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KS4 Pathways Booklet 2018-2020

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KS4 Pathways Booklet 2018-2020 GCSE CURRICULUM KS4 PATHWAYS 2018 - 2020 We are inspired by our Patron, Bishop Richard Challoner, and his call for us to “do ordinary things extraordinarily well” 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Head & Deputy’s Foreword ................................................................................... 3 Choosing a KS4 Curriculum Pathway ..................................................................... 5 Final Pathway Form .............................................................................................. 6 SECTION 1: Core Subjects ................................................................................ 7 Religious Studies ................................................................................................... 8 English ................................................................................................................... 9 Mathematics ....................................................................................................... 13 Science ................................................................................................................ 14 SECTION 2: EBACC Element ........................................................................... 16 Modern Languages (French & Spanish GCSE) ..................................................... 17 Geography .......................................................................................................... 20 History ................................................................................................................ 21 SECTION 3: Applied Learning Pathway .......................................................... 22 BTEC Level 1 & 2 – An Overview ......................................................................... 23 BTEC Art & Design ............................................................................................... 24 BTEC ICT & Creative Technology ......................................................................... 25 BTEC Sport .......................................................................................................... 26 BTEC Travel & Tourism ........................................................................................ 27 BTEC Health & Social Care................................................................................... 28 SECTION 4: Option Preferences ..................................................................... 29 Art ....................................................................................................................... 30 Catering (Single Award) ...................................................................................... 31 Drama ................................................................................................................. 32 Computer Science ............................................................................................... 35 Music .................................................................................................................. 36 Physical Education .............................................................................................. 37 Design & Technology .......................................................................................... 38 SECTION 5: Additional Curriculum Experiences ............................................. 40 Core PE (Physical Education in Key Stage 4) ........................................................ 41 Careers & Enterprise Education .......................................................................... 42 Personal, Social & Health Education and Citizenship .......................................... 43 Learning Support................................................................................................. 44 Closing Statement ........................................................................................ 45 2 Diocese of Portsmouth St. Michael’s Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG22 6SR Tel: (01256) 462661 Fax: (01256) 810359 email: [email protected] website: www.bcs.hants.sch.uk Headteacher: Mr J P Wright, BTh Head and Deputy’s Foreword We are delighted to be able to provide you with the curriculum offer for 2018-20. In light of the changes to GCSEs and in the interest of continuing to provide a broad, balanced and more inclusive range of examination-based subjects, this year’s booklet reflects the changing needs of our students and society, and therefore it includes new subjects and new specifications. Where staffing, rooming and resourcing allow, we are planning to make these changes. Of course, if courses cannot run, we will inform you and discuss alternatives at our earliest convenience. We are happy that this curriculum offer is robust and will enable students to realise their potential. I am grateful for the work undertaken by Mr Dollimore, Curriculum Deputy, and the Heads of Department and their teams who continue to plan and deliver courses that allow our young people to be successful and to be able to move forwards to either, employment, further education or training. On Tuesday 23 January 2018 at 5:45pm you are invited to attend a presentation led by Mr Dollimore in the Romero Suite. This will start at 6.00pm and will provide an overview of the KS4 Pathways Programme. It is vital that students choose subjects based upon 3 factors: enjoyment, success and interest. Some will have an idea of subjects they wish to follow in Sixth form, others may have ideas about possible careers they wish to pursue. For them, subject choice and pathways may be easier to define at this stage. We have organised our curriculum offer into 5 sections. The Extended Core is followed by all students and includes Religious Studies, Mathematics, English Language, and English Literature. Students will follow either the Combined Science (equivalent of 2 GCSEs) or Triple Science (equivalent of 3 GCSEs) route. Students also follow a Humanities based subject and may choose either History or Geography. The majority of students will also follow a Modern Foreign Language where they may choose from either French or Spanish. The Option subjects provide students with a ‘free choice’. Students should select ONE subject from the list of GCSE subjects: Art, Catering, Computing, Drama, Music, PE and Resistant Materials. They should also indicate a RESERVE subject in the event that we cannot run a subject or a subject is over-subscribed. The total number of GCSEs students will therefore take will be either 9 or 10 qualifications, depending on their Science Pathway. The only exceptions to this will be a cohort of students for whom the pursuit of a Modern Foreign Language is deemed inappropriate. Despite the importance of the Ebacc measure, we recognise that the MFL strand may not be accessible for all and hence in consultation with parents and students, and by invitation only, alternative pathways are being made available as outlined below. For these students, instead of pursuing either French or Spanish, we will be exploring the viability of them either following their OPTION and RESERVE choice (depending on combinations, numbers opting, staffing and planned training for delivery) or a BTEC qualification. If your son/daughter is likely to benefit from this pathway, we will contact you and arrange for you to find out more about the BTEC pathway and how this may be an appropriate route for post-16 study and progression. There is a section in the booklet about these new qualifications. They can be taken at either Level 1 (equivalent to up to a GCSE grade D or notional 3) or Level 2 (equivalent to a GCSE grade C-A* or notional 4-8) depending on student ability. The grading for these subjects is different to the 1-9 GCSE scales but it is important to be aware that the status 3 of BTECs is such that employers, businesses and universities recognise their GCSE equivalency. Indeed, a number of universities are remarking in their information and guidance that students who have followed BTEC courses at school and have then carried on at Sixth Form arrive at University ‘more rounded’ and ‘prepared’ for the demands of ‘independent study’, having learnt and applied the ‘vital skills of team-working, problem-solving and applied learning’. Finally, we encourage you to read the booklet with your child/children, attend the evening on January 23rd and to seek advice and guidance from our staff if you need any further information. We would also strongly advise you to speak to subject leaders at the Year 9 parents’ evening on 6 February 2018. The Final Pathways form MUST be submitted to school office by 19th February 2018 Our young people have exciting futures ahead of them and we look forward to developing our partnership with you to ensure their potential can be realised. Our good wishes to you all, Yours sincerely, J P Wright R Dollimore Headteacher Deputy Headteacher 4 Choosing a KS4 Pathway Once you have completed and handed in the form your choices may be discussed with you to ensure that you have chosen the right pathway for you. If there is a problem with your preferences, you will be contacted and alternatives discussed with you. Please be aware that the Head teacher will make any final decisions if subjects are oversubscribed or undersubscribed. A copy of the form is available for your planning on the next page. You will be given a form on the evening. If you are unable to attend, a copy is available on the website or from school. Do not make up your mind too quickly. Seek advice to choose a broad, balanced curriculum. Your decisions
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