speech and language therapist

• Dental Nurse

• Nurse

• Medical receptionist

Engineering

I am good at / enjoy...

• Maths, Science, Drawing using a computer

• Making things

• Looking at how things are put together, and how they work

• Listening to instructions

• Working with others

I want to learn…

• Skills required for independent learning and development

• A range of generic and transferable skills

• The ability to solve problems

• The skills of project based research, development and presentation

• The ability to apply learning in vocational contexts.

Careers & options in the future

• Aerospace Engineer

• Agricultural Engineer

• Biomedical Engineer

• Civil Engineer

• Electrician

• Mechanic

• Plumber

• Joiner

• Welder

• Machinist

Product Design

I am good at / enjoy...

• Creating my own designs

• Communicating my ideas through drawings and sketches

• Working with different materials in a workshop environment

• Using computers to draw CAD drawings (2D Design, Solidworks)

• Working safely and maturely in a workshop environment

I want to learn…

• How products are designed and made

• How to communicate my ideas with sketches and CAD drawings

• About different designers and their achievements

• To use my imagination to create innovative designs

Careers & options in the future

• Graphic designer

• Photographer

• Interior designer

• Art director

• Fashion designer

• Film and video editor

• Multi media artist

• User experience designer

Food & Nutrition

I am good at / enjoy...

• Being prepared, organised and remembering ingredients

• Following the food safety and hygiene rules

• Preparing, cooking and presenting high quality food

I want to learn…

• Skills to develop and create a range of dishes

• Working in teams

• Following recipes independently

• Understanding the principles of healthy eating and nutrition

• About the dietary needs of different groups of people

• The science behind how ingredients work together

• Food provenance: Where does our food come from and environmental factors

Careers & options in the future

• Food technologist

• Dietician

• Nutritional Therapist

• Quality manager

• Public health nutritionist

• Chef

• Food scientist

• Sensory analyst

• Nutrition writer

• Hospitality and catering

French (Language)

I am good at / enjoy...

• Learning new vocabulary

• Learning new grammar rules

• Giving my opinions about things

• Discussing different topics with others

I

want to learn…

• How to communicate confidently with others

• About different cultures and places that speak French

Careers & options in the future

• Travel Agent

• Tour guide

• Airbus

• Armed forces

• Interpreting

• Translating

• Diplomat

• Teacher

• Tourism

• Business

Listening - External exam

Speaking - External exam

Reading - External exam

Writing - External exam

Geography

• Problem Solving

• Being a team player

• Being environmentally aware

• Flexible thinking

I want to learn…

• To think creatively to solve global and local issues

• To think scientifically to investigate natural processes

• To understand the changing world and the people in it

Careers & options in the future

Geography graduates are among the most employable because of the skills developed are so valuable.

• Travel and tourism

• Environmental sector

• Urban planning

• Conservation

Assessment

Unit 1: Landscapes, tectonic hazards and rural-urban link, Exam Unit 2: Climate, ecosystems, development and environmental issues, Exam Unit 3: Field Work, Coursework

I am good at / enjoy...

History

I am good at / enjoy...

• Using historical sources to piece together the story of the past

• Asking questions about key events from our past

• Making judgements about important debates from the past

I want to learn…

• How Germany changed between the world wars

• How Britain was affected by war

• How much our health and medicine has changed since the Black Death

Careers & options in the future

• Lawyer

• Teacher

• Archaeologist

Assessment

• Police officer

• Doctor

• Probation officer

• Journalist

• Government researcher

Unit 1: Germany in Transition (1919-1939), Exam

Unit 2: Britain: Depression, war & recovery (1930-1951), Exam

Unit 3: Changes in health & medicine c1340 to the present day, Exam

Unit 4: Coursework, Exam

Important Information: The topics are very interesting and there will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and debate. If you choose History, you must be prepared to work very hard, write accurately and study at home.

Music

• Making my own melodies and songs

• Playing a musical instrument or enjoy singing my own choice of music

• Listening to and identifying the details in different styles of music

I want to learn…

• How to become more confident in performing

• How to develop my compositions, to create more full and rich music

• More about different styles of music and how they are related to each other

Careers & options in the future

• Musician

• Artist

• Composer

• Advertising

• Gaming industry

• Film industry

• Teacher

I am good at / enjoy...

Physical Education

I am good at / enjoy...

• Performing three practical activities to a good standard including team games and individual activities

• Understanding the rules and tactics in team games

• Using my fitness to my advantage throughout physical tasks

• Linking practical and theoretical elements in a classroom environment

I want to learn…

• How to design, adjust and evaluate a fitness training plan for myself to better my performance in practical activities

• About the factors that promote performance and involvement in physical activity and sport

• How I can improve my practical performance in sport

Careers & options in the future

• Personal fitness instructor

• Sports coach

• Physiotherapist

• PE teacher

• Sports scientist

Important Information: You will not be able to submit 2 practical activities that are similar, eg. rugby union and rugby league. Extended writing is required in the written exam.

Drama

I am good at / enjoy...

• Working creatively

• Empathising with others

• Speaking in public and communicating clearly

I want to learn…

• To develop a range of theatrical skills and apply them to create performances

• How to work collaboratively to generate, develop and communicate ideas

• How to analyse texts and performances

• How to be confident and use initiative

• Actor

• Theatre technician

• Social worker

• Teacher

• Set Designer

Careers & options in the future Assessment

• Writer

• Youth/community worker

Unit 1: Devising Theatre - Coursework (internally assessed)

Unit 2: Performing Theatre - Coursework (externally assessed)

Unit 3: Interpreting Theatre - Written Exam

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Religious Education

I

am good at / enjoy...

• RE in KS3

• Keeping an open mind

• Considering both sides of a story

• Challenging beliefs

• Analyzing text to form valid conclusions.

I want to learn…

• About the lives of Christians and Muslims in the world today.

• About the big questions, of life such as: Does life after death exist? When does life begin? Should we execute criminals?

• Religious views of same sex marriage; abortion and much more.

• Religious views on matters of every day life.

Careers & options in the future

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