KS4 CURRICULUM GUIDE February 2020
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KS4 CURRICULUM GUIDE February 2020 HEADTEACHER’S MESSAGE The subjects and courses our students “The choices you make now, the choose to study from Year 9 onwards can people you surround yourself with, have a profound impact on their life after Lathom. It they all have the potential to affect is important that students choose subjects which your life, even who you are, forever”. they find enjoyable whilst making sure that their Sarah Dessen study time is academically demanding and gives them the best possible chance to progress into higher education and the world of work. Studying “It’s not hard to make decisions a broad range of subjects is essential so that when you know what your values students benefit from a rich curriculum, have greater are options open to them for further study and career Roy Disney choices and are well prepared for adult life. This KS4 Curriculum Guide is written to provide you with information and guidance to support you in making informed choices about the subjects you choose to study in Key Stage 4. In addition, our Options Events are organised to give you the opportunity to speak to subject teachers, college tutors and careers advisers to help you with this very important decision. This is a crucial point in your secondary education and if you have any questions at all about your options please ask any member of staff at school and we will be more than happy to help. Aim high! Mrs J M Galbraith Headteacher “THE SECRET OF EDUCATION LIES IN RESPECTING THE PUPIL.” RALPH WALDO EMERSON THE ENGLISH BACCALAUREATE (EBACC) The English Baccalaureate will be mentioned several times during the options process and it is worth explaining exactly what it is before going any further. Some careers and courses require students to have a broad and balanced range of GCSE qualifications. The Department for Education rewards this breadth of study by giving an English Baccalaureate to any student who gets a recognised grade in all the following qualifications: • English • Mathematics • Two Sciences (all our GCSE Science courses deliver this. This can also include Computer Science) • A language • Humanities – by taking either Geography or History In the future, some courses, apprenticeships or degrees may require the English Baccalaureate to start on their programme. By starting on this route now, our students will remove a significant barrier to success in the future. The thinking skills learned in each of these subjects will help our students to do better in all their other option choices. Students with an interest in taking A levels, or going on to University, should strongly consider the English Baccalaureate as a potential route to follow. Reports suggest that the leading Universities are already using it as a filter for students who apply for places. During your placement you will be expected to work a minimum of CAREERS GUIDANCE & SUPPORT 30 hours per a week over a period of one to four years depending on your apprenticeship programme. WHAT DO WE OFFER? Useful links: Careers Education, Information and Guidance (CEAIG) is a crucial part of the work we do with our students. We interact with Apprenticeships Information (UCAS) students at key transition points throughout their school life in Apprenticeship Information order to support them in making informed choices post 16. Apprenticeship Information (Prospects) Find Apprenticeships We have a dedicated Careers team in school for students and their families to access every day of the week. Parents are welcome to SIXTH FORM/COLLEGE attend their child’s Careers appointments and can also meet our Careers team during parents evening. At college or sixth form you may choose A-levels, BTECs or vocational qualifications Caroline Pickering – Careers Lead Dionne Paxton – Careers Adviser If you are considering applying for university you should research your subject choices because this may impact on the courses you Our school Careers Adviser completes individual appointments can apply to in the future. with students offering them independent and impartial advice and guidance. We focus on aligning student career prospects with their interests, strengths and motivations to ensure positive outcomes Useful links: for them when they leave us. Each student has an individual action plan to take away from their appointment which details next steps, A-level Information useful information and websites they can access with parents to plan before they start applications. Follow ups are completed once BTEC Diploma Information the students have had time to reflect and review their plans so that they have an opportunity to ask any further questions they may have. SIXTH FORMS AND COLLEGE LINKS: We have strong links with local colleges including Wigan and Leigh, King George V College West Lancashire College, St John Rigby College, Winstanley College Myerscough College and Southport / KGV College. We work with these colleges to co- Southport College ordinate attendance at events, open evenings and college St John Rigby College interviews so our students have good access to options available to West Lancashire College them. Colleges also come in to do assemblies Wigan & Leigh College Winstanley College We have a dedicated careers area in our school library where students have access to a wide range of information, college CAREER LINKS: prospectus and employer information. Students can also attend lunch time and after school drop in sessions for support with CVs, job applications, college applications and additional advice and www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk guidance they may need. www.prospects.ac.uk www.barclayslifeskills.com WHAT ARE YOUR NEXT STEPS? www.goconstruct.org www.wherestemcantakeyou.co.uk www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk Leaving school gives you a range of options which you should www.careersadviceforparents.org explore before deciding on which is right for you https://www.ucas.com APPRENTICESHIP Apprenticeships can be found in a wide range of fields. Apprenticeship allows you the opportunity to earn whilst you learn and gain real-life work experience. You will be expected to attend college or a training centre during your apprenticeship to build skills outside of the workplace. www.lathomhighschool.org ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENGLISH LITERATURE AWARDING BODY: EDUQAS AWARDING BODY: EDUQAS Introduction Introduction Throughout Key Stage Three and Key Stage Four our knowledge rich The study of Literature helps students to develop their view of the curriculum aims to enhance the experiences of students. Students world and their place in it. We aim to establish competent and will take an active part in acquiring the knowledge and skills in order confident readers in order to open up new worlds and allow students to to develop independence. The English curriculum maps the National experience life and cultures beyond their everyday experiences. Curriculum and GCSE Assessment Objectives to ensure progression Studying a breadth of authors and texts, ensures students discover and mastery of skills. The focus of English Language studies aims to unseen treasures and enjoy making connections with the world of Literature. In Year 9, students transition to GCSE content in order to provide the currency and confidence as communicators that build confidence and enable them to have the opportunity to complete students require to ensure they have choices and opportunities for GCSE Literature examinations in Year 10. life after Lathom. Content Content Component 1: Component 1: Shakespeare and Anthology Poetry 20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Prose Writing Component 2: Post-1914 Prose/Drama, Pre 19th Century Prose and Unseen Poetry Component 2: 19th, 20th and 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading and Persuasive Assessment Writing Component 1: Assessment Section A - Shakespeare – Macbeth (extract and essay) Component 1: Section B - Poetry from 1789 to present day (Anthology based Section A – Reading: Understanding of one extract of literature questions with comparison) from the 20th century Section B – Prose Writing: One creative writing task selected 2 hours examination (40%) from a choice of four titles Component 2: 1 hour 45 minutes examination (40%) Section A - Post-1914 Prose/Drama – ‘A Curious Incident of the Dog Component 2: in the Night-Time’ or ‘Blood Brothers’ or ‘Woman in Black’ Section A – Reading: Understanding of two non-fiction extracts (exploding extract) from the 19th and 20th century Section B - 19th Century Prose ‘A Christmas Carol’ (exploding Section B – Writing: Two persuasive writing tasks extract) 2 hours examination (60%) Section C - Unseen Poetry from the 20th/21st Century (analysis of an unseen poem and then comparison to a thematically linked unseen Component 3: poem) Spoken Language – No examination 2 hours and 30 minutes examination (60%) One presentation/speech - a mark will be awarded but it will be separate from the final grade Career Relevance Career Relevance An English Literature GCSE is essential for those students hoping An English Language GCSE is essential for all students in order to to further their English studies at college or university. It is secure college places, apprenticeships or jobs. English Language another English qualification to complement language and a forms part of the minimum requirements for the majority of study of Literature develops students’ verbal and written employers and FE colleges. Specific English careers include: communication, their understanding of complex ideas and their writers, critics, bloggers, journalists