Key Dates: Year 9 Parents’ Evenings 5-8pm Thursday 2 February Forms 9/1-9/5 Thursday 9 February Forms 9/6-9/10 Pathways Evening 6-8pm Thursday 2 March Introductory talk starts at 6pm Deadline for Options Forms Friday 10 March
Pathways 2017
Courses to study in Years 10 and 11
KS4 Programme of Study 2017-2018 As a Year 9 student you are now approaching a very important stage of your education where key subject decisions need to be made. Getting your pathway choices right is an important decision, but it does not need to be a scary one! There are plenty of people available to help you with your decision making, and some top tips to help you consider all the options. At Key stage 4, all students must study the following compulsory core subjects: • • • • • • •
English Language English Literature Mathematics Science Religious Studies* Physical Education* Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship* Education (PSHCE)*
In addition to core subjects, you will study up to 3 additional subjects. You will be asked to choose at least one additional course to study depending on the pathway you have been allocated. *These subjects are not examined unless chosen as a GCSE course.
English Baccalaureate The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is not a stand-alone qualification in itself; it is a recognised certificate of students’ achievements (GCSEs) across several selected academic subjects. To achieve the EBacc, you will need to gain full GCSEs at grades 9-5 in English Language, Mathematics, Science (dual or triple), Geography or History, and a Modern Foreign Language (French or Spanish). The EBacc will become an important factor in ensuring you are well placed to apply for places at further education colleges and universities. The EBacc offers our students a broad and balanced suite of academic subjects.
The Pathways to Success If you look at the opposite page, you will see that students will access one of three pathways. These pathways have been colour-coded to help with the administration of the system.
Academic Pathways English Baccalaureate Pathway
GCSE Baccalaureate Pathway
Core Subjects, Dual/Triple Science plus three additional GCSE subjects (these must include a Modern Foreign Language (French or Spanish) and either Geography or History. You can then choose one additional subject of choice. This meets the requirements for the English Baccalaureate.
Core Subjects, Dual/Triple Science, Geography or History plus two additional GCSE choices (we recommend a broad and balanced choice that could include EBacc subjects such as MFL).
PROGRESS Pathway Core Subjects, Dual Science, additional English and/or Maths and up to two GCSE or vocational qualifications (students on the Progress Pathway will have an interview to establish the best combination of courses). Each pathway offers a varied curriculum and students can achieve the full range of grades from 1 - 9 or pass to Distinction* on all pathways.
Pathway Choice
Course Availability
We have identified the most suitable pathways for you to study based on assessment, prior performance and future targets. The pathway available to you is located on the front of your booklet.
It must be emphasised that, whilst every effort will be made to accommodate individual preferences, the school reserves the right to ensure that you have a broad and balanced experience, that group sizes are realistic and that progression at 16+ is possible. There may be occasions where some courses may be added and/or removed.
Please do not select a pathway that is not on the front of your booklet. If you wish to discuss the pathway given to you, please arrange to see Mrs Morris or Mr Watson.
Occasionally, you may have course clashes regarding your option choices, when two subjects run at the same time. We will do our best to try to give you your first choices and will amend the pathway blocks if possible. This is not always achievable; however, in these circumstances we would discuss with you possible alternative subjects and explore any other means of resolving the clash. Should you have any questions about the content of this booklet, please contact Mrs Morris, Year 9 Achievement Leader or Mr Watson, Assistant Headteacher: Tel: 01484 710235 Email: pathways@rastrick.calderdale.sch.uk putting ‘pathways’ in the subject line. Pathways information will also be available at the Year 9 Parents’ Evenings – dates and times are detailed on the front cover of this booklet.
Qualifications What is GCSE?
What are Vocational Courses?
GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. Assessment in most subjects is through written examination and, in some subjects a mixture of both examination and coursework. All GCSE subjects are now linear which mean all examinations will be sat at the end of Year 11.
These are specialist courses. They are suitable for students whether they plan to go straight into employment with training, or onto education at college or university and are designed to develop some of the skills needed in future employment. Vocational courses suit students who:
The Government has made changes to the GCSE grading system. This year all grades have been reported home using the new 1-9 grading system. This will allow students to become used to the GCSE qualifications. The 1-9 grades will replace the current GCSE grade system of A*- G.
• Like to work in a more practical way; • Like to work to short term targets; • Like to build up a portfolio of work over a period of time, improving it as they go along; • Like to link theory to practical experience. Vocational courses are normally graded Level 1 or 2 Pass/ Merit/Distinction/Distinction* The majority of our vocational qualifications are labelled as OCR.
What are the new grades? The following table converts the current GCSE grade system into the new 1-9 scale. You will note that we have added in an A* plus and C plus equivalency to allow you to directly compare. These boundaries may be subject to change. GCSE Grades
New GCSE Grading
A* Plus
9
A*
8
A
7
B
6
C Plus
5
C
4
D
3
E
2
F G
1
Key points • It is anticipated that a grade 4 will be the equivalent of the current grade C standard • A grade 5 will equate to a top end grade C • A grade 9 will be a higher level than the current A* • The bottom of grade 1 will be aligned with the bottom of grade G. All subjects will be reported using the new GCSE grading system.
So what happens now?
Where can I get help?
You will soon have to select the subject(s) you would like to follow based on the pathway you are able to study on the front of this booklet. Your chosen pathway sheet that needs to be returned to school can be found in the back of this booklet.
If you have a question, do not be afraid to ask Mrs Morris or Mr Watson or email pathways@rastrick.calderdale.sch.uk
Please make sure you complete the correct pathway sheet based on the pathway(s) available to you on the front of your booklet, tear out and return to school by Friday 10 March 2017. Please do not complete a form that is for a pathway you have not been offered. Finally, from your booklet you are asked to make reserve choices. Every effort will be made to give you your first choice of subjects but this may not always be possible. If, for any reason, we need to ask you to consider alternative choices, this will be done through discussion and parents will be notified of any required changes.
“If you're not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you're determined to learn, no one can stop you.� Zig Ziglar
Year 9 Pathways Form 2017 ENGLISH BACCALAUREATE PATHWAY
Ebacc section 3 - you can choose one additional subject from this list, however, please pick three and place your preferences in rank order [1-3], 1 being your preferred subject of choice. Subject
Name: _________________________ Form: ___ In order to achieve the English Baccalaureate, you will study the core subjects and in addition a Modern Foreign Language (French or Spanish), a Humanity subject (Geography or History) and one additional subject choice. Ebacc Section 1 - Choose one MFL subject Subject
Preference (please tick)
French
Order of Preference
Subject
Art
Geography
Business Studies
History
Computing
Music
Drama
PE
Food & Nutrition
Religious Studies
Product Design
Sociology
Order of Preference
Art - Textiles
Spanish Signed: ………………………………………….....………………………….. [student] Ebacc Section 2 - Choose one Humanity subject in this box. If you wish to study the other Humanity subject, please choose this as your first choice in section 3. Subject
Geography History
Preference (please tick)
Signed: …………………………………………….......……………………….. [parent] Checked: …………...................................................................... [school] Please hand this form in by Friday 10 March 2017
Year 9 Pathways Form 2017 GCSE BACCALAUREATE PATHWAY Name: _________________________ Form: ___ The GCSE Baccalaureate pathway aims to give you a broad and balanced choice of GCSE subjects. Students will study a humanity subject (Geography or History) and have 2 additional subject choices. Section 1 - Choose one Humanity subject in this box. If you wish to study the other Humanity subject, please choose this in section 2. Subject
Geography History
Preference (please tick)
Section 2 - you will be able to study two of these subjects from section 2. We advise a broad and balanced choice of subjects from this section. You should place your preferences in rank order [1-4], 3 and 4 being your reserve choices. Subject
Order of Preference
Subject
Art
History
GCSE Business Studies
OCR Health & Social Care
Computing
OCR ICT
Drama
Music
Food & Nutrition
PE
Product Design
Religious Studies
Art - Textiles
Sociology
French
Spanish
Order of Preference
Geography Signed: ………………………………………….....………………………….. [student] Signed: …………………………………………….......……………………….. [parent] Checked: …………...................................................................... [school] Please hand this form in by Friday 10 March 2017
Year 9 Pathways Form 2017 Progress Pathway The Progress pathway aims to give you a broad and balanced choice of GCSE and/or vocational subjects whilst placing an emphasis on achieving success in English and Maths. Students will study up to 2 qualifications within the option blocks and can include GCSE’s and/or BTEC’s. Using the next 2 sections please identify the range of courses you would be interested in studying. Section 1 - Choose two vocational subjects in this box. You should place your preferences in rank order [1-2]. Subject
OCR Health and Social OCR Business OCR ICT Technical Product Design
Preference (please tick)
Section 2 - Choose up to two GCSE subjects in this box. You should place your preferences in rank order [1-2]. Subject
Order of Preference
Subject
Art
Geography
Drama
History
Food & Nutrition
PE
Order of Preference
Art - Textiles
Students will have an interview to establish the most appropriate combination of courses from your choices. Signed: ………………………………………….....………………………….. [student] Signed: …………………………………………….......……………………….. [parent] Checked: …………...................................................................... [school] Please hand this form in by Friday 10 March 2017.
The English Baccalaureate Pathway
The GCSE Baccalaureate Pathway
Progress Pathway
Core Subjects: English, Maths & Dual or Triple Science pe/psHCe/rs
Core Subjects: English, Maths & a Dual or Triple Science pe/psHCe/rs
Core Subjects: English, Maths & a Dual Science PE/PSHCE/RS
Plus A Modern Foreign Language
Plus A Humanity
French or Spanish
Geography or History
Plus Up to two additional GCSE and/or vocational subjects
Plus A Humanity
Plus Two Additional Subjects
Geography or History
Art Business Studies Computing Drama Food & Nutrition Product Design Art -Textiles French Geography OCR Health and Social Care History OCR ICT Music PE Religious Studies Sociology Spanish
Plus One Additional Subject Art Business Studies Computing Drama Food & Nutrition Product Design Art - Textiles Geography History Music PE Religious Studies Sociology
Art OCR Business Studies OCR ICT OCR Health & Social Care Drama Food & Nutrition Technical Product Design Art - Textiles Geography History PE
Rastrick High School & Sixth Form Field Top Road Rastrick, Brighouse West Yorkshire HD6 3XB t: 01484 710235 f: 01484 720043 e: rhs@rastrick.calderdale.sch.uk t @RastrickHigh w: www.rastrick.calderdale.sch.uk
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