Y9 Options Evening Presentation

GCSE Options Evening 2023

GCSE Options Evening 2023

✔The National Context

✔The English Baccalaureate

✔The 2 Crypt Pathways

✔Curriculum Choices & GCSE Subject Options

✔Destination information

✔Using data to help decisions

The National context

All GCSE courses are linear with all written exams sat at the end of Year 11.

Some GCSEs have Non-Examined Assessment (coursework). These tend to be the more practical subjects.

All GCSEs are graded from 9 to 1. Grade 4 is considered a ‘pass’. Grade 5 is a considered a ‘strong pass’.

External accountability framework (Progress 8)

Schools will be judged on how well their Y11 pupils perform in the best 8 GCSEs. All schools are given an overall score for their GCSE results, called their Progress 8 score.

The English Baccalaureate

The government introduced the English Baccalaureate which is a measurement of individual school and student success.

The Russell Group of leading research-led UK universities, have published information on GCSE and A-level subjects which they felt would be good preparation for their undergraduate courses. These are called ‘enabling’ subjects.

The Ebacc subjects form this list.

The English Baccalaureate

In order to achieve the English Baccalaureate, in addition to studying English, Maths and science, students need to study: A modern foreign language (French, German or Spanish)

History or Geography

We encourage pupils to take options that allow them to achieve the Ebacc so that they keep as many university options open to them as possible.

The Crypt GCSE Curriculum

There is a core curriculum that all pupils study.

Pupils will then choose 1 of two different pathways to follow in Years 10 and 11.

Both pathways will lead to at least 9 GCSEs

The Core Curriculum

All pupils must study:

o Mathematics

o English literature and English language

o Science (either as combined science or triple science)

o Geography or history

Additional elements on a pupils timetable:

o Personal development lessons – covering social, moral, spiritual and cultural themes; careers and other key skills to ensure each pupil’s personal development.

o Physical education (PE)

o Games o In Y10 pupils will also sit a GCSE Religious Education (RE) short course.

The Pathways

All pupils must study:

Mathematics

English literature and language

History OR geography

PATHWAY 1

Combined Science + 3 options

PATHWAY 2

Triple science + 2 options

Science – Triple vs Combined Science

In Triple Science pupils are taught 3 separate sciences: •Biology •Chemistry •Physics

Each science is allocated 5 periods (so a total of 15 periods)

We would strongly recommend the triple for any pupil considering any A-Level in Science, a scientific career, or competitive courses.

Science – Triple vs Combined Science

In Combined Science:

•Students are taught sciences as 3 separate courses, by subject specialists.

•There is a total of 10 periods allocated to combined science.

•Some of the most challenging content is removed from the combined science.

Need to know more about science?

•Please watch the science video on our website.

•Please feel free to contact our Heads of each science for more information:

•Biology – Mrs Carey

•Chemistry – Mrs Gee

•Physics – Mrs John

Modern Foreign Languages

•We strongly recommend that all pupils take a language at GCSE.

•Year 9 pupils currently study either French, German or Spanish.

•Pupils can only opt to take a language at GCSE that they have studied in Year 9.

The ‘Humanities’

•Students have to opt for either history or geography

•Taking a humanities subject ensures that pupils retain a broad curriculum

•Students can study both subjects if they wish

Social sciences

•Social sciences are in the option blocks and are new subjects to all pupils.

•For this reason, pupils are only permitted to take either psychology or business studies (they cannot take both)

•You can still study both these subjects at A-level even if you have not studied them at GCSE.

Computer Science

•Computer science is an Ebacc Subject

•In order to study Computer Science, you either have to be in one of the top maths sets (9M-P/Q/X) OR you need a Grade 3 (Gold) in the Entry Level Computer Science Award.

Further Mathematics

•We offer top set mathematicians to take a Further Maths qualification. (9M-P/Q/X)

•This is optional, and entries are decided in Y11 in consultation with pupils

•It is particularly useful for pupils thinking of studying A-level Maths.

Option Subjects

ART*

BUSINESS STUDIES

COMPUTER SCIENCE

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY *

DRAMA STUDIES*

FOOD TECHNOLOGY*

SUBJECTS IN BOLD =

Ebacc Subjects

* = Practical Subjects

FRENCH

GEOGRAPHY

GERMAN

HISTORY

MUSIC*

PHILOSOPHY & ETHICS

PSYCHOLOGY

SPANISH

SPORTS STUDIES*

Curriculum Time Allocation

There are a total of 50 periods within a 2-week cycle

Choosing your options Do

Think carefully about the type of subject which suits your child

Aim to get a balance of types of subject so your child will have a broad skill base

Think carefully about what your child wants to do after GCSEs.

Choosing your options Do

Look at entry requirements at A-level for specific subjects

Our current entry requirements are on our website under ‘Prospectus’, then look at ‘Sixth form information booklet’

These are subject to change – however they will give you an idea of entry requirements.

Choosing your options Don’t let your child

Base choices on what friends are opting to do.

On the basis that a particular teacher is taking them at the moment

Balancing your choices

We recommend that you take a maximum of two practical subjects as the burden of coursework for pupils is significant.

The practical subjects are: ART*

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY *

DRAMA & THEATRE STUDIES*

FOOD TECHNOLOGY*

MUSIC*

STUDIES*

Will you be successful?

•Our aim is to fulfil all pupils option choices.

•Occasionally this is not possible.

•If we can not fulfil your options, we will initially discuss reserves with the pupil, and we will contact parents.

Destination information

On a normal year all students in Year 9 remain in school to study GCSEs in Years 10 and 11.

Students in Year 9 do have the option to apply to study at the SGS Berkeley Green UTC https://academytrust.sgscol.ac.uk/sgs-berkeley-gree n-utc

If you are considering this option please speak to me or email me so we can help you.

Destination information

Students in Year 10/ 11 will be supported with Post-16 Options.

Most Crypt Students will remain in Crypt Sixth Form to study A Levels, a few students are supported to help gain an apprenticeship, or study in a local college

Students in Year 12/ 13 will be supported with Post-18 Options: Most Crypt Students go on to university with a growing number considering and taking up Apprenticeships

Using Mid Year Exam data to help your decisions

• Mid Year Exam data should help you understand where you child is relative to their year group.

• 60-65% of our GCSE grades are grades 7-9

• 99-100% of our GCSE grades are grades 4-9

• The majority of students will be suitable for the majority of courses.

• Use the working levels to help you identify strengths and weaknesses in practical subjects.

If you are unsure whether a course is suitable for your child please speak to their teacher at parent’s evening

Cognitive Ability Tests (CAT4)

• These are taken by the students at the start of Year 7, in September. If a student is away or does not start in September of Year 7, then they will take the test at a later date.

• Pupils get tested in 4 areas:

• Verbal (reasoning with words)

• Quantitative (reasoning with numbers)

• Non-Verbal (reasoning with shapes and numbers)

• Spatial reasoning (thinking with and mentally manipulating precise shapes)

• The document you have summarises the results.

• Using historical data, you have also been given a guide to what outcome is likely for each student for a variety of subjects at GCSE.

The Profile

•Look at the second page of the report.

•This outlines each pupil's profile for each test.

•It suggests where their strongest area is and suggests how they might learn – this is useful when developing revision techniques for GCSE preparation.

What does this mean?

• Verbal reasoning – this is needed in subjects like English, History, Languages or any subject where you need to read and write carefully.

• Quantitative reasoning – this is needed in subjects like Maths, Science, Geography, DT and any subjects where you need to use formulae, diagrams and graphs.

• Non-Verbal reasoning – this measures the student’s general problem solving skills to solve problems in unfamiliar situations.

• Spatial awareness – comes naturally to most students. It is the ability to mentally manipulate images and perceive patterns between them.

CAT4 : Indicators for GCSE

•The fourth page shows the likely outcomes at the end of GCSE in selected subjects for a student.

•These subjects are supplied by the testing company NFER National Foundation for Educational Research (some of the subjects we do not offer).

•The indicators give a statistical prediction, not a prophecy of the student’s actual results.

•The student’s outcomes will also be determined by the student’s motivation and effort.

For further information on CATs

Google NFER CAT Testing or www.gl-assessment.co.uk

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT

1. The indicators give a statistical prediction, using historic data.

2. Subject teachers will set a Y11 target grade for each student based on previous performance and knowledge of the student.

3. The student’s motivation and effort play a HUGE part in the final exam outcomes.

GCSE Options

Where to find further advice and information

Visit our website

On the website you will find:

Frequently asked questions

Recording of heads of department talking about option subjects

Careers Talk by Mr Germaine

Copies of the options form and pathways (hard copy in pack)

Copy of the booklet (hard copy in pack)

Further help needed?

•Talk to subject teachers at parents evening.

•Talk to form tutors

•Speak to Mr Hart (Head of Year)

•Talk/Email to Ms Glock about any timetable-related issues, or if you need any further support with options.

Careers Support

• Careers program to support students

https://www.cryptschool.org/personal-development/careers-adviceinformation-guidance

• Careers Termly Newsletter

https://sites.google.com/crypt.gloucs.sch.uk/careersatthecrypt/hom e

• Calendar of external career events

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TflukHuLBiJsfntipkOiTdxH bcg9c8WWD-yk9Ur7ukY/edit#gid=0

• Mrs H Michaluk- Careers Advisor – hmichaluk@crypt.gloucs.sch.uk

• Mr C Germaine – Careers Leader – cgermaine@crypt.gloucs.sch.uk

Checklist

TO DO ACTIONS

Read options information booklet

Read the ‘frequently asked questions’ (on website)

Watch the option subject recordings by the Heads of department (on website)

Watch the careers recording by Mr Germaine (on website)

Checked what GCSEs are needed for A levels/ apprenticeships of interest

Linked subjects to career ideas

Match strengths/interests to option subjects of interest.

Researched new subjects

Returned options from by the deadline