KEY STAGE 4 STUDY PROGRAMME OPTIONS 2020/2021 CONTENTS Page Number Introduction 2 Key Stage 4 subjects and option blocks 3-4 People who can help you and Careers Advise 5-6 Qualifications 7 Careers education and guidance 8 Key Stage 4 study programme – core subjects 9 English Language and English Literature 10-12 Mathematics 13 Physical Education and Core RE 14 Science 15 Options – Your choice 16 Art 17 Business Studies 18 Computer Science 19 Dance 20-21 Design and Technology - GCSE Design & Technology 22 GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition 23 GCSE Art & Design (Textiles) 24 GCSE Art & Design (Graphic Communication) 25 Vocational Award: Hospitality & Catering 26 Drama 27 Geography 28 History 29 Modern Foreign Languages 30 Music 31 Physical Education 32-34 Religious Studies 35 Science 36 Psychology 37 Statistics 38 Options evening hall plan 39 Key Stage 4 Subjects 40 Option block choices 41 1 KEY STAGE 4 STUDY PROGRAMME INTRODUCTION The purpose of this booklet is to provide information for parents and students about the courses on offer in Meole Brace School in Key Stage 4, and at this stage I would encourage you to think about further education/training beyond the age of 16. In choosing options it can be difficult knowing just where to start. One appropriate starting point would be to look at those subjects which provide most interest. If you enjoy a subject you are more likely to do well in it. It is also often the case that you prefer your stronger subjects so again it makes sense to choose them. At the same time these interests will be beginning g to guide your thoughts as to what you want to do after Meole Brace. The core subjects provide balance and breadth but your options remain important. If you are keen to follow particular courses beyond the age of 16 check on the most suitable subjects and likewise if you have particular career thoughts in mind look at how these match your option choices. To summarise, in making options consider: interests likes strengths career possibilities Best of luck! Steve Pierce Deputy Headteacher 2 KEY STAGE 4 SUBJECTS (September 2020) The core curriculum is followed by every student and consists of: Lessons per Lessons per Subject Accreditation fortnight (Y10) fortnight (Y11) English 8 8 2 GCSEs Maths 8 8 1 GCSE PE 4 4 Science 9 9 2 GCSEs PDC 1 1 TOTAL 30 30 5 GCSEs Options Option choices have a total time allocation of 20 lessons per fortnight. Students select 4 options. Please remember that we cannot guarantee every student all her or his preferred choices but will provide a balanced range of subjects. Subject Lessons per Accreditation fortnight Art 5 1 GCSE Business Studies 5 1 GCSE Computer Science 5 1 GCSE Dance 5 1 GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition 5 1 GCSE Hospitality and Catering 5 1 GCSE Design Technology - GCSE Design and Technology GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition 5 1 GCSE GCSE Art & Design (Textiles) GCSE Art & Design (Graphic Communication) Vocational Award: Hospitality & Catering Drama 5 1 GCSE Geography 5 1 GCSE History 5 1 GCSE French/Spanish/German 5 1 GCSE Music 5 1 GCSE PE 5 1 GCSE Product Design 5 1 GCSE Religious Studies 5 1 GCSE Science 5 (+9 from core) 3 GCSEs 3 Rules for choices (relate to the tables overleaf) Chose only one subject from each block You cannot choose the same subject more than once NB Please discuss these options carefully with your child. Although we are aware that students can alter their decisions it may be impossible to change some Options after the initial choices have been made. STUDENTS PICK ONE CHOICE FROM EACH OPTION BLOCK Option Block A Option Block B Art Business Studies Business Studies Computer Science Geography Drama D&T: Food Preparation & History Nutrition Vocational Award: Music Hospitality & Catering PE French Science (Separate) Geography Religious Studies Science (Separate) Option Block C Option Block D Art Business Studies Business Studies Dance Art & Design (Graphic Drama Communication) French Art & Design (Textiles) Geography Design & Technology German French History Geography Science (Separate) History Spanish Science (Separate) Any student who cannot be allocated their choices will meet with Mr Pierce or Mr Langley to discuss alternative options 4 PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP YOU The School Careers Leader - Mrs L Richardson Your Head of Year and form tutor Your subject teachers and Head of Department Your parent/guardians The Careers Adviser, Sue Ratcliffe, can help you to decide on your future career and your GCSE options. Email [email protected] for an appointment to see Sue in school or to ask a question about your plans. Year 9 students can also drop in to see Sue at lunchtime or break on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the Careers Room under the bridge to the Sports Hall. Kudos All year 9 students will be introduced to Kudos over the next few months to help with option and career choices. Students will be provided with their unique user name and password. What is Kudos? Key features include: • Career ideas generator based on interests and aspirations • Up-to-date, impartial careers information • Different starting points which reflect student needs • Easy to understand labour market information • Transparent results to aid students’ self awareness • Links school subjects to careers • Structured CV builder • Live Apprenticeship vacancies linked to careers • Post-16 courses which offer progression into each career • Information on the University courses relevant to each career • Real-time job vacancies Kudos provides young people with a personalised experience which enables them to explore careers and learning pathways based on their interests and aspirations. They can get ideas of careers that they might like, explore their own career ideas, discover where their favourite subjects could take them and uncover a world of opportunities in different areas of work. Using Kudos each young person will discover why some careers are better suited to them than others as well as developing a greater understanding of themselves and all of their future options. With up-to-date information on hundreds of careers, Kudos equips a young person with everything they need to know to make the best possible career decisions. Four exploration routes through the program. Kudos is divided into four starting points. These are: 1. Take the My Future quiz to find your perfect career 2. Explore subjects 3. Explore work areas 4. Explore careers Some students may need careers ideas to explore whilst others may have a clear idea of what career they are interested in. All students can work through the program at their own pace to end up at the stage where they can make informed decisions about their future. 5 CAREER ADVICE Year 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Got a question about Careers, Options, College, Apprenticeships, University? Need some help? Drop in at lunchtime or break on Wednesdays and Thursdays or email [email protected] for an appointment. Careers room between A7 English and the Girls’ Changing room. Sue Ratcliffe Registered Careers Advisor [email protected] In school on Wednesdays and Thursdays 6 QUALIFICATIONS You are invited to choose subjects for study over the next two years which will lead to the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Grades awarded for qualifications offered. BTEC equivalent to GCSE New GCSE grading system Level 2 Distinction 9 8 7 Level 2 Merit 6 Level 2 Pass 5 Level 1 Distinction 4 Level 1 Merit 3 Level 1 Pass 2 1 (A more detailed comparison between current and new GCSE grades is found on the next page.) GCSE General Certificate of Secondary Education. BTEC Business and Technology Education Council. For some subjects there will be a compulsory controlled assessment component and this covers all types of activity carried out by students which are used for assessment purposes. This activity can form a major part of the students' homework. The courses are intended to meet the needs of all our students regardless of whether they plan to leave full-time education or to pursue further study or training. Students wishing to follow a course in further education - such as AS and A2 levels - would need to achieve the higher grades. 7 CAREERS EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE Emphasis is placed on practical advice and personal guidance as the student moves towards employment or further education. In addition, we aim to increase the individual student's awareness of the world of work and of wider community issues. During Years 10 and 11, a policy of Careers Education and Guidance will continue to form an integral part of the preparation of our students to take on and enjoy the experience, opportunities and responsibilities of adult life. Delivery of such material will be through: 1 Individual subjects in a cross-curricular manner with the aim that careers awareness penetrates many aspects of the curriculum 2 During PDC lessons students will discuss CV writing, applications and interview techniques. 3 Individual interviews with personal advisers. 4 The use of post 16 Further Education institutions such as Shrewsbury Sixth Form College, Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology, North Shropshire College, Youth Training providers and Apprenticeship providers 5 Computer software KUDOS and Internet search engines 6 One to one counselling by form tutors/careers advisors In addition to the above, opportunity is also provided for parents to play an important part in the careers decision making process of their children. 8 KEY STAGE 4 STUDY PROGRAMME CORE SUBJECTS English Mathematics Physical Education Religious Education Science 9 AQA GCSE ENGLISH AND ENGLISH LITERATURE Your two year English course will focus on developing your skills in reading, writing and speaking and listening.