AFTER YEAR 9 IN YORK 2010–11 Choosing options within your school Let’s get stARTED Welcome to After Year 9 in York his stage of education is Tall about option choices within your school. Our aim is to help you to start making course choices for Years 10 and 11. The number and variety of courses have been growing over the last few years: there are new qualifications, new subjects and new ways of learning. This booklet provides easy-to-follow information that will get you started, and shows you where you can go next for more information, advice and guidance. The law requires all young people to continue in education or training until the age of 17 in 2013 and until 18 in 2015. This is because the government want young people to reach the higher level of skills and qualifications needed to succeed in the modern, fast changing world. This booklet sets out: • The options you may take • The types of qualifications and levels • Making choices • What about the future? • Who to ask or where to find further help and guidance Whatever you need to know, there’s someone who can help. page 2 WHAt’s aVAILABLE The options you might take The range of choices can seem complicated. That is partly because you might hear them referred to in different ways: by a subject (History or Engineering), by a type of qualification (GCSE or Diploma), by an exam body (BTEC or Edexcel) by a general term (‘Work Related Learning’) or by a level (Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2). So, over the following few pages, we’ve tried to give you a simple explanation of what the main options are. Remember that you will be studying some core compulsory subjects, which usually include English, Maths and Science. Other options are then added to these core subjects. Please check with your school for details. Options for Year 10 and Year 11: a summary • GCSEs (Levels 1–2) • Diplomas (Levels 1–2) • Young Apprenticeships (Level 2) • Foundation Learning Programme (Entry Level and Level 1) • Other vocational qualifications (Levels 1–2) page 3 GCSEs (Levels 1–2) Many of you will have heard of GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education). The majority of Year 10s will be following this pathway. Pupils usually choose from a selection of subjects, and most of the ones on offer will be familiar from Years 7–9, though there may be some new ones (Business Studies, for example). GCSEs are assessed by exams and controlled assessment. There may be some courses which count for two GCSEs, such as Business and sometimes a ‘short course’ GCSE is on offer, such as Religious Education which is half a GCSE. GCSEs are graded A* to G: • Level 1 = grades D to G • Level 2 = grades A* to C. Some subjects have a choice of ‘tiers’ (called Higher or Foundation) which affect the possible range of grades that can be achieved. Teachers will advise you about this. Some subjects may be offered as Applied GCSEs, which usually means much of the learning is related to ‘real life’ tasks—for example, in Applied Business, using case studies about an actual company. Some GCSEs involve more practical work than others, but pupils choosing practical subjects like Physical Education or Food Technology will find a lot of theory and classroom work as well. Schools may offer other qualifications which take up the place of one or two GCSE choices. An example is the OCR National in Information and Communication Technology. Generally, whatever GCSEs you choose, there will still be a wide range of pathways after Year 11. There are, however, some advanced level courses where you may be required to have taken the same subject at GCSE, such as French A Level which may require a pass grade A*–C in GCSE French. Some Higher Education courses also specify certain GCSEs as entry requirements, particularly in the area of science degrees. page 4 Diplomas (Levels 1–2) Diplomas, first launched in September 2008, combine academic and applied learning with practical experience of a particular industry sector. Pupils choose a single Diploma subject (sometimes called a ‘line’) which is broadly related to an industry or areas of work. Diplomas are awarded at: • Level 1 (Foundation), equivalent to five GCSE grades D–G • Level 2 (Higher), equivalent to approximately 7.5 GCSE grades A*–C. You will do some core GCSEs as well as their Diploma, such as English and Maths. You will need to check with your school exactly which core subjects will be compulsory, and also whether you can do any other GCSEs if you want to. Diplomas are offered on a city-wide basis, which means that you might spend one day a week at a different school or college if your chosen Diploma isn’t taught at your own school. Diplomas: what’s involved? Learning area What might be included Principal Learning Core learning related to the chosen line (eg Travel and Tourism, Engineering, etc.) Functional Skills The application of English, Maths and ICT in real life and work scenarios Personal, Learning and Skills such as problem solving, teamwork, etc. Thinking Skills A project Sector specific Work Experience A minimum of ten days’ experience of work that relates to the Diploma line Additional / Specialist This is usually drawn from your school’s option Learning subjects and may be specific to the Diploma line (e.g. extra photography for Creative and Media) or alternatively something to widen skills (eg taking a language qualification). page 5 In 2011 there will be up to 14 Diplomas available in York, drawn from: • Business, Administration and Finance • Construction and the Built Environment • Creative and Media • Engineering • Environmental and Land-based Studies • Hair and Beauty Studies • Hospitality • Information Technology • Manufacturing and Product Design • Public Services • Retail Business • Society, Health and Development • Sport and Active Leisure • Travel and Tourism There is much more to Diplomas than the practical, hands-on aspects and the theory work involved can be challenging. You will need a strong interest in your chosen subject, but you should not worry that it will limit you to a specific career in the future. Note: You may see schools or colleges offering a BTEC Diploma. This is a different qualification entirely, so check information about it carefully with your school. page 6 Young Apprenticeships (Level 2) Young Apprenticeships lead to qualifications related to a specific job (or sometimes more than one job). You need to show a strong interest in the course, but this does not necessarily mean that you have to be limited to that job in the future. In York, there are currently Young Apprenticeship courses in: • Business Administration • Construction Craft • Construction Professional & Technical • Engineering • Hairdressing • Hospitality • Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (delivered in partnership with Jaguar Land Rover) • Sport, Coaching and Leadership Places are very limited in the city, so it is important to consider a backup plan, and also to get as much advice as possible. The exam bodies and names of qualifications are different from course to course, but all are awarded at Level 2, and are equivalent to five GCSEs at grade A*–C. Alongside a Young Apprenticeship you will study your core/compulsory subjects and, usually, at least one other GCSE. There is plenty of hands-on practical work, but you must also have the ability and commitment to follow the academic study that is needed. Consider, for example, what an apprentice vehicle mechanic needs to learn about electricity and electronics, or what an apprentice in sport will learn about human biology. The courses also have other units, including health and safety and the background to the industry. One day per week will be spent at York College. There is a requirement to carry out 50 days of work experience during the year, much of which may have to be done in the school holidays. So, you’ll need to have a high level of real interest in the subject, and take a responsible attitude. A Taster Twilight session for all Young Apprenticeship pathways will take place at York College in late November. A Parents/Carers Information Evening and interviews will take place in February. Detailed information about each Young Apprenticeship pathway can be found in the 14–16 area of the York College website, at www.yorkcollege.ac.uk. Alternatively, contact the 14–16 Co-ordinator at York College on 01904 770202. page 7 Foundation Learning (Entry Level and Level 1) Foundation Learning is a new national learning programme, providing a personalised tailored programme of qualifications. It enables pupils to build up credits of achievement at Entry Level or Level 1, and may be taken alongside GCSEs and Diplomas. The programme comprises three distinct elements: • Vocational or subject learning, eg Catering, Hairdressing, Construction, Childcare, Working with Animals. This will vary from school to school. • Functional Skills in English, Maths and ICT • Personal and Social Development learning: activities that will help develop skills such as team building, creativity and decision-making Learning takes place in various locations: some of it may be outside the school, at other schools, at the Danesgate Skills Centre, with work related learning providers, in the workplace with a local employer, or on a community-based volunteering project. The programme is designed to support you to progress at your own pace, build confidence and progress towards your next goal, whether that be Further Education, an Apprenticeship, supported employment or independent living. The school will work with you to ensure that the programme is appropriate and meets the aspirations that you may have.